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Camping Roc de l'Arche
Espalion, Occitanie, FranceShow on map
3.0At a glance
Camping Roc de l'Arche is a 3-star family campsite located along the Lot River in Espalion, Aveyron, southern France. It offers a peaceful riverside setting with a heated outdoor swimming pool, direct access to outdoor activities, and proximity to medieval villages and hiking trails. Ideal for families, couples, and nature enthusiasts seeking a relaxed escape.
- Stars
- 3
- Location
- Espalion, Aveyron, Occitania, France
- Setting
- On the River Lot
- Swimming pool
- Heated outdoor pool
- Type of campsite
- Family campsite with shaded pitches and mobile homes
- Play facilities
- Playground and petanque court
- Ideal for
- Couples, young families, lovers of outdoor life
- Proximity to town
- Within walking distance of the historic town of Espalion
- Free municipal pool access
- Lot Valley riverside setting
- Espalion on your doorstep
Fancy a family holiday where the river is practically on the doorstep and the nearest town is a pleasant ten-minute stroll away? Welcome to Camping Roc de l’Arche, a relaxed 3-star base on the banks of the Lot in Espalion, in the heart of Aveyron.
The setting is the star here. Expect mature trees, spacious shaded pitches, the river nearby and an easy riverside route into town. The campsite offers pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, plus a small selection of comfortable mobile homes. There is also a children’s playground, pétanque, table tennis, volleyball, badminton and tennis nearby.
And what about swimming? There is a very useful answer: campsite guests receive free access to the adjacent municipal swimming pool during the summer. It includes a 25-metre swimming pool, children's pool, learning pool and aquatic play area. So yes, there is plenty of splash time – without needing a giant holiday resort.
Who will love it most? Families with children roughly from 4 to 14 will find the combination particularly appealing: swimming, sport, river activities, cycling and plenty of places to explore. Teenagers have more freedom here too, with Espalion within walking distance and outdoor adventures all around.
Fancy culture instead? Château de Calmont d’Olt, medieval villages and the extraordinary Bozouls canyon are all nearby. And for parents, the winning formula is simple: river, town, pool and Aveyron adventures – all without spending every day in the car. Guests particularly appreciate the generous shaded pitches, peaceful green surroundings, riverside walking and exceptionally convenient location close to Espalion.
- Free municipal pool accessSwim, splash and cool off next door throughout the summer season.
- Lot Valley riverside settingShady pitches beside the river, with walking and cycling straight from camp.
- Espalion on your doorstepHistoric streets, cafés, markets and local culture are just 300 metres away.
Why this campsite
✔ Free pool access – Make the municipal pool your family’s summer playground.
✔ Riverside location – Follow the Lot path straight from the campsite.
✔ Shady pitches – Choose spacious pitches beneath mature trees.
✔ Espalion nearby – Walk into town instead of reaching for car keys.
✔ Family activities – Try tennis, badminton, volleyball or pétanque together.
✔ Nature adventures – Bring bikes and explore the Lot Valley.
✔ Historic discoveries – Visit castles and medieval villages around Espalion.
✔ Relaxed atmosphere – Choose this spot for nature over nonstop entertainment.
- Pool
- Outdoor pool
- Solarium
- Sunbeds and Umbrellas - Pool
- Sunbeds included
- Sun umbrella included
- Bathing cap
- Bathing cap not obligatory
- Bermuda
- Bermudas not allowed at pool
Guests at Camping Roc de l’Arche enjoy free access to the neighbouring municipal swimming complex during the summer season. The campsite does not operate its own private swimming pool, but the adjacent outdoor complex offers plenty of space for family water fun, including a 25-metre swimming pool, children’s pool, learning pool and aquatic play area, together with grassy areas for relaxing in the sunshine.
Access is available during the summer season, although availability is more limited outside the high season. As the pool is operated by the municipality rather than the campsite, daily opening hours are set by the municipal swimming complex.
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- River
- Restaurant0,3 km
- Bar0,3 km
Guests at Camping Roc de l’Arche have a choice of restaurants and snack facilities outside the campsite, with options available starting from approximately 300 metres away in the immediate Espalion area.
- Volleybal
- Tennis court
- Archery
- Jeu-de-boules
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Playground
- Small Playground
- No animation
The campsite is not a large-scale entertainment resort. Seasonal evening activities and local events are sometimes offered, but vary from week to week.
