The history of Camping L’Artaudois: a family adventure since 1890
Introduction: A Heritage to keep alive
Welcome to this page dedicated to the history of L’Artaudois campsite, a place steeped in memories, encounters and traditions, handed down from generation to generation. Created in 1967 by my father, Victor, and my grandfather Ricardo, aka “Papy Ricard”, on their family’s land, over the years it has become much more than just a campsite: it has become a veritable vacation retreat for thousands of families.
Today, with my wife Hélène, we’re continuing this wonderful adventure, and perhaps our daughter Théa, if she so wishes, will one day write a new page.
Family Roots:
From Italy to Provence (1890)
It all began in the 1890s, when my great-grandparents left Italy to settle in Provence, a land bathed in sunshine and lulled by the song of the cicadas. At the time, the family made a living from farming, cultivating vines, flowers and local vegetables under the benevolent eye of the surrounding hills.
My grandfather, Papy Ricard, had taken over the family farm with the same passion for the land. For him, the land had to remain agricultural, and he was suspicious of my father Victor’s desire to build a campsite on it.
1967: Victor, Le Bâtisseur, and Ma Mère, L’Infatigable
My father, Victor, was an exceptional handyman. When he had an idea in mind, nothing could stop him. It was he who built the first buildings of the campsite, as well as the walls of the restanques, with his own hands, assembling each stone, mixing the mortar under the blazing sun, with that tenacity that characterized him.
Meanwhile, Marie-Laure, a young girl from Chambéry, was vacationing in Le Pradet with her parents. They had booked a stay at another campsite, but by the time they arrived, everything was fully booked. So, almost by chance, they ended up at L’Artaudois.
As fate would have it, it was there that Marie-Laure met Victor, the young campsite manager. What was supposed to be a simple summer holiday turned into a beautiful story. Little by little, she became integrated into the life of the campsite, sharing my father’s dreams and projects.
Marie-Laure didn’t just follow Victor on this adventure: she became an essential pillar.
A midwife by trade, she spent her nights in the maternity ward, sometimes bringing back the smell of disinfectant and the fatigue of 24-hour shifts. But despite this hectic pace, she still found the energy to look after my sisters and me, while running the campsite reception and managing the accounts.
During the day, she greeted holidaymakers with her smile and professionalism, then in the evening, she returned to her files, making sure everything was running smoothly.
The 80s and 90s: a new era for Artaud
My childhood at the campsite: between work and magic moments
Growing up at the campsite meant living to the rhythm of the sun and the seasons. From an early age, I was fascinated by my father’s work. At the age of 10, I had a mission to be proud of: collecting rubbish with the orange tractor. Under the amused gaze of the campers, I took the wheel seriously, delighted to be part of the family adventure.
But camping wasn’t all work. It was also unforgettable moments:
Games of hide-and-seek in the alleys, weaving our way between caravans and oleander bushes.
Open-air cinema evenings, where a simple sheet stretched between two trees became a giant screen under the stars.
The big collective meals, where everyone brought a dish, and where we ended up singing while banging on the table, a glass of pastis in hand for the older ones.
Swimming pool and entertainment
The early 90s marked a turning point for camping. Until then, it had been a simple place, where people came first and foremost to enjoy the natural surroundings and the friendly atmosphere. But in 1990, my father decided to think bigger: he undertook the construction of a main building and a swimming pool.
The pool changes everything. From now on, afternoons resound with laughter and splashing, and evenings come alive with entertainment. It’s the start of pétanque tournaments, belote competitions and big meals shared under the plane trees. L’Artaudois becomes a real place to live, where every camper feels at home.
A Place for Transmission and Sharing
more than just a campsitein Le Pradet
Today, L’Artaudois remains faithful to its history and convivial spirit. Hélène and I are committed to keeping this tradition alive, while adding our own personal touch.
We’ve modernized certain infrastructures, while preserving the soul of the campsite, that balance between simplicity and authenticity. L’Artaudois isn’t a big, aseptic complex, it’s a little corner of Provence, where people come to rediscover the atmosphere of old-fashioned vacations, with cicadas, aperitifs and games of pétanque.
And now, a new generation is growing up here… Our two-year-old daughter Théa is already running through the alleys where I played as a child. Perhaps, if she so wishes, she will one day take up the torch, as I did before her.
This blog is a way of sharing this history with you, but also of collecting your memories. If you’ve stayed at L’Artaudois, if you’ve experienced any special moments, tell us about them!
The history of camping doesn ‘t stop here. It continues to be written, with you.
