Across Southern France 🇫🇷 - from Brenne to Carcassonne

Sven Walther

October 18, 2025

Brenne nature park

Out of the big-city bustle and into the quiet: after Paris we need the exact opposite, and we find it in the Brenne nature park.

Our small campsite sits right next to a tiny but fantastic French restaurant - with genuinely warm people. These are exactly the encounters that make travelling off the usual routes worth it.

Landscape in the Brenne nature park — Brenne nature park

Naturally we also visit the nearby Château du Bouchet.

Historic room with blue walls and fleur-de-lis pattern inside the Château du Bouchet — Inside the Château du Bouchet

After that we intended to go for “just a short walk”. Thanks to hunting season, closed paths and a few detours it turned into a proper expedition. And for those looking closely: yes, I really did photograph the same tree twice.

Out walking in the Brenne nature park — Out in the nature park

Volcans d’Auvergne

The next target is clear: a pitch near a mountain summit in the Volcans d’Auvergne nature park.

The very first bend on the way up has me thinking: “this could get tricky”. Steep, and immediately afterwards a tiny bridge. Shortly after that a local stops us and explains that the road is “narrow”. Narrow? Narrow roads come with the territory.

It does turn out to be genuinely steep and tight in places, but we get through. The main car park at the top is full, so we carry on a little further and find a small corner - with a considerably better view.

Landscape in the Volcans d'Auvergne — Volcans d’Auvergne

Out on the mountain in the Auvergne — The hike up the mountain is part of the deal

View across the Auvergne — Out in the Auvergne

Back at Mammothon we are just in time for sunset - and it turns out we had claimed the best spot of all. Plenty of locals come up here specifically for this view.

The full descent from the summit can be watched here:

l’Aubrac

Further south. First a short stop in Chaudes-Aigues for a work meeting, then on to Nasbinals. While I am still in calls, Saskia takes a long hike through the Aubrac plateau.

The last meeting has barely finished when a WhatsApp arrives: Saskia has found an even nicer pitch. So we pack everything up again and drive a few kilometres further onto the plateau.

Plateau landscape in the Aubrac — Up on the plateau

Stone village church with a tower in the Aubrac — Out in the Aubrac

An insider tip for the area: there is a hidden waterfall here that you would never spot from the road.

Over dinner we get talking to other campers from northern Germany. And it turns out they know the Camping Caravan Podcast - and are actually subscribers. Sometimes the world really is small.

Gorges du Tarn

The next stop is a genuinely spectacular place: the Gorges du Tarn.

Even the road there is a small adventure - winding, narrow, with breathtaking views and, in places, somewhat nerve-wracking for the passenger.

View into the Tarn gorge — Gorges du Tarn

Down in the gorge we find a pitch right on the Tarn, surrounded by the old town and steep rock faces. While I work, Saskia goes hiking - and here that is literally breathtaking, because it goes steeply uphill in every direction.

Our pitch right on the river Tarn — Our pitch right on the Tarn

Steep rock faces around the Tarn gorge — It goes steeply upwards in every direction

In the evening we stop at the “Petit Paris”, a small restaurant with great food and very warm hosts. We meet another travelling couple there - and talk until the restaurant closes.

There is an uncut video from here as well:

Millau

Do you know where the highest bridge in Europe stands? Right here - in Millau. The Millau Viaduct spans the Tarn, is 2,460 metres long and rises up to 343 metres.

We cross it on our way to a small offroad tour and end up afterwards on a remote plateau - perfectly quiet, surrounded by nature.

Lou standing on rocks on the plateau with a rock pinnacle behind — Lou inspects the plateau

Remote plateau above Millau — Alone up there for the evening

The next morning we head down into town, with a stop at a viewpoint of course. Our pitch is again right on the Tarn - though this time with plenty going on: roads closed, runners and spectators everywhere. As it turns out, we happen to be parked at the start of one of the region’s biggest trail running festivals.

Carcassonne

Our final destination in France: Carcassonne.

We have played the board game probably more than a thousand times, so at some point it was obvious: we have to see the real town. And what can we say - it is simply breathtaking.

The walls and towers of the fortress of Carcassonne — Carcassonne, this time without the playing pieces

Our pitch is conveniently within walking distance. After the working day we head straight into town, and the first surprise is already waiting: a wine festival. We could hardly have timed it better.

Wine festival in Carcassonne — Straight into a wine festival by accident

The next day leaves time to explore the old town properly. And yes - people really do still live inside the old castle walls.

In the old town of Carcassonne — In the old town

We had high expectations, and Carcassonne comfortably exceeded them. Photos can barely capture the atmosphere.

Next up it is time for a new flag - we are heading over the Pyrenees.