With so much to explore, there are plenty of reasons to go camping in France. We put together this guide covering things like what to expect at campsites in France, plus where to rent a campervan or RV, and how to prepare for your trip.
Written by guest authors: Veerle and Koen
From ancient castles to buzzing cities, mountains, coastlines and endless forests, France is a country full of adventures for every kind of traveler. It’s also the perfect place to plan a camping road trip!
Camping in France is very accessible as there are over 11,000 campgrounds in the country to choose from. The roads are easy to navigate in an RV or campervan, and camping in France is very safe.
If you are considering camping in France but you are not sure what to expect, we got you! In this detailed camping guide, we’ve outlined everything you need to know—from rules specific to camping in France to what to expect at French campsites—for you to plan the ultimate camping trip in France.
France camping guide
- Our experience camping in France
- Rules for camping in France
- Tent camping vs. RV/campervan
- France camping rentals
- How to find campsites in France
- Best campsites in France
- France camping FAQs
- What to pack for camping in France
Our experience camping in France
We are Koen and Veerle, from the Netherlands. We grew up spending almost every summer camping in France.
This year we bought our own RV together and spent 50 days camping and road tripping through the country. It’s safe to say we have a pretty good idea what camping in France looks like.
During our last trip we spent time in Normandy, Brittany, Occitania, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. We also drove through some other regions.
What we love most about camping in France is the authentic beauty. The country is filled with these ‘hidden gems’. We have encountered so many unexpected castles, cozy villages and artsy shops.
France just never gets boring. You could easily spend months traveling France and still be surprised by its scenery.
Plus, camping in France is super relaxed. There is really such a laid back atmosphere at every campground. To us, France is the ultimate camping destination in Europe.
Rules for camping in France
The rules for camping in France vary from campground to campground, but we’ve outlined a few things you’ll need to know below.
Check in/ check out time
In general, campgrounds, just like hotels, have check in and check out times. At most campgrounds you are welcome between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Check out time is usually between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
In our experience however, a lot of campgrounds are quite flexible with these rules.
Noise disturbances
Another rule at most campgrounds in France is the time of which all camping guests are required to limit their noise disturbances. This time is usually around 10:00 p.m.
Water tank dumping
If you are traveling by RV or campervan with water tanks, listen up… several campgrounds in France have regulations about the chemicals you can dump in their sewer system. Some require you to use eco-friendly chemicals in order to be allowed to empty your toilet waste.
Swimming pools
On the average campground in France, basic swimwear is required. This means swim shorts for men and either a bathing suit or bikini for women. Swimming with clothes on, such as a regular t-shirt is often not allowed.
Several campground swimming pools have regulations for the type of swimwear required—specifically swimming trousers for men. This refers to the longer swimming trousers. At these pools, men are required to wear briefs or boxers.
Some swimming pools require you to wear swimming caps. When this is the case you can almost always buy a swimming cap at the campground itself.
We personally have often seen signage that suggested strict rules about swimwear but we have rarely seen them being enforced.
Swimming naked or even sunbathing topless for women is not allowed on the average campground in France. If you wish to do so, we recommend visiting one of the naturist campgrounds in France.
Campsite usage
We have encountered campgrounds where there are rules for the use of your campsite. For example, regulations for where you can hang a clothing line for drying your clothes.
Often there are also rules for the use of barbecue grills. Some campsites require you to always have a unit of water next to your barbeque. Other campgrounds offer specific areas for barbecuing, and in some campsites it is not allowed.
Separating waste
France is pretty strict when it comes to separating their waste. At each campground you will find different garbage bins for plastics, paper, glass and general waste. Please try and throw away your waste accordingly.
Psst! Read more of our tips for reducing plastic waste!
Campground ratings
When you go camping in France, you might notice that each campground has a star rating. The stars are earned through the available facilities on that specific campground. Another factor is the size of the individual campsites.
It has only been possible for campgrounds to earn 5 stars since 2013. It is important to keep this in mind when looking for a campground.
