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As we proceed RVing in international locations around the globe, we are able to’t assist however discover all of the completely different facilities and particulars that make every expertise distinctive. Tenting in France within the fall was idyllic and right this moment we’re sharing what you possibly can anticipate at French campgrounds.
Did We Discover the Finest Campsite in France?
We discovered it. Effectively, perhaps not the very best tenting in France, however what can solely be often called probably the most stunning campground views on this planet.
Watch the video to totally admire the views of this campground within the French Alps.
What are French campsites known as?
Surprisingly, campgrounds in France are also known as “tenting.”
For instance, a campground in Carcassone will probably be known 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 simple.
This makes it extraordinarily simple to make use of Google Maps to seek for campgrounds within the space you’re trying to camp.
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How a lot does a French campsite value?
Pricing in France is a bit of completely different than in American campgrounds.
You’ll be charged per particular person in addition to per service, like in the event you want electrical energy. On the campground in our video, for instance, they cost 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 conversion fee.
Generally, we didn’t pay greater than $30/evening for a campground (and we at all times paid the additional bit for electrical energy).
What To Count on at your French Campsite
For those who 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 (usually unlevel). There will probably be a divider between your campsites and your neighbors. Within the above video, it was hedges. Nonetheless, 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 French vibe you’re on the lookout for. (Stroll to the campgrounds bakery—it in all probability has one—and seize a croissant to finish the French vibes.)
That’s about it in your campsite.
Personally, I like the minimalism of French campsites versus American websites. With tiny RVs overseas, the unlevel floor is much less of a difficulty. European RVs don’t have the necessity for full hookups as a result of they’re constructed in another way. Plus being parked within the grass provides you a way more genuine “tenting” expertise.
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What Facilities to Count on When Tenting in France
So in case your campsite is simply unlevel grass and perhaps electrical energy in the event you paid for it, what facilities are you able to anticipate?
It relies upon.
Campground close to Annecy, France
Each campground is completely different.
Each campground we camped at supplied:
A restaurant or bakery (seasonal)
Playground (in all probability multiple)
Bathe home
Bathhouse (Typically separated from showers)
Dump space for cassette rest room
Recent 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 providers
Children lavatory*
Working water (rivers, streams, creeks, and so forth)
*Children showers, child bathtubs, decrease entry sinks, and decrease entry bogs and urinals are frequent throughout campgrounds in southern Europe.
Facilities you’ll generally discover:
Many of the campgrounds we noticed had 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 obtainable (particularly swimming pools).
One different observe: Laundry will probably be obscenely costly. We paid about $9 per load each time we did laundry.
Do French Campgrounds have WIFI?
Sure. I imply, no. Form of?
Almost each campground mentioned they supplied wifi (typically free).
Nonetheless, it was extraordinarily tough to attach and if we did join, the sign wasn’t very sturdy.
We relied on SIM playing cards as an alternative and used our telephones as sizzling spots after we wanted to make use of our computer systems. I particularly used Airalo on my telephone, an eSIM choice the place you possibly can designate your nation and what number of days you’ll want the SIM in addition to how a lot information you’d like. For my iPhone, I bought a one-month plan and didn’t use all my information. I continuously streamed movies and music and nonetheless had loads information left over. (My husband, then again, received a bodily SIM from Orange so he may have calling choices.)
Are French Campsites Open 12 months-round?
Relying on the realm, sure. Nonetheless, most shut for the winter in our expertise. We stayed at one park close to the Pyrenees on the final evening they had 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 had been closed on the campgrounds already.
Do French Campground Employees Communicate English?
Sure.
If you go to a overseas nation, you have a tendency to select a number of phrases it is advisable to know for journey. The place is the prepare station? One cappuccino, please. Excuse me. I’m sorry. Thanks.
Once I say sure that the campground employees speaks English, that is sort of what I imply. You’ll meet trilingual or multilingual employees 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.)
However extra generally, particularly outdoors of main vacationer areas, you’ll discover that employees speaks simply sufficient English for his or her job. Asking you in the event you want electrical energy, how many individuals, what dates, and so forth. They will often get you arrange at a campsite with no downside, however in the event you attempt to have dialog outdoors of that, it’s tougher.
Making an attempt to speak over the telephone in the event you’re making a reservation was the hardest communication barrier, however face-to-face we may at all times find yourself understanding one another.
General, the language barrier was by no means a significant challenge—and we communicate principally no French.
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Ought to I Make Reservations for France Campgrounds?
We made zero reservations earlier than flying to France, however in the event you’re visiting within the high-season (summer season) or have sure spots the place you actually need to camp, I’d advocate making advance bookings. You might discover that on-line reserving will probably be obtainable in English (or your most popular language) as nicely.
Conclusion
France is commonly 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!)
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