How to Buy a Sleeping Bag for Camping in France

Once you have found a tent for your camping in France, the next thing you have to buy is a sleeping bag. This is because tents don’t come with that and if you don’t invest in a good one, you will not be able to sleep very well at night.

There are 6 things you have to look for when are looking for a sleeping bag namely size, shape, warmth, fabric, weight and price.

If you are the one who is going to use the sleeping bag, naturally this should fit you. There should be room enough for you to lie on your back and also be comfortable if you move to your side.

The next thing you have to consider is the shape of the sleeping bag. These days, you can find them in mummy or tapered shape, one that is narrower at the bottom or the most common which is the shape of a rectangle.

Of the three shapes, the best is the mummy or tapered shape sleeping bag because it provides the most warmth and it is the least bulky when you are packing it with the rest of your gear.

Speaking of warmth, there is no standard set in the industry. This depends on the manufacturer but to give you an idea, if it is given a 3 star, the sleeping bag is good for you use only during the summer. If you go camping during the winter, it is best to buy a 4 star rating sleeping bag.

What makes the sleeping bag warm is the material. Some sleeping bags are made using goose down that is a natural fiber. The only problem with this fabric is that it is very uncomfortable to use when it is wet. It also takes a long time before it dries. Your option then will be a sleeping bag that uses synthetic fills.

The sleeping bag is not the only thing you will carry when you go camping. So when shopping for a sleeping bag, make sure that this weighs at least 6 pounds or less.

When you are shopping for a sleeping bag, consider also the outer shell. Ideally, this should be moisture resistant as this keeps out dampness. The problem with this is that it also keeps the moisture in. If you happen to sweat easily, better get a sleeping bag made of a cotton exterior.

It is best to also get one that has a dark color because this keeps the sleeping bag warm during cold days and dries more quickly.

The last thing to consider when shopping for a sleeping bag is the price. If you around, you can find one for less than $60 while more durable ones will be the hundreds of dollars. For people who camp regularly, better buy one for long term use.

Now that you know what to look for when you buy a sleeping bag, there are two things you have to do when you use it.

First, after a good night’s sleep, open the bag so you can let the air go out. If the weather is good, spread it out and lay this on top of your tent.

Second, after using it on a camping trip, hang it using clamps or leave it folded loosely as this will help it last longer and ready for your next adventure.

You will sleep much better if you are able to buy a good sleeping bag and it doesn’t matter if you are camping in France or just in your backyard.

How to Buy a GPS unit for Camping in France

France is a very big place and sometimes looking at a map is not enough to get you to your location. This is why you should invest in a GPS unit while you are camping in France.

GPS stands for global positioning satellite. Since there are various models now in the market, it is best to know what is involved in buying it.

Perhaps the most important thing to ask yourself when you are planning to buy a GPS unit is to decide how much you are willing to pay for it The more expensive it is, naturally the more features it has but sometimes just the basics is what  you need.

Your GPS unit must be portable and lightweight so you won’t have a hard time carrying it when there are also other things inside your backpack

So it is easy to look at, get one that has a large screen. Although this will cost more compared to other units, most models are touch screen that are easier to use compared to the push button version.

When looking for a GPS unit, see to it that this has a high sensitivity receiver that can give your position even in heavily forested or steep terrain.

Get one that also has audible directions. With that, you will know how many yards are left before you have to turn or what to do if ever you miss a turn.

Although most GPS units already come with a built in map, the most important feature in buying one is its ability to be uploaded with new maps. If in the course of uploading you find out that there is not sufficient memory, don’t worry because replacing this with a bigger SD card is all that it takes.

The only place to find GPS units with this and other specifications will be to go to a sporting goods store or online. Some of the known brands worth considering include Garmin, Magellan and Tomtom.

These days, you may not even have to buy a GPS unit when some of the new mobile phones already have this built into the unit.

Before you buy a unit, test it so you can see if it is really user-friendly. Following some basic instructions given by the sales assistant can already give you an idea so pay attention.

