Esterel Caravaning or Au Paradis des Campeurs: which campsite to choose on the French Riviera?

Two French Riviera campsites, two opposite holidays. Esterel Caravaning, in Agay (Saint-Raphaël), is a large 5-star resort tucked into the hills of the Esterel massif — lively and spectacular: water park, kids’ clubs, evening shows, with the beach 3 km away. Au Paradis des Campeurs, in Les Issambres, is a friendly 4-star campsite: calm, leafy, open all year, dog-friendly, a 2-minute walk from La Gaillarde beach. The right choice depends on the holiday you’re after.

Updated June 2026

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“Méditerranée Luxury Lodge, panoramic sea view” — Au Paradis des Campeurs, Les Issambres

Au Paradis des Campeurs vs Esterel Caravaning: the comparison
Criterion	Au Paradis des Campeurs (Les Issambres, 4★)	Esterel Caravaning (Agay / Saint-Raphaël, 5★)
Style	Nature campsite, 7 ha	Large hillside resort, 19 ha
Atmosphere	Calm, intimate, leafy	Lively, festive, water park
Open	All year round	Seasonal (28 March to 26 September)
Beach access	La Gaillarde beach, a 2-minute walk	Agay beach 3 km away (bike, bus or car)
Accommodation	Sea-view lodges (spa or private pool by category), mobile homes, pods	Mobile homes (up to private pool), XXL pitches with private hot tub
Bare pitches (tent, van, motorhome)	Yes	Caravan & motorhome (no size limit); no tents
Communal pool	No	Yes — water park (5 pools, slides)
Activities & kids’ clubs	No	Yes — 3 clubs (3 months-17 yrs), shows
On-site dining	Azéa restaurant (organic & local, sea view), snack bar, grocery	Les Suds restaurant (Maître Restaurateur), bakery, grocery, bar
Dogs	Welcome — dog beach 100 m away + forest	Accepted, no breed restriction; beach 3 km away
Environmental commitment	Green Key label (local timber, composter provided)	Green Key label; 100% solar electricity
Terrain	Flat, by the sea	Hilly, terraced (steep gradients)
Ideal for	Couples, families & independent campers seeking calm and nature	Families wanting a large lively resort with a water park
2026 rates	Pitch rates · Accommodation rates	Upmarket 5★ resort

Two campsites, two philosophies

Calm & nature

Au Paradis des Campeurs

A human-scale 4-star campsite of 7 hectares, built for rest. Sea-view lodges with spa or private pool, mobile homes, pods and real pitches for independent campers — all right by the sea, on flat ground, with no entertainment or loudspeakers.

Open all year round
La Gaillarde beach, a 2-minute walk
Green Key label since 2020
Dog beach 100 m away + forest

Lively resort

Esterel Caravaning

A 5-star resort of 19 hectares up in the hills of the Esterel massif, in Agay. Water park, kids’ and teens’ clubs, evening shows, an award-winning restaurant and XXL pitches with private hot tubs: the address for families who want entertainment and high comfort, 3 km from the beach.

Water park (5 pools, slides)
Kids’ & teens’ clubs (3 months-17 yrs)
XXL pitches with private hot tub
Open 28 March to 26 September

Where are the two campsites?

Both campsites line the same French Riviera, but in two different areas: Au Paradis des Campeurs in Les Issambres, right by the sea on the Fréjus / Sainte-Maxime side; Esterel Caravaning in Agay, up in the hills of the Esterel massif, about 3 km from the beach of Agay bay. Allow around thirty minutes’ drive between the two (≈ 19 km).

How to choose between them?

Are you after calm or entertainment?

For a water park, kids’ clubs and evening shows, Esterel Caravaning. For sleeping in peace, right by the sea, with no music or entertainment, Au Paradis des Campeurs.

Travelling with a dog?

Both campsites welcome dogs. Au Paradis des Campeurs adds the forest right next door and a dog-friendly beach 100 m away, both reachable on foot. At Esterel Caravaning, all breeds are accepted, but the beach is 3 km away.

Travelling out of season?

Au Paradis des Campeurs is open all year round; Esterel Caravaning closes from late September to late March.

Camping in a tent, van or motorhome?

Au Paradis des Campeurs offers real pitches for tents, vans, caravans and motorhomes. Esterel Caravaning welcomes caravans and motorhomes (even large ones), but does not accept tents.

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Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between Esterel Caravaning and Au Paradis des Campeurs?

Esterel Caravaning, in Agay (Saint-Raphaël), is a large 5-star resort of 19 hectares up in the hills of the Esterel massif — lively and spectacular (water park, kids’ and teens’ clubs, evening shows) — 3 km from the beach. Au Paradis des Campeurs, in Les Issambres, is a warm, calm and leafy 4-star campsite, open all year, a 2-minute walk from La Gaillarde beach. Two opposite atmospheres for two kinds of holiday.

Which campsite near Saint-Raphaël is open all year round?

Au Paradis des Campeurs, in Les Issambres, is open all year round. Esterel Caravaning, like most large French Riviera campsites, opens only in season, from 28 March to 26 September. So for a winter stay or outside the school holidays, choose Au Paradis des Campeurs.

Which campsite is closest to the beach?

Au Paradis des Campeurs is a 2-minute walk from La Gaillarde beach in Les Issambres, right by the sea. Esterel Caravaning sits up in the hills of Agay, about 3 km from the beach of Agay bay, reached by bike, regional Varlib bus or car (5 min). To be right by the water, choose Au Paradis des Campeurs.

Which campsite accepts dogs, and which has a dog beach?

Both campsites accept dogs. Esterel Caravaning admits them with no breed restriction, but the beach is 3 km away. Au Paradis des Campeurs welcomes dogs (except categories 1 and 2) and gives walking access to the Vallon de la Gaillarde forest and a dog-friendly beach, 100 m away.

Can you camp in a tent or with a large motorhome near Agay?

Au Paradis des Campeurs, in Les Issambres, offers real pitches for tents, vans, caravans and motorhomes. Esterel Caravaning welcomes caravans and motorhomes with no length limit (XXL motorhomes welcome), but does not accept tents. So for tent camping, choose Au Paradis des Campeurs.