There are many beautiful places in which you can experience camping holidays in France, anywhere from the beautiful bays of Brittany, to the lush forests of Aquitaine. France is one of the few countries in the world whose citizens prefer to remain inside its borders rather than go abroad on holiday, a testament to the incredible diversity in landscapes and experiences all throughout the country. Camping is such an amazing opportunity to bond with your kids in the wilderness, away from the screens which have taken over modern society, and France provides so many different places to accomplish this in. Wherever you go in France, you will have an amazing camping holiday, and here are a few places you might consider below!
1. Brittany
Brittany, known as Bretagne in French, is a peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic on the north-west side of France. It is well known for its unique Celtic culture, recognised by UNESCO, as well as its absolutely stunning beaches, such as Dominion Beach or Rospico Cove . You can choose between going to one of Brittany’s numerous official campsites, located all throughout the region, or you can choose to go off the beaten track and camp in the countryside yourself. It is popular amongst British tourists due to easy access on the ferry from ports on the English Channel, and is well-served for tourists from other countries with international flights into Nantes, Rennes, and Brest, as well as good transport links to the rest of France. So if you go to Brittany, bon voyage, or beaj vat as the locals would say.
2. Normandy
Home of the picturesque Mont-Saint-Michel as well as the bustling towns of Rouen and Caen, Normandy is one of the most popular spots in France for camping. Like Brittany, it has a stunning coast on the English Channel well-served by ferries, as well as a beautiful countryside. Historically, Normandy was a thriving centre of anything and everything happening in Europe, and there still remains a strong sense of awe for anyone visiting the region, with castles dotted all around the landscape, and a potential to visit the D-Day landing sites as well. Normandy is full of well-established campsites,and you are sure to have a fantastic time if you choose to go there for your french camping trip.
3. PACA
Colloquially known as Provence, this region is widely considered the most beautiful in all France. Comprised of the glamorous Côte d’Azur to the south, and the magnificent Alps to the north, all with a stunning countryside in the middle, Provence is the place to go if you want to guarantee sunshine on your holidays. With an average temperature of 27 degrees during the summer, Provence allows you to get that beautiful Mediterranean climate without it getting too sweltering. In addition to the beautiful landscape, there are also the hotspots of Marseille, Nice, and Cannes to visit, as well as the neighboring principality of Monaco. Transport to Provence is easy, with international airports in the major cities. Provence also abounds in natural parks, so wherever you go in Provence, you will have the camping holiday of a lifetime.
4. Aquitaine
Aquitaine, situated in the southeast of France with the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Pyrenees to the south, is considered one of the most beautiful places in France. It has long stretches of unspoiled coastline, including the Dune du Pilat, the tallest sand dune in Europe, famous for its paragliding. The largest city in Aquitaine is Bordeaux which has so many things to do, including a recently-opened wine museum known as the Cité du Vin. in addition to the coastline and the bustling cities, Aquitaine also has many ski resorts in the Pyrenees, ensuring a fun day out for anyone on camping holiday!
5. Occitanie
Occitanie, home to the wonderful Occitan language, is the southernmost region of mainland France. It has many beautiful towns, including Toulouse, famous for its pink architecture, and well-walled Carcassonne, as well as Nimes, Montpellier and Perpignan. Its sunny Mediterranean shores are popular for diving, kitesurfing, as well as sunbathing, whilst it also has numerous Pyrenean ski resorts and forests inland. Many numerous campsites exist throughout the region, within a wide range of prices. The main airports for getting to Occitanie are Toulouse, Montpellier, and Loudres, and road and rail links with the rest of France also exist, as well as easy access from neighboring Spain.
I loved travelling across Europe as a student and the thought of doing this again with my family sounds awesome .There exist so many wonderful options across the whole of France for camping, whether in the rugged wonder of the North, or the tranquil sunshine of the South. I hope that you will have seen somewhere you like the look of here, and have an amazing time on your camping holiday in France!