- Bedlinen rental
- Baby package to rent
- Languages spoken
- English
- French
- Payments
- Mastercard
- Visa
- Pets allowed
- Dogs allowed
- Some accommodations only
- Small dogs allowed
- Medium dogs allowed
- Category 1 & 2 dogs not allowed
- Dangerous breeds not allowed
- Paved and Gravel Roads
- Pitches for tents
- Pitches for campers and Caravans
- Launderette
- Washing machines
- Clothes dryers
Details
- Location
- Near a river
- Terrain
- Flat
- Distance sea/lake
- 100 m - 1 km
- Accommodation type
- Chalet, Pitch, Mobile home
- Suitable for
- Children (4-12), Seniors, Adults
- Luxury level
- Standard
- Address
- Rue de Foirail, 12500, Espalion
Click to enlargeThe surroundings
Camping Roc de l’Arche sits in a wonderfully green pocket of the Lot Valley, where the river, mature trees and riverside paths create an easy-going holiday setting. Within 15 kilometres, the landscape shifts between the wooded Lot Valley, rolling farmland, limestone hills and the first slopes leading towards the Aubrac. Pretty villages such as Saint-Côme-d’Olt and Estaing add medieval rooftops and stone architecture, while Bozouls brings a spectacular geological twist with its huge horseshoe-shaped canyon. Espalion itself provides the non-rural contrast, with shops, cafés, restaurants, markets, museums and a lively historic centre just 300 metres away.
Distances
- Distance sea/lake
- 100 m - 1 km
- Nearest airport
- (RDZ)38 km
- Distance from Utrecht
- 1070 km
Getting there by bus
Boulevard Joseph Poulenc 1km
- Supermarket
- Petrol station
- Pharmacy
- Tobacco
- Hardware store
- Clothes shops
- Police station
Sights & attractions
- Espalion0.3 kmWander historic streets, markets, cafés and riverside promenades.
- Musée Joseph Vaylet0.4 kmDiscover local traditions inside a fascinating historic building.
- Château de Calmont d’Olt3 kmExplore a dramatic medieval fortress above the Lot.
- Saint-Côme-d’Olt5 kmDiscover a beautiful medieval village with a distinctive church.
- Bozouls Canyon7 kmMarvel at France’s spectacular horseshoe-shaped geological canyon.
- Estaing10 kmExplore its castle, medieval streets and beautiful Lot Valley setting.
- Rodez30 kmMix cathedral grandeur, shopping and the Musée Soulages.
- Laguiole30 kmHead towards Aubrac for famous knives and regional specialities.
- Conques55 kmVisit the remarkable medieval village and Sainte-Foy Abbey.
- Millau Viaduct77 kmTake a spectacular road trip to France’s iconic viaduct.
- +44 more photos
- +43 more photos
Pets
The campsite accepts up to 2 dogs per pitch. Pets are not accepted in mobile homes.
Cars and parking
One vehicle is permitted per touring pitch, with parking available on site. For rental accommodation, parking is available within the campsite, although a parking space directly beside every accommodation unit cannot be guaranteed. The exact parking arrangement can therefore vary depending on the accommodation booked.
Reception
Mobile homes: Check-in approximately 16:00–19:00.
Mobile homes: Check-out approximately 09:00–10:00.
Camping pitches: Reception operates 09:00–12:00 and 16:00–19:00. For late arrivals, please contact the campsite in advance. Pilgrim/campervan stopovers: arrival after 18:00, departure before 10:00.
Supermarket
Super U Espalion
Avenue d’Estaing, La Bouysse
12500 Espalion
Approximately 2–2.5 km from the campsite.
The campsite's immediate town-centre location also means smaller shops and everyday services are available much closer, around 300 metres away.
Additional information
Pool accessible with wristband only. Long bermuda type bathing trunks not allowed in pool.
Paris: approximately 595 km Calais: approximately 900 km Berlin: approximately 1,580 km Madrid: approximately 871 km Rome: approximately 1,350 km Utrecht, Netherlands: approximately 1,070 km Pozzallo, Sicily: approximately 2,300 km of road travel, excluding the ferry crossing
Closest international airport Rodez–Aveyron Airport (RDZ) – approximately 38 km by road.
