Last year I spent 5 months camping in my little Toyota camper van at Camping BeauRivage (BeauCamping.com) in Navarrenx, in the Bearn district of The Pyrenees Atlantique.

Camping in France & especially at Camping BeauRivage is a lot different from the way I remember France camping a few years ago. In fact - after my first experience of camping in France I vowed I would never do it again - but over more recent years I've discovered France & especially the Pyrenees Atlantiques region can be a great experience - both relaxing & fun with so much to do.

Camp sites are so different now too - toilet & shower facilities are modern & clean.

The site I stayed at in Navarrenx is run by my sister and her family who left Jersey to set up there first campsite - from scratch near Poitier some 20 years ago, when their two daughters were still very young.

They are so well known & loved by their visitors that though they have now moved much further south in France to run their second campsite, they still have return visitors every year in growing numbers - not only English & French but from Holland, Spain, Portugal, Germany & many other countries.

So you can speak English if you prefer or practice your other languages as well as meeting many new friends. Of you can have a peaceful time to yourself - and even work in peace - as I do in the sun, beside the pool - or in the shade under the trees beside the river. Taking a dip whenever you choose.

Camping in France can be a fun & an economical holiday - particularly if you choose a region away from the coast. Here in Navarrenx (I'm back at Camping BeauRivage again right now) - a lovely old walled town on the Gave d'Oleron (river) - eating out is great value - about half the price of eating out on the coast. Yet you can easily reach the coast - as I often do - in just over an hour.

These days you don't even need your own tent, camper or caravan to enjoy the independence & savings of camping - & you can have the comforts of a hotel - with far more space - at much lower cost.

If you choose to rent a chalet - you'll have your own bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom, living room & terrace - usually with pool - like here in Navarrenx.

Close to Mourenx, Oloron, Orthez, Salies de Bearn, Sauveterre de Bearn, Pau & the Pyrenees - this area is not only stunningly beautiful - its also ideal for walking, rafting, cycling, exploring, relaxing, flying, ballooning & much more.

I was amazed when I discovered how beautiful this area is & how much there is to do.

Its easy to get to Navarrenx these days by motorway - or if you're renting a chalet you can even fly direct to Pau or to Oloron.

Its a great place for group or family events too - in fact you might even decide to get married here in France.

Whatever you choose to do I know it will be fun.

See you soon - here at Camping BeauRivage in Navarrenx.