We would like to state that we have been to campgrounds with all different ratings. The biggest difference in our experience is in the amount of facilities offered. A 5 star rated campground has a lot more amenities than a 3 star rated spot.
However, we have experienced great sanitary conditions at even 2 star rated campgrounds with large campsites and great restaurants. Don’t let the campgrounds with 2 or 3 stars scare you away!
Environmental zones
France has a few environmental zones. These are mostly located near or in larger cities such as Paris and Marseille. To drive through these areas, you will need to buy an environmental sticker.
The required stickers are very cheap but mandatory. The sticker you need differs for each type of vehicle. You can buy them online.
Heads up: the website is in French so make sure you Google to translate everything.
Once you receive them, you simply place them in the corner of your front window, visible to the outside.
The website only allows you to buy a sticker for vehicles with a European registration.
They only ship the stickers within the European continent. Keep in mind that it might take a few weeks for the sticker to be shipped to you.
While the environmental zones can be avoided, the sticker is very cheap and you never know where you might end up driving. If the sticker does not arrive on time don’t worry, proof of payment will be enough!
If you are planning on renting a camper in France, most camper rental companies include the environmental stickers. We do advise you to check with your rental company of choice to avoid being fined.
Toll Roads
France has many toll roads. These roads are well maintained and offer good resting areas. They are often the fastest way to get from point A to point B.
However, toll roads can be quite costly. The average price is about 10 cents per kilometer. You can pay on these roads by card so no need to get cash.
Toll roads can be avoided but if you want to take the more accessible and faster route, we definitely recommend taking the toll roads.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not a legal requirement for traveling to France, however it is mandatory if you are planning on staying for longer than 90 days*. We do strongly recommend getting travel insurance regardless of the length of your stay because you never know what might happen.
Psst! Check out our travel insurance comparison article to see which is the right policy for you!
*As an American visiting France on a tourist visa, you will be allowed to stay up to 90 days in a 180 period.
Tent Camping vs. RVing
Camping in a tent can be a very different experience than camping with an RV or campervan in France. Both come with their own pros and cons.
Tent camping
Also referred to as car camping, tent camping means you will be staying in tent campsites and pitching your own tent along the way.
Let’s start with the good stuff…
Pros
While camping in a tent might be a little more basic, you will surely feel like you’re outside in nature. Hearing the birds in the morning and waking up to the light of the upcoming sun is a wonderful experience.
For some people, this is what camping is all about, spending time outside in nature.
When you go camping with a tent and you are traveling by car, you will have the advantage of being able to leave your camp setup while out exploring in your car for the day. You will not have to clean anything up or fasten all your loose items as with an RV or campervan.
Cars are cheaper to rent than campervans and RVs. You can rent a car in France for as little as 60 euro per day, even during peak season! Whereas the price of renting a campervan in France is usually upwards of 100 euro per day (and often has a minimum days requirement).
Another pro of tent camping is that the cost of tent campsites. Compared to RV hookup sites, tent campsites are often much cheaper in France.
Cons
Setting up a tent takes time. Some tents are very easy and quick to set up but larger tents can take some time to set up. Especially if you also count the time it takes to pump up those air mattresses.
Tents are more sensitive to weather conditions. They can easily get very hot in the summer but if the nights are cold, you might spend the night shivering in your sleeping bag. During strong winds you might also experience some discomfort in your tent.
Most tents don’t offer the same amenities that campervans and RVs offer. A tent won’t have a flushing toilet or a fridge. These amenities can, of course, be bought but they often don’t offer the same comfort and take time to set up.
When you’re camping with a tent in France, you will always have to stay at a campground. Wild camping with tents is forbidden in France.
RVing
There are many different kinds of recreational vehicles, from campervans to pull behinds to full on buses. For the purposes of this article, we’re going to group these together as they often offer the same level of basic amenities: an “indoor” bed, small kitchen facilities, and sometimes a toilet or even shower.