Closest bus stop: Espalion – Boulevard Joseph Poulenc / Centre F. Poulenc Address: Boulevard Joseph Poulenc, 12500 Espalion Distance: approximately 0.8–1 km from the campsite. This is the main local bus connection, including services towards Rodez.
Closest railway station: Rodez SNCF station Distance: approximately 30 km by road.
Rodez is connected to Espalion by regional bus services, with the journey taking around 35 minutes.
Nearest petrol station
Super U Service Station Avenue d’Estaing, La Bouysse 12500 Espalion Approximately 2–2.5 km from the campsite.
The station is attached to Super U and offers petrol, diesel, tyre inflation and other vehicle services.
Nearest pharmacy
Pharmacie de l’Europe Place Saint-Georges 12500 Espalion Approximately 0.8–1 km from the campsite.
Several other pharmacies are also located within Espalion.
Tip from our team
My first tip for Camping Roc de l’Arche is to make the most of its location rather than treating it simply as somewhere to sleep. Espalion is around 300 metres away, and the riverside route makes walking into town particularly pleasant. Guests particularly praise the easy access to the town centre and the path along the Lot. If shade matters during July and August, I would pay attention when choosing your pitch. The campsite’s pitches are spacious, maturely planted and naturally shaded, and this is one of the features most consistently appreciated in current guest feedback. Some pitches also have water and electricity conveniently available. For families, the free municipal swimming pool next door is a major advantage. It is especially useful because Camping Roc de l’Arche itself is not designed as a giant waterpark resort. Think more swim in the morning, explore in the afternoon, ice cream in Espalion afterwards. Bring bicycles if possible. The Lot Valley provides excellent opportunities for gentle exploration, while walking routes and the GR65 are virtually on the doorstep. I would also keep at least one day free for the local villages. Saint-Côme-d’Olt, Estaing and Bozouls are close enough to combine with a relaxed morning or afternoon rather than requiring a full expedition. Finally, choose Roc de l’Arche if the holiday idea is river, nature, culture and easy family exploring, rather than wall-to-wall organised entertainment. That is where this campsite really shines.
Reviews
3.029 reviews via Tripadvisor
All reviews on Tripadvisor 29 reviews via Tripadvisor
To be avoided“A very noisy campsite. Between the construction work and the park right next door, it is impossible to have any peace and quiet. A night in a tent under the floodlights that stay on all night, you might as well say you get a tan while sleeping... To top it off, the restrooms are incredibly dirty, the floor is the color of the riverbed... In short, even if you are a pilgrim and you need to find a spot for your tent, do your best to avoid this campsite at the risk of leaving more tired than when you arrived.”
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Frequently asked questions
Is there wifi at Camping Roc de l'Arche?
This is not explicitly mentioned in the available information. Contact the campsite for confirmation.
Can I bring my dog or cat to Camping Roc de l'Arche?
Yes, dogs are allowed at Camping Roc de l'Arche. This applies to small and medium-sized dogs and at some accommodations, but Category 1 & 2 dogs are not allowed. There is no specific mention for cats.
Does Camping Roc de l'Arche have a swimming pool?
Yes, Camping Roc de l'Arche has a heated outdoor swimming pool with sun loungers and umbrellas.
How far is Camping Roc de l'Arche from the beach or a lake?
The campsite is located 100 m to 1 km from water (the Lot River), with no sea or lake in the immediate vicinity.
What are the arrival and departure times at Camping Roc de l'Arche?
Mobile homes: Check-in approximately 16:00–19:00.
Mobile homes: Check-out approximately 09:00–10:00.
Campsites: The reception is open from 09:00–12:00 and 16:00–19:00. For late arrivals, the current information from the campsite indicates that specific arrival arrangements must be followed. Information about the stops for pilgrims/motorhomes states that arrivals after 18:00 and departures before 10:00 are allowed.
Are there restaurants or a supermarket at Camping Roc de l'Arche?
On the campsite itself, there is a restaurant and a bar. There is also a supermarket nearby.
Is Camping Roc de l'Arche suitable for families with children?
Yes, Camping Roc de l'Arche is ideal for families with children. There is a playground, and the campsite is suitable for children aged 4-12 years.
Can I park for free at my accommodation at Camping Roc de l'Arche?
Yes
Which languages are spoken at Camping Roc de l'Arche?
At Camping Roc de l'Arche, French and English are spoken.
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