It is sometimes hard to buy a GPS unit when you are out shopping alone. If you are in this situation, bring along a friend or a family member who understands what you really need when you go camping.

You should not rush buying a GPS unit if you are still not sure which one you want to buy. Go to other stores but before you do that, make sure you jot down the brand and model number of the unit and check out other models.

It would not hurt to also check online since such gadgets usually have reviews that are written by experts and ordinary folk. While searching, you may even notice that buying online will save you some money rather than buying it at the store.

Buying a GPS unit is going to be very useful when you go camping in France. Given that it is portable and lightweight, you are sure to find your way to the campground and back if ever you guys decide to go on a hike.

How to Gather Needed Information about Camping in France

If you are planning to go camping in France, you must make sure that you know essential facts about the place and about what you will be getting into before you commit to the idea. This is especially true if this is your first time to visit the place or if you are new to this kind of adventure. But how do you start the process of getting to know more about the place, what to do and how to enjoy your quest?

Check Out the Web

The Internet is known as a vast resource of information. You can also utilize this to get to know more about your plans so that you will be able to enjoy not only the outcome but also the process. You only have to type in what you want to know about on popular web search engines and you will have many options as to how you can go about the course.

When you use the Internet for this kind of research, you can gather a lot of information even if you will only allot little time in the process. You can start by reading websites that handle topics specifically about this. You can also opt for personal blogs wherein the authors share their first hand experiences when they went into this kind of trip. You can look over their photos or uploaded videos. You will certainly feel inspired as to what you can do when you have pursued your plans of going to France to camp.

Read Your Mails

You are maybe used to the marketing materials being sent out by various companies on your mails. If you are the type who do not look at the mails but instead throw them out the instant you knew what they are, hold yourself a bit before you continue doing so. Look into travel brochures or catalogues that may be included in your mail. These materials can give you exact details as to what you want to know about, like where to go, how much it would cost and who do you contact in case you want to reserve a camping site.

These kinds of information can also be gathered on the internet. But if you already have the marketing materials about the topic, you should read them all and browse through all the papers. There are companies that give out discounts and other freebies, and they usually include such promos and offers on materials like brochures and catalogs.

Have a Look at the Library

It may sound old school, but you may also want to check out your local library for the materials that they have about the matter. It will also be better if you will start learning few French words. This way, when you have reached your destination, it will be easier to locate where you are really going because you will be able to ask people for directions and other matters that may be important to you the moment you are already in France.

Ask Around

While reading about the subject can really be informative, it will be for the best if you will find people who already have experienced such things. They can guide you as to the right camping grounds. They can also assist you in packing for what you should bring. And they can recommend to you other activities that you should experience and enjoy while camping in France.

Holiday Camping In France

The holidays are always a good time to go camping. And what more exciting is planning a holiday camping experience in France. The country is filled with thousands of campsites where you can enjoy a camping of a lifetime. Not to mention that France is a romantic and beautiful country to begin with so what you will experience is a double treat really: the great outdoors plus the scenic and picturesque landscape of France.

Camping is a totally different experience most especially for people who have been outside or people that have been too accustomed to hotels, inns, or bed and breakfast places. The open space, the chilling air, the trees, shrubs, and night sky are just a few of the perks that one enjoys when camping out. This is something that most camp “purists” recognize as one of the best things that cannot be rivaled by any hotel.

The freedom to move about is something that cannot be replicated by any hotel. This is also probably the reason why some camp managers would establish camp sites filled with hotel-like amenities. These sites are geared towards people that want to enjoy the great outdoors but at the same are unable to survive without specific amenities.

The holidays are a great time to go camping in France. Although you might be greeted with full campsites don’t feel down since there are other campsites where you can go to. There are more than 10,000 campsites scattered all over France. If the first place you went to is full chances are there would be another campsite nearby which could turn out to be more rewarding that your first choice. One way to have a sure selection of campsites is by getting a guide of the area. A good book or travel guide will show you a selection of campsites.

