Gaves campsite in Laruns, in the Ossau Valley

Camping des Gaves is located in Laruns, in the Ossau Valley. Open all year round, it has great assets for spending quality holidays in the heart of nature, with family or friends… Do you like unusual and charming accommodation? Are you more of a campsite on beautiful pitches facing the mountain? Camping des Gaves is a 4-star and its location close to shops for shopping, but also to magnificent hiking spots in the mountains, in the forest, on the banks of the Gaves or towards Spain for a day, makes it very attractive. Follow us if you are looking for a campsite for an ideal holiday in the Pyrenees!

Photos of the article © Camping des Gaves

A family campsite that is constantly evolving

Jean-Marie Latchere knows the Ossau Valley well. Since 1973, his family has run the Camping des Gaves, this small 3-hectare natural paradise on the banks of the Gave d'Ossau. Fans of hiking in the heart of nature on the trails of the Pyrenees, summer and winter alike are not mistaken! Here, it is a haven of greenery and all around the campsite, there are many sporting activities to do: hiking, on foot or by mountain bike, skiing or activities in the snow in winter ... A few kilometers from Spain for a day of discovery and shopping, it's perfect!

In 1991, Jean-Marie took over the campsite run by his parents, which he set out to develop with his partner. It was at this time that the attraction for camping modernized the equipment: the technology for the tent fabrics and the material evolves and holidaymakers have more and more pleasure in planting poles to reconnect with the essentials, during their stay in the Pyrenees. However, there is a real demand from customers who appreciate the advantages of camping in the heart of nature, while wishing to enjoy the comfort... 

Jean-Marie then invests in a beautiful rental park, which is enriched year by year: 5 mobile homes, the renovation of Gite- type apartments for curists who enjoy the nearby spas (Eaux Bonnes and Eaux Chaudes), but also since 1998, wooden chalets, small shepherd's huts for couples, with wooden interiors, fisherman's cabins at the edge of the water (where you can even fish from the accommodation's pontoon, the dream, so bucolic!), nature cabins, also by the water… 

You can go glamping (glamorous camping), while keeping the camping atmosphere so friendly and popular with families! Today, Camping des Gaves offers around a hundred pitches, including 26 empty pitches for campers, motorhomes and caravans, and 32 quality rental accommodation from different ranges. Jean-Marie is betting on the comfort lodges, they are all in wood and rustic with a terrace, it is the perfect compromise between the tent and the “hard” rental.

A campsite with nature activities and the pleasures of a beautiful aquatic park

In 2019, Jean-Marie noted that families and even tourists who enjoy going all day on a walk in the Béarnaise mountain, like to relax in swimming pools... it is not because nature is generous that the campsite should be spartan! He is upgrading the magnificent aquatic park at Camping des Gaves, with a lagoon-style swimming pool with rocks, it doubles the area by building an additional rectangular pool and the aquatic area is now 600m2 (200m2 of swimming and 400m2 of equipped beaches! The swimming pools are open from April to October and thanks to the thermal roller shutter, they can be used at the start of the summer, the water quickly reaches 22 degrees thanks to the presence of the sun from April / May.

If families like to enjoy the beauty of the Campsite and its facilities, adventurers may be reassured, the natural activities to do are close and abundant, right out of the campsite, there is everything you need: hiking in the Pyrenees National Park towards lakes and waterfalls, snowshoeing in winter, downhill skiing a few kilometers away, paragliding, rafting, canyoning for the intrepid. The lively valleys of bars, bistros and restaurants for a festive evening are very close. At Camping des Gaves, there is still something to eat simply is a small bar in season. Supermarkets are ten kilometers away, for shopping. You can also practice trout fishing in the neighboring rivers, they are full of fish!

At Camping des Gaves, there are also 3 apartments. They are appreciated by curists and those who like the comfort of these accommodations or large families, because it is possible to accommodate 5 to 6 people at a very attractive price, while taking advantage of the attractions of the Campsite.

Regarding the other rental accommodation in winter, they are all equipped with heating and well insulated, very comfortable! The lodges are equipped with modern and easy-to-use log stoves, for a 100% cocooning atmosphere.

Find out more and book your holidays in the Pyrenees

• Animals are accepted at Camping des Gaves
• To have fun during your stay, you have a bowling alley, a children's play area, a games room and a television area, in addition to the swimming pools of course! There is a take-away service at the small bar and WIFI throughout the site.
• Consult the Camping des Gaves information sheet on the Béarn Pyrénées Guide
• Visit the Camping des Gaves website to find out more and book your stay!
• Follow Camping des Gaves on their Facebook page

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