CAMPING GUIDE 2023 THE JOY OF CAMPING IN FRANCE


Clockwise from above: The Ardèche is ideal for camping; the swimming pool at the Domaine de Sévenier in the Ardèche; inset, under canvas at Camping l’Ardéchois; many campsites are near attractions such as beaches; Le Champ Neuf campsite in Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont, Somme; Camp du Domaine in Bormes-les- Mimosas; Le Vallon de l’Ehn campsite is on the Alsace Wine Route


The days of cowering in a grotty old tent while the rain hammers down are largely consigned to history – especially if you choose France for your camping holiday, where the sector is seriously advanced, facilities comprehensive and modern, and the weather rather more clement than many of our UK readers will have been used to. These days, it’s all about comfort, conviviality and that all- important bang for your euro as we all seek to maximise value during our annual vacances.


Camping in France is, in an offi cial sense as an economic sector, rather formally referred to as ‘L’hôtellerie de plein air’ – which can be loosely translated as ‘the hotel business in the open air’. The phrase is a little misleading as most campsites, and their accommodation options, be they mobile homes, plots for a simple bring-your-own tent, camping-car (camper vans or dormobiles) spots or even exotic, glamping-style yurts, are all about self-catering and making your own bed,


136 ❘ FRANCE TODAY Feb/Mar 2023


and so not ‘hotels’ at all. But the words ‘en plein air’ are, without doubt, the key to the popularity of camping in France, where a rich diversity of locations plus reliable weather in the most popular spring and summer seasons, have made it the most popular place to camp in Europe with about 33% of the EU’s total campsites and second only to the USA on the world stage.


Camping is the top ranked commercial tourist accommodation provider in France in terms of number of beds. To understand the appeal and importance of camping in France, let’s look at some statistics – and they are astonishing. The latest fi gures (for 2021) from industry body the FFCC (Fédération Française des Campeurs, Caravaniers et Camping-caristes) show that France has an impressive 7,592 campsites featuring a total of 872,647 camping places. With these vast numbers comes serious choice regarding location and budget. In terms of campsite quality ratings, the split is as follows:


18% are non-rated campsites 5% are 1 star campsites 24% have 2 stars 33% have 3 stars 17% have 4 stars 3% have 5 stars


There are 200 ‘residential leisure parks’, 127 of which are classifi ed. These can be sprawling sites which operate as if a standalone village, with every conceivable amenity on offer, some with spectacular evening entertainment available for all the family.


Then there are the facilities on-site. French campsites often come with a central pool and bars, restaurants and grocery shops: 


49.5% of campsites have a swimming pool


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  63% of campsites offer wi-fi access


43% of campsites offer a restaurant or catering service


53% of campsites offer a bar to their customers


42 % offer grocery services or a refreshment point


IMAGES © DOMAINE DE SÉVENIER, LE CHAMP NEUF, NICO GOMEZ, PAUL SENERS, PETER ALLAN


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