Now with the selection of campsites covered, the next steps you will need is to prepare the things for camping. Camping in France, more often than not, usually involve some wine especially when the campsite in a nearby vineyard. There are times when campsite owners will give away wine straight from their vineyard or include them in the campsite fees.

Despite the camping fees, more and more people are beginning to prefer the camping or outdoor experience since it is still cheaper that getting hotel rooms. This is true especially if you will be traveling with a large group or with your family members. Holiday rates in hotels are pretty expensive as well.

The campsites all over France offer a pretty great alternative for vacationers who want to visit different parts of France with just the minimum of expense. Plus, camping is a great experience to share with your family. You kids might not have had any camping experience before this which makes the trip more memorable. Just think about it, your kids’ very first camping experience is in France. That is a story worth telling to their grandchildren.

Holiday camping in France is a rewarding experience. It is not that difficult either if you plan carefully. Make sure to have camping guides with you as reference materials. Be comforted with the fact that the camping industry in France is well organized enough that you won’t experience that too much of a problem despite the country being a destination of Brits, Dutch, Americans, and other foreigners.

It is one of the more popular camping ground in the world, after all.

Getting The Most Out Of Camping In France

France is filled with lots of campsites, and when I say a lot I mean literally thousands of camping grounds scattered in every scenic area, from the coastlines to the rolling hillsides and stretching valleys. Getting the most out of a camping experience in France takes not only careful planning but also a real appreciation of the great outdoors.

Campsites in France range from the first star rated to the four star rated camping grounds. The number of stars of the campsite rating reflects how much amenities and services available to campers. The higher the star rating the more luxurious the campsite is. Luxurious campsites have swimming pools, beautiful landscaped gardens, unique restaurants, and other amenities at par with those you can find in top rated hotels.

If you like to take the most of the camping experience, it would be best to consider if you would go in France during the peak months of July and August. The weather during these two months is considered the optimum condition in terms of camping which is the reason why people flock to various campsites all over the country. But if you want to avoid the rush of campers and the possibly full campsites, you might want to schedule your camping trip a month before the peak period or the month after.

Or you could book early and reserve camping accommodations so you can go during the peak months. Or if you find the known areas too touristy, you can search for smaller and less known campsite in France and enjoy the old countryside, the vineyard, the wine, and the culture of rural France.

To give you an idea of what you can see in France imaging for a while the magnificent and charming view of the Alps and Pyrenees. If you’re camping more in the valley or down in the farm country, what you’ll see are old trees with wide branches covering the cool flowing mountain rivers. In the west you have the bigger Loire and Dordogne tributaries.

The coastlines of Frances like in the Straits of Dover, Brittany peninsulas and the Bay of Biscay are great destinations for campers as well. The unique, culturally rich towns and villages along the coasts as well as those located in land are quite a treat for campers and a visit to one of these villages should always be included in the itinerary whenever you are camping in an area.

In the southern portion of France you’ll have reasonable and yet very fashionable resorts that often have their own campsites or have some camping grounds nearby. From Le Touquet to further down the channel Normandy, you’ll find some basic and well-equipped campsites. The coastal resorts not only offer campers a great seaside experience but the food in and around the areas are just superb and is definitely a must try for all visitors of the region.

You’ll find some small resorts like the St Aubin and St Valery-en-Caux which have fairly big and four star rated campsites. The twin resorts of Trouville and Deauville also offer several campsites where vacationers can relax and have fun. Other great sceneries in France that is worth to mention include the medieval walled town of St Malo, La Baule with its magnificent beach, the charming Bénodet, and the busy fishing port of Concarneau.

Getting the most of the camping experience in France lies on how well you prepare, your particular preferences, and how much you want to enjoy. Everything is all up to you.

Nature has been very kind to France and enjoying what the country has to offer lies on the camper himself.