Aire naturelle campsites appeal to anyone who rates personal space above fancy amenities and
organised fun. Typically found in attractive back
gardens of French family homes, only 25 pitches
are permitted and they’re spacious. To find a
peaceful, unspoilt aire naturelle site so near to
beaches and lakes is as good as it gets for nature-
loving campers en France.
Welcome to the home of affable hostess Aude Libante. Her garden is a pretty,
asymetric field with a few trees at each end and a couple of barns in between. When the weather is so hot that only sea breezes will keep you from
melting, the coast is just 3 miles (5 km) away. And
when the Atlantic currents are too strong to swim
in, you’re on the middle edge of the biggest natural
lake in France, Lac d’Hourtin-Carcans. Hourtin
beach, to the north, is a family favourite and further
south lies Lac de Lacanau, famous for international
surfing competitions every August. White, sandy
beaches and still waters offer supervised swimming
and water sports. The nearest is Maubuisson; turn
right out of the campsite and follow the signs and
you’ll be windsurfing in minutes.