Have you dreamed about camping in France and cruising on the River Seine? Or may be thought about a vacation in the French Pyrenees? Or you might simply want to live the French life for a short while. Have you considered camping in France? Whatever you reasons may be, France is an amazing destination even if you’re on a budget, more so if you’re camping.
Top Reasons To Go Camping in France
I. Great Choices for Camping Destinations – Looking for the challenges of camping in cold weather or the relaxing atmosphere of the French countryside or maybe the fun and thrill of a holiday resort that the whole family will surely love. Even if you’re on a budget, there are a whole lot of great destinations when camping in France.
Here are the five of the most popular camping destinations in France to spend your holidays:
Les Tilleuls, Gedre – If you’re 3000 feet up in the Pyrenees, there’s so much to see in the valley below. Enjoy the view of the Campbielh, Coumely and the Cirque de Gavarnie with their stone houses nicely dotting the deep and green gorges. With its four terraces, you can choose your pitching spot and at the same time, select your viewing deck of the breathtaking landscape below.
- Les Criques de Porteils, Argeles-sur-Mer – France gets a good dose of the sun too and along its Mediterranean coast lies the Les Criques de Porteils. It features the sun, the sea, the sand, and… a whole lot of sangria. The site still has its Franco-Spanish feel making your camping in France experience even more exotic. Pitch your tent overlooking the three pebble beaches and get the feel of the Med on your feet.
- Domain Le Poteay, Castlenau d’Auzan – The French countryside is definitely going to stun you as you drive through this site, right in the heart of Gers’ wine- and armagnac-producing country. You’ll be pitching your tent someplace in the vineyard’s sprawling garden, and three times a week, treated to a four-course meal that the owners prepare for their guests along, of course, with samples of their very own white wine.
- Belrepayre Trailer Park, near Mirepoix – Can’t imagine a trailer park in a French setting? You’ll be in for a treat with this trailer park featuring genuine American Airstreams. Experience a thrilling blast from the past as the interiors are all fitted out retro style – eight-track music system, knitted cushions, and assorted bric-a-bracs obtained from various flea markets. And yes, pitching your tent is welcome too.
- Kota Cabana, Brulon – Fancy setting up “camp” up a tree? The Kota Cabana has two giant sequoias and a Lebanese cedar tree houses that smell of wonderful unadulterated pine resin. Perfect for a romantic getaway, relax, breathe in and take in the beauty of the beautifully kept grounds.
- Food and Wine – French cuisine is one of the finest in the world. Unlike the American diet, which unfortunately has its link to obesity and other related conditions, the French diet is delicious and nutritious.
More often than not, when camping in France especially if you choose farm camping or any of the numerous campsites scattered in the rural areas, you’ll be treated to a whole new gastronomic experience. Even if you’re not staying in a vineyard, simply going around the towns and villages dotting the French countryside is going to give you the gourmet experience so unlike anything you’ve had before.
You may want to cook your own food at the camp, but hey, if there’s a village nearby, don’t pass on the chance of sampling local French delicacies – such as the sweet dessert wine made from semilllon and sauvignon grapes at the Chateau Monbazillac.
II. Budget-Friendly Camping Trip – Camping in France fits every budget – from a luxurious stay in many of its camping holiday resorts or take in the smells of the French wine-producing countryside or wake up in France overlooking the Mediterranean.
Although, it’s common perception that a vacation is France is going to cost you and burn a good hole in your pocket – this is also a misconception. A vacation in France can be made to fit your budget, even if you’re travelling on a shoestring. The perks of staying in a bed and breakfast inn are definitely going to delight you, instead of staying in a four-star hotel chain accommodation. All you need to do is research a bit.
- Where to stay – The French has a reliable star-rating system that can give a pretty good idea of how luxurious and pricey your stay can be. Camping in France remains to be a less likely form of accommodations that most tourists fail to consider. More often than not, a four-star campground is going to provide you with better amenities than a three-star hotel. Plus, camping is going to give you far more social interactions with the local for a genuine French vacation. Nevertheless, there are four main accommodation options when on a French vacation.
- Campsites in France – You’ll be quite surprised, and pleased, to discover that French camping sites are more upscale than you are used to, and less expensive than staying at a hotel too.
- Gîtes de France – This is an organization listing a good number of chambres d’hotes, bed and breakfast version of the French, which offer low-cost accommodations that is sure to fit your budget.
- Logis de France – An association representing smaller and, typically inexpensive, inns dotting France’s smaller cities and villages. Ideal for food lovers since a Logis stay is popular for their luscious cuisine.
- Bienvenue a la Ferme – Farms that joined the French government-approved program provide various types of accommodations, from no-electricity camping to a farmhouse bed and breakfast stay.
- When to travel – Planning a vacation in France means making your reservations off-peak of the tourist season which is usually summer. You can save several hundreds by simply going against the tourist grain. Airfare and lodging rates are significantly reduced during off-season. Moreover, you will also get to enjoy a different encounter with the locals who are not in the middle of a mass of gawking tourists.
- What means of transportation to take – Another way to save money and have a cheap but memorable stay in France is to take their public transit system. Avoid the rental car services and taxi cabs as much as possible. Rail passes are ideal for traveling great distances while buses are also convenient and cheap alternatives.
What To Bring When Camping In France
There are a lot of campsites all over France, and depending on what you have in mind; you can go all-basic or a very comfortable stay. Campgrounds in France follow the star-rating system so you have a pretty good indicator of the level of accommodation and services available.
Camping is a favorite among the French so that most tourists find it too late that camping in France is a cheap and more impressive way of experiencing the French life. So if you’re considering to go camping in France whilst enjoying its smells, sights and sounds, you may also want to take a moment to think about what to bring along with you.
There are many highly rated holiday camping resorts as they are basic campgrounds. Where you go depends on your budget, your interests, as well as other special requirements you may have. One thing you may want to think about is lugging all that camping gear with you from the airport to your camping destination. That said, you can always opt for a camping package which includes all the essentials so you won’t have to bring your own.
However, if you’re on a backpacking trip, bringing your own stuff will save you a lot of money. Tent camping, based on 2010 prices, is somewhere in the $20-$50 range, while cabins sleeping two to six persons cost $75-$205. This can vary widely depending on which region you plan to visit. And yes, some French campgrounds have access to shores of the Mediterranean.
Remember the saying, “Plan for the worse and hope for the best.” This is something to keep in mind when packing for a camping trip in France. Here is a short list of the camping essentials you need to bring with you:
- Cash, credit cards, cheques
- Required licenses and permits (for camping, hunting, fishing, etc.)
- Tent
- Sleeping bag and pad
- Waterproof matches and butane lighter
- Multi-tool and/or Swiss army knife
- Toilet paper
- Flashlight, spare batteries and bulb
- Maps and compass or GPS
- Rain gear
- Extra clothing
Now if you’re planning some sort of a compromise between basic camping and a comfortable vacation, there are numerous French destinations which allow you to have the best of both worlds. Most of them are found in the sprawling gardens or panoramic vineyards. Owners provide tents and other essential needs while you get to enjoy a truly relaxing and unique experience while camping in France.
France has more to offer other than its cultural wealth, when you get to visit its small villages dotting the countryside, this where you encounter, first-hand, the richness of French heritage. Camping in France can surely give you that distinct experience, and more!