Glamping in France
It’s a country renowned for its stunning landscapes and its chic sense of style, so it’s no surprise to hear that glamping in France is a rather fine idea for a holiday. And of course this is western Europe’s largest country, so there are heaps of places to pick from whether you’re up for a family beach break or an adrenaline-packed time up in the Alps.
Forget staying in a hotel – glampsites in France are the go-to for a little bit of luxury mixed in with a whole lot of fab fresh air. By day you can roam around forest, coast, châteaux or pretty villages before returning to your pad for a sunset aperitif followed by a comfy night in a peaceful spot. And with all mod cons thrown in too: an ensuite bathroom, a fully-equipped kitchen, maybe even a hot tub…
If you’re thinking this sounds très fab, step this way for more info on a glamping trip in France…
Glamping in France: from romantic stays to family-sized options
‘Something for everyone’ is perhaps an over-used phrase, but here it turns out to be true: glampsites in France can cater for all manner of guests: solo adventurers travelling light, couples in search of somewhere to cosy up together and families who can’t be faffed with the idea of constructing a tent. And not just people – the four-legged member of the family is welcome at numerous dog-friendly glamping sites across the country.
Lodges, yurts and spacious safari tents are likely to be the things to search for if you’ve got family glamping in mind; settle in for a stay that mixes up comfy digs with plenty of fresh air and space for les enfants to run around. If you’re travelling à deux perhaps check out cute little shepherd’s huts, tipis and treehouses… or, for the best of both worlds, maybe a night in a geodesic dome, with a transparent roof so you can watch the stars glitter overhead from the comfort of your own bed.
Sometimes, of course, all you need is a simple place to bed down for the night, to make sure of a warm place to slumber between activities. If that’s your plan, take a look at our options for camping pods in France – perhaps the easiest (and cheapest) way to get a taste of the outdoor life for those travelling without a tent.
Whichever option you go for, you’re likely to find it giving you a whole load of holiday memories in return for your investment. And it’s not all about emptying your wallet of euros*… there are bargains to be found all over this fine country (* you’ll be needing a certain number of those to invest in all the local food and wine, after all)
What to expect from glampsites in France
In a nutshell, it’s like camping but with no need to build a tent. In many cases you can also expect to find things like bedding and towels supplied too (although not in camping pods which tend to be a bit more frill-free). Beyond that, each glampsite in France is slightly different in its offerings of kitchen kit, firepits, toiletries and what have you, so be sure to check out our detailed listings to make sure you don’t set off without some vital bit of kit.
Whatever else you pack, it’s always a fine idea to chuck a jumper or two in your bag – it’s likely you will be sitting out in the open of an evening, after all, whether you’re cooking on a barbecue or simply looking up at the night sky. Staying warm inside shouldn’t be a concern though, as plenty of places come packed with blankets and cosy duvets or benefit from a woodburning stove (bonus points for lovely aromas here too…)
Or of course you could go the whole hog on the glam front: there are heaps of options for glamping in France with a hot tub. And in the country that brought us the delight that is Champagne, surely a glass of bubbles in a bubbling hot tub is only right and proper?
And what of the food? (This is France, bien sûr, so it’s an important subject…) Some glamping places in France have their own fully-fitted kitchen with all the kit you need to create a fine feast; others have access to shared facilities. Barbecues and/or firepits are often provided for those alfresco evenings, or you may like to get yourself set up at a place that’s got its own restaurant. Seeking a true bit of seclusion with your beloved? Keep your eyes peeled for one of those places that can sort you out with a hamper full of local goodies to eat at your cosy corner.
Best areas for glamping in France
The coast’s always a fine choice for family hols or chilled beachside stays – Brit travellers looking to keep journey times to a minimum may like to look out for something around Brittany or Normandy (bonus points for top-notch cider up here) or set off for the remarkably sun-soaked shores of the Vendée. Meanwhile, down in the south, the French Riviera is the place for long sandy beaches, family-friendly activities and glitzy harbours packed with yachts.
Looking inland, the mountainous national parks have heaps to offer for active types and daredevils: check out the Pyrenees National Park, the Cévennes National Park or the Écrins National Park for hikes, canyoning, climbing, paragliding and staging your own Tour de France.
Leisurely times more your thing than uphill bike battles? How about canoeing in the Dordogne, checking out the châteaux of the Loire Valley or learning all about wine in Bordeaux?
Top sightseeing spots when glamping in France
If you’re into your history, think about basing yourself up in Normandy for outings to the Bayeux Tapestry, Mont Saint-Michel and the D-Day landing beaches. The Loire Valley is equally fine on this front: the World Heritage Site is packed with pretty places including Saumur and the châteaux of Chenonceau and Chambord.
Here for the views? Maybe try the lavender fields of Provence, the quirky Alsace villages or the spectacular scenery of the Gorges de l’Ardeche. Or indeed any of the country’s regional natural parks: the Camargue and the Marais-Poitevin are particular favourites, but really all of them serve up great swathes of splendid scenery.
Kids not looking so delighted by the idea of delving into all this history and scenery? If they’re well behaved, maybe you’ll treat them to a trip to Disneyland Paris, Parc Asterix or the Futuroscope theme park. Or how about the intergalactic Cité de l’Espace in Toulouse, volcano-themed Vulcania in the Auvergne or the spectacular shows at Puy du Fou? (No need to mention to the tiddlers that these last few are kind of educational as well as fun… but it’s a win all round really.)
