Camping in Saint-Apollinaire

The French commune of Saint-Apollinaire is located in the Hautes-Alpes department, which is part of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. It boasts a fascinating location right in the Écrins National Park. The area is characterised by the Alps and makes camping in the mountains a pleasure. To the south of the small village is the Lac de Serre-Ponçon reservoir and to the west is the town of Gap.

Special features of camping in Saint-Apollinaire

Some of the campsites near Saint-Apollinaire are located directly on the shores of Lac de Serre-Ponçon, which attracts bathing fans in particular to the area. Pebble beaches, sunbathing lawns and a fascinating mountain panorama add to the charm of the landscape. Of particular interest is the Saint-Michel chapel, which campers can reach on foot when the water level is low. In addition to swimming, Lac de Serre-Ponçon also offers kayaking, stand-up paddling, boating, kitesurfing and windsurfing. Travellers who prefer solid ground under their feet can go on hiking tours in the Écrins National Park. Mountaineers and climbers will get their money's worth in the Western Alps. Those interested in culture can visit the town of Gap in the region.

How to get there

From the southern German border, holidaymakers can reach Saint-Apollinaire either via Switzerland and France or via Austria, Switzerland and Italy. The former route is a good 500 kilometres from the border and is therefore more appealing to many. Campers drive via Basel, Bern and Geneva, mostly following the A1 motorway. In France, they first take the A41 motorway to Grenoble and then the N85 national road, which runs alongside the Écrins National Park. The N94 forms the final stretch until shortly before Saint-Apollinaire.

We recommend at least one stop along the way to stretch your legs. Geneva is located halfway along the route and is particularly interesting for culture enthusiasts. In this city, travellers can stroll past the impressive Palace of the League of Nations or the historic Wall of the Reformers in the Parc des Bastions. Nature lovers choose the idyllic Lake Geneva for a walk, which you can cycle around for around 60 kilometres. To the north of the lake is the Jura Vaudois Nature Park, which is also very close to the motorway.

Activities and excursions

From one of the campsites in Saint-Apollinaire, holidaymakers can explore a botanical garden, an animal park or a climbing park in the Écrins National Park. Those interested in culture can visit the town of Gap.

There is something for everyone in the Écrins National Park

The Écrins National Park in the southern part of the French Alps is home to impressive waterfalls, high mountains, tranquil lakes and vast alpine pastures. In the warmer months of the year, the area is popular with hikers, mountain bikers and climbers. In winter, snow-covered peaks attract numerous skiers and snowboarders, while an alpine botanical garden awaits travellers at the Col du Lautaret mountain pass in the north of the Écrins National Park. The Forest Sensations climbing park is located in the heart of the landscape area. Here, visitors climb trees by crawling through tubes or sliding on zip lines, for example. In the south of the national park, the Serre-Ponçon animal park promises exciting experiences for young and old.

The high-altitude town of Gap

Gap boasts a charming old town centre and a magnificent mountain panorama. The departmental museum with the mausoleum of the Duke of Lesdiguières and the Charance estate are particularly worth a visit. In summer you can play golf on the 18-hole course and in winter you can go cross-country skiing.

Gastronomy

On the Côte d'Azur, light dishes such as stuffed or raw oysters and fresh fish are on the menu. In the hinterland, on the other hand, meals are characterised by heartier dishes, such as a hearty goulash with tasty red wine and delicious olives - the so-called Daube Provenzale.

Gratin dauphinois, in which potatoes are cooked in milk and crème fraîche, is also a tradition in the south of France. Rissoles dumplings also delight the palate when camping in Saint-Apollinaire. Candied fruit and crème brûlée are loved and appreciated as desserts. But the Champsaur cake with fine jam from the region is also a delicacy.

Best time to visit

Summers are pleasantly warm in Saint-Apollinaire. The hottest time is in July and August with temperatures of up to 27 degrees Celsius. These two months, as well as May and June, also see the most hours of sunshine. July and August have very little rainfall, which is particularly beneficial for swimming fans. December to February is the coldest period, when holidaymakers can expect temperatures around freezing point. These mild winters make Saint-Apollinaire an attractive destination for campers all year round. The moderate temperatures in spring and autumn are particularly appealing to sports enthusiasts. November is known as the rainiest month, which travellers should bear in mind when planning their holiday.