Glamping Pyrenees

The French Pyrenees form the border with Spain; the campsite is on the Plateau de Sault, at an altitude of 1,280 metres. At that height you notice the mountain climate: days around 27 degrees in July and August, but cool nights, and around 16 to 17 degrees in April and October. Andorra is within driving distance, as is the Mediterranean on the other side.

From the plateau you look across the valley to the high peaks, some of which keep their snow all year round. Around the campsite are pine forests, alpine meadows with grazing horses and cows, and crystal-clear mountain lakes. Meltwater flows through the gorges, clear enough to swim in. Thanks to the altitude and the clean air, the starry sky at night is exceptional.

Hiking and mountain biking from the campsite, with routes for every level. There's also rafting, canyoning, white-water kayaking, abseiling and caving with Dutch-speaking instructors, with sign-up every day. Horse riding is available next to the campsite, and there are half-hour donkey rides for the little ones. You can fish in the trout pond and in the small fishing lake ten minutes away.

This is Cathar Country: the castles of Montségur, Puilaurens and Quéribus stand on the rocks, with a history of sieges in the thirteenth century. Occitan is still spoken in the villages. There are thermal springs nearby, and at the markets you can buy mountain cheese from the shepherds of the surrounding valleys.