Camping in the Department Alpes-Maritime

Many holidaymakers are drawn to the campsites in Alpes Maritimes, which are located directly on the Mediterranean beach. Places such as Nice, Cannes and Saint-Tropez are among the most popular holiday destinations in France and delight visitors with the deep blue waters of the Côte d'Azur. The hinterland is characterised by vast fields of lavender and the mighty mountains of the Alps are perfect for hiking.

Camping specialities

The French Alpes Maritimes region in the south-east of the country is the perfect destination for anyone who wants to combine a beach holiday with active leisure activities in the mountains. The beaches of the Côte d'Azur invite you to spend relaxing days on picturesque beaches. Cities such as Nice and Cannes are known far beyond France for their azure-blue Mediterranean Sea, while towns such as Antibes and Grasse have become top destinations in the south of the Alpes Maritimes. The snow-covered Alpine peaks in the Mercantour National Park, for example, are also a real highlight for holidaymakers. In cosy mountain villages such as Saint-Martin-Vésubie, you can relax against the backdrop of the Alps.

How to get there

There are several ways to get to the Alpes Maritimes campsites. If you are travelling from Baden-Württemberg, Saarland or the Rhineland, you can cross the border directly in Alsace and make a stopover in Strasbourg with its Gothic buildings. Then it's on to France's second largest city, Lyon, on the edge of the Alps. From here, it's another 400 to 500 km to the coast. The A7 motorway is generally quicker than the Alpine roads - which route you choose depends on where exactly you want to go and how much time you have for attractions along the way. The distance from the Franco-German border near Strasbourg to the destination to the south is around 1,000 km. An alternative route is via Switzerland or Austria and Italy. The route via Austria is particularly advantageous for travellers from Bavaria and eastern Germany. Travelling over the Brenner Pass, the route heads towards Verona and further west via Milan. If you are travelling to the coast, head for Genoa - for Alpine destinations, the route via Turin to the Mercantour National Park is recommended.

Destinations in Alpes Maritimes

Alpes Maritimes is divided into two regions: the impressive mountains of the Alps and the coast. On holiday, you can go hiking or relax on the beaches of the Côte d'Azur.

Côte d'Azur

The south of Alpes Maritimes is part of the Côte d'Azur and impresses with the contrasts between sandstone cliffs and deep blue sea. Many travellers explore the coast along the narrow winding roads by motorhome. Campsites can be found directly on the white beaches between Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Nice and Menton. Long days of swimming, water sports such as sailing, surfing and kitesurfing as well as various activities for the family create the best conditions for an unforgettable holiday.

Mercantour

The national park in the heart of the Alps is located right on the border with Italy and will delight you with its rugged rock formations. Holidaymakers can explore nature on up to 600 km of marked hiking trails. The fertile Roya, Bévéra and Vésubie valleys are particularly worth seeing.

Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée

The municipality in the Auron ski region is a popular holiday destination in both summer and winter. You can take the lift up into the mountains and enjoy the fantastic views. The many hiking trails that lead through the region are remarkable. Hikers can take a break in one of the mountain huts.

Top 5 sights

• Saint-Paul-de-Vence: is one of the oldest towns on the French Mediterranean coast and impresses with its Romanesque architecture.
• Nice: The largest coastal city in the region is known for its beach promenade and a wide-ranging cultural scene with many art museums.
• Cannes: The sophisticated city of Cannes is particularly famous for its film festival and also offers exhibitions outside of the event to inform visitors about its role as a centre for cinematographers.
• Mercantour National Park: Hiking fans can set off on one of the many trails in Mercantour and admire the mighty Alpine peaks.
• Haut-de-Cagnes: The mountain village was once owned by the princely family of Monaco and fascinates visitors with its medieval appearance.

Top 2 insider tips

• Grasse: The many aromatic plants growing around Grasse have made the town the perfume capital of France. High-quality perfumes have been produced here since the 17th century. A museum commemorates the history of this unique industry.
• Villefranche-sur-Mer: Villefranche-sur-Mer is one of the insider tips among beach resorts. If you feel like it, you can swim against the backdrop of the old citadel or take a stroll through the harbour district with its luxurious yachts. Organised sailing and motorboat trips to Monaco, the famous principality and casino paradise on the Côte d'Azur, can be booked here.

Activities and excursions

On the coast of Alpes Maritimes, holidaymakers can relax on the beaches, enjoy water sports and swim. The mountains are ideal for hiking and paragliding.

Sunbathing and swimming

In addition to the major seaside resorts such as Nice, Cannes and Saint-Tropez, there are many smaller towns and bays along the Alpes Maritimes Côte d'Azur. The best thing to do is to take a short road trip in a motorhome and stop wherever you like. A number of campsites with direct access to the beach invite you to linger.

Time for a sailing course

The Côte d'Azur is a paradise for sailing fans. Luxurious yachts are moored in almost every harbour town. Suitable boats for an excursion can also be found for the average earner. The providers on the Mediterranean rent out the boats or offer sailing courses.

Hiking excursions in the national park

The Alps and the Mercantour National Park in particular are ideal for a hiking excursion. Hundreds of kilometres of trails run through the region and offer unforgettable views of the mountain landscapes and valleys. In many places, you can see nature from lofty heights in a paraglider.

events

February - March

• Carnival. Nice's carnival is one of the best carnival events in the whole of Europe. On the Côte d'Azur, it exudes a touch of Copacabana and samba dancing in spring.
• Lemon festival in Menton: For more than two weeks, Menton pays homage to the citrus fruit. The large parade floats decorated with lemons and oranges are particularly impressive.

May

• Cannes Film Festival: Every year, Cannes becomes a place of pilgrimage for all lovers of high-quality films. In addition to the big box office hits, the event also offers a chance to see first-class arthouse films.

June

• Fête de la Musique: A major music festival with free concerts takes place in all French cities at the beginning of the sun. One of the most exciting events awaits travellers in Nice.

July

• Storming of the Bastille: The French Revolution is commemorated on 14 July. The bank holidays is celebrated with speeches, music and a huge fireworks display.
• Nice Jazz Festival: Since 1948, the Nice Jazz Festival has been one of the most important European events of this musical genre.

November

• International Dance Festival: Modern dance performances await visitors in Cannes in November

Gastronomy

On the coast, guests can stop off at one of the fish restaurants and try one of the most famous specialities of the Côte d'Azur: bouillabaisse soup. From the harbour city of Marseille, it has also spread across the Alpes Maritimes region and is a real must for gourmets as a hearty fish stew. You can also try other delicacies from the Mediterranean such as fried anchovies, squid cooked in olive oil and sea urchins, which are usually flavoured with the fresh herbs of Provence. Travellers should definitely visit one of the weekly markets in the mountain villages and buy the aromatic salami varieties, for example. The meat usually comes from one of the farms in the region.

Best time to visit

You can visit the Alpes Maritimes campsites on the coast all year round. However, the peak season does not begin until mid-May, when the temperatures gradually become more inviting for swimming. During these spring days, temperatures of up to 20 degrees Celsius can already be expected in the air. The Mediterranean gradually warms up and reaches 20 degrees Celsius at the beginning of June, while the air temperature is around 24 degrees Celsius. July and August offer the best conditions for a beach holiday with average daily temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius. In September and October, temperatures of 21 to 26 degrees Celsius can still be expected. The water is between 22 and 24 degrees Celsius from July to September.