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A
guide to camping and campsites in France
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The
year 2009 was not a great year for many sectors of the tourism
industry; consumers worldwide travelled less, and spent less when they
reached their destinations, as the credit crunch translated into less
spending money, even for holidays.
Yet all is not doom and gloom in the travel sector, and camping, with
its reputation as an economical holiday solution, was one type of
tourist accommodation in France that actually benefitted from the
credit crunch ! Furthermore, with eco-friendly holidays becoming more
and more sought after, camping is seen as an ideal way of getting back
to nature – even if the reality of the modern camping experience is not
always exactly that.
Generally speaking, France is a camper's paradise; there are between
9,000 and 10,000 registered campsites in France - that is almost half
the total number of campsites for the whole of Europe, and a total
capacity of almost a million pitches. In addition, there are some 2000
farm campsites and other camping areas, not to mention a wealth of
opportunities, subject to rules and regulations, for what the French
call "le camping sauvage", in other words camping in the wild.
►Classification
of campsites in France
Compare
the differences....
Like hotels, regulated campsites or campgrounds are classified
according to a star-rating system, from one star to four stars,
according to their amenities and facilities. Compared to a one-star
site, a four-star camping is a very different experience indeed. Prices
generally reflect the number of stars, the number of people per pitch,
and vary according to the period. The average cost of a night's stay
for four in a campsite in the summer holiday peak season is about 27
Euros.
Most campgrounds have capacity for tents, caravans or camper vans
(camping cars), though with smaller sites it may be advisable to check
caravan access. All
categories must provide showers, toilets and washing areas
– but beyond that there are considerable differences. To help you
compare facilities and prices, here are the
main features of the different types of campsite in
France. They represent the minima required at each level of rating;
many campgrounds offer more than the minima.
One star campsites:
(about 1500 campsites, many of
them small)
Individual shower cabins with cold water (though many have hot),
washing area, dish-washing sinks, Pitches of at least 90 m². Prices are
very variable, starting from about 8€ per night for a pitch.
Two star
campsites: (over 4000 campsites, almost half the total
number)
As for one star, plus:
Individual shower cubicles with hot water, Individual washbasins, power
points for electric razors and small electrical equipment.
Three star
campsites: (over 2000 campsites, many of them quite large)
As for two-star, plus:
Warden in attendance 24/24, tiled floors in washing / shower areas,
private washing cabins, equipped children's play area, flowers,
vegetation between pitches, safe-keeping for valuables, foodstore on
site or in the immediate vicinity, soft drinks available,
English-speaking wardens (not always fluent !), etc. In peak weeks,
prices will normally be in the range of 32€ - 40€ per night for four
people.
Four star
campsites: (about 700 campsites, generally large)
As for three-star, plus: private washing cubicles with hot water,
dish-washing and clothes-washing sinks with hot water, Larger pitches
(at least 100m²), tarred vehicle ways within the site, games room,
common room. Depending on the location and the time of year, prices
tend to vary from 20 € a day off season, to between 40€ and 50 € a day
during peak weeks, for four people with a tent, a bit less for just two
people.
Farm
camping
"Camping à la ferme" is a label offered to farmers who offer a small
area for camping, with a maximum of six pitches; the similar "aire
naturelle de camping" is an area with a maximum of 25 pitches. They
must all provide toilets and wash basins, electric power points, and
dustbins for rubbish, as well as at least one warm shower.
These are just the main
minimum criteria used in the
classification of campsites in France. Many three or four-star
campsites also have a bar and a restaurant, as do some one or two-star
campsites. Many campsites offer more than the minimum required, for
example there are plenty of one-star campsites with hot water in the
wahroom, though this is not obligatory.
Camping sauvage, camping in
the wild in France
Online forums in France show that there is great confusion as to the
legality or illegality or camping in the wild, and whether it is
advisable to do so. Pitching a bivouac for the night on public land
seems to be legal, as long as it is a dusk-till-dawn pitch; parking a
camper van beside the road for the night, or on public land, also seems
to be legal, unless it is prohibited by a local bylaw. Doing so on
private land, with the owner's consent, is legal. Leaving one's waste
or emptying one's waste-water from a camper van, is not legal.
Particular restrictions apply in national parks and regional natural
parks, though responsible hikers and campers who stop overnight in
these areas do not usually have any problems, as long as they do not
clearly flout the law. It is important to remember that laws and bylaws
on camping in the wild are mainly there in order to protect the natural
environment, to protect heritage areas, to defend the interests of
local residents, or to prevent accidents – not to annoy campers.
Click here for information on the wild areas of France.
Choosing a
campsite, making a reservation.
For four-star campsites, booking is always recommended. The big two and
three-star campsites on the coast and in tourist locations are very
busy in the summer weeks (July and August), so booking is advisable
here too, if not essential. For other campsites, notably one-star and
two-star sites, booking is not usually necessary, except for some sites
in particularly attractive areas during the peak weeks – especially if
the campsite is being used for a one-night stopover. Nevertheless, all
campsites have telephone access and many have websites and email, so
booking ahead or checking availablilty is never a bad idea.
Protected
Areas, national parks, regional natural parks
 Here is a map showing most of
France's (few) national parks , plus a large number of "Parcs naturels
régionaux" (a phrase which is often mistranslated into English as
"national parks"). There is no fundamental reason why some areas should
be designated national parks, and others regional natural parks.
National parks are indicated in purple, the main regional natural parks
(or natural regional parks) are shown in green. These include the parks
of Lorraine, the Morvan, the Chaîne des Puys, the Forez-Livradois,
Millevaches en Limousin, Monts d'Ardèche, Grandes Causses, Luberon,
Vercors, Haut-Jura, and others. Many areas not included officially in
"parks" are protected areas under the EU Natura 2000 natural heritage
programme.
Click here for information and a map of
France's long-distance footpaths
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