4-Star Campsite in the South of France, in the Cévennes: by the River, with a Heated Pool
Le Vigan, at the crossroads of worlds. That is the best way to describe this place. In the South of France, in the west of the Gard, on the southern slopes of the Aigoual massif (1,567 m), Camping Le Val de l’Arre welcomes you where the Causses, the Cévennes and the Mediterranean meet.
At the Heart of the Millau – Nîmes – Montpellier Triangle
From the campsite, everything is about an hour’s drive away: Millau and its extraordinary viaduct to the west, Nîmes, the Roman city, to the east, and Montpellier, city of ancient and modern medicine, to the south. Around us, the Gard, Hérault, Aveyron and Lozère meet. And when you long for the sea, the Mediterranean beaches are about 1 hour 15 minutes away.
Quieter than the Ardèche
Do you love rivers, gorges and unspoilt nature, as in the Ardèche, but would rather avoid mass tourism? Then you have come to the right place. Here you will find the same kind of holiday – river swimming, canoeing, gorge hikes, cave visits – in a peaceful, green setting where you can truly unwind.
A Crossroads of Rocks: Limestone, Granite and Schist
Few places bring three mineral worlds together. Here, the limestone of the Causses, vast plateaus cut by gorges, meets the granite of the Aigoual massif, home of the Cévennes sweet onion, and the schist of the Cévennes valleys, with their terraces and stone farmhouses. Three landscapes, three kinds of light, just a few kilometres apart.
A Crossroads of Rivers: the Arre, the Hérault and the Vis
The Arre flows alongside the campsite: in summer, people swim, play and fish with nets in it. Further down, it joins the Hérault river, which rises on Mont Aigoual. The Vis carved out the Cirque de Navacelles and shaped magnificent canyons before flowing into the Hérault in turn.
At the campsite, you enjoy both pleasures of the water: river swimming and our heated pool, on grounds shaded by many tree species: plane trees, maples, catalpas, sophoras, ginkgo biloba, tulip trees and flowering cherries…
Causses and Cévennes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Since 2011, the Causses and the Cévennes have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their landscapes shaped by centuries of agro-pastoralism: drove roads, sheepfolds, dry-stone walls and hilltop villages. The campsite lies at the heart of this area, on the edge of the Cévennes National Park, and holds the Esprit parc national label.
A Land of History, Now a Haven of Peace
The Cévennes were shaped by the history of Protestantism and the Reformation, and by the Camisard war, in which people of the same country, sometimes of the same blood, fought each other in the name of religion. From this turbulent past, a peaceful, quiet world was born, far from the hustle and bustle. Over time, paths were created: for walking, for running, for strolling through the forest.
What to See Around the Campsite
- The Cirque de Navacelles, a 30-minute drive: one of the most beautiful natural sites in France, carved by the Vis.
- The Vis waterfall and its gorges, for a walk and a cool break.
- Mont Aigoual and its weather observatory, the Lac des Pises, the Lac du Bonheur and the Bramabiau underground river at Camprieu.
- The Clamouse cave and the Grotte des Demoiselles, two underground wonders.
- Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and Gellone Abbey, by the Hérault gorges.
- The Causse de Blandas and the Jonte valley, for wide open spaces.
- The Le Vigan market on Saturdays and the Ganges market on Fridays, for local atmosphere and produce.
All our hiking ideas and day trips are on our dedicated pages.
Getting to the Campsite
- By car from the north: the A75 motorway, toll-free as far as the Millau viaduct, then about an hour via the Larzac plateau. This way you avoid the busy Rhône valley.
- By train: Montpellier and Nîmes TGV stations.
- By plane: Montpellier and Nîmes airports.
- By motorhome: the campsite is listed in most GPS apps and Waze, and our pitches suit large vehicles.
Where to Stay at the Campsite
Air-conditioned mobile homes and Coco Sweets, shaded pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, and our gîte right next to the campsite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a campsite in the South of France with a river and a pool?
Yes: Camping Le Val de l’Arre, a 4-star campsite in Le Vigan, is on the banks of the Arre, where you can swim in summer, and has a heated pool.
Is it quieter than the Ardèche?
Yes. You will find rivers, gorges and nature as in the Ardèche, but without the mass tourism.
How far is the Cirque de Navacelles?
About a 30-minute drive from the campsite.
How far is the sea?
The Mediterranean beaches are about 1 hour 15 minutes away. Montpellier is about an hour away.
Are pets allowed?
Dogs and cats are allowed on pitches only, not in the rental accommodation.
When is the campsite open?
From 1 April to 30 September.
Are there markets nearby?
Yes: the Le Vigan market is on Saturdays and the Ganges market on Fridays.
What is the best route from the UK, the Netherlands or Belgium?
Via Clermont-Ferrand and the A75, toll-free as far as the Millau viaduct, then about an hour via the Larzac plateau.
We want to invite you to discover all these different worlds: to share our beautiful region with you, and to make you love it as we do.