Camping holidays in France: more families swap hotels for mobile homes this summer
Campsites have become an increasingly popular option for holidaymakers in recent years
European tourists are helping to extend the summer holiday season in French campsites
Dirk Jan Verkuil/Shutterstock
French camping holidays have continued to grow in popularity this summer.
The number of campsite visitors in France increased by 2.5% compared to the same period in 2024. The president of the outdoor accommodation federation, la Fédération nationale de l’hôtellerie de plein air (FNHPA), Nicolas Dayot, presented this information during an interview with FranceInfo on August 23.
This trend matches figures from 2024, which saw a 4% rise in European visitor numbers. 2023 was also a record year for camping.
Mr Dayot explained that tourists from European countries, particularly in the north, have been “turning up [to campsites] in large numbers.”
‘Good value for money’
Despite the summer season winding to a close, Mr Dayot said that some visitors, such as families coming from the south of Germany, are helping to extend the season as their school year does not begin until mid-September.
French holidaymakers have also been making last-minute reservations: “In recent years, the last week of August has become increasingly popular” due to lower prices, said Mr Dayot.
He stated that the end of the month costs “half as much” as the beginning of August, with it being possible to book a week-long stay in a mobile home for between €300-€400.
As the rising cost of living leaves families with a smaller budget to dedicate to summer holidays, Mr Dayot said that camping has clearly been more popular this year because it offers good value for money with a night of camping costing on average €22 per person, compared to a hotel costing €116.
3-star campsites becoming more popular
Mr Dayot highlighted that 3-star camping facilities which have been struggling in recent years have started receiving more clients. These campsites offer a good compromise between the facilities for families and prices that are more competitive than 4- and 5-star campsites, which are much better equipped, he said.
Data published by statistics body INSEE in June showed that from April to September 2024, 4-star facilities were the most popular (40.1%) campsites in France.
French campsites are assessed and rated according to a grid of nearly 200 criteria developed by government tourism group Atout France.
Ratings range from 1 to 5-star and depend on the quality of facilities on offer. For example, 5-star establishments must have a swimming area such as a lake or pool, with sun loungers and heated sanitary facilities. A wireless internet connection is generally required in campsites rated 2-stars and over.
The facilities are re-evaluated every five years.
This Connexion article shows the top-20 camping, glamping, and caravan sites in France.
Have you changed your holidaying habits to go camping this year in France? Please let us know via feedback@connexionfrance.com