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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 simple to seek out. There are “motorhome stopovers” and free locations to remain across the nation.
However on this put up, we dive into official campsites at campgrounds or what within the States you may name “RV parks.” In France, these campgrounds might be known as “tenting,” which is fairly fortunate for us English audio system!
We have now to begin with what’s EASILY probably the most lovely campervan campsite I’ve ever seen.
Did We Discover the Greatest Campsite in France?
We discovered it. Properly, possibly not the perfect campsite in France, however what can solely be often called probably the most lovely campsite views on the earth.
Watch the video to completely respect 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 might 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 simple to make use of Google Maps to seek for campgrounds within the space you’re trying to camp. Simply search “tenting,” and these campgrounds will come up.
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How a lot does a French campsite value?
Pricing in France is somewhat completely different than in American campgrounds.
You’ll be charged per individual and per service, like if you happen to want electrical energy. In our video, for instance, the campground expenses 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 price.
We typically 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 related costs, and also you’ll typically discover a pricing chart on the campground web site.
What To Count on at Your French Campsite
If you happen to 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 (sometimes unlevel since a lot of France is hilly and mountainous). There might be a divider between your campsites and your neighbors. Within the above video, it was hedges. Nevertheless, 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 problem. European RVs don’t want full hookups as a result of they’re constructed in another way. Plus, parking within the grass provides 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 count on in case your campsite is simply unlevel grass and possibly electrical energy (if you happen to 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 a couple of)
- Bathe home
- Bathhouse (Usually separated from showers)
- Dump space for cassette bathroom
- Contemporary 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 lavatory*
- Working water (rivers, streams, creeks, and so on)
*Youngsters showers, child bathtubs, decrease entry sinks, and decrease entry bathrooms and urinals are frequent throughout southern European campgrounds.
Facilities you’ll generally discover:
A lot of the campgrounds we noticed have been “mother and pop,” that means owned by locals, not an enormous tenting chain. This implies each campground was arrange in another way and supplied a variety of potential facilities. In additional touristy areas, we discovered extra facilities accessible (particularly swimming pools).
One different observe: Laundry might be obscenely costly. We paid about $9 per load each time we did laundry!
Do French Campgrounds have WIFI?
Sure. I imply, no. Type of?
Almost each campground stated they supplied wifi (typically free).
Nevertheless, connecting was extraordinarily tough, and the sign wouldn’t be very robust if we did join. In order that they supplied wifi, however it wasn’t dependable.
We relied on SIM playing cards as a substitute and used our telephones as scorching 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 provides knowledge, not calling.
I bought the one-month EU-wide plan for my iPhone and didn’t use all my knowledge. I continuously 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 complete prices have 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 Yr-round?
Relying on the world, sure. Nevertheless, most shut for the winter in our expertise. We stayed at one park close to the Pyrenees on the final evening they have 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 have been closed on the campgrounds.
Do French Campground Employees Communicate English?
Sure.
If you go to a overseas nation, you have a tendency to choose a number of phrases you’ll want to know for journey. The place is the prepare station? One cappuccino, please. Excuse me. I’m sorry. Thanks.
Learn Subsequent: You must be taught these phrases in each nation you go to
Equally, this may also be the extent of English that campground workers can communicate. You’ll meet trilingual or multilingual workers who can communicate fluent English with you. (Keep 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 workers speaks simply sufficient English for his or her job. They’ll ask if you happen to want electrical energy, how many individuals, what dates, and so on. They’ll normally get you arrange at a campsite with no drawback, however it’s harder if you happen to 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 difficulty—and we communicate mainly no French.
Ought to I Make Reservations for France Campgrounds?
We made zero reservations earlier than flying to France, however if you happen to’re visiting within the excessive season (summer season) or have sure spots the place you actually need to camp, I might advocate making advance bookings. Chances are you’ll discover that on-line reserving may also be accessible in English (or your most well-liked language).
Campervan Campsite in France
France is usually heralded as probably the most camping-friendly nation in Europe. We positively 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!)