Domaine de la Bergerie *****

With our 11- and 13-year-old children in a mobile home

• An exceptional natural setting, lush and green, with views of the Maures mountains.
• A family-friendly campsite with nearly 60 years of history and a genuine atmosphere.
• Perfectly organised for pre-teens: freedom, supervised activities and safety.
• A wide range of facilities: water park, spa, heated indoor pool and entertainment.
• A perfect balance between the children’s independence, the parents’ relaxation and quality family time.

When we arrived at the Domaine de la Bergerie, the first thing that struck us was the lush greenery surrounding the entire campsite. It was dense and lush, almost unexpected for those who picture Provence as a land of dried lavender and limestone.

The campsite is situated in the Var, on a wooded hill in the Massif des Maures, and you immediately notice the excellent work of the gardeners: the vegetation envelops every space, making it more harmonious and incredibly welcoming.

What’s more, the Domaine de la Bergerie campsite didn’t spring up overnight. It has nearly sixty years of history, and this is evident in the majesty of the trees, in the meticulous attention to detail, in that harmony that only time and experience can create. It was founded by the parents of Sylvie Jondet, the current owner. She now runs it with her children. Three generations. A family that has transformed this place into something more than just a business.

The accommodation is spread out across the hillside, which meant we enjoyed a great deal of privacy. Each unit has its own space, privacy and tranquillity. Some of the accommodation is truly VIP-standard, with spacious layouts and top-of-the-range facilities.

We were staying in the upper section, the quietest part of the whole campsite, and from there we had an unobstructed view of the Maures mountains, which invited us to pause, breathe and think of nothing else. In the centre of the campsite, however, all the village life was concentrated: the water park, the restaurant, the entertainment and the shops.

We came with our two children, aged eleven and thirteen – that age when they no longer want us to hold their hands but haven’t quite figured out how to handle their newfound freedom. The campsite manages to strike this balance quite naturally: instead of a rigid programme with activities that need to be booked in advance, there are places and moments for young people to meet up, which are spontaneous and unplanned.

The activity leaders also organise football, archery, basketball, paintball tournaments… but always on the spur of the moment, with no forms or sign-up lists. Our children really enjoyed this way of doing things. During the day, we hardly saw them, and we felt completely at ease. The natural setting, enclosed and surrounded by greenery, is undoubtedly very safe.

Sometimes they didn’t even turn up for dinner, as the campsite also has a disco reserved exclusively for under-18s, open until midnight with the activity leaders present. We went there in spring 2025; it was only open during the school holidays, and in the end, that suited us perfectly: we had plenty of time to enjoy the campsite and the surrounding area.

For us, those few days were a chance to get back into a slow, relaxing rhythm – perfect for really switching off. Every morning at ten o’clock, we took part in the yoga class next to the wellness area. Then, almost every day, we treated ourselves to some time in the sauna, steam room or jacuzzi, all of which were free to use. In April, the evenings were still a bit chilly, so we often made the most of the heated indoor pool and even let ourselves be tempted by water aerobics on occasion.

We also took the opportunity to play padel all four of us together — rackets are even lent out free of charge at reception — and it was undoubtedly one of the moments we cherish most with the children: the four of us on the court, laughing at our mistakes and in no hurry to finish the game. Apart from padel and paintball, all other activities and access to the spa are free and included in the booking.

We were advised by the site's staff to visit Roquebrune-sur-Argens, located a few kilometres from the campsite, and we cycled there several times. It’s a medieval village with few tourists and not many shops, but it’s lovely to explore by bike.

One Sunday morning, we went to the market at Fréjus Plage, by the sea, to soak up the lively atmosphere and discover the typical colours of Provence markets. Another day, we went on the Trois Croix hike, setting off from the village of Roquebrune itself. It was about a three-hour leisurely walk, stopping to have a bite to eat and enjoy the view: the Argens valley, the Maures mountains, the Estérel and, in the background, the Mediterranean. The children came with us and didn’t complain once.

To go to the seaside, we almost always chose Garonnette beach, about seven kilometres away. A small sandy beach, handy for parking, with a charming beach bar right next door, where we’d stop for a drink after a swim.

We also have fond memories of the evenings. At sunset, we would often head down to the bar-restaurant at La Bergerie (a former stone house, tastefully restored to preserve the beauty of its original walls) and enjoy an aperitif on the terrace, with a splendid view of the mountains. In the evening, we would dine indoors, by the lit fireplace, when it was in use.

A truly welcoming restaurant, perfect for enjoying a family dinner in a relaxed atmosphere.

There’s something about this campsite that makes it truly special: it’s not just the high-quality facilities or the well-organised activities. It’s that this place has a soul and a personality all of its own. Sixty years of history, a family that has looked after it from one generation to the next, trees that have grown over time and now offer you their shade without asking for anything in return.

We left feeling we’d found the perfect balance for our family holiday: freedom for the children, relaxation for us, and enough shared moments to return home feeling truly like a family.

Anonymised testimonial, compiled by the Camping Direct editorial team following a stay in a bungalow at the Domaine de la Bergerie campsite