It’s impossible to talk about Camping Le Moulin without talking about the River Ardèche. Curling its way through central France for almost 80 miles before joining the Rhone, it is without doubt one of the most scenic waterways in the entire country. And nowhere along the river offers quite the drama of the gorgeous gorges section, where limestone walls climb up to 300m high and arches, crags and crescent-shaped beaches shimmer in the sun.
Spread across the north bank of the river, on the edge of Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche, this large, family-friendly campsite has tried its best to match the splendour of the river. Camping pitches are scattered among mature birch trees that offer shade and shelter during the heat of the day, while pre-pitched glamping options provide extra comforts for those who don’t do the ‘real camping’ thing. Facilities are abundant – there’s an onsite restaurant, WiFi, a playground, volleyball court and boules pitch – and the whole place is pristine and well kept. Admittedly, it lacks that family-run charm (logo-wearing staff reveal that the campsite is part of a franchise) but as a family-friendly campsite it’s difficult to beat. A day lounging on the sun terrace, while your children play in the pool will quickly win you over.
For all the campsite’s wares, however, the river remains the winning feature. The best pitches in the site are those that sit closest to the waters edge, with splintered views between the trees. It’s a moment’s walk down to the water’s edge, where most campers spend their time, reading a book in the sun or paddling about and swimming. Perhaps the biggest marvel is that, despite the terrific gorge and the spectacular geological features, the river itself is slow, safe and very easy to navigate. It is one of the most popular canoeing and kayaking routes in the country and perfectly possible even for families that have never paddled before. How handy it is, then, that you can hire canoes from a rental company directly next door to the campsite. They’ll even pick you up further downstream, so you can take it easy as you drift through the gorges and never have to worry about paddling back again. Bliss.