Slow tourism itineraries: the ideal stopover campsite in Bresse
Are you heading south, looking for a peaceful place to stop off, or a base from which to explore the region without having to pack up every morning? Our campsite in the Ain has been designed with this style of travel in mind. Whether you’re travelling in a van, motorhome, caravan or tent, here you’ll find spacious, shaded pitches, all the facilities you’d expect and an ideal location between the motorway and the Bresse countryside.
We have made a clear decision: to set aside a large part of the site for travellers on the move. As a result, more than half of our pitches are bare pitches, because campervans and motorhomes are very much welcome here!
Key points to remember
- How to get there : Just a few minutes from an exit on the A39; also easily accessible from the A6
- Location: A natural stop-off point on the north-south route, in the heart of the Bresse region
- Pitches: Spacious, shaded, compacted, with water and electricity, suitable for large motorhomes
- On site: Heated swimming pool, snack bar, fishing pond, cycle routes and walking trails
- Places to visit nearby: Bourg-en-Bresse, Mâcon, Louhans, the Dombes
- Duration: A one-night stopover or a stay of several days
An ideal stopover between the north and the south
When you’re clocking up the kilometres on your way to the Mediterranean or the Alps, the right stop makes all the difference. The Domaine de Mépillat, a campsite with a fishing lake, is just a few minutes from an exit on the A39, and getting there from the A6 involves barely any detour. It’s the perfect way to get off the motorway, enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep under the trees, and hit the road again the next day without wasting any time!
This is the practical way to break up a long journey: a level pitch, with water topped up and waste emptied, a proper night’s rest – and all without any complicated manoeuvring, even with a large motorhome.
Pitches designed for campervans and motorhomes
Our pitches have been designed to comfortably accommodate all types of holiday vehicles. They are spacious, well-graded and easily accessible, even for large motorhomes, which often struggle with narrow access roads and sites where vehicles can get stuck.
Everyone can enjoy the shade of tall trees – a real treat in summer – and has access to water and electricity. It’s easy to set up: just plug in, and you’re all set for a night or a week. For electric vehicles, charging points have recently been installed on the estate.
This is a choice we stand by: more than half of our pitches have remained unoccupied, compared with our rental accommodation. We are keen to keep space available for this way of travelling – free and close to nature.
All around, there are towns and villages to visit
Once you’ve settled in, there’s plenty to explore without ever having to go far. La Bresse and the surrounding area offer some wonderful discoveries just a short drive away:
- Bourg-en-Bresse and its royal monastery of Brou, a masterpiece of the Flamboyant Gothic style, can be explored on foot amongst the market halls and historic façades.
- Mâcon, on the banks of the Saône, serves as the gateway to the Mâconnais vineyards.
- Louhans, with its centuries-old arcades, is home to one of the region’s most beautiful markets.
- Further west, the Dombes region and its thousand ponds are ideal for birdwatching and walks along the water’s edge.
- Direct access to the Jura and its lush green landscapes, set amongst lakes of pure colours and refreshing mountains.
You choose your own pace: one town a day, or simply whichever one takes your fancy, with no pressure.
For those who don’t want to move anymore
Some travellers have just one thing on their minds once they arrive: to put the handbrake on and relax. The Domaine de Mépillat, a campsite that welcomes campervans, has everything you need for just that.
The heated swimming pool where you can relax, the snack bar serving local dishes so you don’t have to get back behind the wheel, the fishing pond where you can fish until sunset, and a cycle and walking route that starts right from the campsite.
What’s more, there’s a shop on site where you can pick up something for dinner. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the peace and comfort without moving your car a metre!
“Many of our visitors arrive for just one night and end up staying longer. Between fishing in the pond, the swimming pool and our snack bar, they don’t want to leave straight away, and that’s exactly what we love to offer: the freedom to “Whether you’re just stopping off for a bit or staying for a while!”, say Valérie and Valentin.
A short stop or a long stay – whichever you prefer
That’s what makes our campsite so special: it’s just as suitable for a one-night stopover as it is for a stay of several days. Well-located, easily accessible and fully equipped, it gives you the freedom to set off again in the morning or to extend your stay and enjoy the Bresse countryside at your own pace.
An eco-friendly campsite and LPO nature reserve, the Domaine de Mépillat welcomes visitors from April to September. The pitches by the pond get booked up quickly: do remember to book in advance, especially in summer!
Stay for just one night, or settle in for a few days to unwind: it’s up to you. Book your pitch at the Domaine de Mépillat, a countryside campsite!
FAQ — Camping étape et itinérance dans l’Ain
Is the campsite easy to reach by motorhome from the motorway?
Yes. The Domaine de Mépillat is situated just a few minutes from junction 10 of the A39, and is easily accessible from the A6. Our pitches are spacious, well-maintained and suitable even for large motorhomes, making it a convenient stopover on the north-south route.
Can we stay for just one night?
Of course. The campsite is ideal for a one-night stopover to break up a long journey, as well as for a stay of several days. You can easily set up camp, top up your supplies, and set off again the next day feeling refreshed.
What facilities are available on site?
A heated swimming pool, a snack bar serving local dishes, a fishing pond, a convenience shop, and cycling and walking routes starting from the campsite. Plenty to enjoy on site without having to hit the road again!
Are the pitches suitable for large vehicles?
Yes. Our pitches are spacious, levelled, shaded by large trees and equipped with water and electricity. They are perfectly suited to campervans, motorhomes – including large ones – and caravans.
What is there to see in the surrounding area?
Bourg-en-Bresse and the monastery of Brou, Mâcon and its vineyards, Louhans and its market, or the Dombes region with its thousand lakes. There are so many charming towns and villages to explore just a short distance from the campsite.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, especially in summer. The Domaine de Mépillat welcomes visitors from April to September, and the pitches by the lake get booked up quickly. Booking in advance guarantees you a pitch for your van, motorhome or caravan.
Why have so many empty pitches been left?
Because we are committed to welcoming travellers on the move. More than half of our pitches have been left empty compared to our rental accommodation: this is a deliberate choice to ensure that campervans and motorhomes always have a place here.
What are the opening hours of the campsite’s entrance and exit gates?
To ensure peace and security on the campsite, the vehicle gate providing access to the campsite opens at 8.30 am and closes at 9.30 pm in the low season and at 10.00 pm in the high season. Outside these times, an outdoor car park is available where you can park your vehicle safely. Access is then only via a pedestrian gate, which is open 24 hours a day.
