Staying at a campsite close to a vineyard means choosing a completely different approach to vacations. Between two days at the beach or in the forest, a wine route opens up, an estate welcomes you for a tasting, a local market offers you its producers’ vintages. France abounds in these terroirs where vines shape landscapes as much as they define a culture. Romanée takes you to three wine-growing regions to discover from your favorite campsites.
Île-de-Ré: an Atlantic vineyard off the beaten track
An island terroir with characterful wines
Île-de-Ré has been cultivating its vines for centuries, between Atlantic sea spray and sandy soils that give dry white wines a recognizable minerality and lightness. The vineyards of Île-de-Ré produce mainly dry white wines under the Charentais appellation, as well as cognacs and pineaux des Charentes, produced in small-scale estates that perpetuate a know-how rooted in the island’s landscape. In Loix, Domaine Arica is a perfect illustration of this spirit: Marine and Simon cultivate 13 hectares of organically-farmed vines, and welcome visitors for tastings in the winery, oenology workshops or tailor-made group receptions. To discover more, read our article dedicated to the Île-de-Ré vineyards takes a closer look at the history, grape varieties and estates to visit.
Camping just a stone’s throw from the vineyards on Île-de-Ré
Three Romanée campsites welcome you to the island, each with its own personality.
Le CormoranThis 5-star hotel in Ars-en-Ré is the closest to the vineyards. Quiet, well-kept, with a beautiful spa area and direct access to the beach, it is aimed at travelers looking for an upscale experience in an unspoiled setting. Just 1.5 km from Ars-en-Ré, you’re in the heart of the island’s wine-growing region.
La PlageLa Plage, a 4-star hotel in Saint-Clément-des-Baleines, is also firmly rooted in the island’s identity, with a privileged seafront location close to the famous Phare des Baleines lighthouse.
Les Dunesanother 4-star hotel, completes the offer with its family atmosphere and accommodation integrated into the island’s characteristic dune landscape.
From these three campsites, you can cycle to the vineyards – and that’s the magic of the Île-de-Ré: the scenery changes from one trail to the next, between vineyards, marshes and white villages.
The Dordogne: between medieval castles and emblematic appellations
Bergerac, Monbazillac, Pécharmant: the great names of the Périgord wine region
The Dordogne is one of France’s most endearing wine-growing regions. Less well known than its Bordeaux neighbors, it is no less rich: the Bergerac appellation covers reds, whites and rosés, while Monbazillac produces one of France’s most famous sweet wines, with its golden hue and generous bouquet. Pécharmant, a lesser-known appellation, appeals to lovers of characterful reds.
These vineyards are set against a backdrop of hills, rivers and forests dotted with medieval castles – Beynac, Castelnaud, the Vézère towns. The Bergerac wine route is easily explored by car or bike, with stops at family-run estates where direct tastings are readily available. Wine tourism in Périgord retains a human scale that the big appellations have sometimes lost.
Two campsites in the heart of Périgord to explore the vineyards
Les Grottes de RoffyLes Grottes de Roffy, a 4-star hotel, is located between Sarlat and the Dordogne valley. The heated swimming pool, waterslides and friendly atmosphere make it a popular base for families, as well as an ideal base for exploring the Bergerac wine estates and listed villages of the Périgord Noir.
Le CapeyrouLe Capeyrou, a 3-star campsite, offers campers a more intimate experience, with shaded bare pitches on the banks of the Dordogne. The river is almost next door, and the roads leading to the Bergerac vineyards or Monbazillac are just a few kilometers away. A place for those who prefer calm to bustle, and discovery to a busy schedule.
Gironde: the vineyards of Bordeaux within easy camping distance
Saint-Émilion, Médoc, Bordeaux: an exceptional wine region
The Gironde is probably the world’s most famous wine-growing region. Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO world heritage site, with its cobbled streets and châteaux with mythical labels. The Médoc and its route des grands crus, which runs for dozens of kilometers along the Gironde estuary. Bordeaux and its wine merchants, lively quaysides and wine museum. Here, wine culture is everywhere: in the architecture, on restaurant tables, in conversations.
Tasting in the Bordeaux region can be organized in a thousand different ways: a self-guided tour of an estate during an open house at a Médoc chateau, a day trip to Saint-Émilion between vineyards and golden stones, or an introductory wine-tasting workshop in Bordeaux. The list of Gironde appellations – Pomerol, Fronsac, Graves, Sauternes – is dizzyingly varied.
Le Tedey, your starting point to the Bordeaux vineyards
Le TedeyLe Tedey, a 4-star hotel, is located in Lacanau, in the heart of the Landes de Gascogne forest, on the shores of Lacanau lake. Bordeaux and the first vineyards of the Médoc are less than an hour’s drive away. Spend the night under the pines, wake up facing the lake, and you’re off for a day at the châteaux of Bordeaux – before returning to enjoy the lake and the sunset over the water.
Le Tedey offers an authentic nature holiday that few campsites can offer so close to a vineyard of such renown. Lovers of fine wines will appreciate this proximity, while families will enjoy the lake and water sports – the two are not mutually exclusive.
Frequently asked questions about camping and vineyards in France
Can you visit vineyards from a Romanée campsite in France? Yes, many Romanée campsites are located close to wine routes and wineries accessible by day. Île-de-Ré, Dordogne and Gironde in particular offer tours and tastings open to the public, often without prior reservation in the off-season.
Which wine-growing regions are accessible from Romanée campsites? Romanée campsites cover several major terroirs: the island vineyards of Île-de-Ré (IGP Charentais, Pineau des Charentes), the Bergerac and Monbazillac appellations in Dordogne, and the great Bordeaux wines of Gironde – Médoc, Saint-Émilion, Graves – from Le Tedey campsite in Lacanau.
When is the best time of year to visit the vineyards from a campsite? Spring and summer are the most pleasant seasons to combine camping and wine discovery. The grape harvest (September-October) is also a rich period: some estates open their doors for tours or participatory work days. Check with your local tourist office before booking.
Is it possible to cycle to the vineyards? On the Île-de-Ré, the network of cycle paths allows you to reach the winegrowing estates from the island’s three Romanée campsites without taking the car. In the Dordogne, the roads are more undulating, but still suitable for seasoned cyclists. In Gironde, the car is still the most practical way to explore the wide range of Bordeaux appellations.
Would you like to organize a holiday combining camping, nature and wine discovery? Check out the availability of our campsites in Île-de-Ré, Dordogne or Lacanau, and plan your getaway at your own pace.
Published 10/06/2026