New ranking shows ‘best campsites’ in France

The top 20 camping, glamping, and caravan sites in France have been revealed in a new ranking by a leading European campsite review service.

The top 20 sites across the country were unveiled by Pitchup.com, in the Pitchup Review Awards 2024, as determined by user reviews.

The group explained that to feature in the list, the sites must:

• Have achieved an 8 out of 10 or above across at least 20 reviews in 2024

It added that the sites in the top 20 had “outstanding average ratings” and “months of glowing reviews on Pitchup.com, showing that they provided a truly exceptional guest experience”.

There is no other criteria for the sites to be ranked, and they vary considerably: Some have pools and restaurants, others are much simpler. Some offer space for tents and campervans, others have cabins and /or yurts. 

Some provide basic facilities such as a washing up space, while others have full-blown facilities including showers, toilets, Wi-Fi, BBQ areas, and on-site shops and bakeries. Most allow dogs.

The top 5 campsites in France

1. Camping Sous Les Étoiles Normandie, Lower Normandy, 9.9 out of 10

This site is praised for its location on a “scenic farmstead among apple trees and green fields”, and for being both family- and dog-friendly. Family-run and English-speaking, the site is also favoured for its proximity to hiking and biking trails, as well as the memorials at the D-Day beaches. There is also a restaurant and shop.

2. Le Marais Sauvage, Pays de la Loire, 9.9

A peaceful site among forests and canals, earning the area the nickname ‘La Venise Verte (Green Venice)’. Spacious, family- and dog-friendly pitches, with many facilities (such as on-site laundry), and a short drive from the nearby village of Le Mazeau. The bar serves snacks in the summer high season.

3. Camping La Forêt de Tessé, 9.9

Owned by British couple and campervan enthusiasts Ildi and Mark, this site is located in a quiet hamlet and has an outdoor pool - but is also close enough to bike trails, beautiful villages, supermarkets, food markets, restaurant and shops, as well as the science park of Futuroscope. Family- and dog-friendly.

4. La Ferme des 4 Chênes, 9.8

A favourite for bathers, with a large pool and location some 30 minutes’ drive from the beaches of Biarritz, this site is around 15 minutes’ walk from local village bakeries and restaurants, and close to activities such as river kayak tours, and hiking and biking trails. There is a mini farm with donkeys, ponies and goats, plus a communal BBQ area, bread service, and snack bar.

5. Camping Le Clos Castel, 9.8

Another site run by a British couple, Carol and Clint, this family- and dog-friendly site is rural but just 500 metres away from the nearby village, offers Wi-Fi, and is close to hiking and boat ride spots. Also within easy driving distance of the D-Day beaches for history-seekers.

The top 6-10 campsites in France

The sites making up the rest of the top 10 are:

6. Camping Les Portes de l’Anjou, Pays de la Loire: 9.8 out of 10. Riverside site with playground and summer bakery delivery.

7. Les Pieds sur Terre, le Nez dans les Haies, la Tête dans les Étoiles, Pays de la Loire: 9.8. A very rural, ‘garden-like’ site with minimal facilities for peaceful, ‘get away from it all’ stays. 

8. Champ de la Chapelle, Auvergne: 9.8. Forested location with play areas, a nine-hole golf course, and decent facilities.

9. Le Lieu, Aquitaine: 9.8. A family-run site over 26 green acres, with a private fishing lake, outdoor pool, play area, free WiFi, bar, and on-site pizzeria.

10. Château de Gandspette, Nord-Pas-de-Calais: 9.7. A scenic site in the grounds of a 19th-century chateau, with two large pools, tennis courts, and a summer restaurant serving Flemish specialities.

The rest of the best (11-20)

11. Camping La Rivière Dorée, Ile de France: 9.7 out of 10

12. Camping Saint-Martin, Midi-Pyrenées: 9.7

13. Glamping Saint-Suzanne, Pays de la Loire: 9.7

14. Camping Le Bloemstraete, Nord-Pas-de-Calais: 9.6

15. Domaine Le Colombier, Champagne-Ardenne: 9.6

16. Camping du Bois Fleuri, Centre: 9.6

17. RCN Domaine de la Noguiere, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur: 9.6

18. Camping de la Pointe, Picardie: 9.5

19. Camping Le Moulin De Caudon, Aquitaine: 9.5

20. Les Pilotis du Cognac, Poitou-Charentes: 9.5

Camping carrying on

The ranking comes as camping holidays are becoming more popular in France, with tighter budgets seeing residents and foreign tourists flocking to the family-friendly sites (with British, Belgian, and German tourists particularly represented in addition to French visitors). 

Read also: Camping holidays becoming more popular in France despite challenges

Would you like to recommend a campsite or caravan pitch site in France? Do you regularly go camping, glamping, or campervanning in France? Please let us know your experiences at feedback@connexionfrance.com.