Camp alongside 600 others at a unique queer gathering coming to France this summer
"We wanted to blend the nostalgia of summer camp with modern queer culture."
Mark
Organizers of a new event called The Pride Camp are looking forward to their inaugural gathering, set to take place in the south of France this summer.
The Pride Camp will take place at Le Calypso camping ground near Perpignan. It is surrounded by forestry, while the Mediterranean coast is a mere 500 meters away. The most convenient international airport is Barcelona, just across the border in Spain. That’s about a two-hour drive away or connected to Perpignan via a direct train.
The organizers inform GayCities that they’ve taken over the whole site from Sunday, August 30 to Sunday, September 6, to create their own queer village.
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“Pride Camp was born from a desire to create a safe, inclusive, and joyful space where the LGBTQ+ community can reconnect with nature and each other away from the traditional city-circuit scene,” a spokesperson said. “We wanted to blend the nostalgia of summer camp with modern queer culture.”
Their philosophy is “total freedom: everything is offered, but nothing is imposed. You are the architect of your own week, whether you are a fitness enthusiast or a fan of sleeping in, you build the vacation that suits you.”
Water park and sports courts
Le Calypso offers a mixture of luxury bungalows and tent site spaces. Amenities include a grocery store, a 3,000 square meter water park complete with heated pools, slides, a jacuzzi, and a solarium. There are also multi-sport courts (volleyball, football, etc), ping pong tables, billiards and petanque.
Pride Camp will also offer fitness classes, including morning yoga under the pine trees with a dedicated coach.
Activities will include bike hikes, treasure hunts and team challenges. There’s a beach five minutes from the camp, including a nearby naturist section. There are also local opportunities to wind foil, kite surf, water ski, golf, or enjoy quad biking and horse riding.
If this all sounds health and fitness-focused, be assured there will also be pool parties, ‘Sunset Aperitifs’, a bar, and cabaret, including drag shows.
Solo travelers
You don’t have to attend with a partner or group of friends. We checked that solo travelers are also welcome.
“Absolutely! One of our core missions is building community. We run specific programs to help solo campers meet new people and feel welcome from day one,” the spokesperson told us. “This matters deeply to us, because the concept was born from a simple belief: the older you get, the harder it becomes to meet others from the community.”
Those attending alone are not expected to book a whole cabin to themselves. The event offers a “Single Bed in a Shared Room” option, similar to what some cruise liners operate.
“To ensure everyone has the best experience, the booking process includes a matching system. We pair roommates based on age and their lifestyle preferences. You’ll be asked if you are: Early Bird, Mid-morning, or Night Owl. And to describe your stay in one emoji: 
(Beach/Pool), 
(Sport), or 
(Party).”
Booking will open before the end of February, with approximate pricing of $399 per person for a shared room in a cabin, or $215 per person for a shared tent pitch.
“The Calypso campsite is totally privatized for this event. We are creating a true ‘Gay Village’ for an entire week. This means you will have gay neighbors all around you, and we encourage a friendly atmosphere where guests can wander between cabins and enjoy aperitifs together on the terraces.”
Should you be flying in from an international destination, why not combine your week at Pride Camp with a couple of days to also explore Barcelona? The French cities of Toulouse and Montpellier also lie a couple of hours away, to the northwest and northeast of Le Calypso, respectively.
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