France is home to exceptional natural landscapes: a holiday paradise for campers. The natural facets of its more than 632,000 km² of land range from the limestone cliffs of Normandy to the lavender fields of Provence, from the dunes and salt marshes of Nouvelle-Acquitaine to the forests and pink granite coasts of Brittany. Time for a wonderful camping tour through the southwestern neighboring country. To prepare, it is worth taking a look at the most beautiful camping regions in France.
1. Camping tips for France: travel time and regulations
From the optimal travel time to the local regulations – it makes sense to clarify these important points before the trip. The best time for camping in France begins when spring reaches its peak in April and ends in the early autumn months of September. It is most beautiful in the summer months, when nature shows its sunniest side on the coast or in the heart of the country.
As in many other southern European countries, wild camping is generally prohibited in France. In the vicinity of popular sights or frequented beaches, special attention is paid to this. Instead, the country’s approximately 11,000 campsites are suitable for refreshments, and for a limited time (usually for about a week) it is also possible to stop at designated parking lots and rest stops. There are more than 3,000 of these parking and service areas in France. When preparing for the trip, don’t forget the tolls that are charged on the French motorways. If you take these points to heart on your camping trip, you can significantly increase the quality of your camping trip to the neighboring country.
2. Brittany, Corsica, Provence and Co. – The most beautiful camping regions in the country
a) Brittany: granite coasts and Atlantic Ocean
On the western mainland of France lies the country’s largest peninsula: Brittany. Idyllic coastal strips with picturesque rocky landscapes – and in summer pleasant bathing temperatures of usually between 15 and 17 degrees – attract campers from all over the world to Brittany. Sights such as the beautiful Côte de Granit Rose with its lighthouses and the menhirs of Carnac also contribute to this. Many of Brittany’s best campsites are located right by the sea – such as the popular Village L’Océan Breton on an inlet or Port L’Épine. The numerous campsites by the sea border the whole of Brittany, which is why a tour along the entire Breton coastal region can be worthwhile.
b) Normandy: Dreamlike region on the English Channel
In the immediate vicinity of Brittany lies Normandy, whose famous tourist landmark is the monumental coastal structure of Mont-Saint-Michel. Photogenic landscapes are waiting to be explored by nature-loving campers. In addition to the dark chapter of the Second World War, which left its mark on the landing beaches, it is home to unspoilt beaches, the epic cliffs of Étetrat and the home of French Impressionism in Giverny – where Claude Monet’s old house with its lily pond is located. Popular local campsites include Camping Léry-Poses on the Seine, Camping de la Forêt near Rouen and Camping de la plage with a seafront location.
c) Camping on the island of Corsica
A French insider tip for campers are the island landscapes of Corsica. The island offers exceptional nature on its area of 8,759 km² between the La Scandola nature reserve and the bombastic rocky landscape of the Calanche, today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, there are landmarks worth seeing such as the widespread Genoese towers and the island’s capital Ajaccio. Well-known campsites are Camping Village l’Ostriconi on the valley of the same name and Camping Le Bodri on one of the most beautiful beaches in Corsica.
d) The varied landscape of Provence
It gets colourful in Provence, where the magnificent lavender fields unfold in summer between June and August: a fantastic sight for passing campers with motorhomes or caravans. Provence is a hotspot for foodies – known for specialties such as bouillabaisse, ratatouille, tapenade, white nougat and top French wines. The sights range from the picturesque Rhône Valley with historic vineyards to the ochre rocks of the Luberon to historic old towns such as Marseille and Avignon. Well-known camping locations include the modern Camping Verdon Parc and Camping Les Verguettes at the foot of the prominent Mont Ventoux, which rises 1,909 metres in the mountains of Provence.
e) Nouvelle-Acquitaine is a paradise for nature lovers and biodiversity
Finally, the landscapes of Nouvelle-Acquitaine are recommended for campers. Bordeaux’s home region is considered the largest of the French land sections and has highlights to offer campers in particular. In 2016, New Aquitaine was created fresh from Aquitaine, Limousin and Poituou-Charentes. The region offers a contrast to the coastal tours in Brittany and Normandy – even if New Aquitaine itself has some beautiful beaches to offer. However, Nouvelle-Acquitaine also shines with landscape highlights such as the Dune du Pilat, the salt marshes of the Île de Ré, old pine forests and the vineyards of Bordeaux. Camping is ideal for camping, such as Camping Le Paradis with its water park or the tranquil Camping Aux Couleurs Du Ferret. Whether Brittany, Provence or Nouvelle-Aquitaine – the breathtaking landscapes of France invite you to camp close to nature.
