Between the dormant volcanoes of Auvergne and the vineyards of the Rhône Valley, central and south-east France offer some of the country’s most varied landscapes for a camping holiday. It’s a region easily reached from the UK : around 1h40 by direct flight to Lyon, or a comfortable day’s drive via the Eurotunnel, and once there, you can go from the Puy de Dôme to the doorstep of Lyon in a matter of hours, taking in lakes, volcanoes and city breaks along the way.
Huttopia runs several campsites across Auvergne and the Rhône region, designed for travellers who want to experience the outdoors without giving up home comforts, whether you’re dreaming of hiking the Chaîne des Puys, swimming in a lake, cycling the ViaRhôna trail, or a weekend break on the edge of Lyon.
Just 45 minutes from Lyon, rise above it all at Huttopia Pays de Condrieu Campsite, overlooking the Rhône Valley. Cahuttes, chalets, Toile & Bois Tents and pitches welcome you close to the Pilat vineyards. Swimming pools, the Forest Spa, hiking, cycling on the ViaRhôna and wine tastings shape your stay!
A stay in the heart of Auvergne, right by the lake! Huttopia Lac de la Siauve campsite welcomes you to a peaceful, natural setting. Spacious grounds and the beautiful heated swimming pool await you at the end of the day, after wonderful hikes in the Haut Cantal and across the stunning Auvergne volcanoes.
A stay in the Land of the Auvergne Volcanoes! In the spa town of Royat, discover a lush campsite nestled in the heart of the forest, perfect for relaxation. Cool off in the shade of the trees or in the swimming pool after a day of adventure, just moments away from the most beautiful spots in Auvergne, like the Puy de Dôme.
Open all year round, Camping de Lyon welcomes you in a 6-hectare natural park, ideal for exploring Lyon and Beaujolais. Spacious pitches or fully comfortable accommodation allow you to enjoy a relaxing break or discover Lyon.
The Rhône département is an often-overlooked destination for camping, yet it combines nature, heritage and easy access to Lyon and the wider Rhône Valley. Just a few kilometres from Lyon’s city centre, nature takes over along the riverbanks, through vine-covered hills, and in the quiet villages of Beaujolais and the Côtes du Rhône. Camping here means switching easily between the buzz of one of France’s great food cities and the calm of the countryside, ideal for a nature-filled weekend from Lyon, or as a first stop before heading further south.
From this campsite near Lyon, public transport gets you into the city centre in around twenty minutes, no parking stress, no traffic. Vieux-Lyon (the old town), the Halles Paul Bocuse food market, and the museums of the Presqu’île peninsula are all easily reached. It’s a great option for families or couples who want to explore Lyon by day and sleep under the stars at night.
Tucked into the Pays de Condrieu, this Huttopia site sits where the Rhône winds between the slopes of Côte-Rôtie and the first hills of the Ardèche. It’s a great base for exploring one of France’s most celebrated wine regions, and for setting off along the ViaRhôna, the cycle route that follows the river for hundreds of kilometres, a popular choice for UK cyclists tackling a multi-day trail.
Auvergne is one of France’s most dramatic regions for a camping holiday. Its dormant volcanoes, crystal-clear crater lakes and vast open landscapes make it an outstanding, still-undiscovered destination for British travellers looking to get off the beaten track. Whether you’re hiking the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Chaîne des Puys, swimming in a mountain lake, or simply enjoying fresh air far from city life, a holiday in Auvergne is something a bit different.
Located in Royat, just a few kilometres from Clermont-Ferrand (around 1h20 by direct flight from London), Huttopia Royat is one of the best gateways to the Auvergne volcanoes. The Puy de Dôme is visible from the campsite, and the trails of the Chaîne des Puys begin right at the entrance. This family-friendly site at the foot of the Puy de Dôme suits everyone from experienced hikers to families with young children.
Huttopia Lac de la Siauve enjoys a rare setting: right on the shore of a lake, in an unspoilt natural environment. For families dreaming of a waterside holiday, with a supervised swimming area, watersports and lazy days on the grass — this is the place to be.
The Auvergne-Rhône region is a fantastic playground for families. Nature is close at hand, there’s no shortage of activities for children, and the distances between places of interest stay manageable. Whether you choose a nature-filled weekend near Lyon or an immersive summer holiday among the Auvergne volcanoes, Huttopia’s campsites in the region offer everything needed for a genuinely relaxing family holiday.
