Domaine naturiste du Petit Arlane

The Petit Arlane naturist estate spans 70 hectares in the heart of the Valensole plateau, within the Verdon Regional Nature Park, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. Rated three stars, the campsite is part of the Tikayan network, which runs several addresses on the Côte d’Azur and in the Var, and lies 4 km from the village of Valensole, on the road to Riez.

The estate has two small lakes around which 90 pitches are spread, shaded under pines or oaks, with views of the water or the Alps depending on their location. Each pitch has an electrical hook-up and a minimum surface area of 100 m². Four modern sanitary blocks are spread across the estate, including one adapted for people with reduced mobility, located near the pool and easily accessible from a large number of pitches.

The campsite presents itself as a holiday destination for adults, families and groups of friends, in a warm and friendly atmosphere typical of the Valensole plateau and its lavender fields. Catering services and the pool operate from late May to September.

Access is via the A51 motorway, exit 18 Manosque-Valensole, then through the village towards Riez and the Verdon Gorge via the D6.

The 200 m² pool, which overlooks the estate with a view of the ponds, is open from late May to September and lined with sun loungers; a bar there serves cold drinks and ice cream. The restaurant, open over the same period, serves its dishes on a terrace overlooking the pool, and food trucks round out the offering two to three times a week in summer. A bread drop-off point at reception allows guests to order pastries and fresh bread from the moment the campsite opens.

The campsite has a sauna, a laundry room with washing machine, a freezer for ice blocks and fridge rental for pitches. A relaxation area near the grocery shop offers a library, a billiard table and a television, as well as board games; an internet point is available for an extra charge.

Rental accommodation ranges from the mobile home (1 to 8 people, 2 or 3 bedrooms) to the single-storey gîte (up to 6 people), via the new “Tanzanie” lodge tents, set up on the shore of one of the estate’s lakes, which combine the comfort of a mobile home with the authenticity of a stay under canvas. Models on offer include a “Tennessy Luxe” cottage with a private spa for two people (22 m²) and a “Texas Éco” model with three bedrooms for six to eight people (32 m²).

Two waymarked hiking trails, 2 and 4 km long, allow guests to explore the estate at their own pace. The campsite also offers a volleyball court, a pétanque pitch, a billiard table, table football and table tennis tables, as well as a secure playground for children. From May to June, occasional evening events liven up the campsite; from mid-June to the end of August, an entertainment leader organises daily activities, supplemented in July and August by themed evenings and concerts. A local producers’ market is also held during the season.

The Valensole plateau, renowned for its lavender fields, honey and almonds, opens onto a region rich in activities: Lac de Sainte-Croix, around fifteen kilometres away, is ideal for swimming and water sports (paddleboarding, pedal boats, sailing, canoeing), while the Verdon Gorge, 30 km away, can be explored by kayak, pedal boat or electric boat.

Hiking and mountain biking enthusiasts will find varied trails and routes in the Verdon, between cliffs and peaks over 3,000 metres high. Manosque, birthplace of the writer Jean Giono, and the characterful villages of the plateau, such as Riez, Dauphin or Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, round out the possible outings around the estate.