Le Vallon des Oiseaux

Le Vallon des Oiseaux is a family-run naturist estate set at 350 metres above sea level, at the foot of the old Provençal village of Reillanne, in the Luberon Regional Nature Park, between Forcalquier and Apt (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence). The address is 3020, route de Carluc, at the hamlet of La Serpatière et Vallon.

The estate was founded by Jan and Madeleine Pasma. In 1986, the couple set off in search of a plot of land aboard their converted fire engine, accompanied by their daughter Amanda, then 3 years old; they had previously run the De Kaketoe restaurant at Flevo Natuur, in the Netherlands. In 1987, they acquired an old farmhouse in need of restoration, which gave rise to the campsite. Since Jan’s passing in 2021, their daughter Amanda Pasma has run the estate, with the support of her brother Romain for administration.

On its 50 hectares, the campsite offers 91 spacious pitches, in the sun, under the pines or against the hillside, as well as mobile home and wooden chalet rentals, always Saturday to Saturday. The site is entirely car-free: vehicles stay in the car park at the estate’s entrance.

The French-Dutch atmosphere is informal and warm; naturism is practised here in complete freedom, including while walking anywhere on the grounds.

The heated pool, overlooking the valley and the hills of the Luberon, offers a large pool for swimming and a shallow pool for young children. Two toilet blocks offer free hot showers, supplemented by outdoor showers dotted around the site, as well as a toilet block adapted for reduced mobility, on prior request so the pitch can be adjusted accordingly.

Fresh bread and vegetables from the estate’s garden are offered every day in season. The restaurant, with a takeaway service, is open at the hours posted on site; on closing days, a pizza van or food truck takes over. Payment is by cash only, usually the following morning, when picking up the day’s bread.

Reception and the bar, set under a vine-covered pergola, open in the morning and late afternoon, with a break at midday. For additional shopping, small supermarkets can be found in Céreste and Reillanne, and larger shops in Apt, Manosque or Forcalquier.

The petanque court is lit in the evening, and table-tennis tables as well as outdoor fitness equipment, set up in the shade, round out the estate’s sports facilities. A playground welcomes children, and a central barbecue area is available, with prior agreement for fire safety reasons.

Le Vallon des Oiseaux lies on a national cycling route, an excellent starting point for exploring the Haute-Provence by bike, on foot or running. Clothed hikes are organised regularly, for beginners and experienced walkers alike, while walking naked remains possible anywhere on the campsite grounds. In peak season, an activity leader offers activities for young and old, and holidaymakers themselves readily start petanque or volleyball tournaments or spend afternoons by the pool.

The Provençal markets, very numerous in the area, set the pace of almost every day of the holiday week. The campsite happily suggests a few day-trip destinations: the Domaine de Marotte, the Luberon road, the Montagne de Lure, Mont Ventoux (whose ascent by bike is sometimes organised as a group outing), the Nesque gorges and the Oppedette gorges, or even a naturist beach near Marseille.

The medieval village of Reillanne, right at the foot of the estate, and the local tourist office usefully round out the outing suggestions; folders with ideas for excursions are also available at reception. During Dutch school holidays, specific activities are organised for younger holidaymakers, as well as for adults who prefer to relax.