The Reasons Campers Go To France

Because of the wine. Well not really, but consider the wine as an added bonus. You see France is one of the top destinations of campers because simply put, the country is rich with natural resources that make any outdoor activity like camping truly worthwhile. One of the reasons campers go to France is the natural grandeur or the place. From coastal views to mountain scenes, from a valley of vineyards to a forested mountain hike pass, France has the variety that campers look for.

Camping season in France usually begins at the month of May and end around September. The peak months are July and August. The weather during this time is quite warm which is most ideal for camping. But there are areas in France were the weather is warm and nice, all you need is to target these places if you want to go camping and can only go outside the May to September optimal months.

The reasons why you might want to go camping outside the best months is to avoid the rush of campers. Actually, you even if you go during the peak months, you probably will find a great camping place. There are thousands of camping sites in France, each has its own charm, personality and allure. Sometimes, the smaller campsites are even better than the more popular ones.

The great thing about camping in France is having the opportunities to do a variety of outdoor activities. You see when you select a coastal campsite, you have a bunch of water activities to choose from. A mountain camping ground will open up opportunities like hiking and exploring the rivers that flow from the mountain. Even if you camp down in the valley or the countryside, you have various farm activities and there are even things to do near vineyards.

Not to mention the diversity of the towns nearby the campsites. The rich cultural heritage of the towns, the houses and buildings are quite an interesting thing to see. The food is often quite exquisite as well so the dining experience is a great bonus to the overall camping experience.

A large group of campers in a campsite is also a good opportunity for campers to hold activities. Story telling around the campfire at night is a good sharing and bonding experience for the campers. Other group activities can also arise from sharing campsite with other families or groups. Sometimes, the owners of the camping ground or camp managers will organize the activities where campers can participate.

Aside from the villages in the area another good reason for camping in France is sightseeing among the numerous medieval castles in the area. You will find a number of them, castles that you have only seen in TV and movies so far you can appreciate with all its majestic grandeur. Refer to some camping guide books to see what other attractions can be found in a selected campsite. Some attractions might just be within the camp or in nearby towns. Explore and enjoy the possibilities.

Nature and culture are among the best known reasons why people go camping in France. The fact that they can enjoy both is an experience worth having. Campers can go around the country and enjoy the diversity each campsite can offer. Each time you go camping in France, the experience will always be rewarding.

Tent Options When Camping In France

Camping in France is a good experience. For campers, they usually bring their own tents but some campsites can provide the tents. There are different kinds of tents for you to use. What varies is usually the size depending on the number of people who are going to use them. The tent options available when camping in France is not too different from camping anywhere else, it all depends on your needs.

France is blessed with miles of beaches, rich valleys and scenic mountains. It is a perfect camping ground for tourists and locals alike. Some would argue, of course, but with thousands of camping sites scattered all over the country, who would claim otherwise. Okay, in general the landscape might not be the perfect camping experience for outdoor enthusiasts or camping purists, but still a good number of campers are enjoying themselves in France.

Being the third largest country in Europe and having such a diverse landscape, it is no wonder why people enjoy staying outdoors in this vast country. And as an added grandeur to the wonderful landscape, the rich culture and the history of towns and villages have created a very interesting place.

You can get a single or double size tent if you go camping in France. These kinds are readily available in any outdoor shops. You practically have a variety of brands and features to choose from. But, regardless of the brands these are basic tents and are quite ideal if you’re traveling alone or in pairs. Traveling alone is a pretty lonely thing to do especially if you’re going to a place as beautiful as France. You definitely need someone to share the experience with.

If you’re going with a larger group, your whole family perhaps, a larger tent would be required. There are family size tents available in sports or camping shops as well but you can make your own from cheaper materials. It may not be as stylish as the ones commercially available but it still as effective. The same tent can be folded and loaded in your car and can be set up when you arrived at the campsite. Since you’re going camping in France, you will be more conscious on the cost effectiveness of your trip which is why making your own tents is another way to save some cash on your trip.

