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Everyone who loves camping, coastal landscapes and the sea – listen up:
the Atlantic coast is the ultimate place to be for you! ☝️😊 Where to find the most beautiful campsites and which highlights you shouldn’t miss, you’ll find out here.
When people think of a beach holiday in France, they usually picture the French Mediterranean coast first. And yes, it’s beautiful – no question about it! But the Atlantic coast in the west of our neighboring country has just as much (if not more) to offer. Its diverse landscapes stretch from rugged coastlines and fine sandy beaches to cliffs, dunes and pine forests. There are also plenty of campsites right by the sea. In between, you’ll find popular surf spots, charming towns and small fishing villages. If you can already picture yourself cruising along the Atlantic coast with windblown hair: don’t hesitate – jump into the camper and head off for camping on France’s Atlantic coast! 🚐💨
🌳 Wild camping: Unlike in many other countries, France does not have a nationwide camping ban. However, overnight stays are prohibited on beaches, along the coast and in nature reserves. So be careful and make sure to inform yourself thoroughly about the rules for wild camping in France, for example in our blog article.
⚠️ Speed limits: In France, the usual speed limit on motorways is 130 km/h, but in some sections it is only 110 km/h or even 90 km/h.
💸 Tolls: On most motorways in France, you have to pay tolls. You don’t need a vignette. The motorway toll is calculated based on the distance driven and is paid at toll stations. You can find more information on the ADAC website.
📆 Best time to travel: The ideal time for camping along France’s Atlantic coast is between May and October, when the climate is usually pleasant with little rainfall. As almost always, we especially recommend the shoulder season, as it allows you to avoid the crowds and enjoy more affordable camping holidays. You can read even more reasons for a camping trip in low-season here. For surfers, autumn and winter are also highly recommended, as stormier conditions bring the best waves.
⛅️ Weather: Regardless of the season, the weather along the Atlantic coast can be quite changeable. Even in the summer months, rain and wind can occur, and water temperatures can remain well below 20°C. Be prepared!
👧 Holidays with children: A camping holiday with kids on the French Atlantic coast is a great idea. For example, there are many campsites with kids’ clubs, entertainment programs and playgrounds. The wide sandy beaches are also ideal for families and children to splash around and play.
France Atlantic coast: regions & highlights
The French Atlantic coast stretches from the Côte de Cornouaille to the Côte de Lumière and down to the Côte d’Argent. For a road trip along these beautiful coastal landscapes, you can start on the northern Atlantic coast in Brittany and then head south via the Pays de la Loire to the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. This way, you can explore the Atlantic coast in all its diversity – from Brest in the north of the west coast all the way to Bayonne and Biarritz in the far south of France near the Spanish border. We’ll introduce you to the most popular holiday regions for camping in France in more detail and, as always, share plenty of tips.
Brittany stretches across the northwest of France and is the country’s largest peninsula. The nature here is just as diverse as the weather: rugged cliffs alternate with sandy beaches, cold winds with bright sunshine. These highlights await you when camping along France’s Atlantic coast:
Brest: Located in the far north of France, Brest is well worth a visit and a great starting point for your Atlantic coast road trip. Must-sees include the Château de Brest and the marina.
Côte de Granit Rose: The Pink Granite Coast lies in northern Brittany between Paimpol and Roscoff. This stretch of coastline is famous for its bizarre rock formations made of reddish granite.
Port city of Concarneau: Only two bridges connect the medieval town, with its narrow historic streets and unique charm, to the mainland.
Artists’ village of Pont-Aven: Located on the banks of the Aven River, this town developed into the “Cité des Peintres” (City of Painters) in the 19th century and still offers idyllic views today.
Cap Sizun & Pointe du Raz: The pointed peninsula of Cap Sizun extends around 30 kilometers into the Atlantic Ocean. Here, you can hike along idyllic coastal landscapes, for example to the viewpoint at Pointe du Raz.
Mont Saint-Michel: The monastery on the island, with its distinctive silhouette, is the third most visited place in all of France – and rightly so! However, because of its popularity, it’s best visited during the off-season.
📍Camping Pays de la Loire: highlights & tips
The camper journey continues to the Pays de la Loire. The region at the mouth of the Loire is incredibly diverse. Picture it like this: the Atlantic coast, the river landscapes of the Loire, the islands of Île d’Yeu and Île de Noirmoutier, and in between castles, vineyards and cycling paths. Here are some tips for your holiday in the Pays de la Loire region:
Castles: Nowhere else in Europe will you find as many castles in such a small area as in the Loire Valley – over 300, to be exact. Of these, 103 are open to visitors. We’re curious to see how many you’ll manage! 😉
Nantes: A city full of cultural highlights. Don’t miss the Château des ducs de Bretagne, the Jules Verne Museum and the impressive art project “Les Machines de l’Île.”
