Au Clos de la Chaume Sites et Paysages ***

• Beautiful location in the Vosges, close to Alsace – perfect for discovering both regions as a family.
• Great family-friendly excursions: Lac de Longemer, the Alsace Wine Route, Kaysersberg and Naturoparc.
• A peaceful nature campsite with a strong focus on the environment and outdoor activities – the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation.
• Authentic local experiences: village restaurants, astronomy evenings, traditional confectionery visits and Alsatian cuisine.

From the moment we arrived, we knew this place was different. Everything felt slower, more natural, almost effortless. There was no artificial "holiday atmosphere"—just nature in its purest form. The small stream running through the middle of the campsite immediately caught our attention. Our children (aged 4 and 7) disappeared there almost instantly. As they played, we experienced that rare feeling of simply stopping, watching and truly arriving.

Our favourite excursion took us to Lac de Longemer. Even the drive through the forested landscapes of the Vosges was breathtaking. Once there, we enjoyed a leisurely walk around the lake, stopped at the Cascade de Charlemagne waterfall, had a picnic in the shade and cooled off in the crystal-clear water whenever we felt like it.

What we loved most about the lake was its peaceful, unspoilt atmosphere. There are plenty of shady spots beneath the trees, small coves and enough space for everyone, making it feel wonderfully relaxed—ideal for families and also perfect for our dog. While I enjoyed the peaceful lakeshore with our youngest, our eldest took the opportunity to go on a mountain bike ride through the surrounding forests with Dad. The region offers numerous well-signposted trails, many of them suitable for families, so everyone can enjoy the outdoors at their own pace.

Of course, we also wanted to visit Lac de Gérardmer. Although it is a beautiful lake with plenty of leisure activities, we ultimately preferred Lac de Longemer. It feels more natural, much quieter and offers exactly the kind of outdoor experience we were looking for in the Vosges.

Just a 25-minute drive separates the peaceful forests of the Vosges from a completely different landscape: the Alsace Wine Route. Suddenly, the landscape opens up into vineyards, charming villages, half-timbered houses and rolling hills. The contrast feels almost surreal, yet it fits perfectly into the holiday.

Our favourite stop was Kaysersberg. We simply wandered through its streets, admired the beautiful half-timbered houses and enjoyed a traditional tarte flambée for lunch in a cosy winstub. By chance, we also arrived on market day, which made the village feel even more vibrant and authentic.

In the afternoon, we continued to Naturoparc. The children were completely fascinated by the animals: storks, otters and even the region's rare European hamster. It was a peaceful visit that perfectly matched the relaxed pace of the day.

Back at the campsite, life quickly settled into a peaceful rhythm again. Almost every afternoon ended with a visit to the heated indoor pool—the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring.

Sometimes we would simply walk into the nearby village for dinner. No elaborate plans, just good food at reasonable prices—a tarte flambée for around ten euros and the comforting feeling of being completely at ease.

One rainy day unexpectedly turned into one of the highlights of the trip. Instead of spending the day outdoors, we visited the Confiserie des Hautes Vosges, just a few minutes away. Watching traditional sweets being made, tasting the different flavours and discovering the production process kept everyone entertained, and we all left in great spirits.

A real highlight for the children was the astronomy evening organised by a local association every Thursday. Around 10 p.m., despite it being well past their usual bedtime, they sat completely absorbed, gazing up at the stars.

Beyond the excursions, the campsite itself has plenty to offer. One of our favourite features was the barefoot trail through the forest—a simple but memorable experience that the children especially enjoyed.

There were also guided nature walks led by a mountain guide, relaxation activities for adults and plenty of opportunities to discover the surrounding landscape directly from the campsite. The stream flowing through the site remained the heart of it all. It was a playground, a peaceful retreat and a place to explore all at once, shaping the unique atmosphere of the campsite.

Even the mini club follows this nature-based philosophy, allowing children to stay connected with their surroundings while taking part in activities. As parents, we loved that balance: the children were happily occupied in a safe environment, while we could genuinely relax without constantly planning the next activity.

As the days passed, we stopped planning everything in detail. There was simply no need. The campsite and its surroundings naturally set the pace: a walk through the forest, a short hike, a spontaneous bike ride or a quick trip to one of the nearby towns.

Everything is within easy reach: Corcieux for everyday essentials, Saint-Dié-des-Vosges for a taste of town life, Épinal for a larger day trip or Colmar for a deeper dive into the charm of Alsace.

That contrast became one of the defining memories of our holiday: peaceful mornings in the Vosges, lively afternoons among vineyards and picturesque villages, and quiet evenings back at the campsite.

Looking back, what stays with us most is not a list of activities but a feeling: peace, freedom and simplicity.

There was no pressure, no fixed schedule and no need to tick attractions off a list. Instead, every day found its own natural rhythm. The children spent almost all their time outdoors, we had the chance to truly unwind, and our dog probably enjoyed this holiday more than anyone else.

Camping Au Clos de la Chaume is, for us, a place where nature is not simply part of the scenery but part of everyday life. It is a holiday defined not by spectacular attractions but by countless small moments in between—and that is exactly what made it so special.

Anonymous interview conducted by the Camping Direct editorial team following a stay at Camping Au Clos de la Chaume.