Campsites in South France?

Question

Hey, basically me and my friend Aron, possibly some other friends of ours want to go to a campsite in South France at around the 28th of May for about 10 days. We want somewhere very cheap and very close to the beach. We don't want a place that's necessarily got a huge pool is family orientated as usually places like that cost more money. We don't really care if we have to bring our own tent or not but we are wondering if anyone has a rough idea of how much it will cost and are there any recommendations? We will probably coach it over as that is cheapest- another thing, we are both 17- will we be able to stay at a campsite legally- I look older than my age though so will I get away with the campsite? I mean they won't ask for ID though on our way in or anything will they? :S My mum has given me permisssion to go btw- it's just a chill out holiday after exams and it's only across the pond. So if anyone has been to Southern France and has any suggestions this would b greatly apreciated

Answer 1

That time of the year is very expensive. I would call in on the of chance to see if there are any vacancies on the following sites.  keycamp,eurocamp, Haven europe, holidaybreak. There are loads of them and they are normally all on the same sites. Only haven some of thee own. I would get a haven camp brocher and in it you will find on the map where all the sites are situated, On these sites you will see other camping firms.

Answer 2

(a) Unless you act like back-backers and take a 2 person tent then you won't be able to take everything you need to camp *on a coach* or even a train (which is the best method to travel long distance in France)

(b) Every town in France has a cheap municipal campsite.

(c) I don't think you've thought this through.

(d) "The Pond" is the Atlantic. Are you coming over from the USA or Canada?

Edit: You cross THE CHANNEL to get to France, not THE ATLANTIC (which is "The Pond"). I guess you aren't doing a Geography exam ;-)

Answer 3

You certainly haven't really thought this through, have you?

You will certainly have to show ID when booking into a french campsite. If you do not have a camping carnet (know what that is?) you will have to (possibly) leave your passport at the campsite office so you do not do a runner without paying. You have to fill in a "fiche" when signing in because in France there is a tax payable on all nights spent away from home. It's called the "taxe de sejour."   How are you going to get to the suth of France?  By coach? Doubt it. By train? You can catch Eurostar to Paris but what then? Of course there are trains to the south coast but do you know timetables, prices, etc. etc?

The cheapest campsites are the "camping municipales" which you find all over France - but not on the south coast. There sites are commercially operated and very expensive. You need a guide book. The best are:  AA Guide to camping in France and the Michelin green Guide - Camping and Caravaning France. They are available in WHSmith, the latter one is in French.

So you're going to carry your own tent, are you?  What about carrying the rest of your gear?  Clothes, toiletries, cooking gear, etc.  

Think again and maybe opt for the ready erected sites like Eurocamp - except they won't take parties of single s*x groups aged under 25 or so.

Answer 4

here's a web site that can help:http://www.campingfrance.com/

(there is an english translation: click on the flag)

Answer 5

We went with Eurocamp to a great campsite at Les Saintes Marie de la Mer. It's not in the St Tropez area, it's on the edge of the Carmargue, so it's much cheaper for eating out etc., and the town is lovely. Plenty of restaurants, bars, a huge beach. Ideal!

We travelled by coach and ferry. It was really cheap. Have fun!