Just like with tent camping, RVing comes with its own set of pros and cons.
Pros
One of the biggest advantages of RVing is the fact that setting up takes virtually no time at all. It usually is a matter of leveling your RV, plugging in the electrics and pulling some switches.
Another pro of RVing is all the amenities you have with you. Having your own toilet, kitchen and bed is a luxury while camping in France.
RVing also allows you to take a lot of luggage with you. RV’s have quite some storage space and everything can stay in its place. This makes the trip very organized.
One of our favorite advantages however is being able to camp for free. In France there are a lot of free RV camping spaces. If your RV is self-sufficient (aka you have your own waste-disposal system aka toilet) you will be able to save a lot of money by camping on these free campgrounds.
Cons
RVs are expensive. Even renting a campervan in France is overall quite pricey. We will go deeper into this later in this article.
Not only is the vehicle expensive, the fuel that runs the larger motor is also not cheap. As RVs and campervans are overall quite heavy (when compared to small cars), they are not very fuel efficient.
RVs above 3.5 tons in weight are not allowed on all roads. We have encountered many roads where you are not allowed to enter if your vehicle weighs more than 3.5 tons.
Now keep in mind that there are many vehicles including RVs on the roads in France that are heavier so there is a way to work around these roads. It is good to know however that you might not be able to drive to some destinations if you drive a larger RV.
RVs get messy really quickly. In order to keep your little home on wheels neat and tidy, you will need to be disciplined and keep up with the cleaning. Laundry and dishes pile up easily and in a small space, a mess is easily made.
RVing means you are in theory very mobile as you simply have your home in the back. However, once you set up for camping and you feel like driving to a popular attraction, you will notice that you are not that mobile. Getting your RV ready to drive takes some time and work.
Camping rentals in France
If you want to travel by RV but you don’t want to buy one, no problem! France has plenty of great RV rental options.
The first aspect we have to take into account is your starting point. Let’s say you’re flying in from abroad, France has ten big international airports. Renting an RV from each of these airports will not be a problem if you rent with any of the following companies.
Motorhome Republic
Our go-to place to find the best campervan rentals in a particular destination is Motorhome Republic. This is an aggregate platform (kind of like what Booking.com is for hotels or what Discover Cars is for car rentals) that rounds up all the options in one place so you can easily compare them.
We really like using their filters because you can input the number of travelers, and other important features like “automatic transmission” and amenities like a toilet or shower.
Additionally, you can choose to display options within a price range or filter by highest reviews, making it a really handy and user-friendly tool.
Roadsurfer
Roadsurfer is another RV rental company that operates in France, and we’ve heard good things about them.
They rent both motorhomes and campervans and their prices vary for each type of vehicle. The average cost per night for an RV on Roadsurfer is between 100 and 150 euros per night.
The great thing about Roadsurfer is that the RVs are in very good condition. Another advantage is that they offer a lot of add ons for your trip such as camping chairs, a camping table, a child seat in the back and a lot more.
The best part is that you get a full kitchen box package for free with your rental. This package includes basically all you need to cook easy camping meals in your van.
Roadsurfer offers free unlimited kilometers for your trip and you can add another driver for free.
RV rentals through personal hosts
Outdoorsy, is a company much like Airbnb for RVs and gives you options to rent from private owners, no matter your location, budget, or style. In addition to campervans, you’ll also find tow-behind trailers and RV rentals.
You simply select your preferred pick up location and the dates of your trip. Outdoorsy will then show you all the available RVs for rental with the prices per day. You can pick a vehicle that you’re interested in and contact the owner. Share your travel plans and make sure the vehicle matches your wishes.
Once you find the perfect vehicle for your trip, you can easily book it online. You pay via the website. The average cost for RV rental is between 80 and 150 euros per night so they can vary a lot.
Please note that there is always a deposit to be paid and you will need to show them your driver’s license. Keep in mind that in France, for RVs heavier than 3,5 tons, you will need a special license.
