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As we proceed RVing in nations all over the world, we will’t assist however discover all of the completely different facilities and particulars that make every expertise distinctive. Camping in France within the fall was idyllic and right now we’re sharing what you possibly can anticipate at French campgrounds.
Did We Find the Best Campsite in France?
We discovered it. Well, possibly not the most effective tenting in France, however what can solely be often known as probably the most stunning campground views on the earth.
Watch the video to completely respect the views of this campground within the French Alps.
What are French campsites known as?
Surprisingly, campgrounds in France are also known as “camping.”
For instance, a campground in Carcassone might be known as “Camping Carcassone.” Similarly, we stayed at Camping de la Forêt – Lourdes and Camping Cimes Chamonix. This interprets roughly to Forest campsite – Lourdes and Peak Campsite Chamonix (within the cities of Lourdes and Chamonix, respectively). Very simple.
This makes it extraordinarily straightforward to make use of Google Maps to seek for campgrounds within the space you’re trying to camp.
Related: What Campeggi in Italy Are Like
How a lot does a French campsite value?
Pricing in France is somewhat completely different than in American campgrounds.
You’ll be charged per particular person in addition to per service, like in the event you want electrical energy. At the campground in our video, for instance, they cost 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 night time, which was about $25 at our conversion charge.
In basic, we didn’t pay greater than $30/night time for a campground (and we all the time paid the additional bit for electrical energy).
What To Expect at your French Campsite
If 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). There might be a divider between your campsites and your neighbors. In the above video, it was hedges. However, most campsites we stayed at after this one used vines to separate websites. Yes, like vines rising grapes to make wine. Welcome to France. ????
The vines present a lot much less privateness than hedges, however give off that French vibe you’re searching for. (Walk to the campgrounds bakery—it in all probability has one—and seize a croissant to finish the French vibes.)
That’s about it to your 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 have the necessity for full hookups as a result of they’re constructed otherwise. Plus being parked within the grass provides you a way more genuine “camping” expertise.
Related: 16 Differences Between RVing in America and RVing Abroad
What Amenities to Expect When Camping in France
So in case your campsite is simply unlevel grass and possibly electrical energy in the event you paid for it, what facilities are you able to anticipate?
It relies upon.
Every campground is completely different.
Every campground we camped at provided:
- A restaurant or bakery (seasonal)
- Playground (in all probability multiple)
- Shower home
- Bathhouse (Often separated from showers)
- Dump space for cassette rest room
- Fresh water fill
- Tent tenting space
- Dishwashing station
Most campgrounds we camped at provided:
- Laundry
- Dump station for gray water
- Bus tickets, shuttles, or different native transport companies
- Kids lavatory*
- Running water (rivers, streams, creeks, and so forth)
*Kids showers, child bathtubs, decrease entry sinks, and decrease entry bathrooms and urinals are widespread throughout campgrounds in southern Europe.
Amenities you’ll generally discover:
Most of the campgrounds we noticed have been “mom and pop,” that means owned by locals not an enormous tenting chain. This means each campground was arrange otherwise and provided a variety of potential facilities. In extra touristy areas, we discovered extra facilities accessible (particularly swimming pools).
One different be aware: Laundry might be obscenely costly. We paid about $9 per load each time we did laundry.
Do French Campgrounds have WIFI?
Yes. I imply, no. Kind of?
Nearly each campground mentioned they provided wifi (typically free).
However, it was extraordinarily troublesome to attach and if we did join, the sign wasn’t very sturdy.
We relied on SIM playing cards as an alternative and used our telephones as scorching spots once we wanted to make use of our computer systems. I particularly used Airalo on my cellphone, an eSIM choice the place you possibly can designate your nation and what number of days you’ll want the SIM in addition to how a lot information you’d like. For my iPhone, I bought a one-month plan and didn’t use all my information. I regularly streamed movies and music and nonetheless had loads information left over. (My husband, however, bought a bodily SIM from Orange so he may have calling choices.)
Are French Campsites Open Year-round?
Depending on the realm, sure. However, most shut for the winter in our expertise. We stayed at one park close to the Pyrenees on the final night time they have been open for the season (October seventh).
Pools additionally shut for the season. We arrived in France in mid-September and all of the swimming pools have been closed on the campgrounds already.
Do French Campground Staff Speak English?
Yes.
When you go to a international nation, you have a tendency to choose a number of phrases you could know for journey. Where is the prepare station? One cappuccino, please. Excuse me. I’m sorry. Thank you.
When I say sure that the campground employees speaks English, that is sort of what I imply. You will meet trilingual or multilingual employees who can converse fluent English with you. (Remember 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.)
But extra generally, particularly exterior of main vacationer areas, you’ll discover that employees speaks simply sufficient English for his or her job. Asking you in the event you want electrical energy, how many individuals, what dates, and so forth. They can often get you arrange at a campsite with no drawback, however in the event you attempt to have dialog exterior of that, it’s harder.
Trying to speak over the cellphone in the event you’re making a reservation was the hardest communication barrier, however face-to-face we may all the time find yourself understanding one another.
Overall, the language barrier was by no means a significant problem—and we converse principally no French.
Related: 6 Ways to Travel Intentionally with Kids
Should I Make Reservations for France Campgrounds?
We made zero reservations earlier than flying to France, however in the event you’re visiting within the high-season (summer season) or have sure spots the place you actually wish to camp, I’d advocate making advance bookings. You might discover that on-line reserving might be accessible in English (or your most popular language) as properly.
Conclusion
France is usually heralded as probably the most camping-friendly nation in Europe. We undoubtedly discovered that to be the case. (And the views don’t stink both!)