Aside from tent camping though, France also offers some areas where mobile caravans or mobile homes are the main forms of accommodations in campsites. Mobile homes can be rented for weeks and can be used to travel all around the country. With the amenities included in the mobile caravan, a certain degree of comfort is being provided to the campers. To some this is a better way of spending their vacation in France. To each his own as they say. Some would prefer the comfort over the absolute outdoor experience.

But one more kind of camping accommodation that is being offered in some campsites in France is the built in tent camp facility. These are campsites where you actually need to book in advance to make sure that you have a tent to go to when you arrive. These kinds of campsites are a little exclusive with a whole bunch of amenities that will help make your holiday as comfortable as possible. You might have to pay something extra because of the added services.

You have several tent options when you go camping in France. You can either bring your own, settle with a mobile caravan, or go to campsites that have their own camping facilities.

With the right planning and the proper budgeting, you will be able to determine which kind of camping accommodation to go for.

Safety Should Be Your Main Concern When Camping in France

Safety should be your main concern when camping in France or any other country. This is because the dangers that lurk which could turn the vacation into a nightmare.

Wherever you set up camp or hike, there is a chance that you will encounter some wild animals. It could be a deer or a wild boar and although they may look harmless from a distance, they can attack if they are territorial and protective.

So keep your distance and stay as quite as possible when you are near them. You should not try to feed them and keep your food stored properly so they don’t attack your camp.

Wild animals are not only the problems when you are out camping because small ones could be just as dangerous as well. If you don’t watch where you are going, you could be bitten by a critter or a snake so be mindful where you step.

During certain times of the year, you can’t help but encounter insects like ants, bees, flies and mosquitoes. Since you could have an allergic reaction, it is best to bring a first aid kit which will be useful if you also get bitten.

You should protect your skin and your eyes when you go camping. To do that, it pays to bring along a pair of sunglasses and apply sunscreen lotion. That way, you protect your eyes from the sun’s glare and avoid getting a sunburn.

If you want to do some exploring on your own, never go alone and always do this with a companion. Bring some gear like water, snacks, matches, flashlight, a map, compass and GPS unit that will come in handy if you get lost.

For families that are traveling with children, always keep them in your sight. Given them a whistle that should only be used only during an emergency.

Since you will probably be cooking some of the food for your camping trip, be careful if you are using a small stove. As you know, this is powered by a gas canister and this could explode under extreme heat. To avoid that, keep this in an upright position and in a ventilated area. Check for leaks before you buy it and turn it off when not in use.

If the gas canister is exhausted and it has to be replaced with another one, make sure removing and installing is done far away from flames and other ignition sources.

Although we have no control over the weather, we can push through with the camping trip only under fair weather conditions. To do that, check the forecast for the time that you will be out there and listen to the radio in case there are any changes.

Most campers bring a lot of food for the duration of their stay. To prevent this from spoiling, be sure to keep these cool at all times by buying blocks of ice and putting these together with your food inside the cooler.

When you start the fire to cook your food, be sure there is always someone around to guard it because if left unattended, you could start a forest fire.

Camping in France can be fun if you are able to bring the proper gear and practice safety at all times. Wherever you decide to do it, check with the authorities the rules and guidelines.

Road Trip Camping in France

You have probably heard about backpacking through Europe. Given that each country has a lot to offer, why not stay in just one and enjoy the sites. One country is Europe that is so vast is France. So with a rental car, why don’t you go on that road trip and go camping in France. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Before you drive off, you should do some planning so you know where you will be going. Naturally, this depends on how much money you have so consider how much you are willing to shell out for the entire trip.

The weather in France makes it great for camping all year long. Since you have to go back to work after the trip, you have plan how long you will be away.