What we like about this website is that it is very easy and it offers a lot of options. Once you have made a booking you can stay in contact about any complaints or difficulties you might encounter during your travels.
For more rental options, check out our complete guide to renting a campervan in France. It’s packed with tips and essential information that will be a huge help as you plan your trip.
Camping gear rental
If you are planning on camping in France but you don’t have or want to pack your own camping gear, not a problem.
Les Petits Montagnards is a company that offers camping gear rentals in France. They offer many different tents with all the extra gear necessary for a successful camping trip. They also offer different packages depending on your needs.
This company can deliver your rental gear to you personally. Just be sure you make a reservation ahead of time.
If you are not looking to travel with a tent but simply want to travel to a tent, that’s possible to…
Nowadays, many campgrounds offer the option of renting a fully furnished tent to stay in. These tents can be very luxurious like the popular safari tents. However, many campgrounds now also offer more basic rental tents. These offer a great camping experience and are more budget friendly.
How to find campsites in France
There are multiple ways to find campsites in france. These are the camping apps we like to use the most in France. They work in very similar ways and can be used for free (and have paid versions with more features).
Camper contact
Camper contact is an app that helps you find campgrounds and camper parking spots. The app is specifically designed for campervan/RV travelers. It is easy to use and offers many filters. You can simply scroll through the map of the area you are interested in staying in and have the app show you all available campground options.
We have used this app a lot and found some great free campgrounds with lots of amenities. We’ve also used it to find good campgrounds to stay for longer periods of time.
We like that the app shows good reviews and offers pictures. In comparison to Park 4 night, camper contact has the option to filter on the price per night.
Camper contact does not offer the option to make a reservation for a campsite, but often they show the website, email and or phone number of the campsite.
Park 4 night
Park 4 night is much like Camper Contact and is a great app to help you find the perfect camping spot. This application is also just for RV travelers.
You can have the app search specific areas for possible campgrounds but also for RV service points. This app also offers the option to find parking spots for RVs and shows you regular campgrounds that offer multiple camping options.
We used this app a lot as it makes finding a camp spot for the night in a specific location so convenient. The applications show a lot of information such as the availability of water, a toilet or electricity poles.
Park 4 night, just like Camper Contact, does not offer the option to make a reservation for a camp spot. It does however sometimes offer you the option to get in contact with the campground.
ACSI camping Europe
ACSI stands for Auto Camper Service Internationally. This organization is a Europe-wide collective specializing in campgrounds.
The site details over 9000 campgrounds in Europe. In France alone they have over 2600 connected campgrounds. You can find all information on their website, app or in one of their many camping books.
In their camping guides and on their website they always show a very clear oversight of all the facilities each campground offers.
If you are planning on doing a lot of camping in France, we recommend you register for the ACSI camping card. This is not expensive and will get you some nice discounts at the ACSI connected campgrounds.
CKE
CKE stands for Camping Key Europe. Much like ACSI, it is an organization that reviews campgrounds.
They also offer a camping card that you can order online. With this camping card you can get discounts at hundreds of campsites all throughout France. They have a good website with a campground map where you can easily find all campgrounds by location.
Allcamps
Allcamps is an organization that has over 250 campgrounds in France. They offer a wide range of campgrounds on their website. They have a lot of filters which makes it easier to find a campground that suits your needs.
Best campsites in France
Over the years we have seen our fair share of campgrounds in France. What you seek in a campground is a personal preference.
We personally like campgrounds that are not too big (under 200 campsites) and prefer campgrounds with either a swimming pool, a lake or a river for swimming.
We select our campgrounds based on location, reviews and facilities. For us it is important that they offer clean and modern sanitary facilities. We like green campsites with lots of trees.
Here are some of our favorite campsites in France.
