Camping at the Loire

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Camping at the Loire

That's why you should camp on the Loire:

  • Fascinating river landscape with castles and vineyards
  • Diverse camping options in a natural environment
  • Ideal starting point for cultural explorations and boat trips
  • Enjoy French delicacies and regional wines

Camping on the Loire offers an idyllic combination of picturesque river landscapes, surrounded by historic castles and lush vineyards. Campers enjoy the variety of camping and pitches close to nature, which are perfect starting points for cultural discoveries in cities such as Orleans and Nantes. Boat trips on the river and hikes through the countryside enrich the experience, rounded off by the enjoyment of exquisite French cuisine and fine wines from the region.

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Camping at the Loire

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Camping La Boutinardière
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Camping La Boutinardière

France / Pays de la Loire / Pornic

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4.5Excellent(2Ratings)

Swimming PoolDogs allowedChild-friendly

Pitches (70)

Rental accommodations (300)

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Camping La Boutinardière
Camping La Boutinardière

Camping facts

Number of campsites224
Campsite reviews9,629
Ø-ratings3.9

Popular campsites

1
Camping La Boutinardière
Camping La Boutinardière is located directly on the wild, romantic and rocky Atlantic coast in the west of France, just 200 metres from the sandy beach. The resort appeals to families and couples alik… Campsite profile page
2
Sunêlia Le Fief
Located on the French Bay of Biscay coast, the resort invites the whole family to enjoy swimming. The Sunêlia Le Fief impresses with its own wellness centre, many leisure activities and an upscale amb… Campsite profile page
3
Huttopia Saumur
Nestled in a natural woodland and meadow area, Huttopia Saumur invites families and dog owners to enjoy a relaxing camping holiday in western France. The sweeping view over the Loire Valley is somethi… Campsite profile page

The Loire, with its enchanting surroundings of hundreds of castles, parks, vineyards, lakes, ponds and towns steeped in history, is ideal for riverside camping and camping with boat hire. Guests can discover the unique landscape from the water and then enjoy French delicacies in the speciality restaurants. Active holidaymakers, those interested in culture and those seeking relaxation feel particularly at home on the French river.

Special features of camping on the Loire

The campsites in the Loire are surrounded by lush nature with forests, mountains and lakes. This makes outdoor enthusiasts particularly fond of this idyllic region. Many sites are close to hiking trails, but historic towns and beautiful castles are also not far away.

The offer is varied. Campers can either book a pitch for their motorhome or caravan or alternatively rent a bungalow or mobile home on the campsites. Shops and markets selling the region's delicacies are usually quick and easy to reach.

How to get there

If you want to come to the Loire by car, there are various options for travelling from Germany. The perfect route depends on the point of departure in Germany and the destination on the Loire. The route via Luxembourg, the border crossing near Saarbrücken or near Freiburg is frequently used. As the motorways in France are subject to tolls for all vehicles, it is often cheaper to take alternative routes. However, holidaymakers should have a navigation device with the latest maps.

Campers usually reach their destination much faster via the motorway. From Hamburg to Blois, for example, the distance is around 1,072 km, from Munich it is around 1,000 km and from Frankfurt am Main around 770 km. However, if you are planning an overnight stay on the journey, you should leave the motorways and stop at campsites in the neighbouring villages. Although the motorways are usually not overcrowded, they are not particularly nice or safe places to rest.

In France, an environmental vignette is compulsory for vehicles in urban centres such as Paris, Lyon or Lille. Holidaymakers who only pass these cities on the motorway do not need these stickers, which are subject to a charge.

Destinations along the Loire

The enchanting landscape along the Loire is characterised by vineyards, ponds, forests and castles. Many impressive towns such as Tours and Orleans have settled along the famous river.

Orleans

Historically, the city in north-central France has been characterised by the liberation of Joan of Arc. A popular festival and a replica of her house still commemorate this time. Other attractions include the post-Gothic-style cathedral, whose two towers dominate the cityscape, and the Groslot patrician house, a Renaissance building that now houses the town hall.

Nantes

The best way to get a first impression of the city is on a boat trip. Afterwards, it is worth making a detour to the castle of the Dukes of Brittany. The history museum there provides fascinating information about the metropolis' past. After visiting the cathedral, holidaymakers like to make themselves comfortable on the banks of the Loire and enjoy a cool drink with a view of the water.

Tours

The university city is an ideal starting point for holidaymakers who want to visit the castles of the Loire. The city itself also has a lot to offer. In particular, the cathedral with its Gothic façade from the 12th century and the Museum of Fine Arts are highly favoured by visitors.