There are over 10,000 campgrounds scattered all over France so you also have to know how far you will be driving and still have enough time to enjoy the campground. So you are sure that this campground is worth staying in, do some research by going online. Compare their prices and amenities because this will tell you whether to stay here or not.

Once you have decided on potential campgrounds, don’t forget to call in advance and make a reservation because you might be going during the peak season or when there is an event which means it will be pretty crowded.

People who schedule the camping trip before or after the summer season are better off because the rates are usually cut by half which means more savings. When all the arrangements have been made, you can already get a map and plan your route.

Before you head to the campground, it will be a good idea to print out the driving directions. Write down also the contact number of the place you are going so you can call if you get lost. If possible, encode all this information into your GPS unit which will reduce the odds of getting lost.

Make sure you also have all the equipment you need. This includes of course a tent, food, survival gear and a first aid kit. You can surely make a stopover at a grocery when your supplies are running low. Since you may get loss, see if you can get a GPS unit.

One thing you should know about camping in France is that you don’t always have to sleep inside a tent. The French government issues star ratings to campsites and if the rating for a certain campground is given a 4 or 5 star rating, this means you can take a dip in the swimming pool, eat in one of the restaurants or even sleep in an inn or hotel.

It should also be pointed out that camping in France is not only in the countryside but within the city itself. Believe it or not, there is a campsite inside Paris itself namely the Bois de Bologne Camp which happens to be just a few minutes away from Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower.

Who knew that a road trip and Camping in France can be done at the same time? With the right information and proper planning, you will have a great time seeing the famous landmarks and the beautiful countryside.

Nice Places to Go Camping in France

There are a lot of nice places to go camping in France. By staying in the outdoors, you get to save money rather than staying in a hotel.

One camping ground situated inside a 50 hectare manor is the Le Val de Bonnal. Despite the green grassy patches all around, this place is considered to be a heaven for water lovers as they have 4 lakes that allow you to go canoeing, swimming and wind surfing.

If you want to get some exercise, you can hike and visit the village of Bonnal. You will never get bored here because if you run out of things to do, you can check out unique activities organized for visitors.

Another camping ground is the Aluna Vacances in Ardèche that is near the town of Vallon Pont D’arc. It has a swimming pool with slides for you to cool off. For those that don’t want to swim, they can go on a canoeing trip. After dinner, you can sing your heart out at the karaoke, go dancing in the mini disco or sit and watch the live show.

Next is Le Ranc Davaine in Ardeche. As you explore the vast camping ground, you will notice the hidden valleys, majestic rocks and rivers hidden in greenness. If hiking is not your thing, you can fun and even meet new friends as you go to the aqua gym or participate in sports such as archery, volleyball and tennis.

Who said you can’t go camping near the beach? This is possible in France because of two great camping destinations to go to namely Les Sablons in Languedoc-Roussillon and Domaine de la Yole in Languedoc/Roussillon.

Both campsites have a sandy beach so your kids can make a sandcastle while you go out trying the various activities.

You can even do a little shopping as you go inside the various shops and find fruits, vegetables and excellent wine.

If you want a camping site that has the beach on one end and the mountains in another, you should go camping in Les Pêcheurs in Côte d’Azur. Because it is so central, you can take a drive in any direction and engage in various activities.

If you happen to go camping in Southern France, you get to enjoy the great scenery, the beaches and the fishing villages which you will not find anywhere else. If you want to do some shopping, you can go to the cities of Cannes, Monaco and St Tropez.

You may even want to take pictures in the canyon of Gorges du Verdon or visit the perfume distilleries. If you are traveling with kids, let them have some fun in the Aquatica inside the Frejus.

For those who want to go camping in the north, Brittany is an ideal place to go as you can see the rugged coastline and rocky coves. Since you can’t swim here, go south where there are long stretches of sandy beaches.

As you can see, there are a lot of nice places go to camping in France. You just have to do some research and find out what your family likes to do so you will enjoy your vacation. If you want to get a discount in any of these places, you are advised to book in advance.