Camping Camp Redon
- Location: near Cordes-sur-Ciel in Occitania
- Star-rating: 3 star
- Facilities: swimming pool, restaurant, bread service, animation, playground
- Google Maps location
This small campground is perfect if you are looking for a laidback campsite in a great location. The campground is located in the “Tarn” area, within driving distance of Albi and Cordes- sur- ciel.
The site has a small swimming pool and a clean sanitary building. Camp Redon organizes several activities for adults as well as for children all throughout the high season. We once joined a kayaking trip which was a lot of fun.
Camping La Salendrinque
- Location: southern France, 1 hour north of Montpellier
- Star-rating: 3 star
- Facilities: swimming pool, bread service, small restaurant, river access, activity organization
- Google Maps Location
This campground (we visited recently) has a really nice vibe to it. The staff was very friendly and the location is next to a river. The campground itself is relatively small and very green
The campground also has a swimming pool and basically all facilities needed for a great stay. In the areas there are a lot of hikes and bicycle routes.
Camping La Croix du Vieux Pont
- Location: 1.5 hours northeast of Paris in Berny-Rivière
- Star-rating: 5 star
- Facilities: multiple swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), multiple restaurants, camping shop, nightclub, bar, animation, climbing wall, archery, bowling alley, arcade, lasergame, indoor basketball courts, tennis court, activity lake, kayaking, kids kart course, indoor playground, minigolf, trampoline, gym, beach volleyball
- Google Maps location
This is a very different type of campground but we want to include it as it is a great option if you are looking for a larger campground with lots of facilities.
The campground has mostly mobile homes but also camping spaces. This campground is every child’s dream. It has multiple swimming pools with waterslides. There is an extensive animation program for all ages. There is a nightclub for adults and even a fake beach.
Truth be told, the sanitary buildings could use an upgrade. If you are planning on staying here, we advise you to bring a bike because the campground is very spread out.
Camping Le Pech Charmant
- Location: Central France – Les Eyzies
- Star-rating: 4 star
- Facilities: swimming pool, bread service, restaurant, animation, activity organization
- Google Maps Location
This lovely campground in Dordogne was a great surprise. It is run by a Dutch couple and is very well maintained.
They have a swimming pool and a great activity program for all ages. We had the best time doing a food and wine tasting with many other camping guests.
The campground is surrounded by forest and feels very private. A very nice option if you are planning on going to the Dordogne. Note that this campground is on the more expensive side.
Campground organizations in France
France has a number of large organizations that run campsites throughout the country. No guide to camping in France would be complete without mentioning these campsite chains.
Flower Campings
Flower Campings is an organization with several nice campgrounds all over France. These campgrounds are very well maintained with clean and modern sanitary facilities.
We especially liked that they put in an effort to be environmentally friendly! For their swimming pools they use an environmentally friendly method to filter the water for example.
We spent a week at Flower Camping de l’Olivigne and had a great time.
Capfun
Capfun is a family-run French camping company. They have more than 160 campgrounds spread across France.
Their mission is: ‘To let you experience the family holiday that you dreamed of as a child’. To make this true every Capfun campground is filled with things to do. From swimming pools to minidisco’s, all campgrounds have something to offer.
Yelloh! Village
With 85 campgrounds in France, Yelloh! Village strives to be a paradis for children across the country. In the Yelloh! Villages there is something to do for all ages. The extensive campgrounds offer all amenities for a luxury stay.
Best free camping spots for RVs
During our 50-day road trip through France, we have spent many nights on free campgrounds. Here are our favorites:
Camping du Nohain
We found this spot via Camper Contact. This free campsite is next to a soccer field in a little village. It has a wastewater station and a public toilet. It is surrounded by trees and has clear marked camping spots for RVs. The best part is that it has free electricity!
Aire de camping-cars Empurany
This free campground was a great find. It has free electricity, a clean public toilet, and a level parking spot.
The best part though was the view. This campground overlooks the mountains and is situated halfway a stunning valley.
France camping FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about camping in France.
Is France good for camping?
Yes, and for many reasons!
