Camping in Embrun

In the south of France, on the western edge of the Alps and not far from Turin, lies a place that attracts families with children and water sports enthusiasts alike. While camping here, the little ones can discover unspoilt nature with typical Alpine inhabitants such as chamois and ibex. Adult adventurers can glide through cold mountain water in canoes on a wild river tour. After an exciting day, you can relax together on Embrun's private beach with a romantic view of the mountains.

Special features of camping in Embrun

This wide valley on the edge of the Alps is a camping site for nature lovers and families. Here you can spend the night right by the lake or a little above the valley with a wide mountain panorama right outside the window. Embrun itself offers plenty of culture. The various restaurants with national and local specialities are also worth mentioning, and there is a wide range of activities such as hiking, horse riding and water sports nearby. Thanks to the diverse nature all around, adventurers of all ages will get their money's worth here. This is the perfect place for anyone who enjoys taking the whole family out into nature during the day and relaxing by the motorhome in the evening.

How to get there

On the way to Embrun from the west of Germany, it is best to stay on the German motorways as far as Freiburg. From here, one route goes directly to France and southwards via Lyon. The alternative is to drive through Switzerland via Basel and Geneva. While the route from Freiburg to Embrun is around 650 km exclusively on French motorways, you save almost 50 km through Switzerland. In France, tolls have to be paid directly at the motorways, in Switzerland there are vignettes. If you are travelling from northern Germany, you can split the route into two days and spend a night in Freiburg or Basel, for example. If you are travelling from Bavaria or the new federal states, the route through Switzerland and Italy is recommended. From Munich, it is less than 800 kilometres to Embrun. Take the A96 motorway east of Lake Constance through Austria into Switzerland. You reach Italy via Lugano and Como, both of which are ideal for a stopover. From Turin, it's just a stone's throw across the border to the campsite in Embrun.

Top 5 sights

• Notre-Dame Cathedral: The 12th and 13th century church combines Gothic and Romanesque features.
• Tour Brune: The old residential tower is located directly opposite the cathedral. The archbishops of Embrun used to reside here.
• Écrins: The national park covers almost 270,000 hectares with the highest point at just over 4,100 metres. Around 740 kilometres of hiking trails are signposted in the park.
• Abbey of Notre-Dame de Boscodon: This inhabited monastery is located in Crots. The church, chapel, various exhibition rooms and gardens can be visited.
• Musée du Soum: In St.-Véran, this 17th century house vividly shows how people lived back then.

Top 2 insider tips

• Paragliding: The area around Embrun offers ideal conditions for paragliding. The landscape can be seen even better from a bird's eye view than from the ground. There are flying schools in Embrun and the surrounding area that also offer tandem flights for guests. Whether it is actually possible to fly on the agreed date always depends on the current weather and wind conditions.
• Val d'Escreins: The small valley lies just east of Embrun and is part of the Queyras National Park. Due to its location, the tranquil valley is only accessible in the summer months. The locals affectionately call this area Little Canada.

Activities and excursions

The campsites in Embrun are ideal starting points for a wide range of sporting activities in the varied natural surroundings. From water sports to mountaineering, there is a lot on offer in the region.

Water fun on the doorstep

There are two opportunities for water sports near Embrun. Water skiing and windsurfing are available on the Lac de Serre-Ponçon. There are many quiet beaches where children can also go into the water without worrying. The Embrun Aquapark has an inflatable island world for its young visitors. Things are a little more exciting on the Ubaye River south of Embrun. Experienced guides offer rafting tours here. Canyoning is also possible on the river through the mountains.

Hiking in the panorama of the Western Alps

Hiking and mountaineering go hand in hand in the Écrins National Park. With over 150 mountains, there are always new highlights and views to discover. As the park is not very well known, you can hike here undisturbed. Proper route planning and good maps are essential. Scattered, empty huts provide shelter in the event of a sudden change in the weather. With a bit of luck, chamois, ibex and golden eagles can be spotted here.

Events

Various sporting events take place around Embrun every year. In winter, it's all about skiing, while cycling and running are on the programme in summer.

March

• Speedmasters: A spectacular ski race takes place every year in the winter sports resort of Vars near Embrun. The participants plunge down a slope of up to 98 per cent towards the valley. It's all about speed. Speeds of over 200 kilometres per hour are reached on this route.

April

• Telemark Festival: This event is all about the special skiing technique Telemark. In La Grave, visitors can test the equipment, where only the tip of the ski boot is attached to the binding. The supporting programme includes music and film screenings.

August

• Embrunman: This is the most important event of the year in Embrun. The long-distance and Olympic distance triathlon always takes place here on Ascension Day. Participants run, swim and cycle for a whole weekend. A duathlon and a children's triathlon are also on the programme.

Gastronomy

Due to its location between Provence, the Mediterranean and Italy, the region's cuisine is extremely varied. Italian influences can be clearly seen in pizza and pasta. The proximity to the Mediterranean brings with it an affinity for fish and seafood. Provence is characterised by a preference for fresh herbs and garlic, and the region's strong cheese is used by the locals to make Tourtons du Champsaur - deep-fried dumplings filled with goat's cheese and potatoes. A special larch honey comes from Briançon, a neighbouring village of Embrun. This is used to make the sweet pastry Manne de Briançon. It goes perfectly with a sip of Génépi. This is a mild liqueur in which the herbal flavour clearly outweighs the sweetness.

Best time to visit

Embrun is also known as the Nice of the Alps. It owes this nickname mainly to its predominantly mild and sunny climate. In summer, temperatures generally remain below the 30 degree mark, although there can be occasional thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. Due to its location on the edge of the Alps, sudden changes in weather are possible, but overall the climate is Mediterranean mild. Temperatures only drop significantly in winter. Minus 10 degrees Celsius is not uncommon. On the other hand, the winter months are significantly less rainy than the middle of the year. Camping in Embrun is particularly recommended in the summer months from June to August. However, the town is also a suitable destination for winter camping enthusiasts.