If you’re typing “camping in Burgundy” into Google, chances are you want two things at once. Calm nights. And a smart location. Not a campsite squeezed next to a road, but not a spot that forces you to drive an hour just to buy bread either. Burgundy can do both. Really well, actually. You just need to know where to look.
Second thing, and this matters : Burgundy camping is super varied. Forests, canals, vineyards, little medieval towns… it’s not one single vibe. Some places feel wild and quiet. Others are peaceful but still five minutes from a bakery that smells like butter at 7 a.m. And honestly, that balance is what makes the region so good for camping.
If you want a broad overview of options across the region, this site helped me get a clearer picture of what’s available without drowning in ads : https://campings-bourgogne.com. It’s useful to see how spread out the campsites are, and how different the atmospheres can be depending on the area.
The Morvan : deep calm, real nature, and nights you actually sleep
Let’s start with the Morvan Regional Natural Park. If calm is your priority, this is hard to beat. Forests everywhere, lakes, hills, and that silence you notice especially at night. No traffic hum. Just wind, owls, maybe rain on the tent if you’re unlucky (or lucky, depending on your mood).
Camping here feels a bit more “raw” than elsewhere in Burgundy. Fewer massive sites, more small, discreet places. I find it perfect if you want to unplug for a few days. The downside ? You’ll drive more. Shops are spread out. But personally, I think that’s part of the charm. You slow down, you plan a bit, and that’s fine.
Along the Burgundy canals : flat, peaceful, and weirdly relaxing
The Canal de Bourgogne and the Canal du Nivernais are underrated. Camping near canals is calm in a very specific way. Everything is flat. Bikes glide past. Boats move slowly, almost lazily. It’s soothing, honestly.
What I like here is the balance. You’re often close to villages, sometimes within walking distance. So you get quiet nights but easy access to food, cafés, and basic services. For families or first-time campers, it’s reassuring. No feeling of being lost. And mornings by the water ? Hard to beat.
Vineyard areas : peaceful, but choose carefully
Camping near vineyards sounds dreamy. And it can be. Around places like Chablis, Beaune, or Nuits-Saint-Georges, you’ll find campsites tucked between vines or just outside small towns.
But here’s my honest take : not all vineyard camping spots are quiet. Harvest season can be noisy. Tourist traffic too, especially near famous wine towns. If you want calm, look slightly outside the hotspots. Five or ten kilometers can change everything. You still get the views, the wine culture, but without busloads of visitors.
Near historic towns : calm nights, lively days
Places around Vézelay, Cluny, or smaller medieval towns offer a good compromise. Campgrounds are usually outside the center, so nights stay quiet. But during the day, you’re close to culture, restaurants, markets.
I like this option when traveling with people who don’t want “only nature”. You can hike in the morning, visit a town in the afternoon, and still sleep somewhere calm. It’s flexible. And flexibility matters more than people admit.
So… where should you camp in Burgundy ?
Honestly ? It depends on your version of calm. Absolute silence and stars everywhere ? Go Morvan. Gentle quiet with easy logistics ? Canal areas are great. Wine views with some buzz nearby ? Vineyards, but stay slightly off-center.
What’s clear is that Burgundy offers plenty of well-located, peaceful camping options if you don’t rush your choice. Take a bit of time, think about what you really want at night, and not just what looks good on photos. Your sleep will thank you.