Guérande: If you’re interested in how sea salt is harvested, you can visit the salt marshes. The atmosphere in the town center is also well worth seeing.
Trentemoult: A former fishing village known for its colorful houses. Here you can enjoy the sun on terraces along the Loire riverbank (or a glass of wine 🤫)
Île de Noirmoutier: This French Atlantic island is still considered something of a hidden gem, as it attracts fewer tourists than other hotspots. The island, with its beautiful coves and beaches, can be reached by camper via a bridge. Once there, getting around by bike is the best way to explore.
📍Camping Nouvelle-Aquitaine: highlights & tips
When camping along the Atlantic coast, you really can’t miss the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region – one highlight follows the next. Here you’ll find vineyards, sandy beaches and dunes (including the largest dune in Europe!), surf hotspots and charming towns. Here are our tips for your bucket list:
Bordeaux: Located about 45 kilometers from the Atlantic, but a must for culture lovers. The old town of Bordeaux, with its historic houses and churches, is considered one of the most beautiful in France. Fun fact: nowhere else in the country is the density of restaurants per capita as high as it is here.
La Rochelle: The city with the beautiful name and its authentic French flair lies sheltered in an Atlantic bay. In the historic old town behind the old harbor, the Vieux Port, you’ll find half-timbered houses, arcades and buildings dating back to the 18th century.
Dune du Pilat: Europe’s highest sand dune is truly a sight to behold – and so is the view! Those who make it up the sandy climb are rewarded with a panoramic view over the French Atlantic coast, the Lège-Cap-Ferret peninsula and the Bassin d’Arcachon.
Bayonne: If you’re traveling to the Atlantic coast in August, don’t miss the Fêtes de Bayonne. During this traditional festival, locals dressed in white and red celebrate in the streets of Bayonne and dance to Basque music.
Biarritz: The former fishing village has become a hotspot on France’s Basque coast. Biarritz has made a name for itself as a popular seaside resort and a destination for water sports enthusiasts. If you prefer things a bit quieter, the towns of Mimizan and Seignosse might suit you even better – small, slightly sleepy places with lovely cafés and restaurants.
Campsites on France’s Atlantic coast: our tips
Along the French Atlantic coast, you’ll find a wide variety of campsites that cater to every kind of camping holiday – from fully equipped 5-star campsites to cozy, nature-focused pitches for a more relaxed camping experience. Many of the campsites are located close to beautiful beaches, allowing you to wake up with views of the Atlantic Ocean. Here are our campsite recommendations for each region:
⛺️ Camping in Brittany, France – right by the sea
Our tip: Camping Gwel Kaër
Beautiful, quiet campsite near a small harbor town that can be reached on foot
Sea views of the Atlantic coast from all pitches
Great starting point for cycling tours in the area
Very friendly staff
Bread roll service in the morning, pizza service in the evening
Camping Atlantic Ocean: the best outdoor activities
When a holiday region has so many beautiful spots, it’s anything but easy to decide where to go. Just as individual as your route, your holiday program can be too. Here are a few ideas for how you can spend quality time during your camper trip:
Hiking: Many hiking trails along France’s Atlantic coast offer stunning views of the sea and the surrounding landscapes. One of the most famous routes in the region is the “Sentier des Douaniers” in Brittany, with spectacular ocean panoramas.
Cycling: When cycling along the French Atlantic coast, the views are likely to take your breath away 😉 A very popular cycling route is “La Vélodyssée,” which runs from Brittany all the way to the Spanish border.
Swimming: If you don’t spend at least one beach day while camping on France’s Atlantic coast, we really can’t help you 😉 Some of the most beautiful beaches include Plage de Sauveterre (dog-friendly!), Plage des Dames, Plage Pereire, Plage de la Lette Blanche (a real hidden gem!) and La Grande Plage in Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
Surfing: The Atlantic coast is a true surfer’s paradise, known for its powerful waves at famous spots such as Biarritz, Lacanau and Hossegor. Other water sports like kitesurfing and windsurfing are also very popular.
Conclusion on camping right by the sea on France’s Atlantic coast
That was quite a lot of tips for camping in France along the Atlantic coast – and at the same time only a small selection of the many amazing spots the Atlantic Ocean in France has to offer. The French Atlantic coast isn’t just a place to be for a surfing trip by camper, but also for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, cycling and water sports. Or for relaxed family time on beautiful beaches and dunes. If you’d like to visit other regions of France on your road trip as well, take a look at this blog article: here you’ll find an awesome route for a road trip through all of France (including the Atlantic coast, of course!). All that’s left for us to say is: Bon voyage & adventures ahead! 💚