The first being that the country has many well-maintained campgrounds.
The second is that the country itself has so much to offer for all ages and preferences. It is a great country for outdoor activities such as hiking, bicycling and water sports.
France also has so much culture with its picturesque historic villages and castles. It is filled with great museums and cities.
The roads are very accessible for all kinds of vehicles including RVs. The weather for camping is good for about 6 months a year (from April to September). This does vary though for the different regions.
Does France allow wild camping?
No, but there are several free campgrounds all throughout France. You are allowed to camp on private ground if you have permission of the owner but this wouldn’t be considered wild camping.
Can you park a camper anywhere in France?
Not exactly. As we mentioned above, there is no wild camping in France, so it isn’t legal to spend the night parked just anywhere.
Also, on some parking spaces you will encounter height restrictions that might make them inaccessible for some RVs. However, some parking lots have a designated area for campers.
If you are planning on spending the night in a parking lot, please check for any signs on whether it is or it is not allowed to spend the night.
How much does it cost to camp in France?
This depends very much on the location and the time. You can make it as affordable as you like when it comes to campsites.
The campground prices in France range from free up to 100 euros a night, depending on the facilities.
Is there free camping in France?
Yes! There are many free campgrounds in France. Most are quite basic though, and only offer the bare minimum.
Keep in mind that free campgrounds are only allowed for RVs and campervans, not tent camping.
Do you need to book campsites in France?
France is a very popular camping destination so during the high season, this is definitely recommended. The high season is from June till August.
During the low season, you should be fine without a reservation. Please note that many campgrounds are closed during low season so check their website in advance.
What to pack for camping in France
Packing for camping in France is much like packing for any camping trip. However, there are some items that we recommend you to put on top of your list.
Here is a short list of items you shouldn’t forget on your next camping trip to France:
- Water hose or water jerry can: Filling up your water tank in France can sometimes be done easily with a water hose. Sometimes however, they will not fit onto the tap so make sure to bring a jerry can to fill up your water tank.
- Tension straps: Especially if you’re camping near the coast, the winds can be strong. If you are camping with a tent, make sure to bring tension straps.
- Leveling blocks: When camping with an RV, these are definitely a must. We have encountered many campsites that have uneven ground.
- Environmental sticker: Make sure you order your environmental sticker for France on time. This can be done online.
- Blue parking disc: Some parking spots in France require you to put a Blue parking disc on your dashboard. These are usually in rural areas and are referred to as “Blue zones.”
- Reusable grocery bags: Unlike other countries, in France, they don’t hand out free bags for your groceries.
- Laundry bag: Washing machines might be located at the other side of the campsite. A laundry bag will make the trip to the laundry room a lot easier.
- Washing lines: Not all campgrounds have dryers for your laundry. If you want to dry your laundry, you will need to dry it outside.
- Bread knife: In France, the baguette is sacred. Make sure you bring a good knife to enjoy the local fresh bread.
- Jeu de boules or other lawn games: This might not be an essential of course, but the French are crazy about this simple relaxing ball game. At some campsites, you can rent them but if you already own them, make sure to bring them!
- Hazard sign: If you plan on bringing any bicycles with you on the back of your vehicle, it is mandatory to attach a hazard sign but only if it sticks out for more than a meter.
About the guest authors
Veerle and Koen are two content creators from the Netherlands and the owners of RVTravelUps. They share a passion for travel, good food and nature. Together with their RV ‘Gary’ they are trying to see the most beautiful areas in Europe. They both like to write about their adventures and hope you will like it too!
Love the idea of campervan trips around the world?
Us too (hence why we keep booking campervan trips!).
Here are some more ideas for you to bookmark for future travels:
- Scotland Campervan Rental Guide
- Iceland Campervan Rental Guide
- New Zealand Campervan Rental Guide
- Ireland Campervan Rental Guide
- UK Campervan Guide
- Italy Campervan Rental Guide
- USA Campervan Rental Guide
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