Onwards to our final destination. The Gorges du Tarn is an area we’ve always visited on journeys to southern France but we’ve only stayed a day to take a kayak trip down the river. Its a stunning area and we thought it deserved a longer stay
Rather than stay in the busy main sections we opted for the upstream and less well known area near Florac. I’m so glad we did. I found Camping Chantmerle on the Cool Camping website and what a find. Alongside the river Tarn its quiet peaceful with excellent facilities and never felt in any way busy or crowded. Run by the lovely Nicole the atmosphere is pretty much perfect for our needs, relaxed, friendly and unhurried
It has its own natural river swimming area beneath the bridge and the splendid church in the village of Bedoues is close by and is a stunning building perched in the woodland
You’d never know but the campsite is in the trees on the left of the photo below
The site even has resident beavers but apparently the latest generation are very shy and rarely seen. Previously they were commonly seen swimming in the river by the pitches. We had to make do with the resident birds and dragonflies which were stunning. I even saw a small snake swimming in the river.
Our pitch was right next to the river and the views were stunning especially late evening
You’ll know from many of my posts that I love river swimming and this area is packed with swimming holes both on the Tarn and elsewhere. The campsite swimming hole is a little shallow for my more adventurous spirit but a 10 minute walk upstream takes you to this stunning spot with narrow gorges, waterfalls and rock ledges to jump from
However the crowning glory was our little patch of sun warmed rocks just below the camper. We spent pretty much every evening down there either reading, relaxing, eating or just enjoying the peace and stunning views until the sun went down. In a trip with many new spots to treasure, this one was my favourite
A wonderfully tranquil corner of France
surfnslide 
That is one well-hidden campsite! Stunning photos – looks like an amazing place to stay. All these campsites by rivers – did you not get eaten alive?
Incidentally – the very brightly coloured ‘dragonfly’ is a damselfly – a Beautiful Demoiselle I think. I’m jealous.
http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/species/beautiful-demoiselle
LikeLike
It was the best one we stayed at. The riverside setting was perfect. No problem with insects other than the odd bite (and a tent full if you left the light on and the door open). That was about the twentieth photo of that damselfly before I got a good one. They don’t stop all that often
LikeLike
Beautiful place to camp!
LikeLike
One of my new favourite places. So peaceful especially the evenings down by the river.
LikeLike
It would be difficult to return to cold windy damp England, after the bliss of the campsites you have discovered. I just love the dragonfly captures.
LikeLike
Yes it’s a very difficult transition back to normal life after the warm sunshine and clear skies. The way of life down there is something I could get very used to! 😀
LikeLike