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Telegraph
5 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
The 20 best campsites in France
Camping trips in France were a large part of my childhood. My dad would bemoan having to wear Speedos over 'normal' swimming shorts in the campsite swimming pool; Mum would read the paper road map wrong, taking us on a convoluted detour; and I'd make a bunch of new French friends I couldn't communicate with. France does campsites well. You can camp in the most unexpected of places, like central Paris, or a stone's throw from Disneyland, just as you can pitch up in the middle of the mountains, or on the banks of Lake Annecy. Camping doesn't necessarily mean under canvas though: glamping has become increasingly luxurious, with giant structures and five-star facilities. Many campsites come with ready-erected tents, static caravans and mobile homes. If you love the outdoors, but hate the faff that comes with it, you're covered in France. Brands like Eurocamp, Yelloh! and Huttopia have sites all over the country. Eurocamp caters largely to families with packed daily activity schedules, Yelloh!'s'villages generally have all the home comforts you could want, and Huttopia is all about barefoot luxury. is a good way to find smaller, independent campsites, with 9,000 listings. Paris Northeast Northwest Central France Southwest The Alps The Mediterranean Corsica Paris Capfun Freland Best for Disneyland Just 30 minutes by road from Disneyland Paris, Capfun Freland is a little like a theme park itself, with several swimming pools, water slides, ping-pong tables and a football pitch – plus a kids' club four days a week. Book the Mad Magician's house (sleeps four), a topsy-turvy house bigger on the first floor than the ground floor. It's also an hour's drive from Parc Asterix. From £236 a week for two Camping de Paris Best for a city break In the Fifties, my dad pitched his tent in a bombed-out cemetery near the Arc de Triomphe. These days, wild camping in central Paris wouldn't be tolerated. Fortunately, Camping de Paris, on the edge of Bois de Boulogne, is open year-round. It's a bit of a faff for the metro (bus 244 to Porte Maillot station; 10 minutes), but where else could you stay in Paris and pay less than an Eiffel Tower entry ticket? Fom £27 for two per night Northeast Domaine d'Haulmé Best for a short journey Green, laid-back and with a gorgeous mix of Flemish and French architecture, the Ardennes is made for peaceful and cheap family camping trips, easy to reach from the UK by ferry or Le Shuttle. Haulmé has all the regular accommodation choices — tent pitches and chalets — plus bell tents, tiny houses, vintage caravans and geometric domes. Hire kayaks on-site to cruise down the River Semois. From £9 per night Northwest Camping Sandaya l'Anse du Brick Best for outdoor activities A stone's throw from the Cotentin Peninsula's beaches, choose from sea view villas, light wood chalets or two-floor safari-style lodges with canvas roofs at Camping Sandaya. The pull is the outdoors. There's no nightlife, but plenty of hiking, cycling and water sports. Direct UK ferries arrive in Cherbourg. From £45 for two nights (minimum stay) Yelloh ! Village Camping les Mouettes Best for spa treatments Half-campsite, half-spa, Les Mouettes has a balneotherapy pool (using natural mineral waters and mud), massage rooms, and a restaurant that wouldn't look out of place at Soho Farmhouse. The splintered and dramatic Breton coast that greets you when you unzip the awning. Tent pitches come with private bathrooms. From £69 for two nights (minimum stay) Lodg'ing Nature Camp Crozon Best for small-site charm A tiny campsite with just 19 festival-style bell tents and panoramic, sunset-facing sea views. Lodg'ing is a sociable little place, with breakfast served in the open-sided gazebo. Tents are very spacious and dazzlingly white, and there's a little beach and lido at the bottom of the hill. From £114 for two nights (minimum stay) Un Lit au Pré, La Ferme de Penquelen Huella Best for farm vibes There's no Wi-Fi, but there are cows, chickens, goats, sheep, geese, ducks, pigs, dogs and… guinea pigs. The cosy lodges with canvas roofs at Un Lit au Pré look like little farmhouses, and you can play at being a farmer too by mucking in with feeding the farm animals, and eating produce straight from the farm shop. From £292 for two nights (minimum stay) Central France Huttopia Senonches Best for upgraded activities This couldn't feel further for Paris, yet it's only 90 minutes away. Forested, on the banks of a lake, and with wood-fired hot tubs and activities like basketry, going to Huttopia Senonches is like going to a middle-class festival rather than camping. Just beware extortionate cleaning fees; £76 for as little as a two-night stay, unless you do your own end-of-tenancy deep clean. From £120 per night Camping Le Capeyrou Best for reliable weather If there's anywhere perfectly geared to camping in France, it's the Dordogne. Impossibly green, but with more reliable weather than Brittany, and plenty of forests, rivers and vineyards, four walls are obsolete here. Neatly slotted between Beynac-et-Cazenac's magnificent château and the River Dordogne, at Le Capeyrou you can pretty much access your plot by kayak. From £45 for two nights (minimum stay) Camping Huttopia Lac de la Siauve Best for cheese lovers Choose between the (chilly) lake and the (heated) swimming pool after a day of consuming some of France's finest cheeses in the Cantal region. There's plenty for all the family at Camping Huttopia Lac de la Siauve, including a treetop adventure park, and an activities schedule that includes fishing, guided walks and regular concerts. The chalets and trapper tents are pure glamping, there's no roughing it. From £13 per night Southwest Camping Marvilla Parks – Atlantic Club Montalivet Best for beach access Spilling directly onto the beach in Gironde, this Eurocamp site has mobile homes, chalets, and tents (including two-storey tents). Throughout summer, there's a packed activities schedule, with game nights, live music and aqua aerobics. The enormous beach on the doorstep has all manner of water sports. From £139 per person per week (three-night stays also available) Vegan Surf Camp Best for surfing It's surprising that a vegan campsite exists in France. Naturally, this one in Moliets-et-Maa