The French Pyrenees: luxury camping amidst mountain nature

What makes the French Pyrenees so special

The French Pyrenees really have it all: breathtaking mountain scenery, a rich culture, a huge variety of outdoor activities and culinary highlights that will stay with you long after your holiday. Far from the crowds, around 1,250 km from Amsterdam, you can enjoy the serene surroundings here.

How the Pyrenees were formed

The Pyrenees formed roughly one hundred to one hundred and fifty million years ago, during the Cretaceous period. The Iberian plate and the Eurasian plate collided, and the enormous forces pushed the rock upwards, creating the rugged mountain range that now forms the border between France and Spain. That border runs along the highest ridge, and from the Plateau de Sault you're looking straight at it.

Camping Les Sapins at 1,280 metres

Camping Les Sapins sits on the Plateau de Sault, at an altitude of 1,280 metres, with views over the valley. Between the hills you can see the high peaks of the Pyrenees, some snow-capped all year round. For Dutch owners Lia and Jos, peace, space, nature and culture are key, and you'll notice that the moment you drive onto the site.

Warm days, cool nights

At this altitude, the days are warm and the nights cool. That's exactly what makes a mountain holiday so pleasant: during the day you can walk for hours without the heat wearing you down, and at night you sleep under a blanket. The night sky here is exceptionally clear, as there's barely any light pollution.

Camurac and the fishing lake round the corner

The village of Camurac is a kilometre away, so you needn't go far for a baguette. A small fishing lake is eight hundred metres away, a ten-minute walk. During the day you put on your walking boots, and in the evening you head back to your lodge, where the outdoor kitchen is waiting and the crickets start to sing.

The GR107 runs past the campsite

The GR107 walking trail, the Cathar path, runs practically alongside the site. So you can head into the mountains for a day straight from your lodge without even getting in the car. If you'd rather do a shorter loop, there are plenty nearby, including towards the Gorges de la Frau.

Rafting, canyoning and climbing

At reception you can sign up daily for rafting, canyoning, white-water kayaking, abseiling and caving, with Dutch-speaking instructors. Rock climbing, mountain biking, fishing and tennis are also on offer. Horse riding is available next to the campsite, and there's donkey trekking for the little ones.

The Cathars and the village of Montaillou

The surrounding area is steeped in history. Château de Montségur, the last stronghold of the Cathars, is half an hour's drive away. The village of Montaillou is eight kilometres away. You'll drive past places where history hasn't been smoothed over, which makes a rainy afternoon easy to fill.

A day trip to Andorra

Andorra is just over an hour's drive away, straight across the mountain passes. A there-and-back day trip is easily done, and the drive there is every bit as beautiful as the destination itself. You can also fly: Carcassonne is seventy minutes away, Toulouse just under two hours.

Plenty to do for the children

The swimming pool, with a separate children's pool, is open from the end of June to mid-September, and both are safely fenced. There are also play equipment, a trampoline, table tennis and geocaching. The area has a wolf park and a butterfly garden nearby, just the sort of day out where you won't have to do much walking.

Sleeping in a Base Lodge

Les Sapins has the Base Lodge: twenty-five square metres for up to six people, from sixty-nine euros a night. Comfortably furnished, with the kitchen out on the terrace. The campsite itself has a small restaurant with daily specials and fresh pizza, so you don't have to cook every evening.

What to bring

Bring something warm for the evening, even in July. Walking boots are no unnecessary luxury if you want to take on the GR107, and binoculars are worth more here than almost anywhere. Anyone who still feels the cold in the low season can hire a small heater on the campsite for a fee.