There is just one naturist camp site actually in the Ardeche Gorge, it is 'La Plage des Templiers' - its small with tent pitches and a few bungalow chalets. (tel: +33 (0)4 75 04 28 58) Cars cannot reach the site so have to be parked up above and access is via a small path. So no caravans either. By all accounts its pleasant if a little Spartan and isolated.
The Ardeche itself is enormous fun, massively impressive and our family certainly enjoyed the day in the canoes there last summer. I very strongly recommend Sabliere which is in the Ceze gorge - (one valley over). It's facilities are excellent; its a very naked resort - but it is also a 'vertical' resort. We have seen mums and dads pushing buggies up the mountain there - not a happy sight!
Sabliere (tel: +33 (0) 4 66 24 51 16) is about 30 minutes slow drive from the start of the Ardeche gorge - and thus is itself a good base. Incidentally all the non-naturist camp sites round the Ardeche seemed to be crowded, expensive and not very pleasant. By comparison - Sabliere was a bargain.
Ian
No need to telephone France as I am the British correspondent for Sabliere. Yes it is steep but in high season there is now a mini bus service connecting all parts of the centre. If you would like more information my 'phone the number is 01797 364315, but do contact me soon as availability for high season is very limited.
High season now seems to be becoming extended and at Belezy for instance (less than 2 hours from Sabliere) there are very few vacancies from the beginning of June until the beginning of September despite having installed more accommodation at the expense of camping pitches which are similarly limited. Riva Bella is cancellations only for July & August with only a few camping pitches left. The other centres are becoming very full including Arnaoutchot, Euronat, La Jenny, L'Eglantiere, Serignan Plage Nature and Club Origan which I believe indicates the popularity and high quality of these centres. All have special offers if you book before 15th February.
Suzanne Piper
I concur with all the above having visited all 5 naturist sites in the area in summer 2000. We did the canoe run down the Ardeche and called into 'La Plage des Templiers' for a pint. In mid summer the river is like the M25 with 10,000 hire canoes, you have to queue at all the narrow rapids. Having seen everyone pass close between two lines of spectating naturists we thought they are not going to be upset if we continued naked after our drink. A few hours later 4 gendarmes in a canoe instructed us to put our lifejackets on, then they added “and your costumes”. Canoes were cheaper booked downstream, they bus you to the start and you can go straight to your car when you finish.
The Cez is a much quieter river with no hire facilities, we had our own canoe and were able to explore all day a totally deserted river with just the herons for company. The only downside was passing the German yobs at Sablier who think it funny to capsize passing canoes, in spite of them having cameras etc. on board. Apart from the occupants, Sablier has a nice sunny beach.
Next downstream is, Fereyolles, this has a flattish grass field, we thought it horrid as there was little shade, everybody was packed close together and the shop prices were exorbitant.
Across the river the next site is La Gennese, a huge site on the south side of the river, consequently a long drive from the Ardeche. We wandered around here and found tidy lines of German and Dutch caravans. I believe all facilities are available, kids clubs etc. plus noisy outdoor aerobics classes with loudspeaker music, all day announcements and light pollution at night. The nightclub thankfully is underground and soundproofed.
Downstream from Fererolles is a small family run site, a well-kept secret with virtual wilderness camping. We had the only GB plated car. You are told to camp where you like under the trees along the riverbank. Only a few electric sockets and water points, one and a half ablution blocks, a cheap shop, a small bar and café. The only function is a Saturday night dance. You have to be pretty self-sufficient and even transport your own litter to the skip, the prices however reflect the facilities.
We pitched over 30 ft from our neighbours, with the canoe moored to the tent.
Not suitable for children though because next downstream and out of the sites jurisdiction is a wild island that is visited by a few Swingers watched by a bunch of voyeurs on the opposite bank. You soon know where they are by following the participants passing through from the other 3 sites upstream. We saw nothing untoward in the site itself and what we did see when we canoed past was tame compared with Agde.
I hope this gives a view of all the very different sites so you can pick one that suits you.
Naturist Masseur
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