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Best Campsites in the French Alps

The Best Campsites in the French Alps:

Your Ultimate Guide to an Unforgettable Mountain Camping Vacation!

If you're dreaming of waking up to crisp mountain air, snow-capped peaks on the horizon, and the sound of a river rushing nearby, then camping in the French Alps is exactly what you need. This breath-taking region in south-eastern France is one of Europe's most spectacular natural playgrounds, and it's not just for skiers.

The French Alps offer some of the most dramatic, diverse, and downright beautiful landscapes you'll ever camp in — and whether you're a budget backpacker, a family with kids, or an adventure junkie looking for a wilderness fix, there's a perfect campsite waiting for you here.

Camping in the French Alps

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Best Campsites in the French Alps

The French Alps stretch across several departments in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur regions of France. They're home to some of Europe's highest peaks, including Mont Blanc at 4,808 metres — the tallest mountain in the Alps and in all of Western Europe. The region is divided into the Northern Alps (Haute-Savoie and Savoie), the Central Alps (Isère), and the Southern Alps (Hautes-Alpes).

Each area has its own character, its own flavour, and its own incredible camping experiences. From the deep-blue waters of Lac d'Annecy to the wild valleys of the Vanoise National Park, the French Alps are simply stunning at every turn.

Getting to the French Alps is easier than you might think. If you're flying in, the main gateway airports are Geneva (Switzerland), Lyon Saint-Exupéry, and Grenoble. From Geneva, you can reach Chamonix in about an hour by car or shuttle. Lyon is a great base for heading into the Isère and Savoie areas. If you're travelling by train, France's TGV high-speed rail network connects Paris to cities like Annecy, Chambéry, and Grenoble in as little as three hours.

From there, local trains and buses can get you to many of the valley towns near the best campsites. If you're driving from the UK, the Eurotunnel or a ferry to Calais puts you within a day's drive of the Alps. Many campsite visitors choose to drive, especially families with lots of gear — and the autoroutes (motorways) in France are excellent, though toll fees do apply.

lakeside camping in the French Alps

So, what makes camping in the French Alps so special? For starters, the sheer variety of experiences is hard to beat. You can camp beside a crystal-clear alpine lake, pitch your tent in a high-altitude meadow with views of glaciers, or set up in a lush green valley with a river running right past your pitch. Summer in the Alps (roughly June to September) is the prime camping season, with warm sunny days, long evenings, and a huge range of outdoor activities on offer.

Think hiking, mountain biking, white-water rafting, paragliding, rock climbing, and swimming in glacier-fed lakes. The Alps truly come alive in summer, and the best camping sites in the French Alps put you right in the heart of it all.

Now, let's get to the good stuff. We've rounded up the 5 best campsites in the French Alps, covering everything from budget-friendly spots and lakeside gems to high-altitude wilderness sites and action-packed valley bases.

There's something here for every type of camper, so read on and start planning your perfect Alpine escape.

Best Campsites in the French Alps

1: Camping Les Lanchettes — Peisey-Nancroix, Savoie

A chalet in Camping Les Lanchettes

Located at 1,470m above sea level at the entrance to the National Park of Vanoise, this three-star high altitude campsite sits in a plot of 2.2 acres and offers pitches and chalets to enjoy a stay in nature in a really exceptional spot.

If you want to feel truly immersed in the wild heart of the Alps, Camping Les Lanchettes is one of the most extraordinary campsites you'll ever stay at and is the real deal for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

Camping Les Lanchettes - beautiful surroundings

It's surrounded by spruce and larch forests, with jaw-dropping views of the surrounding peaks. The site has a choice of chalets and pitches, clean sanitary facilities, hot showers, and a small on-site shop. There is also a restaurant with local dishes being served.

There are even Nordic hot tubs to relax in at the end of a busy day!

The site is open in both summer and winter, making it a great destination for those who love the mountains in all their moods and is perfect for both hiking and ski-ing.

2: Camping La Ravoire — Doussard, Lac d'Annecy

Camping La Ravoire

For a lakeside camping experience that feels like pure paradise, Camping La Ravoire at Doussard on the shores of Lac d'Annecy is one of the most beautiful and best camping sites in the French Alps. Lac d'Annecy is often called the "jewel of the Alps" — it's a deep, impossibly blue lake surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks, and it's consistently ranked as one of the cleanest lakes in Europe.

The campsite sits just under a kilometre from the lake's southern shore, set on 2.3 hectares of lush green land with mountain views in every direction. It's a 4-star site that strikes a great balance between natural beauty and modern comfort, making it a favourite with families and couples alike.

