Camping in France?

Question

Is it true that in France along the major road routes there are plenty of basic campsites that you can use for the night without booking?

Answer 1

correct - and they're pretty cheap. and if you get caught out, there is a network of "Gites" - fairly cheap guesthouses...

http://www.gites-de-france.com/gites/uk/...

Answer 2

true. however, if you go to the south of france during summer, I would try to check in advance. These camps can get pretty crowded. From what I remember, most along the major roads can get very noisy. Check out "le guide du routard," french forums... as there are families (in mostly rural areas) that offer rooms to rent. My family did before we moved here.

Answer 3

Look at the Alan Rogers caravanning/camping book.

Also Michellen camp site guide.

Answer 4

It depends on the month. In August, plenty of French people go on holiday. And in July, a lot of people also go to France (German and Dutch people often go camping in France). But, usually, you should be able to find something.

There are a lot of cheap ones. The quality is not great, but who would want to listen to a terrible entertainer and see an awful show? (I'm French, and worked on a French campsite for 5 years... )

Gites des France are nice, but it's more expensive.

Even most small villages usually have a local camp site. It's just a place where you can take a shower and where they have lavatories (they are cleaned), really, but it's extremely cheap! I used to live in a village (100 inhabitants), and we had a "campsite", and I think it was about 3€/day or something like that! You might need to get to those places before the end of the day, as they are run by the town hall.

Answer 5

if there are i didnt notice any but i wasnt really looking there are what they call aire which are rest stops with toilet facilities sometimes with garages and cafes, i have made use of one of these to sleep overnight in a caravan

Answer 6

These are the Camping Municipal sites run by the French towns and villages. http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/foru...

Answer 7

France is the most popular destination for campers and caravanners in Europe and has the best infrastructure to support this position, there are many campsites along all major roads ( RN or routes national ) many run by local town councils, and on their toll motorways ( A or autoroute) they provided free of charge parking and piq-niq areas for caravans, some with electrical hook ups.

I have travelled to France camping and caravaning since 1968 and have never booked ahead and have always been able to find a good camp site. Michelin produce a very good camping guide.