Top 5 sights

  • Chambord Castle: It is the largest castle in the Loire Valley. Its architecture was probably influenced by the ideas of Leonardo da Vinci.
  • St Martin la Plaine Zoo: The zoo is home to a wide variety of species - from cats of prey to birds and reptiles.
  • La Roche Castle: The fairytale-like walls stand on an island. The guided tours in historical costumes are unforgettable.
  • Museum of Modern Art in Saint-Étienne: Around 15,000 exhibits await visitors here, making it one of the largest collections of contemporary art.
  • Saint-Pierre Church in Châteauneuf: The church with a three-aisled nave, arched windows and a striking tower was listed as a historical monument back in 1862.

Top 2 insider tips

  • If you fancy discovering a section of one of France's largest rivers for yourself, you can hire a small boat and navigate the waters without a licence. Holidaymakers should definitely take their camera with them to take pictures of the passing landscape.
  • The Loire is world-famous for its beautiful castles along the banks. Some of the most beautiful magnificent buildings can be found between Saumur and Orleans. The castles in Chambord, Ussé and Azay-le-rideau are breathtaking. Saumur may be small and off the beaten track, but thanks to the spooky dungeon with its steep staircase and the beautiful theatre, it is absolutely worth a visit.

Activities and excursions

The Loire flows over 1,000 kilometres through France, meandering through picturesque countryside from the Massif Central to Orleans and on via Tours to the Atlantic estuary in Saint-Nazaire. The river offers numerous hiking and water sports opportunities as well as enchanting sights.

Long-distance hiking via Orléans to Nantes

A beautiful long-distance hiking trail runs from the source of the Loire at Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc to its mouth in the Atlantic Ocean. The route stretches over a total of around 1,300 kilometres and runs past charming towns such as Orléans, Blois and Nantes as well as picturesque vineyards, caves and the impressive Loire castles. Of course, the route can also be walked in sections.

Water and knowledge

In the Loire Valley, numerous lakes and, of course, the river invite you to enjoy activities and relax. Sporty guests can burn off energy with SUP, canoeing or pedal boating. There is even the option of water skiing. The excursions on the water are an unforgettable experience, where you can travel by rowing boat or kayak with an experienced tour guide and learn interesting facts about the region and the flora and fauna of the Loire.

events

May - June

  • Joan of Arc Day in Orléans: An impressive festival is held every year to mark the liberation of the Blessed Virgin of Orléans. The actual rescue of Joan of Arc by the English took place in 1429. Today, this day of honour is celebrated with medieval markets, festive parades, concerts and fireworks. The towers of the cathedral are illuminated with special lighting.
  • Music festival: The Festival International de Musique de Sully et du Loiret provides a stage for numerous international artists. It has been organised regularly since 1973 and is a source of enthusiasm with classical concerts and modern jazz performances.

June - August

  • A la Cour du Roy François: A gigantic spectacle takes place every year in the castle of Amboise. Around 500 actors put on fascinating shows with music and fireworks.

June - October

  • International des Jardins in Chaumont-sur-Loire: Every year, this garden art festival gives numerous landscape architects the opportunity to express themselves creatively on over 20 artificially created plots.

October

  • Mondial du Lion horse show: one of the world's most prestigious show jumping and dressage competitions takes place in Le Lion-d'Angers.

Gastronomy

Visitors to the Loire can enjoy the delights of typical French cuisine. Regional ingredients such as freshwater fish, mushrooms from the Troglodyte caves, game from Sologne and fruit and vegetables from the Touraine region play a major role in the restaurants along the river. Particularly tasty recipes include hazel hen with fresh mushrooms, chicken breast with goat's cheese or fish and eel stew with red wine sauce.

Crottin de Chavignol from the village of the same name is a particularly tasty type of cheese eaten in the Loire. For dessert, a Tarte des Demoiselles Tatin is delicious, served lukewarm with its filling of caramelised apple pieces. A fine wine is a favourite accompaniment to a good meal. Popular wines in the region often come from the vineyards of Sancerre.

Best time to visit

The climate on the Loire is mild and temperate. As early as March, the thermometer rises to an average of 12 degrees Celsius and from May onwards, the 20 degree mark is definitely cracked. The number of rainy days drops to around 11 per month from May to the end of September. At the same time, temperatures rise in the summer months, making this the ideal time for swimming. The hottest month of the year is July. Then it is around 26 degrees Celsius, which is perfect for splashing around or for water sports in the region.

Even in the winter months, frost is not normally to be expected during the day, as it is around 6 degrees Celsius even in December and January. The ideal time for sightseeing and outdoor activities is between May and September.

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