Information about tent camping holidays in France
You would think, wouldn't you, that camping is camping is camping, n'est pas? Likewise, but there are quite a few types of "get away from it all" accommodation these days so that camping as a leisure activity and/or a holiday needs to be defined. Camping per se includes staying in a tent, mobile home, static caravan (pretty much the same animal), Yurt camping, Tipi camping and finally Pod camping which is probably the newest addition.
We older ones tend to believe that France was the home of camping and allied types of holidays because they had turned that activity into an art form many, many years ago whilst we here in the UK were pitching tents in mud filled fields, and whilst the French had nice clean shower and toilet blocks which were inspected by the local authorities all those years ago we had dirty, filthy wash blocks on our camp sites and toilets which were unfit for human use. Seriously.
We are better here now of course but my bellief is that France has the edge for tent camping holidays even now. Maybe it's the better weather over there, the yummy French bread for brekkers, but probably it is the atmosphere which exudes good feelings and relaxation. You are on holiday!
There are masses of campsites in France which allow you to take your own tent and equipment, and on the other hand there are as many who will supply you with a tent and all the bits and pieces which go with it like cooker, utensils, fridge, freezer etc, and one could be forgiven for wondering sometimes if the extra cost of hiring is not a little excessive.
In the summer of 2007 we checked the prices for one major UK brand name tent camping company which operates in France against a smaller (relatively smaller) company which hired out mobile homes on the same site in the Vendee, western France. Surprise, surprise, the mobile home company was £20 cheaper for the same 2 weeks in late June! We compared like for like as much as possible and both companies provided their clients with return Dover/Calais crossings. Now then, given the choice which would you rather stay in? Me too"!!
So really, tent camping can be very, very cheap in France, especially if you take your own gear, a ferry offer, or an unsocial hours sailing which you can do if there is more than one driver. Basically, all you pay for is your pitch which costs a few pounds per night. You will find pristine clean wash and shower/toilet blocks nearby even in the smallest of French campsites. Now that is the cheapest holiday you are ever likely to take.
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