Origan Village

Campsite Origan Village sits on high ground above Puget-Théniers, in the Alpes-Maritimes, at the gateway to the Var, between the Mercantour national park and the Mediterranean beaches. The estate overlooks the River Var, at the heart of the pre-Alpine hills, at 2160, route du Savet. The campsite claims an unspoilt natural setting conducive to disconnecting, with an open view over the Var valley from most pitches.

Rated four stars, the establishment opens from late April to early October. The terraced, south-facing grounds are organised into two pitch areas: “Mercantour”, for caravans and motorhomes, with valley views, and “La Source”, shadier, reserved for tents by the riverbank.

The campsite caters to couples, families and groups of friends, in a friendly naturist spirit that respects everyone’s privacy. Pets are only allowed in the Luciole and Cigale chalets, as well as in the tent lodges, subject to vaccination.

For travellers without a car, the campsite provides a free minibus shuttle from Puget-Théniers station, served by the Chemins de fer de Provence train from Nice; guests simply need to notify their arrival time the day before. Nice is about 60 km away, or an hour’s drive.

The outdoor pool, heated to 28 °C and south-facing, is open from 9am to 8pm throughout the season. It is complemented by a 50-metre slide, a 40 cm deep paddling pool, a jacuzzi heated to 35 °C, as well as wooden decks and shade sails for protection from the sun.

The wellness area is run by a chiropractor and his wife, both trained in Thai techniques: traditional wat po massage, oil massage, foot and full-body reflexology, as well as a traditional Thai hammam. It is open from mid-May to the end of September, every day from 9am to 8pm, by appointment.

On the practical side, the campsite offers a laundry, Wi-Fi near reception, a small emergency shop, takeaway meals, a gift shop, a restaurant and a non-smoking lounge bar. Reception, open from 9am to 7pm in season, ensures a 7-day emergency service thanks to call forwarding outside these hours.

Rental accommodation ranges from the 30 m² cosy villa to the 44 m² VIP chalet, via cottages, air-conditioned mobile homes of 38 to 47 m² and a wood-and-canvas tent lodge; all rentals face south to make the most of the sun.

The campsite offers a rich entertainment programme in peak season: aquagym, tennis, petanque, archery, table tennis, as well as occasional yoga sessions and guided hikes in the surrounding area. A marked hiking trail, directly accessible from the estate, climbs to an altitude of 800 metres over 4 km and 300 m of elevation gain, with a sweeping view over the valley. Dance and party evenings bring the campsite to life in June, July and August.

Thrill-seekers will find plenty to do nearby: via ferrata, canyoning in the Esteron gorges, kayaking and rafting on the Var, particularly around the Daluis gorges, nicknamed the “Nice Colorado” for their red pelite walls up to 300 metres high.

An hour’s walk from the campsite, the medieval town of Entrevaux, fortified by Vauban, can be visited via a ramp cut into the rock leading up to its citadel, with a powder magazine museum and a motorcycle museum. The Écomusée de la Roudoule, in Puget-Rostang, traces the history of the valley along an interpretive trail. The Mercantour national park, an hour’s drive away, opens onto the Vallée des Merveilles and numerous mountain villages such as Tende or Saint-Martin-Vésubie; Nice and Saint-Paul-de-Vence are also reachable in about an hour.