Cool holidays: where to go in France when it's very hot?
For a long time, the holidays d'été were synonymous with sunshine (and we were the first!) Today, many vacationers mainly look for one thing: to be able to enjoy their holidays despite the high temperatures. Sleep at night, déjeuner outside, go on a randonnée, let the children play... For a few années, we have observed that these critères are becoming increasingly important in the choice d'une destination. So, où go when l'on wishes to enjoy l'été... without suffering the heat wave?
Why go on a cool vacation?
It's not about seeking cold but simply about spending a vacation where you sleep well, where you can have lunch outside at noon, going hiking during the day or also allowing a good nap for both kids and adults. Comfort ultimately depends on several elements.
Pleasant nights
Daytime temperatures are often talked about, far less so the night ones. Yet a cool night allows you to recover, sleep better and start the next day feeling refreshed. It's (often) what makes the difference between relaxing holidays and tiring holidays. And it's even better when it's not thanks to air conditioning above your bed...
Altitude: a natural ally against extreme heat
By taking l'altitude, the températures become généralement more breathable, especially in the evening and during the night.
Without necessarily going to high mountains, many areas located between 900 and 1 200 meters already offer a much more comfortable climate during heat wave episodes.
Trees and l'ombre
A wooded campsite not only changes the landscape. The trees provide l'ombre, limit the perceived heat and make meals or moments of relaxation much more pleasant.
Lakes, rivers and pools
Being able to coolî off à a few minutes from one's accommodation or directly à the campsite pool is évidently a real plus. But these lakes and waterfalls also allow varying the activités when the températures rise.
Freshness is not limited to the thermometer
Two destinations showing the same temperature can offer a very different feel. A day at 30 °C in a wooded environment, with a little wind, a lake nearby and a night at 15 °C n'a nothing to do with a day at 30 °C in a mineral or dry environment, where the temperature stays high all night. What really matters during holidays is it's being able to enjoy your days, sleep well at night and continue to practice your favorite activities.
Where to go in France to avoid the heat wave?
Each region has its strengths. The coast often benefits from sea breezes. The mountains enjoy cooler temperatures thanks to l'altitude. The Jura and the Vosges combine hills, forests and lakes. The Massif Central, for its part, offers a particularly interesting balance between altitude, preserved nature, outdoor activities and generally more comfortable temperatures than the plains during periods of extreme heat.
The best choice dépendra above all on your wishes : hiking, swimming, cycling, heritage discovery or simply seeking peace and nature.
Are you hésitez between several destinations ? Check out our check-list to learn à compare a vacation destination when it's très hot.
Why Auvergne is ideal for cool vacations
For a long time, Auvergne was mainly known for its volcanoes and landscapes. Today, it is also attracting more and more vacationers who are looking for a more pleasant summer.
You will find:
- many lakes for swimming
- forests that provide shade
- hundreds of kilomètres of hiking trails, often well shaded
- villages and natural sites to discover ;
- an altitude that brings a few precious degrees less than'in the plain.
The région also allows you to practice many activités even in the cœur of the l'été: randonnée, vélo, baignade, accrobranche, escalade, marchés locaux or découverte du patrimoine. We have also prepared a dedicated article dédié on the blog with a selection ofactivités à do when it is (très) hot around the camping.
What we observe at the campsite
Since two or three years, we are régulièrement surprised to hear new vacationers tell us that they chose l'Auvergne above all to find a bit of fraîcheur. In June 2026, a couple explained to us that être passé at 42° in the caravan at 21h in Dordogne, and just 25° in our volcanoes 24h later! Another arrivé d'Ardèche après having demandé à ChatGPT to find a cool campsite to endure the heat wave :-)
It's only a few testimonials but they lead us to ask a question: are comfort and coolness in summer becoming a new criterion for choosing holidays?
How to choose a campsite when it's very hot?
Some criteria can really improve the comfort of a stay. We recommend choosing a campsite that offers:
- well-shaded spots, or at least partially depending on the time of day, thanks to the trees (the shade of a tree does not provide the same coolness as that of a pergola or other shelter)
- a sufficient altitude (above 900m)
- a swimming pool or a nearby lake
- activities accessible without spending the whole day in direct sun
- accommodations that are naturally well-ventilated and shaded
In the end, these elements often have more impact on vacation comfort than the mere presence of air conditioning (which is not even necessary at altitude, or heating can sometimes be more useful late at night).
Camping Les Volcans: a campsite naturally adapted to high heat
Located at nearly 1,000 meters altitude, Camping Les Volcans benefits from an environment that naturally brings together several criteria sought during periods of high heat:
- largely tree-lined sites
- more pleasant evenings and nights than'in the plains (the temperature difference between Clermont-Ferrand and the campsite is usually 6 to 8 degrees, a real difference!)
- a heated pool
- Lake d'Aydat at 3.5km
- hiking departures directly from the campsite, some of which are in the woods
- a preserved natural environment in the heart of the Auvergne volcanoes.
Since our arrival in 2020, we have planted more than 150 trees and shrubs. At the time, we mainly wanted to create more shade, preserve the privacy of the pitches and prepare the renewal of some trees. Today, we realize that these plantings also contribute to the comfort of holidaymakers during heat waves.
Discover our camping sites and our accommodations
In summary, for your holidays:
| Criterion | Why is it important? | At Camping Les Volcans |
|---|---|---|
| Altitude | Temperatures are often cooler, especially at night. | 1 000 m d'altitude |
| Night temperature | Sleeping well allows you to fully enjoy the days. | Nights often below 20 °C in summer |
| Natural shade | Trees greatly reduce the perceived heat. | Many trees on the sites |
| Natural ventilation | A light breeze significantly improves comfort. | Naturally ventilated volcanic plateau |
| Water points | Being able to cool off easily during the day. | Pool + Aydat lake 3.5 km away |
| Suitable activities | Continue to enjoy your holidays despite the heat. | Hiking, swimming, sightseeing, cycling… |
Your frequently asked questions about cool vacations
What is the coolest region in France in summer?
There isn't a single answer. Mountain or mid‑mountain regions such as the Massif Central, the Jura, the Vosges, or certain parts of the Alps generally offer more tolerable temperatures during heat waves.
From what altitude does it actually become cooler?
One often feels a difference as early as 800 meters d'altitude. And around 1,000 meters, nights are generally much cooler qu'en plaine.
Can we have a pleasant vacation without air conditioning?
Yes. A good altitude, trees, cool nights, a lake or a pool nearby often allow you to fully enjoy your vacation without needing air conditioning.
Do trees really provide coolness?
Yes. They create the' shade, limit the warming of the soil and make outdoor spaces much more pleasant during the' summer.
Where to go with children during a heat wave?
For a vacation with children, choose places where they can continue to play even when' it is hot: a lot of' shade (including on playgrounds), a point of' water, a pool or a lake nearby, and nights cool enough for everyone to recover.
