Rail Campsites:
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Camping Les Portes d’Alsace, Saverne
40 Rue du Père Liebermann, 67700 Saverne, France
https://vacances-seasonova.com/fr/camping/les-portes-dalsace
Campsite
Saverne is a historic town, 45 kilometres north of Strasbourg, close to the German border. Camping Les Portes d’Alsace is south of the town centre, near the Saverne Forest, a great place for hiking and visiting the numerous ruined castles that are dotted on the wooded hillsides. The campsite has its own covered swimming pool, a small shop and café for guests. In the town centre – a 20-minute walk away – there is a full range of restaurants, bakeries and supermarkets for essential supplies. It’s a little bit of a trek – through residential streets then footpaths across a field – but on the eastern side of Saverne is the town’s magnificent municipal swimming pool: L’ Océanide. This is a new complex with indoor and outdoor pools as well as whirlpools and slides.
Accommodation Options
The campsite is well-catered for self-catering guests. There are both mobile homes and chalets available, as well as two bedroom ready pitched tents for hire. All accommodation can be booked directly through the campsite website.
Transport Links
Saverne railway station has the advantage of being a stop on the original line linking Paris to Strasbourg. Direct trains running between the two cities still stop at Saverne today with other services running to Nancy and Metz.
SNCF train station information: https://www.ter.sncf.com/grand-est/se-deplacer/gares/saverne-87212225
Directions to Campsite
There’s no denying that it’s a bit of a walk from the railway station to the campsite, particularly when arriving as there are a few gentle hills to manage. Leave the station and turn right, heading down Rue de la Gare until reaching a crossroads. Directly ahead at this point is a pharmacy and the narrow Rue du Boeuf. At the end of this lane turn left and then first right at a T-Junction to take you to a much larger main road. Use the pedestrian crossing to reach the other side and continue slightly up hill and across the road bridge over the canal below. You now need to turn immediately right then bear left climbing up the pretty Rue de Haegen. You’ll be relieved to know that at the very top of the road is a large open grass area, ideal for a quick break before the final walk to the campsite! After resting, you’ll see Rue Furstenberg, on the left just beyond the top of the park. Follow this residential road to the end and turn right onto Rue de Donaueschingen and again turn right at the end. Very soon the residential houses start to fade and you’ll see the campsite entrance straight in front.
It is a good walk the first time you arrive at the campsite from the station, but once there, you should only really need to walk around the area a bit, up and down to the town centre, so it will be worth it!
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Camping de Strasbourg
9 Rue de l’Auberge de jeunesse, 67200 Strasbourg, France
https://www.camping-strasbourg.com/
Campsite
Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace and one of the great European cities, is fortunate enough to have a campsite right in its centre. Camping de Strasbourg is less than three kilometres from the heart of the city, which makes it technically walkable, if you have 40 minutes or so to spare! Set in a wooded area, the campsite offers not only plenty of shade but also some quiet from the bustle of the busy city.
On the campsite, you will find a bar and restaurant in the modern reception complex, a heated openair swimming pool and a small shop. There’s also a bakery just outside of the site entrance; ideal for breakfast supplies. There is a small convenience store – good for basics – about 5 minutes from the campsite, but for a bigger shop, it’s probably worth heading to the centre.
Accommodation Options
There are a lot of accommodation options on the campsite. A selection of wooden chalets, all tastefully clad in wood, can sleep 4-6 people. Each unit contains a kitchen, bathroom and a full equipment list. The other option on site are a series of ready pitched tents that can accommodate 4-5 people. These are equipped with small kitchens, standard beds and wooden terraces for relaxing in the evening.
Transport Links
The main railway station in Strasbourg offers national and international connections, so makes for an ideal travel destination. There are frequent services across the border into Germany, although it is also possible to take city trams across to Kehl in Germany too. From Strasbourg, TGV runs direct to Paris and Brussels, while other international trains head south to Basel or all the way down to Montpellier.
SNCF train station information: https://www.ter.sncf.com/grand-est/se-deplacer/gares/strasbourg-87212027
Directions to Campsite
The main railway station in Strasbourg offers national and international connections, so makes for an ideal travel destination. Ironically, the railway line runs right alongside the edge of the campsite, but sadly there it doesn’t have its own stop. The most straightforward way to reach the campsite from the railway station, therefore, is by bus. Route number 2 (heading in the direction of Elmerforst) runs from right outside the main station (on the lefthand side when leaving) and directly to the campsite. The journey takes about 10 minutes to reach the bus stop ‘Camping’.
On leaving the bus, turn back on yourself and walk to the end of the housing block. Turn left down a narrow road between two buildings and pass under the railway. Here you will find the campsite entrance.
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Camping by Rail 