Domaine de Bélézy in France: Revisited

We have already been to Domaine de Bélézy a few times. It’s one of France’s most popular naturist resorts and appears on the bucket list of everyone who wants to spend some time without clothes in the country. If it’s not on yours yet, we’re sure it will be by the time you finish reading this blog post.

But truth to be said, the resort’s popularity isn’t only because it’s such an amazing place. Bélézy is also part of the France4Naturism group, so its name regularly pops up in naturist media. Including this very website.

This was the first time, however, that we would be visiting Bélézy after the resort had been sold. For many decades, it had been family-run, and now it became part of a large campground business. Whenever this happens, people start fearing the worst. “It will turn textile!”, “They will stop investing”,… You’ve probably heard these before. Well, we’ll tell you even before we start the actual blog post, Bélézy is still very much naturist, there have been a few new investments, but most of all, being there felt exactly like it had done years ago: Great!

Domaine de Bélézy is nestled in the beautiful Provence region of southern France. The resort is easily accessible by car, which is the most convenient way to reach. If you’re flying in, the nearest major airports are Marseille and Lyon, both offering good connections to most European cities.

The drive through Provence is part of the experience itself, rolling hills, lavender fields (especially stunning in June and July), and that Mediterranean landscape that makes this region so beloved.

For those preferring train or bus travel, France has an excellent rail network, and long-haul bus services can get you close to the region, though you’ll likely need to arrange ground transportation for the final stretch to the resort.

Among the new investments are a few rental options, added to the already extensive list that the resort offers. Rentals come in all different sizes and shapes, from the Moon bungalows that perfectly fit a couple to the family-size Marjolaine and Habana bungalows.

There are Maisonettes in typical French stone buildings and lodges that look like glamping tents in the woods. We’ve stayed in one of these lodges during a previous visit and still remember it as a great experience. The cherry on the cake, if you like your stay to be a bit luxurious, is the Villa Paradis. There’s only one of these, and other than all typical amenities, it comes with a private sauna on the huge terrace.

We know, an overload of rentals has made other naturist campgrounds look like trailer parks in the past, but you don’t need to worry about this at Bélézy. First of all, because the domain is huge and there’s definitely enough space for a few more. But also because they are nicely spread, so you don’t lose that “camping in the woods” feeling.

We definitely had that feeling when we camped in our van this time. Of course, high season hadn’t started yet, but from seeing the thoughtful landscaping, we’d be surprised if the campground would feel overcrowded. And if it ever would, the good news is that you’ll usually only be here to spend the night. Probably the most clever part about Bélézy’s design is that the camping part is separated from the activities part. And it’s the latter that will ask for all your attention.

The big highlight of this resort has always been the swimming pools. One of them is said to be France’s largest naturist pool. We’re not sure if it’s true or whether someone has actually measured them all, but we happily believe this because this pool is MASSIVE. And it’s not just that, the surrounding olive trees create natural shade over the sunbeds, which makes them so inviting that you’ll want to spend all day here. But that would be a shame though, because there’s so much else.

There are two more pools, one is a smaller one that gets heated. Great for colder days or if your body can’t handle less than Caribbean water temperatures. The third one is the kids’ pool, which was one of the new investments too, with some small slides and other entertaining items.

If you like being pampered, the wellness centre here is a real treat. They offer a hammam and a variety of relaxing massages, including some unique water and shower treatments. Add in the sauna, and you’ve got everything you need to completely unwind.

For active guests, you’ll find several sports facilities like table tennis, basketball, petanque, archery, and tennis courts and an outdoor fitness area. For the kids, there are playgrounds scattered around and a small farm where they can visit goats and rabbits.

Still, not all has been said. Maybe the one thing that makes Bélézy so popular among clothes-free travellers is its incredible activity program. During the summer months, it’s not unusual that you need to choose between five different activities every single hour of the day. We’re talking sports, yoga, sculpture, aqua gym, pottery, wine tastings, movie nights, and much more. The resort even has its own naked choir. There’s always something happening if you want to join in.

And then there’s the food. The onsite restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a delightful Italian influence. The food is genuinely delicious with a great variety of options. The large terrace is perfect for lunch under the warm sun or for dinner while enjoying the music of a live band. If you prefer cooking your own dishes, the resort has an onsite shop stocked with essentials, so you really don’t ever need to leave.

By the way, very important to mention is that Bélézy is 100% clothes-free. Meaning that it’s totally fine to be naked EVERYWHERE, including the restaurant and the shop. Of course, it’s also fine to cover up on chilly evenings or if dining naked makes you feel uncomfortable. Both options are completely accepted.

Bélézy is located right at the foot of the Mont Ventoux mountain. If you’re into cycling, maybe the resort wasn’t on your bucket list yet, but this mountain certainly will be. It’s almost a pilgrimage site that draws cyclists from around the world. The town of Bedoin can be accessed on foot from Bélézy and focuses on this cycling public with plenty of stores selling Mont Ventoux gadgets. But its cosy streets and abundance of restaurants also make it a fun place to visit if you’re not a bicycle enthusiast.

If you happen to visit in June or July, we highly recommend venturing out into the countryside because this is the time of the year when the lavender fields are blooming. The views over the purple landscapes are unique, and the scent is all around. And here’s a tip from content creators: Lavender fields also make a beautiful background for naked pictures… Just saying.

The Provence region opens up countless other day trip opportunities, from historic cities like Nimes and Avignon to markets selling local specialities and great wines, to the natural beauty that has inspired artists for centuries. You won’t get bored, we can promise you.

The first time we visited Bélézy, we met a family of three generations who were having their naked vacation together. Grandparents, parents, and children. We remember how the grandmother told us how much she hoped that they would ever come here with four generations.

If that ever worked out, we don’t know, but that conversation got stuck in our heads because it perfectly summarises the vibe at Bélézy. This is a place for all ages and where people can have a great time together, even if they have very distinct likes of how they prefer to spend their days.

In July and August, Bélézy gets overrun by families. If you prefer more quiet and solitude, we’d recommend not visiting during these months.

So yes, summer is for families, and this is also when all activities are at full speed. Everything we mentioned before and much more can be done on a daily basis. Sunny days are also pretty much guaranteed in the summer months, although you may find yourself spending all day in the pool and missing out on other activities when the temperatures hit the high thirties (°C). And you better make your reservations upfront because the resort tends to get fully booked at this time.

May, June, and September are much more relaxed. There’s more space, more silence, and fewer queues. We particularly like visiting in the spring because the nature is still very green and flowery. But with that comes the occasional rainy day and evenings where a sweater actually feels more comfortable than your naked skin.

Given the resort’s popularity, advance booking is essential for camping in July and August and throughout the whole season for rentals.

The best ways to book at Bélézy are:

The staff speaks French, English, Dutch, and German.

Definitely not, Bélézy focuses on all ages and provides a lot of entertainment for the children.

It’s not the kind of wellness centre that you find in northern Europe, and where you can easily spend a day, but it has everything you need for a few hours of relaxation, like a hammam and different types of massages.

You don’t, Bélézy is 100% clothes-free. Nevertheless, a lot of people choose to dress up for dinner, so the restaurant is mostly a clothing-optional setting in the evening. Throughout the day, we found that the vast majority were naked.

There’s no lake or river, the only swimming opportunities are the swimming pools.

The restaurant aside, you’ll find that everyone is naked. Guests only get dressed for dinner.