Facilities: Outdoor and indoor heated swimming pools with water slides, sun terrace, fitness room, table tennis, foosball, laundry, Wi-Fi, bike hire, bar terrace, games room, very clean and modern sanitary blocks.

Beautiful Lac d'Annecy

Nearby attractions: The lake itself is the star attraction — you can swim, paddleboard, kayak, windsurf, and water-ski right on Lac d'Annecy. A dedicated cycle path runs along the lake's edge all the way to the beautiful town of Annecy, with its stunning 12th-century castle, arcaded medieval streets, and cathedral.

The Col de Forclaz (1,150 metres) is just above Doussard and is a world-famous paragliding launch site with breathtaking views over the lake. The village of Talloires, nestled at the foot of the Roc de Chère, is just a short drive or cycle away and is one of the most picturesque spots on the lake.

The campsite has a lovely bar terrace where you can enjoy a cold drink or a coffee while watching the mountains change colour as the sun goes down — it's one of those moments that makes you feel incredibly lucky to be there. There's also a takeaway food service on site. The town of Doussard itself has a good selection of restaurants and a weekly market.

The campsite is open from May to September, and it gets busy in July and August, so booking well in advance is strongly recommended. If you're searching for the perfect lakeside base for your camping in the French Alps adventure, La Ravoire absolutely delivers.

3: Camping Le Coin Tranquille - Les Abrets, Isère

lovely pitches at Camping Le Coin Tranquille

If you're travelling with kids and want a campsite that keeps everyone happy without breaking the bank, Camping Le Coin Tranquille at Les Abrets en Dauphiné in the Isère is a fantastic choice. The name means "the quiet corner" in French, and while it's certainly peaceful and green, it's also packed with activities and fun.

This 4-star campsite sits in a beautiful rural setting between two lakes, at the gateway to the Chartreuse and the two Savoies, with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains from many of the pitches. It's one of the best-value campsites in the region, offering excellent facilities at prices that won't make your eyes water.

pool area at Camping Le Coin Tranquille

Facilities include an outdoor heated pool, indoor heated pool with spa pool, paddling pool, excellent restaurant and pizzeria (serving fresh pizzas), bar, takeaway, children's club, bike hire, laundry, Wi-Fi, local produce shop, mobile homes and chalets available as well as camping pitches.

The restaurant at Le Coin Tranquille is genuinely excellent — it's well-known locally for its food, and the pizzeria is a big hit with kids and adults alike. The bar has a warm, friendly atmosphere and is a great place to meet fellow campers. There's a children's club with organised activities during the school holidays.

The staff are welcoming and professional, and the whole place has a relaxed, happy vibe that makes you want to stay longer than planned. For families looking for the best camping sites in the French Alps that won't stretch the budget, Le Coin Tranquille is a genuine gem.

Lac d'Aiguebelette

The campsite is close to two lovely lakes — Lac d'Aiguebelette (no motorboats allowed, perfect for swimming, rowing, and fishing) and Lac du Bourget (the largest natural lake in France, 18 km long, with the spa town of Aix-les-Bains on its shores).

The Chartreuse Massif is right on the doorstep, with hiking trails through dramatic gorges and forested plateaux. The famous Chartreuse monastery and its legendary liqueur are nearby at Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse. Grenoble, the "Capital of the Alps," is about 40 minutes by car and well worth a visit.

Best Campsites in the French Alps

4: Camping Huttopia Bourg-Saint-Maurice — Savoie

Camping Huttopia Bourg-Saint-Maurice — Savoie

For campers who want to be right in the thick of the action — with world-class hiking, cycling, and mountain activities on their doorstep — Camping Huttopia Bourg-Saint-Maurice is one of the most exciting and well-located campsites in the entire French Alps.

Bourg-Saint-Maurice is a lively mountain town in the Tarentaise Valley in Savoie, sitting at around 850 metres altitude and surrounded by some of the most famous ski resorts in the world, including Les Arcs, La Rosière, and the Espace Killy (Val d'Isère and Tignes). The Huttopia brand is known for its eco-friendly, nature-focused campsites, and this one is no exception — it's set in a beautiful mountain location with a genuine wilderness feel, yet with all the comforts you need.

Camping Huttopia Bourg-Saint-Maurice pool

pool area at Camping Huttopia Bourg-Saint-Maurice

Facilities: Heated swimming pool with panoramic mountain views, bar, restaurant, ski room, drying room, late arrivals area with electric hook-up, motorhome service point, play area, TV room, fenced grounds, shady pitches, Wi-Fi, chalets and canvas-and-wood tents available.

This site is open in both summer and winter.

