It's easy to see why, in early 2018, Sylvain and Mélanie fell head over heels in love with this little campsite – then called Les Olivettes – and, hearing it was to be sold, snapped it up in a heartbeat. After all, the place is an instant charmer; this staggering mountainside vista, in the heart of Provence, bursts with colour all year, while the individual tent pitches, parcelled up between olive trees and clusters of lavender, call out to any would-be camper.
Though under the helm of these inspirational new owners, Little Carpe Diem Campsite is, in fact, over 50 years old, but Sylvain and Mélanie took up the reins only recently, bringing a new lease of life and a new focus on close-to-nature camping. Even before they arrived, new additions included a solar-heated pool with a meditation area, a stylish barbecue spot and tastefully painted cornflower-blue amenities. While, despite a modern touch, it will still always be a place for traditional camping. Each pitch has been carefully considered and levelled, offering a variety of east- and west-facing pitches, with some olive trees totally shading you from the Provençal sun.
Ecology is important to Sylvain and Mélanie; both the showers and pool are solar-powered and all rubbish can be separated. The only additional lighting comes in the shape of small solar lights, which are only light enough to guide your way through the site at night. They certainly don’t pollute the incredible view of the staggering star-flecked sky – which is said to be the clearest in Europe. If you need more proof, then from July to mid-September scrutinise the night sky further at the astronomical observatory in nearby Puimichel.
Although there is a supermarket in nearby Les Mées in summertime fresh bread and croissants are delivered and potatoes can be collected directly from the farmer. Twice a week baked delights such as Quiche Lorraine and home-made confiture are brought back from the bountiful local markets: at some point you’ll want to experience these treats first hand.
Mélanie’s little office at the entrance is stocked full of suggestions of what to do further afield and Little Carpe Diem is quite perfectly placed. Just a 20-minute drive to the A51 means a great distance can be covered and so a wide range of activities are on offer – from gliding and ballooning in the east to swimming and water sports in the west.