The Road to Reales Campsites

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La Motte, France
Cost: Approx. €20 to €25 per night

If you’re after a relaxing break in the French countryside, La Motte is a great choice. Tucked away 70km north of Bordeaux, this campsite offers a laid-back, rustic setting that’s ideal for unwinding and soaking up rural France.
Located next to a vineyard and surrounded by gentle hills and picture-postcard villages, it’s a great base for exploring the region. Whether you’re into wine tasting, leisurely bike rides, or just enjoying the slower pace of life, La Motte is one for the wish list.

Pitches are generously sized and offer a mix of sun and shade. It’s a peaceful site with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere – ideal for families, couples, or anyone looking to escape the usual tourist crowds. The grass isn’t as closely cropped as some UK sites, but this adds to its rustic nature.
Facilities are simple but clean and well-maintained, and there’s a handy little shop on site. There’s also a small, enclosed swimming pool and a lake to fish from. The owners were incredibly welcoming and spoke good English, too.
La Motte is a real find. It’s not overly commercial or flashy, but that’s precisely what makes it so special. It offers a proper, no-fuss camping experience in one of France’s most beautiful and historic regions.
Explore the historic Château de Montguyon, walk the scenic clay quarry trails in the nearby forest, and enjoy outdoor relaxation at the Aire de Loisirs de Beauvallon. It’s a peaceful area rich in nature and heritage.
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Camping De Haro, Spain
Cost: Around €30–€43 per night

Camping De Haro is a fantastic spot for anyone looking to explore the La Rioja region of northern Spain, especially if you’ve got a soft spot for good wine, stunning landscapes, and a bit of sunshine.
The pitches themselves are a good size, with plenty of shade – ideal for keeping cool in the Spanish heat. The site is well-maintained, clean and secure, and it doesn’t feel overly crowded. There are also cabins and bungalows available.

Facilities are excellent: modern toilets and showers, a decent-sized pool for cooling off (which was closed for maintenance during our visit!), and a bar-restaurant serving local food and wine. There’s also a small shop on-site, and a larger supermarket just a short drive away.
One of the big draws here is location. Haro is a brilliant town to explore, with wine bodegas, historic buildings, and lively plazas. The surrounding area is great for walking, cycling, or simply driving through the vineyards and hilltop villages. It’s also easy to take day trips to places like Logroño or even into the Basque Country.
The staff at Camping De Haro are friendly and helpful, and many speak good English, which makes checking in easy. They’re happy to help with tips on local wineries, restaurants, and routes.

Wine tasting at Gomez Cruzado. At just 20 Euros per person, it’s highly recommended. Or try pichos during the evening at local bars.
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Domaine de la Faurie, France
Cost: Around €27–€42 per night, depending on pitch type and season

The setting is nothing short of idyllic. Surrounded by rolling hills, fields and woodland, the campsite feels completely tucked away. Yet, it’s only a short drive to local villages like Labastide-Murat and the historic town of Cahors. It’s a brilliant base for exploring the Lot and Dordogne regions.

The pitches are spacious with a mix of sun and shade, depending on what suits. Facilities are spot-on: clean, modern shower blocks, a lovely pool area with plenty of loungers, and a brilliant on-site restaurant. The food looked great (with local specialities like duck confit and goat’s cheese on the menu), but we opted for a barbecue on this occasion.
The site has a gentle, friendly feel without being overrun with activities. There’s a small shop for essentials, and I’m told that in high season, they host low-key events like live music or themed food nights.
A very special site indeed.

Explore Cahors and its famous bridge, visit local markets, go truffle hunting, cruise on the Lot River, and hike the forested trails of the surrounding hills.
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Huttopia Lac de Sillé, France
Cost: From €27 per night

The setting is great – tall trees, birdsong, and a large lake just a short stroll away. It’s part of a protected natural park (the Forest of Sillé), which gives it a wild, unspoilt feel. The site is well-managed and ideal for families, offering plenty of activities nearby.
Pitches are nestled amongst the trees, and the facilities are modern and clean, with eco-friendly touches that reflect Huttopia’s style. There’s a medium-sized pool and a café-restaurant that serves simple meals, snacks and drinks throughout the day. Fresh bread and pastries are also available in the morning.

Lake Sillé is perfect for swimming, canoeing, paddleboarding, or just relaxing by the water. There are plenty of well-marked walking and cycling trails from the site, and we saw a handful of folks running around the lake. I’m told that treetop adventures and horseback riding are nearby.
Huttopia Lac de Sillé is ideal for anyone after an active but peaceful holiday in natural surroundings. It’s perfect for families or couples who want to explore rural France without venturing too far south, as it’s an easy drive from the ferry ports, and a world away from the usual holiday hustle.

Kayaking and paddleboarding on the lake, forest hiking and biking, ziplining and tree climbing at the nearby adventure park, and visiting the local château and town of Sillé-le-Guillaume.
Visiting France or Spain?
From the vineyard-cloaked hills of Burgundy to the forested lakes of northern France, these four campsites offer something for every kind of traveller, whether you’re chasing sunshine, wine, nature, or just a bit of peace.
- La Motte, near Bordeaux, is a rustic countryside retreat. Peaceful, with a lake and swimming pool, it’s perfect for those who enjoy rural charm and the slower pace of French village life.
- Camping De Haro, in Spain’s La Rioja region, is a brilliant base for wine lovers and culture seekers alike. Just a short walk from Haro’s bustling centre, it combines practical comforts with access to some of the best wineries in the country.
- Domaine de la Faurie, in the Lot Valley, offers stunning views, top-notch facilities, and a relaxed atmosphere high above the surrounding countryside. It’s a great option for both couples and families looking for a taste of authentic, scenic France.
- Huttopia Lac de Sillé, in the Sarthe region of northern France, is all about the great outdoors. With forest trails, a peaceful lake, and a real back-to-nature feel, it’s an ideal spot for active families or anyone looking to unplug and recharge.
Each site has its own personality, but all share a few key ingredients: friendly hosts, beautiful settings, and the kind of slow, simple pleasures that turn a good holiday into a great one.
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