White-water rafting on the Isère River

Nearby attractions: The possibilities here are almost endless. In summer, you can hike or cycle up to Les Arcs via the famous Nancroix valley trails, or take the cable car up and explore the high-altitude trails. The Petit Saint-Bernard pass (leading to Italy) is a legendary cycling climb that starts right from the campsite.

White-water rafting on the Isère River is available right in town — Bourg-Saint-Maurice is one of the best white-water centres in France. The Beaufortain valley and its famous Beaufort cheese-producing villages are a short drive away. The Vanoise National Park is also easily accessible from here.

In winter you can easily access the famous Les Arcs resort by funicular and explore the 425km of slopes in the Paradiski area.

Back to the campsite - the bar and restaurant are a real highlight — the central lodge has a cosy mountain atmosphere that's perfect for après-hike evenings, with board games, a warm fire, and a great selection of local beers and wines.

The heated pool with its panoramic mountain views is genuinely spectacular — there's nothing quite like floating in warm water while staring up at snow-capped peaks. The Huttopia team also organises guided activities and nature experiences for guests.

This is the kind of campsite where you arrive planning to stay three nights and end up staying a week. For active campers and adventure lovers, Huttopia Bourg-Saint-Maurice is one of the absolute best campsites in the French Alps.

5: Camping du Glacier d'Argentière - Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley

Camping du Glacier d'Argentière

An historic two-star campsite in the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley which has been a base camp for mountaineers, climbers, hikers, and travelers for almost 60 years. It is situated in a peaceful and secluded spot offering a respite from the tourist crowds while remaining close to the amenities of the village of Argentière, public transportation, and access to mountain activities.

Camping du Glacier d'Argentière

Facilities:

Discount on public transport
Free WIFI
Quiet surroundings
Fresh Bread & Pastries
Hot & Cold Drinks, Ice Creams
Children's bath, changing table
Washer / dryer
Recreation Room
Disabled Access
Motor Home service facilities
Hot showers included
Activity advice & bookings

Reviewers say: "Excellent campsite with a friendly welcome, top-notch facilities including a covered dining area, a rest area, telephone sockets, well-maintained sanitary facilities, lovely mountain views, a 10-minute walk to the train station, and always space to pitch a tent."

"Camping du Glacier was one of the best campsites we stayed at on the TMB. The staff were not only incredibly friendly and helpful, but also very professional—you can tell the place is well-run. All the facilities were spotless: clean toilets, hot showers, and plenty of charging points. Everything is well-organized and easy to access. The views from the campsite are superb—a perfect place to relax after a long hike."

Enjoy the views...

As one of the original campsites in Chamonix, this site provides a clean, quiet and spectacular base in the centre of the Chamonix valley, to those wishing to enjoy the immense surroundings of the Mont Blanc Massif. Whether you are there to climb Mont Blanc, walk the Haute Route, mountain bike, or simply sit back and enjoy the views…

Wild Camping

Now, let's talk about wild camping — because if you're the adventurous type, you might be tempted to ditch the campsite altogether and pitch your tent wherever you fancy in the mountains. It's important to know the rules before you go.

Wild camping, known in French as "camping sauvage", is generally prohibited in France. However, there's an important distinction to understand: "bivouacking" — arriving late and leaving early — is often tolerated in mountainous areas, including parts of the French Alps.

According to general guidelines, bivouacking is typically permitted between 7 PM and 9 AM, as long as you're more than an hour's walk from a road access point and you leave absolutely no trace. However, within national parks like the Vanoise and the Écrins, the rules are stricter, and camping is only permitted in designated areas.

Always check the specific regulations for the area you're planning to visit, respect the land, and pack out everything you bring in. The French authorities take environmental protection seriously, and fines can apply for those who break the rules.

Camping in the French Alps

Conclusion

One of the great things about camping in the French Alps is the sheer variety of experiences on offer. You can wake up at 1,470 metres in the Vanoise and hike to a glacier before breakfast.

You can spend a lazy afternoon paddleboarding on the impossibly blue waters of Lac d'Annecy. You can let the kids run wild at a family-friendly site in the Isère while you relax with a glass of local wine. You can raft down the Isère River, paraglide over mountain valleys, or simply sit on a terrace and watch the sun set behind the peaks.

The French Alps in summer truly has something for everyone, and the campsites we've highlighted here represent the very best of what's on offer across different styles, budgets, and locations.

So what are you waiting for?! Getting planning your next exciting vacation in the French Alps!

Happy Camping!

Maybe you are travelling to another region in France? Check out our reviews of camping sites in the following areas:

Campsites near Paris, France

Campsites in Normandy, France

Campsites in the South of France

Campsites in Brittany, France

Campsites in the Loire Valley, France

Campsites in the Dordogne, France