Camping Europ' Camping

On hot days, the outdoor pool is really the heart of the campground. The pool is clear: great if you travel with little ones and like to see at ééone glance where everyone is. For the mini’s, there is a pataugeoire (paddling pool), where they can safely splash around and practice “look mommy!”-jumps. No slides or wild water, that laid-back holiday feeling: towel down, book open, and meanwhile count laughs instead of minutes. And after a day on the trail in the mountains, that refreshing dip is just what you need, just to wash off the day.

Fancy some natural water? Nearby are places to be by the water (there is a water point nearby at circa 6 km), and there is no shortage of adventure days: in this region, you hear stories of rivers, gorges and waterfalls everywhere. The kind of outings children ’re still talking about in bed at night.

Europ’ Campsite feels small and personal. No giant crowds, but a nice campsite where you greet each other easily. For children, there is a playground and a room to exercise. There is also table tennis, volleyball and, of course, the classic camping ritual: boules.

In the summer, there is an occasional evening atmosphere on the terrace with a themed night (think: folkloric dance night). Not every evening full schedule, but that's just nice, because that way you'll have time left over for a game at the table, stargazing or a last stroll along the river.

Practically, it's also well taken care of: there's wifi at the campsite (paid), a small supermarket for your basic groceries and in the morning you can pick up bread and croissants s. That moment when you walk back to your spot with a warm baguette… well, then even a simple breakfast table feels like vacation luxury.

And if no one feels like cooking, there's a restaurant with local flavours, plus takeout. Extra nice with family: there's a laundromat, and barbecueën is allowed (charcoal). There is even a collective barbecue, ideal if you spontaneously join in with new camping acquaintances.

Here you're in the middle of the Basque Country, so excursions almost automatically stack up. Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is 2 km: a medieval town with ramparts, bridges and streets where you walk slowly even if you're in a hurry. Children often find it één great exploration—“may we go through that little gate there?”

For nature that impresses: the Gorges de Kakuetta are one of those’places that will make you pause for a moment (and where your phone is suddenly full of pictures’s). And then there is La Rhune, the famous mountain where you can take a rack train up. At the top, you get panoramic points where even adolescents can't hide their “wow”.

Fancy some color and flavor? Espelette is famous for the red peppers on its facades, a village that looks like it was specially dressed up for your vacation photos’s. And if you want a day at the sea: the Atlantic coast is about 50 km away. Biarritz, Anglet or Saint-Jean-de-Luz are feasible for a beach day with sand between your toes and an ice cream that melts too quickly.

Active family? Think hiking, mountain biking and, if you dare, rafting on the Nive. This is one of those’n regions where, after één vacation, you'll come home with two kinds of souvenirs: a bag of local delicacies (gâteau basque, Bayonne ham, Ossau-Iraty) én a head full of memories.