Family Holidays: Camping holidays in France
Take the Family holiday rating 
Why
La plume de ma tente
In France, camping is (as they say in France) de rigeur.
What's more it's an incredibly cost effective way of seeing many of France's top spots – from the natural beauty of the mountains, countryside and beaches to the high fashion glamour of places like Cannes and even Paris from campsites in the nearby Bois de Bologne. And, of course, the grub's always magnifique. And the wine.
If you're considering taking the family camping abroad for the first time then do check out our helpful tips about camping.
- Top left: Pont D'arc
- Top right: Gigny-sur-Saone
- Bottom left: St Tropez
- Bottom right: Frejus
When
Basically, normal camping rules apply. Unless you’re Scott de l’Antartique stick to the dry sunny months, especially with les nippers. Because as they don’t say in France: you’ll shiver en hiver.
How
It depends on your budget.
You can either chuck the tent, the sleeping bags and those little stools in the back of the car, hop on a ferry or Eurostar and drive, drive, drive to your campsite.
Or simply fly by budget airline to one of the many new local airports opening up, hire a car and have all the kit and caboodle waiting for you on arrival at a top luxury site.
Stay
Your family can take their pick from a basic tent to the latest luxury mobile home. And can do it all yourself or choose an operator to help you with your arrangements. Although it can work out a little more expensive, an operator should ensure that your tent or mobile home and facilities at the site meet expectations. Our recommended operators include Canvas Holidays and Siblu
Do
Take the Family’s favourite camping areas in France include:
The South – Sud the expense.
It’s a long drive but well worth it when you get there – great scenery, superb beaches, traditional fishing villages, a relaxed pace of life and almost guaranteed sunshine.
Plus the chance to visit places such as St Tropez, Monaco and Cannes and gape at the yachts of the rich and famous. Then wander into a posh hotel, ask for a room rate and thank your lucky stars that you're under canvas for the same price as a posh lounger on the beach.
Then there’s the incredible sight of the canyon of Gorges du Verdon, a visit to Grasse for mum to take in the perfume distilleries and Aquatica in Frejus for the kids – which includes water slides of every shape and size plus Europe’s largest wave pool.
Ooh La Loire
Camp in lush green countryside, surrounded by rolling countryside and – oh yeah – cracking vineyards. Loads for the family to do – visit stunning chateaux, cycle down winding lanes and even visit Futuroscope where you can see a T-rex come to life in one of over 30 top class audiovisual spectaculars set around a lake.
Other Take the Family favourites include canoeing under the arches of Chateau de Chenonceau, exploring the maze of streets in the old quarter of Tours, watching the Le Mans 24 hour race, climbing to the roof terrace of Chateau de Chambord and just enjoying the view.
Brittany Spears
North Brittany is all rugged coastline and rocky coves. The South offers long stretches of sandy beach and un petit bit more sophistication. Both offer superb treats if you're on a seafood diet (relax, we won’t crack the old see food and eat it gag, don’t worry).
Take the family favourites include exploring the medieval abbey of Mont St Michel – even better by night, strolling round Vannes on market day and tasting local delicacies, walking near Pointe du Raz – the Land’s End of France and looking out over the Atlantic Ocean, counting the 2,395 menhirs at the Standing Stones of Carnac, sailing around the Golfe de Morbihan and viewing the sea birds, staring at the local and exotic marine life in the crab-shape aquarium, Oceanopolis – it’s like seafood centre Brittany’s very own giant lobster tank.
Laze Alps
Ah the fresh air, the pine forests, the meadows – yes – it’s the Alps. You could spend a great week relaxing in Annecy alone – fanatastic water sports, slow leisurely cruises, healthy hikes. Or head for Grenoble – the region’s capital – and catch the cable car to Fort de la Bastille.
Norman Wisdom
Much for the budding young mind here:
The Bayeux Tapestry for starters – 1066 and all that – Battle of Hastings – arrow in the eye – William the Conqueror – impress the nippers with your knowledge of history or sewing – whichever is the greater. Then there’s the D-Day Landing Beaches – Omaha, Juno and Sword – all the violence and mayhem of war one minute followed by the solemn silence of a visit to a nearby war cemetery the next. On a different note, Nausicaa is a fascinating aquarium in Boulogne with countless marine species on show.
And wherever you go in France, carry on camping!
Eat
Your heart out.
Being France, many campsites lay on very reasonable cuisine at very reasonable prices.
And wherever you go, you’re in food and, particularly, kid food heaven.
Croissants.
Pain au Chocolat
Crepes.
Frites.
Omelet
Mousse choccolat.
Magnifique.
OK, they may not be too hot on the old fresh egetables but it is a holiday after all.
Cost
Compared to hotels, villas and cottages, this is the best value way to see France – and for some the most fun as well. Certainly camping is a way of life for many French families – relaxed, good quality, and best of all, well-priced.
Travel reading
by Oliver Berry et al
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