PROVENCE-ALPES-CÔTE D’AZUR

A region bathed in light, nestled amongst valleys, mountain peaks and a relaxed way of life

In Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, the light does more than simply illuminate: it reveals! From the Alpine peaks to the rivers, from the stone-built villages to the Provençal hills: the prevailing hue is gold! We learn to live with it: starting early, seeking shade at midday, extending the evenings when the sky is slow to darken. Exploring the region means following this light that transforms the landscapes. Onlycamp campsites become anchor points close to this luminous nature. Whether in a van, a motorhome or a tent, you set up camp and let the region reveal itself. At an altitude of 1,640 metres, in the heart of the Queyras Regional Nature Park, the Onlycamp des Mélèzes campsite is bathed in a vast, open light. Here, the sky seems more expansive.In the morning, the light filters through the larch forests and touches the tent canvas. The air is fresh, the silence profound. Near the campsite, the trails naturally invite you to set off towards the ridges and high-altitude lakes: the GR5 and GR58, along with the ridges and high-altitude lakes, invite you to gain some height. Towards the lakes of Sainte-Anne or Lac Miroir, the peaks are reflected in the calm water. At the end of the day, Fort Queyras and Mont-Dauphin catch the last rays and are bathed in gold.Here, you camp as close as possible to the heights and the open spaces.  In Guillestre, between the Écrins and the Queyras, the Onlycamp de la Rochette campsite is nestled in a wide-open valley, perfect for breathing in the fresh air and getting up high. The light glides from the ridges down to the valley floor, tempting you to set off on foot or by bike to explore the surrounding passes and panoramic views. Nearby, Mont-Dauphin catches the last rays of the evening, whilst Eygliers and the mountain pastures extend this sense of space. Head for the Durance Valley! In Réotier, between Gap and Briançon, the Onlycamp La Fontaine campsite sits on the banks of the Durance, where the light plays on the water from early morning. Here, you can follow the current by kayak, on foot or along the trails, with the feeling that the landscape is constantly shifting. Just a stone’s throw away, the Fontaine Pétrifiante tells the story of where rock meets river, and further up, the views towards the Écrins open up the horizon even more. In the evening, the light filters through the pines and returns to dance one last time on the water. And as you can never get enough of nature, we then head off to the Luberon… Near Pertuis, at the gateway to the Luberon Regional Nature Park, the Onlycamp Les Chênes Verts campsite offers a gentle, sun-drenched Provençal retreat. Amidst vineyards, olive groves and hilltop villages, we alternate between walks, markets and breaks by the Étang de la Bonde for a swim. A little further on, the ochre hues of the Provençal Colorado add a touch of sunshine. Here, you park in the shade, set up the table, and let the evenings stretch out as the light turns golden. In short, as you’ll have gathered: here, the region is all about sunshine!