Now France has a wide selection of holiday parks for you and your family. Whether it is a nice sunny stay at the beach you seek or a peaceful rest in the countryside, maybe even an extreme experience in the French Alps, then all of Frances’ holiday parks can cater for you. 

Most people have already explored their own country, so now it is time to explore France. Whether it is your first camping trip to France or your tenth, you can still get that feeling of escapism that camping abroad can offer you. Exploring the French culture could be fun for all the family. With all the money saved on accommodation there might even be some money spare to sample some of Frances’ famous cuisines.

Prices vary considerably with season and departure times. Some crossings are rapid, taking only an hour or so, whilst the longer routes may require you to spend one or two nights on board. These longer crossings can add an extra dimension to your holiday, allowing you to relax on board and enjoy a range of entertainments ranging from live bands to watching whales from the decks particularly if you chose to travel via Spain.

Should you prefer not to use the Ferry you can of course travel by Euro Tunnel. You can cross from Folkestone to Calais in a little over thirty five minutes. You just drive your car onto the train, and remain with it during the crossing. You don’t have to stay in it and you can walk around the carriage.

If you have a pet that you would like to take on your France holidays, and one of the advantages of a camping holiday is the option of keeping your pet with you, then it can travel by either ferry or train. In a short ferry crossing it remains in your car, whilst for longer crossings it is housed in pet kennels. With Euro Tunnel your pet simply stays with you in the car. Some pets may be a little anxious being left alone in the car on the car decks so if this is a possibility then the train might be a better option. You must of course make sure that animal is chipped and has all the required injections along with a pet passport.

Loire Valley is often considered to be the most beautiful region in France. It is often referred to as The Garden of France. The weather always seems to be calm and warm and the general feel of the place is relaxing and laid back. The River Loire meanders through the region and on its banks are to be found numerous historic towns and magnificent chateaux; a beautiful setting for any camping holiday. In fact there are supposedly 300 chateaus in the region though only a proportion of these are open to the public. The wines of the region tend to be light and aromatic: Muscadet and Sauvignon Blanc are typical of the whites; the best reds are probably Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. These are great for washing down the fresh fish which are a characteristic of the local cuisine.

To the south of the Loire Valley lies the region of Limousin. The region is very rural and hilly. There are many lakes and perhaps this can be considered to be the Lake District of France. The lakes offer water sports and fishing, with fresh fish being typical of the regions cuisine. Patisseries are also very popular.

To the west of Limousin we find Auvergne, which is right in the centre of France. Auvergne is famous for extinct volcanoes, spas and mineral waters. The rolling countryside and abundance of lakes discovered in Limousin is continued here, though the landscape is more rugged. This is the ideal place for a hiking or a climbing holiday far away from the crowds. There are magnificent landscapes to behold with views that seem to extend forever. 

There is much variety to be found in these central regions of France and this region should satisfy whatever you desire from your camping or self catering holidays.

 If you have been put off a camping holiday in the past because of the cost of equipment, now is the time to put that behind you. The economic downturn has resulted in many bargains: tent manufacturers, eager for new sales, currently have some excellent bargains and you can get just about everything you need at really  low prices. Alternatively, you might just be thinking of upgrading your old equipment. What could be better than arriving at that camp site for your holiday in France with a brand new shiny tent?

So, you have updated your equipment, now you need to decide where you are going. In many ways France is the ideal location for a self catering holiday under canvas. Camping is like a national sport for the French, it seems as if they all do it. As a consequence the campsites tend to be well run places, and the locals are normally very friendly, especially if you make an effort to speak a little French. So don’t forget your phrase book. The facilities in French Holiday campsites are largely of very high quality. Some French campsites, especially those in major locations, offer excellent facilities with great piscines (swimming pools), toilet blocks, barbeques, bars and restaurants, tennis courts and other sporting facilities. On the other hand, if you intend to visit some of the more rural locations that France offers, you might find that the toilet block is, to say the least, a little archaic so if you are a little sensitive to such things you are advised to check them out first.

One of the great things about camping in France is the variety of locations on offer. Although you are camping you can choose just about any sort of holiday you wish. You might prefer a beach holiday and there are many campsites, particularly in the Southwest, that are literally a stone’s throw from excellent beaches with warm seas and golden sands. Alternatively you might be attracted to the historic Loire valley with its extensive chateaux and beautiful scenery. You will even be able to find campsites within the grounds of historic chateaux. Perhaps you might move further South to the rich wineries of Bordeaux, or to the Mediterranean. Again you will find no difficulty in locating excellent campsites.

An interesting alternative is the mountainous regions of the Pyrenees with beautiful landscapes but here you must be careful with your timing. At certain times of the year visibility is limited by low cloud and fog, and the region can be subject to quite stormy weather. On the other hand there is no necessity to travel so far South. There are excellent campsites in the more northern regions such as Normandy, or you might prefer a city. There are excellent campsites in and around Paris, literally within fifteen minutes walk from the Eiffel Tower and with just Disneyland a few miles away. Whatever your preference, France is an ideal country for a camping holiday.

Camping tends to allow more freedom than traditional package holidays, there are none of the typical reps bothering you and it is unlikely someone will try to sell you a day trip to the local glass-blowing factory. A traditional package holiday usually includes the hassle of being persuaded to do things that you wouldn’t normally want to do but there is none of that when it comes to Camping holidays! Of course, campsites are usually set right in the heart of tourist areas and local attractions tend to be close at hand if you do choose to take advantage of them.

Most campsites include a surprising amount of on-site distractions, especially those that are designed to cater for children. Most family sites will have fully equipped areas for children to play and generally a bar for parents to wind down in. Many will have outdoor and/or indoor pools, breaking away from the stereotypical image of pitching up a tent in the middle of nowhere. Larger holiday parks have nightclubs and amusement arcades.

For the fun loving family on a budget, holiday parks can be a great solution. For the more adventurous there is the other end of the scale; sites where there are very basic facilities. These sites tend to be for the more hardened campers, and are focused on providing a base from you can go and explore the local environment. They also offer the perfect opportunity to get away from it all and tend to be quieter with peace and quiet in the evenings. Camping in a large static caravan like those used at a holiday park, will allow all the comforts of home: cooker, heaters and hot showers.

Forget ‘Carry on Camping’; this won’t be a torturous experience! Going for the tougher option will bring challenges and will undoubtedly be cheaper.  Like all travel experiences – there are some amazing campsites, and some horrible ones. Remember to keep moving on and try something new if you don’t like where you are. The joy of camping is that you can generally up and off it you are not happy but with the premium quality of most campsites in Europe, it’s very unlikely that you’ll be disappointed.

Top tips for an enjoyable camping trip:

• Lose the preconceptions – they are almost certainly wrong

 • Space will be at a minimum give the kids one container/bag each for their toys

 • Remember you will be in very close proximity – stay patient and considerate of the people around you

• Don’t rush out and buy all the expensive kit – borrow from friends if possible

 • Ask someone who has done it before – they will have some relevant pointers