Paddling pool, heated (and sometimes covered) swimming pool
Summer activity programme for ages 5–12
Children’s play area
Activity kits for under-4s (to enjoy with an adult)
Bike and mountain bike hire on site
Sports and leisure equipment available
Between the volcanoes of Auvergne, the region’s great lakes and the Rhône Valley, there’s a wide range of activities to mix discovery, sport and relaxation. Whether you’re travelling as a family, with friends or as a couple, every day can look different: hiking a volcano, swimming in a lake, cycling, or visiting Lyon and its surrounding villages.
Hiking is one of the best ways to discover the Auvergne volcanoes and their landscapes, unique in Europe. Between the Chaîne des Puys and the Volcans d’Auvergne Regional Nature Park, the trails offer spectacular views over dormant volcanoes, forests and plateaux.
A few standout hikes:
Auvergne is also an excellent destination for swimming in natural lakes. Its lakes offer the perfect setting to relax, swim or take part in watersports as a family.
Some of the best spots:
• Lac Chambon: supervised swimming, paddleboarding, pedalos and beaches at the foot of the mountains
• Lac d’Aydat : Auvergne’s largest natural lake, great for sailing, canoeing and swimming
• Lac de la Siauve (Bort-les-Orgues): a wilder setting, perfect for paddleboarding, fishing and gentler activities
Here, holidays slow down: swimming, a picnic by the water, or a paddleboard outing at sunset.
The region is particularly well suited to a cycling holiday thanks to the ViaRhôna, which follows the Rhône all the way to the Mediterranean, alternating between nature, villages and vineyard scenery.
Along the Rhône, the ViaRhôna links lakes, vineyards and small towns via safe, well-signed routes. In Auvergne, the roads are hillier but reward cyclists with outstanding views over the volcanoes and plateaux.
An ideal destination for:
• multi-day touring holidays
• family cycling trips
• slow-travel enthusiasts
• anyone looking for nature and freedom on two wheels
Lyon is a must-visit stop on any trip to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Regularly rated one of France’s best food cities, it offers rich, easily accessible sightseeing from the campsites of the Rhône Valley, and is well connected to the UK by direct flights from London and several regional airports.
Not to be missed in Lyon: Vieux Lyon and its UNESCO-listed traboules (hidden passageways), the Basilica of Fourvière, with panoramic views over the whole city, the Presqu’île peninsula and its lively squares, Les Halles Paul Bocuse, for Lyon’s famous food scene, the banks of the Rhône, perfect for a walk or bike ride
Around Lyon, the wine villages of the Rhône Valley round off the visit with a quieter, more authentic atmosphere.
For a family holiday, campsites near the volcanoes or the lakes work best. Huttopia Royat is ideal for exploring the Chaîne des Puys and the Puy de Dôme while enjoying a natural setting close to Clermont-Ferrand. Huttopia Lac de la Siauve is perfect if you’re after a waterside holiday, with swimming and activities for children.
Huttopia Lac de la Siauve is one of the main lakeside campsites in Auvergne. It offers an outstanding natural setting with swimming, paddleboarding, fishing and relaxation by the water, an ideal destination for families and anyone after a peaceful nature break.
For a weekend near Lyon, CityKamp Lyon is ideal for combining city and countryside just minutes from the centre. Huttopia Pays de Condrieu, in the Rhône Valley, lets you make the most of the vineyards, the ViaRhôna cycle route and a natural setting less than an hour from Lyon.
Huttopia Royat is the closest campsite to the Puy de Dôme and the Chaîne des Puys. It offers direct access to the hiking trails and volcanoes of Auvergne, while sitting just a few kilometres from Clermont-Ferrand, a great base for exploring this UNESCO-listed volcanic landscape.
The best time to go camping in Auvergne runs from May to September. Summer is ideal for lakes and outdoor activities, while spring and early autumn are great for hiking the volcanoes, with milder temperatures and fewer crowds.
Yes, the ViaRhôna is perfectly suited to a touring holiday with overnight stops at campsites. Several sites along the Rhône, including Huttopia Pays de Condrieu, offer comfortable stopovers along the route. It’s an excellent way to explore the Rhône Valley by bike, taking in lakes, villages and vineyards.
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