Kon Tiki or Au Paradis des Campeurs: which campsite to choose between Pampelonne and the French Riviera?
Between the French Riviera and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, two opposite holidays. Kon Tiki, on Pampelonne beach in Ramatuelle, is a Polynesian-inspired 4-star resort village set right on the sand — lively and upmarket: heated pool, spa, beach restaurants, evening parties. Au Paradis des Campeurs, in Les Issambres, is a welcoming 4-star campsite on the French Riviera: calm, leafy, open all year, dog-friendly, a 2-minute walk from La Gaillarde beach. The right choice depends on the kind of holiday you’re after.
| Criterion | Au Paradis des Campeurs (Les Issambres, 4★) |
Kon Tiki (Pampelonne, 4★) |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Nature campsite, 7 ha | Tropical resort village: 521 pitches, 345 bungalows |
| Atmosphere | Calm, intimate, leafy | Lively and festive, upmarket |
| Open | All year round | Seasonal (1 April to 1 November) |
| Beach access | La Gaillarde beach, 2-minute walk | Directly on the sand of Pampelonne |
| Accommodation | Sea-view lodges (private spa or pool by category), mobile homes, pods | Polynesian-inspired Tiki Huttes & Lounges (private pool or swim spa by category) |
| Bare pitches (tent, van, motorhome) | Yes | No (rentals only; motorhomes and vans not allowed) |
| Shared swimming pool | No | Yes — heated pool + paddling pool |
| Entertainment & kids’ clubs | No | Yes — kids/teens clubs, evening parties |
| On-site dining | Azéa restaurant (panoramic sea view), snack bar, grocery | Beach restaurants & bars, 2 private beaches, mini-market |
| Dogs | Welcome — dog-friendly beach 100 m away + forest | Accepted depending on accommodation (surcharge), no dedicated dog beach |
| Environmental commitment | Clef Verte (Green Key) label since 2020 | No known environmental label |
| Beach & swimming quality | Clear, calm water and peaceful swimming — ~4 km from the marina, no jet-skis or towed buoys off the beach | Very lively Pampelonne beach — jet-skis, wakeboarding, flyboarding and parasailing a few steps away; festive vibe in high season |
| Sunrise, sunset & views | Hilly site, open aspect: both sunrise and sunset, views of the Estérel and Cap du Dramont from the beach | Flat seafront on the Bay of Pampelonne; sea view or vineyard view depending on accommodation |
| Bikes / car-free / train | Bike rental, free if you arrive by train (Saint-Raphaël-Valescure station + bus 876, La Gaillarde stop 50 m from reception) | Bike and kayak rental on site; no station nearby (Saint-Raphaël ~40 km) — a car is virtually essential |
| Ideal for | Couples, families & independent campers seeking calm and nature | Families and groups wanting a lively resort right on the sand near Saint-Tropez |
| 2026 rates | Pitch rates · Accommodation rates | Premium 4★ resort |
Two campsites, two philosophies
Au Paradis des Campeurs
A 4-star, 7-hectare campsite on a human scale, built for rest. Sea-view lodges with a private spa or pool, mobile homes, pods and genuine pitches for independent campers — all about 4 km from the nearest marina: clear, calm water with no jet-skis or towed buoys.
- Open all year round
- La Gaillarde beach, 2-minute walk
- Clef Verte (Green Key) label since 2020
- Dog-friendly beach 100 m away + forest
Kon Tiki
A 4-star, Polynesian-inspired resort village set right on the sand of Pampelonne beach. Heated pool, spa, kids’ and teens’ clubs, beach restaurants and bars, evening parties: the address for families and groups who want entertainment and the sea on their doorstep, just minutes from Saint-Tropez.
- Right on the sand of Pampelonne
- Heated pool & spa
- Kids’ & teens’ clubs
- Open April to November
Where are the two campsites located?
Both campsites line the same Mediterranean, but in different areas: Au Paradis des Campeurs in Les Issambres, on the French Riviera towards Fréjus / Saint-Raphaël; Kon Tiki in Ramatuelle, on Pampelonne beach, in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Around three quarters of an hour’s drive separates the two.
How to choose between them?
Calm or entertainment?
For a heated pool, kids’ clubs, a spa and evening parties at the heart of the Saint-Tropez legend, choose Kon Tiki. To sleep in peace, away from music and motorised water sports, in clear and calm water, choose Au Paradis des Campeurs.
Travelling with a dog?
Au Paradis des Campeurs lives up to its nickname, the “dogs’ paradise”: forest right next door and a dog-friendly beach 100 m away. Kon Tiki accepts pets depending on the type of accommodation, for a surcharge, but has no dedicated dog beach.
Travelling off-season?
Au Paradis des Campeurs is open all year; Kon Tiki only opens in season, from 1 April to 1 November.
Camping in a tent, van or motorhome?
Au Paradis des Campeurs offers genuine pitches for independent campers; at Kon Tiki, motorhomes, caravans and vans are not allowed on site: accommodation there is rental only.
See our accommodation See our pitches
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Kon Tiki and Au Paradis des Campeurs?
Which campsite is open all year near Saint-Tropez?
Which campsite accepts dogs between Pampelonne and the French Riviera?
Which campsite is the quietest, without jet-skis or nautical noise?
Can you camp in a tent, van or motorhome near Pampelonne?