Flower Camping Les Rives de l'Aygues ***

With our 4- and 6-year-old children

Les Rives de l’Aygues Campsite: ideal for family holidays in the heart of Drôme Provençale

• A campsite set in peaceful natural surroundings, in the heart of Drôme Provençale and on the banks of a river.
• A warm, family-friendly and attentive welcome, with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
• A well-maintained site offering quality services and a good standard of comfort for the whole family.
• Friendly and well-balanced entertainment, organised once a week in high season, in a festive atmosphere that always respects the peace and quiet.
• An ideal setting for relaxation, walks and exploring the surrounding countryside.

Arrival at the campsite and first impressions

Our first visit to Camping Les Rives de l’Aygues, our first time in Drôme Provençale, was an instant hit with the whole family. Surrounded by the river, vineyards and olive groves, lulled by the song of the cicadas, we immediately felt we were in the right place with our 4- and 6-year-old children.

We’d chosen a spacious pitch near the river, perfect for setting up all our gear comfortably. A lovely surprise for the children: they had their own toilet block just for them. As for us, the family toilet block proved extremely handy. And an unexpected bonus: our dog even had his own shower.

Every morning, the baker came straight to the campsite to sell his fresh bread and pastries. It was a real treat to start the day with lovely, still-warm bread, without having to get in the car.

The children quickly settled into the kids’ club, which was open every morning from 10 am to 12 noon.

They would go down to the river to collect pebbles, which they would then paint and give to us as gifts; they would feed the chickens; and every morning they would take part in the campsite dance routine, an event they always looked forward to.

Meanwhile, we could finally enjoy some real moments of peace and quiet: a coffee on the terrace, a book and two hours all to ourselves in a very peaceful atmosphere.

At the end of the day, we liked to meet up at the campsite bar for a drink before joining in the mussels and chips evening. A simple, friendly evening where chatting with the other holidaymakers came naturally.

Bénédicte and Anthony from the site's staff gave us some great tips on places to visit.

Thanks to them, we discovered the Crocodile Farm, located about thirty minutes from the campsite. We were lucky enough to watch the crocodiles being fed by the keepers. The children were fascinated and completely captivated by the experience.

On Tuesday, we headed to Vaison-la-Romaine to explore the market and visit the village. With its Roman ruins, ancient theatre and charming narrow streets, the place is magnificent. We also had lunch at a local restaurant to sample the famous Drôme ravioli.

In the afternoon, we set off for Mont Ventoux. We weren’t quite ready to cycle up the mountain with the children, so we decided to drive up. Once at the summit, the view over the entire Rhône valley was absolutely spectacular.

The next day, we set off for the Aven d’Orgnac cave, about an hour’s drive from the campsite. This immense underground cathedral impressed us from the moment we entered. We chose the “Spéléominot” trail, which is perfectly suited to children for an introduction to caving.

On the way back, we stopped at Vallon-Pont-d’Arc for a swim. It was very busy, which made us appreciate the peace and coolness of our return to the campsite, by the river, all the more.

On Wednesday evening, the campsite organised an organic wine tasting led by a local winemaker. Meanwhile, the children played in the various play areas, particularly the one with the zip line, which quickly became their favourite activity.

That week, we also attended a talk by a representative from the League for the Protection of Birds. He introduced us to the local flora and fauna, including those found on the campsite, whilst raising families’ awareness of eco-friendly practices. An environmental approach that is particularly close to Bénédicte and Anthony’s hearts.

Thursday evening will also remain a wonderful memory for our children thanks to their performance in front of all the parents at the campsite. They were extremely proud to show off the dance they’d learnt throughout the week. The evening then continued in a friendly atmosphere with music and a DJ until midnight.

Exploring Nyons and the villages of the region

During our stay, we also visited a few typical French villages, including Nyons, situated about 20 km from the campsite. For sports enthusiasts, the town can also be reached via a pleasant walking or cycling route that winds through the region’s vineyards.

Our favourite village, however, was undoubtedly Séguret, one of the most charming villages in the area: perched on a hill, with narrow cobbled streets and splendid stone houses that give it an authentic, timeless atmosphere.

Between exploring the local historical heritage and relaxing by the campsite pool, every member of the family found the perfect way to enjoy the holiday.

Between exploring the old town and spending time by the pool, this day struck the perfect balance between relaxation and sightseeing.

Finally, we fell head over heels for Séguret, a magnificent stone village, typical of the region, which completely won us over.

The campsite offers a range of facilities that are particularly popular with families:

• a heated, secure swimming pool
  three play areas in a safe environment for children aged 3 to 12
• zip line, wooden structures, slides and a climbing area
• petanque courts and table tennis tables
• snack bar serving homemade pizzas
• small grocery shop with fresh bread and pastries
• evening entertainment with DJs, singers and musicians

Nature, river and a peaceful atmosphere

Les Rives de l’Aygues campsite covers 3.5 hectares of countryside with just 100 pitches, ensuring a real sense of space and tranquillity.

The campsite is bordered by the River Aygues and is situated near Lake Bel Air, much loved by fishing enthusiasts.

Its location also makes it easy to explore Vaison-la-Romaine, Nyons, Orange and even Mont Ventoux.

Our stay at Camping Les Rives de l’Aygues will always stand out for us as the perfect balance between nature, exploration, activities for the children, peace and quiet for the parents, and a friendly atmosphere.

What we particularly loved was the campsite’s warm, welcoming atmosphere, the care shown towards families, and the team’s genuine commitment to the environment.

A place where you quickly feel at home, to the rhythm of the river, the cicadas and evenings spent with fellow holidaymakers.

Anonymised interview, conducted by the editorial team at Camping Direct following a family holiday at Camping Les Rives de l’Aygues.