Camping du Mont des Bruyères
A preserved natural haven in the heart of the Scarpe-Escaut Regional Nature Park. Stay on the site of a former sand quarry, at the gates of a majestic 5,000-hectare state forest spanning Raismes, Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, and Wallers.
The Scarpe-Escaut Regional Nature Park: The French Pioneer
Imagine a territory where water, forest, and human history intertwine to create landscapes of striking diversity. Welcome to the Scarpe-Escaut Regional Nature Park (PNR). Created in 1968, it proudly bears the title of the first Regional Nature Park founded in France. This pioneering status reflects an early and visionary desire to protect an exceptional environment.
Stretching between Lille, Douai, and Valenciennes, all the way to the Belgian border, Scarpe-Escaut is a true green lung. It is a land of water, woven by the Scarpe and Scheldt rivers, dotted with peat bogs, marshes, and wet meadows home to invaluable biodiversity. It is in the beating heart of this ecological sanctuary that Camping du Mont des Bruyères is nestled.
Choosing to stay here means embracing the park's philosophy: soft tourism, respectful of life, focused on contemplation and rejuvenation within fragile and protected natural environments.
A Majestic Edge: 5,000 Hectares of State Forest
The absolute privilege of the campsite lies in its exact location: it is situated directly on the edge of the great Raismes-Saint-Amand-Wallers state forest. Forget small groves; we are talking about a monumental forest massif of nearly 5,000 hectares.
Three Towns, One Ocean of Greenery
This massif, managed by the ONF (National Forests Office), spreads majestically across the territories of Raismes, Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, and Wallers. You can walk in the shade of century-old oaks, majestic beeches, hornbeams, and Scots pines that scent the air with their resinous essences.
A Living Spectacle Throughout the Seasons
- Spring: The undergrowth is carpeted with anemones and a fairy-tale blanket of blue-violet wild bluebells.
- Summer: The dense canopy provides a shaded refuge ideal for hiking, cycling, or horseback riding.
- Autumn: The forest ignites with gold and russet. It is the season for deer belling and mushroom watching.
- Winter: Low light and the complex architecture of branches offer new and mysterious perspectives.
Traces of the Past: The Site of the Former Sand Quarry
The campsite was established on the site of a former sand quarry, giving the grounds unique topography and geological properties.
From extraction to nature's reclamation:
Once exploited for its sand, the site has preserved hollows and mounds where nature has reclaimed its rights. The famous heathers (bruyères) that give the campsite its name colonize the quarry faces, offering pink and purple flowers in late summer.
The sandy soil offers a major practical advantage: it is extremely permeable. Even after heavy showers, water infiltrates instantly, ensuring dry and comfortable pitches in all seasons. The micro-wetlands also favor specific fauna (dragonflies, amphibians) that enrich the camp's ecosystem.
An Exceptional Green Setting for your Stay
The layout on this former sand quarry, at the edge of the forest, makes the campsite the very embodiment of an exceptional green setting.
Pitches Integrated into the Landscape
The pitches follow the rolling topography. Defined by natural hedges, clumps of heather, and ferns, they offer privacy and tranquility. Whether you are in a tent, caravan, or mobile home, your window opens onto a permanent botanical masterpiece.
Relaxing Atmosphere
The distance from main roads guarantees absolute calm. Evenings are paced by the hooting of tawny owls and the rustle of the wind in the high canopy. It is the dream place to disconnect and reconnect with natural cycles, while respecting sustainable development and wildlife preservation.
Nature Activities and Discoveries
The campsite is the ideal base camp for exploring the riches of the Scarpe-Escaut Regional Nature Park.
Hiking & Soft Mobility
Dozens of miles of trails (GR, PR) through the forest. The "Voie Verte des Gueules Noires" crosses the massif safely for bicycles. Proximity to legendary cobblestone sectors like the Trouée d'Arenberg.
Heritage & Listed Sites
Arenberg Mining Site (UNESCO) just a few miles away. The Mare à Goriaux, a mining subsidence pond listed as a biological reserve, hosting hundreds of water birds.
Thermalism & Well-being
Nearby, Saint-Amand-les-Eaux offers thermal treatments (mud, sulfur waters) famous since Roman times for rheumatology and relaxation.
The proximity of the Scarpe canals also allows for electric boat trips or peaceful fishing, before enjoying generous local gastronomy in a traditional "estaminet".
