- Toulouse
Popular camping styles for Toulouse
Geo domes near Toulouse guide
Overview
Life is rosy in the Pink City of Toulouse (nicknamed for its rose-hued architecture). With the Lot Valley to the north, the Pyrenees Mountains to the south, and several national regional parks within a short drive, Toulouse is ideal if you want to combine city sightseeing with outdoor adventures. The Place du Capitole, Basilica of Saint Sernin, and Cité de l’Espace space centre are all must-sees, while walking and cycling trails run along the Garonne River and Canal du Midi. Urban campers will find a surprising number of options in Toulouse, including 2-star campgrounds and aires (motorhome parking) right in the city.
Where to go
Pyrenees Mountains
South and southwest of Toulouse, rugged peaks, wooded valleys, and glittering mountain lakes await in the Pyrenees, the vast mountain range that spreads across the border of France and Spain. Explore miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horse riding trails in the Pyrénées Ariégeoises National Regional Park and the Pyrénées National Park, then rent a cosy chalet or gite, check into a campsite with a heated pool, or pitch your tent at a remote mountain refuge.
Lot Valley
Set out north of Toulouse for a scenic road trip through the Lot Valley, where highlights include the cliff-top village and pilgrimage site of Rocamadour and Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, one of “France’s Most Beautiful Villages.” Take your pick of family-friendly campsites and visit the region’s ancient caves, go boating or kayaking along the Dordogne or Lot Rivers, and explore more than 1,500 km of marked trails.
Haut-Languedoc Regional Natural Park
The Occitania region is also home to the Massif Central mountain range, and the Haut-Languedoc Regional Natural Park is a 2-hour drive east of Toulouse. Head there to hike and camp in the mountain valleys, stopping along the way to marvel at ancient Cathar castles, dine at farm-to-table restaurants, or enjoy water sports on the lakes.
When to go
Toulouse springs to life in the summer months when you can enjoy a busy schedule of music and art festivals, open-air movie screenings, and water sports along the Garonne River. Temperatures can soar over 30°C in July and August, so opt for an air-conditioned mobile home or choose a campground with an on-site swimming pool or water park. Camping season in France runs from April through October, but you’ll find a few campgrounds that stay open year-round, and special offers are common in low season.
