Camping La Vallée Heureuse ****

• A spectacular natural setting in the Alpilles. The campsite is situated in an absolutely breathtaking environment, located right in the very heart of the Alpilles region.
• A unique climbing spot just steps away. A major highlight of this destination.
• The perfect base for hiking and cycling since the trails and excursions start directly from the site itself.
• A flawless balance between activities and relaxation. A swimming pool and dedicated entertainment groups for teenagers, which allows parents to truly rest and unwind.

Enjoying a family getaway with our kids, aged 12 and 14 years old

The scenery is truly breathtaking. Just before arriving, we drove alongside a beautiful small lake called the Lac de Lavau. Nestled right in the heart of the Alpilles Regional Natural Park, the campsite reveals itself surrounded by limestone rocks and pine trees. The destination is enclosed by spectacular cliffs and a unique natural environment that immediately inspires you to set off on a hike or explore the surrounding area on foot or by bicycle. 

During our stay in early July, we lodged in a safari tent that was fully equipped, including air conditioning. Thanks to this, we never suffered from the summer heat inside our lodge, which made our stay exceptionally comfortable and pleasant.

We established a wonderful daily routine. We reserved our hikes and other sports activities for the morning, sometimes starting very early when the air was still beautifully fresh. After our active mornings, we spent our afternoons quite peacefully relaxing by the swimming pool.

One of the most practical features of this campsite is that the hiking trails start directly from the grounds. At the reception, the staff provided us with excellent advice along with several maps, allowing us to choose our routes based on our daily energy levels. We could select walks lasting one, two, or even three hours, perfectly adjusting to our motivation and that of our children.

We hold a particularly fond memory of our walk to the site of the Notre-Dame de Beau Regard church. The entire round trip took less than two hours, making it perfectly suited for our children and an incredibly enjoyable experience. Once we reached the top, the panoramic viewpoint was exceptional: the entire valley stretched out before us, allowing us to spot the campsite nestled at the foot of the mountain, the surrounding Alpilles massif, and even the distant outline of the Sainte-Victoire massif.

We also took a cycling trip to the village of Eygalières, a true postcard-perfect destination that manages to remain completely authentic and uninvaded by mass tourism. The ride took about 40 minutes from the campsite with very little elevation change, making it entirely accessible for the kids. It was a lovely excursion blending nature and discovery that we all thoroughly enjoyed.

A major highlight of our trip—and indeed one of the main reasons we chose this campsite—was the climbing site that shares its name, La Vallée Heureuse. Located just a 10-minute walk away, we went there almost every single day at the end of the afternoon. The site offers climbing routes and boulders for all skill levels, which was excellent and safe for our children. Under our supervision, they had a wonderful time playing on the natural boulders in complete safety.

While there are other climbing spots located a bit further away, we made a conscious choice to live completely on-site and on foot. By avoiding car trips, we maintained a simpler, softer, and more authentic holiday rhythm.

Our children spent the rest of their time balancing their days between the swimming pool and the kids' club. They enthusiastically joined the pre-teen and teen groups, participating in a wide array of daytime sports activities and evening entertainment, including tournaments, treasure hunts, blind tests, live concerts, and pool parties.

As parents, we found our own ideal rhythm. Sometimes we joined the children to share these vibrant entertainment moments together, and other times we seized the opportunity to rest, read, take our time, and simply savor the deep tranquility of the campsite. It truly provided the perfect balance between rewarding family life and genuine moments of rest.

Our stay at La Vallée Heureuse was a truly fulfilling experience that perfectly matched our family's needs. The brilliant combination of active, structured entertainment for our children and teenagers alongside the peaceful, relaxing atmosphere of the grounds allowed us to enjoy rewarding family moments without sacrificing our own need to unwind. Because the campsite offers seamless access to spectacular hiking and cycling routes directly from the site, combined with an exceptional climbing area just a short walk away, we were able to adopt a gentler, car-free holiday rhythm. We highly recommend this destination to any family seeking the ideal balance between rich outdoor adventures and deep, restorative relaxation in the heart of nature.

Anonymized interview conducted by the Camping Direct editorial team following a stay at Camping La Vallée Heureuse