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As we proceed RVing in international locations worldwide, we are able to’t assist however discover all of the completely different facilities and particulars that make every expertise and every nation distinctive. Campervan campsites in France are straightforward to search out. There are “motorhome stopovers” and free locations to remain across the nation.
However on this submit, we dive into official campsites at campgrounds or what within the States you may name “RV parks.” In France, these campgrounds will probably be known as “tenting,” which is fairly fortunate for us English audio system!
We’ve got to begin with what’s EASILY essentially the most lovely campervan campsite I’ve ever seen.
Did We Discover the Greatest Campsite in France?
We discovered it. Effectively, perhaps not the most effective campsite in France, however what can solely be referred to as essentially the most lovely campsite views on the planet.
Watch the video to completely admire the views of this campground within the French Alps.
What are French campsites referred to as?
Campgrounds in France are sometimes called “tenting.” For instance, a campground in Carcassone will probably be referred to as “Tenting Carcassone.” Equally, we stayed at Tenting de la Forêt – Lourdes and Tenting Cimes Chamonix. This interprets roughly to Forest Campsite – Lourdes and Peak Campsite Chamonix (within the cities of Lourdes and Chamonix, respectively). Very easy.
This makes it extraordinarily straightforward to make use of Google Maps to seek for campgrounds within the space you’re seeking to camp. Simply search “tenting,” and these campgrounds will come up.
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How a lot does a French campsite price?
Pricing in France is a bit of completely different than in American campgrounds.
You’ll be charged per particular person and per service, like in case you want electrical energy. In our video, for instance, the campground costs 7,80€ per grownup, 0€ for our child and three-year-old, 6,60€ for the “allotment,” aka our campsite, and 4,20€ for electrical energy. That’s 26,40 € per evening, which was about $25 at our present conversion charge.
We usually didn’t pay greater than $30/evening for a campground (and we all the time paid the additional bit for electrical energy).
Most campsites cost comparable costs, and also you’ll typically discover a pricing chart on the campground web site.
What To Count on at Your French Campsite
When you pay for electrical energy, that’s the primary amenity you’ll get at your campsite.
French campsites are very minimal. You’ll be parked typically within the grass (usually unlevel since a lot of France is hilly and mountainous). There will probably be a divider between your campsites and your neighbors. Within the above video, it was hedges. Nonetheless, most campsites we stayed at after this one used vines to separate websites. Sure, like vines rising grapes to make wine. Welcome to France. 🍷
The vines present a lot much less privateness than hedges however give off that quintessential French vibe you’ll love. (Stroll to the campground bakery—it in all probability has one—and seize a croissant to finish the French vibes.)
That’s about it to your precise campsite.
Personally, I really like the minimalism of French campsites versus American websites. With tiny RVs overseas, the unlevel floor is much less of a difficulty. European RVs don’t want full hookups as a result of they’re constructed otherwise. Plus, parking within the grass offers you a way more genuine “tenting” expertise.
Associated: 16 Variations Between RVing in America and RVing Overseas
What Facilities to Count on When Tenting in France
So what facilities are you able to anticipate in case your campsite is simply unlevel grass and perhaps electrical energy (in case you paid additional for it)?
It relies upon.
Each campground is completely different.
Each campground we camped at supplied:
- A restaurant or bakery (seasonal)
- Playground (in all probability multiple)
- Bathe home
- Bathhouse (Typically separated from showers)
- Dump space for cassette bathroom
- Recent water fill
- Tent tenting space
- Dishwashing station
Most campgrounds we camped at supplied:
- Laundry
- Dump station for gray water
- Bus tickets, shuttles, or different native transport companies
- Youngsters rest room*
- Operating water (rivers, streams, creeks, and so forth)
*Youngsters showers, child bathtubs, decrease entry sinks, and decrease entry bogs and urinals are frequent throughout southern European campgrounds.
Facilities you’ll generally discover:
Many of the campgrounds we noticed had been “mother and pop,” that means owned by locals, not a giant tenting chain. This implies each campground was arrange otherwise and supplied a variety of attainable facilities. In additional touristy areas, we discovered extra facilities out there (particularly swimming pools).
One different word: Laundry will probably be obscenely costly. We paid about $9 per load each time we did laundry!
Do French Campgrounds have WIFI?
Sure. I imply, no. Form of?
Practically each campground stated they supplied wifi (typically free).
Nonetheless, connecting was extraordinarily troublesome, and the sign wouldn’t be very robust if we did join. In order that they supplied wifi, but it surely wasn’t dependable.
We relied on SIM playing cards as an alternative and used our telephones as sizzling spots after we wanted to make use of our computer systems. I particularly used Airalo on my cellphone, an eSIM possibility the place you may designate your nation, what number of days you’ll want the SIM, and the way a lot knowledge you’d like. Airalo solely presents knowledge, not calling.
I bought the one-month EU-wide plan for my iPhone and didn’t use all my knowledge. I steadily streamed movies and music and nonetheless had loads of knowledge left over. (Alternatively, my husband acquired a bodily SIM from Orange for calling choices. His whole prices had been greater than mine, however we did make cellphone calls to campgrounds on his cellphone, so it was price it to have each.)
Are French Campsites Open 12 months-round?
Relying on the world, sure. Nonetheless, most shut for the winter in our expertise. We stayed at one park close to the Pyrenees on the final evening they had been open for the season (October seventh).
Swimming pools additionally shut for the season. We arrived in France in mid-September, and all of the swimming pools had been closed on the campgrounds.
Do French Campground Employees Converse English?
Sure.
Whenever you go to a overseas nation, you have a tendency to choose a couple of phrases you have to know for journey. The place is the practice station? One cappuccino, please. Excuse me. I’m sorry. Thanks.
Learn Subsequent: You must study these phrases in each nation you go to
Equally, this may also be the extent of English that campground employees can converse. You’ll meet trilingual or multilingual employees who can converse fluent English with you. (Bear in mind to be affected person! You’re typically speaking to a Swede fluent in Swedish, French, and English or a German fluent in German, French, English, and Spanish, and so forth.)
However generally, particularly outdoors of main vacationer areas, you’ll discover that employees speaks simply sufficient English for his or her job. They will ask in case you want electrical energy, how many individuals, what dates, and so forth. They will often get you arrange at a campsite with no drawback, but it surely’s harder in case you attempt to have a dialog outdoors of that.
Attempting to speak over the cellphone if making a reservation was the hardest communication barrier, however we may all the time perceive one another face-to-face.
Total, the language barrier was by no means a significant situation—and we converse principally no French.
Ought to I Make Reservations for France Campgrounds?
We made zero reservations earlier than flying to France, however in case you’re visiting within the excessive season (summer time) or have sure spots the place you actually wish to camp, I’d advocate making advance bookings. It’s possible you’ll discover that on-line reserving can even be out there in English (or your most popular language).
Campervan Campsite in France
France is commonly heralded as essentially the most camping-friendly nation in Europe. We undoubtedly discovered that to be the case. (And the views don’t stink both!)
For extra campsite choices, learn: 5 Tenting Choices in France (Free & Paid!)
