Camping in Le Barcarès

The campsites in Le Barcarès offer the perfect conditions for an unforgettable holiday on the Mediterranean. The gently sloping shore on the kilometre-long sandy beach delights families with children and water sports enthusiasts. The ideal wind conditions attract surfers and kitesurfers to the coast. Active holidaymakers enjoy exploring the region at the foot of the mighty Pyrenees by bike.

Special features of camping in Le Barcarès

Situated on a headland in the Occitanie region, the picturesque town is bordered by the River Agly to the south. There is a large selection of campsites in Le Barcarès: whether dog owners, families with children, active holidaymakers or those seeking peace and quiet - there is a campsite for everyone in Le Barcarès.

Some pitches are located right next to the long sandy beach. Others are located close to the banks of the river. It is not far from the campsites to the lively town centre, where numerous shops and restaurants await. Thanks to the good transport links, the city of Perpignan is less than 30 minutes away for culture vultures.

Travelling

Whether the journey to the French Mediterranean coast can be made in one day or whether an overnight stay should be planned depends on the starting point. It is around 840 kilometres from the German-French border near Neuenburg am Rhein to the campsites in Le Barcarès.

The shortest route from the south is via Switzerland. If you don't want to buy the annual Swiss motorway toll sticker, travel via Stuttgart and the border crossing at Neuenburg am Rhein. From here, take the A36 motorway on the French side to Beaune, then it's another 600 km or so to Le Barcarès.

Heading south, take the A6 to Lyon. On the well-maintained route, numerous rest stops offer the opportunity to rest and refuel. In larger cities such as Macon or Lyon, motels near the motorway offer affordable accommodation. From Lyon, continue on the A7 until the road becomes the A9 north of Avignon. Before reaching Montpellier, the motorway opens up to a fantastic view of the Mediterranean for the first time. At Leucate, leave the A9 and take a country road to Le Barcarès.

Activities and excursions

Thanks to the location right by the sea, guests can take advantage of the numerous water sports facilities near the campsites. The region also offers interesting excursion destinations for those interested in culture and nature.

Water fun guaranteed

The dream beach in Le Barcarès is around 8 kilometres long. Families meet up on the fine sandy coast to splash around and play. For the more adventurous, head to Aqualand Port Leucate, just 5 minutes from the campsites in Le Barcarès, where sensational slides await. The coast is also a true Eldorado for water sports enthusiasts: from Le Barcarès, you can explore the fascinating underwater world. Divers, for example, can book an excursion to the underwater reserve of Banyuls-Cerbère, where rare groupers and many other fish can be seen. The opportunity to go kitesurfing, windsurfing and waterskiing rounds off the varied holiday programme by the sea.

Excursions for hikers and culture vultures

Le Barcarès also has a lot to offer on land: The Pyrénees Catalanes National Park, for example, is a popular destination for a day trip. Nature lovers can reach the Grotte des Canalettes in around 1 hour's drive from Le Barcarès. The cave system impresses with its illuminated stalactites. The national park is also ideal for hikes of all levels of difficulty. If you want to end the perfect day on a high note, take a stroll to the lively centre of Le Barcarès. Numerous bars invite you to party here. During the electro music festival in mid-August, the coastal town is transformed into a party mile.

Gastronomy

The catering options in Le Barcarès range from snack bars to gourmet restaurants. Delicious Mediterranean cuisine is served in the cosy, typical regional restaurants. Herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage and tarragon provide the delicious flavour of many dishes. Olive oil is also used by chefs to flavour fish, meat and vegetarian dishes.

Freshly caught fish and seafood can be found on most menus. If you order tellines, for example, you will be served small mussels flavoured with garlic and parsley. If you have a sweet tooth, order the delicious "crème catalana" with a hint of vanilla and a thick layer of caramel for dessert. Many family-friendly restaurants offer special children's dishes such as chips and sausages or schnitzel at reasonable prices.

Best time to visit

With around 2,000 hours of sunshine per year, Occitania is one of the friendliest regions in France. The climate is mild all year round. Spring starts much earlier on the Mediterranean coast of France than inland. Camping in Le Barcarès therefore often starts as early as March or April. By then, the air has already warmed up to 17 degrees Celsius.

From May, the temperatures rise to over 20 degrees Celsius and peak at around 28 degrees in July and August. As the sun shines for 7 to 9 hours a day from June to August, these months are ideal for a beach holiday. Even in October, the temperature rises to 20 degrees Celsius, although rainfall increases towards the end of the season.