Camping naturiste Verdon Provence

Naturist campsite Verdon Provence is located in Esparron-de-Verdon, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, on the shore of Lake Esparron and at the entrance to the Gorges du Verdon, about 70 km from Aix-en-Provence. The site covers around thirty hectares of unspoilt nature, within the Verdon Regional Nature Park and a Natura 2000 zone.

Opened in 1967, even before Lake Esparron was filled the following summer, it is the first naturist campsite in the area, alongside a neighbouring textile campsite that developed at the same time. Rated 4 stars, it remains a human-scale establishment with 72 pitches, a member of the Fédération Française de Naturisme and the Fédération Naturiste Internationale. The friendly atmosphere, carried by a small team, encourages holidaymakers to reconnect from one season to the next.

Naturism here is family-oriented and supervised: exhibitionism, voyeurism and partner-swapping are strictly forbidden, and the internal rules are firmly enforced. Two naturist coves, made of flat rocks rather than sand, are directly accessible from the campsite, a 10 to 15 minute walk along a sloping path.

The campsite is open from late April to early October; reception operates reduced hours outside the peak season.

The restaurant, run by chef Marine, is open for lunch and dinner from June to early September: salads, grills, pizzas, daily specials and homemade desserts, in keeping with family naturism (a towel or sarong is requested for sitting down). The bar, open throughout the season, serves hot drinks, local wine, beer and homemade cocktails on a lounge terrace overlooking the valley. The grocery shop offers local products (honey and essential lavender oil, herbes de Provence, olive oil), fresh fruit and vegetables and a few essentials; a bread and pastry drop-off, delivered every morning from mid-May to mid-September, must be ordered the day before at reception.

The wellness area includes a spa for seven people, a sauna for six to eight people and a relaxation corner, as well as a massage room where two therapists offer massages, Ayurvedic techniques and reflexology. Access is free in the morning by booking, then chargeable in the afternoon (a few euros per person, weekly packages or private access available).

Equipment loan (tables, rackets, petanque balls, etc.), a library and a washing machine round out the practical services. Free Wi-Fi, by deliberate eco-friendly choice, only covers the communal areas (bar and reception). The toilet block at the top of the campsite has a cubicle adapted for reduced mobility (seated shower, toilet, sink); two other toilet blocks serve the rest of the site. Dogs of all categories are welcome, with an up-to-date vaccination record required.

Two petanque courts host a weekly tournament, a true institution of the campsite; there is also a Home Ball court, two table-tennis tables and table football at the bar. Three times a week, Aquamouv gets everyone moving to music at the pool, and an Apérando takes holidaymakers on a naturist walk until sunset, with an aperitif included overlooking the lake.

The children’s club brings together kids aged 6 and up twice a week for arts and games activities; younger children can take part accompanied by a parent. In the evening, karaoke, music quizzes, shows, concerts and open-air cinema set the tone for the summer season, alongside a weekly dance evening in summer and a Sunday welcome drink.

Lake Esparron, the wildest in the Verdon area, can be explored by canoe or electric boat, or on foot through the Basses Gorges from Quinson. The Gorges du Verdon, the hilltop villages of Provence and the lavender fields are just a few kilometres away, as are the thermal baths of Gréoux-les-Bains, 15 minutes from the campsite, for a spa treatment or a wellness afternoon.