in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in south-western France comes with surfing or yoga packages (or both, if you're perfectly in balance). The camp also runs vegan cooking classes and gives free journaling books with yoga package sign-ups. It's a unique lifestyle, but you'll certainly feel better at the end of your stay. From £408 per week with meals, excluding activities Camping Cabaliros Best for mountain landscapes The perfect hiker's hangout in the heart of the Pyrénées has a plethora of trails and mountain lakes on its doorstep. Camping Cabaliros stays open in winter (mobile homes only), and is only a two-minute drive from Cauterets ski resort. Twitchers will have a field day: frequent sightings include eagles, barn owls and kingfishers. From £12 per night The Alps Camping le Lac Bleu Best for adventure Mountain hikes, paragliding, pedalos on the lake and boat trips… Lake Annecy is nature on steroids, and allegedly has the cleanest water in Europe. If you're looking to escape the UK's sewage-ridden coast, you could do worse than camping at Camping le Lac Bleu by Lake Annecy, whose wooden jetty points right out towards the mountains. The swimming pool is a welcome alternative to the glacial lake. From £22 per night Camping de la Meije Best for hiking Most people associate La Grave with skiing, but in the summer it's a great base for numerous hiking, including the 14 day Tour des Écrins, and has excellent cheese shops to fuel your hunger. At Camping de la Meije, there's a small playground, a swimming pool and a mini-golf course, but the reason you'd really stay here is for the views, the perpetually snow-covered peaks of the Écrins. From £19 per night Camping Valbonheur Best for cooler temperatures Another campsite gloriously sandwiched between lake and mountain, Camping Valbonheur stays cool even in the height of summer. Their 'igloos' (domed wooden huts that look like the top half of a wooden caravan) are very picturesque, if not particularly spacious. There are also lodges, chalets and some rather spectacular safari tents, which open up right onto the ponds (pack mosquito spray). From £12 per night The Mediterranean Camping Domaine de la Bergerie Best for intimacy Between Vence and the picture-perfect artist's town, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, the stone buildings of Camping Domaine de la Bergerie look like the Provence of yesteryear. It has been running for over 70 years, and its recipe for success is having the best of all worlds. It's small enough to feel intimate, but also has a shop, restaurant and swimming pool – plus the beach is just a 20-minute drive away. From £16 per night Nova Lodges Best for glamping Calling anyone who hates camping, there are no tents, only lodges, begging the question, what is a campsite? When it's packaged like this, with a palm-fringed swimming pool and direct beach access, it's more upmarket than many hotels. Beachside accommodation facing St Tropez, each lodge has a fully-equipped kitchen, private patio with sun loungers, and two bathrooms – Nova Lodges is camping bragging rights with none of the fuss. From £500 per week Yelloh ! Village Le Sérignan Plage Best for extra activities You could easily spend a week here and not leave the campsite. Le Sérignan Plage boasts gym classes, tennis and padel courts. There's nightly entertainment, and everything from fencing to baking classes for kids. Tempting though it is, make the effort to leave, the local beaches are lovely and unspoilt (although many are designated nudist beaches). From £183 per week (shorter stays also available) Corsica Camping L'Oso Porto-Vecchio Best for calm atmosphere Set back from the coast, this campsite is a haven of calm, even in the height of summer. Chalets, mobile homes and tent pitches at Camping L'Oso are well spaced, with plenty of trees for privacy. The best pitches and chalets look directly over the River Oso. Check in for as long as possible, the myriad of activities on offer nearby range from canyoning and diving to horse riding along the beach. From £153 per week
Irish Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish tourists urged to ditch 7 night trips for cheaper summer holidays
With Ireland's weather turning cold and blustery once again, many people will be dusting off their passports and planning a long-overdue summer holiday. But before you book that classic seven-night break, travel experts are urging tourists to rethink their plans - and potentially save hundreds of euros. Small changes to how you book, like tweaking your trip length or switching your departure day, can make a surprising difference to the final price. According to travel experts, the key is flexibility. Karen Williams of Eurocamp explained: "There are lots of holiday providers that don't have fixed departure or arrival days, so you can have complete flexibility over your travel dates." Her top tip is to not automatically book a seven, 10 or 14-night stay. Instead, "have a play about with the length of your trip" by adding or subtracting a few nights either way. She said: "If you're flying, choose a duration that allows you to get the best flight prices. Looking at earlier or later in the season can help to keep costs down." For families, the latter half of the school holidays, especially late August into early September, can often be cheaper than the peak weeks in July. Karen added: "For those travelling with children, look for the latter weeks of the school holidays running up to September which tend to be cheaper than the main part of the school holidays." Online travel agency On the Beach echoed this advice, revealing that the traditional week-long holiday might not be the bargain many assume it is. Their data from May, June, July and August last year showed that eight-night stays often worked out cheaper than those going away for six or seven-nights. For example, in August 2024, an eight-night trip averaged €320 per person per night - compared to €360 for six-nights. That's a saving of €40 per person, just for staying longer. Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach, explained: "Whenever you're getting ready to book, don't just settle for seven-night prices, test for different length of stays, you may find a great deal paying only a little extra for a bonus night away." Another smart tip they shared was to fly on a Thursday instead of a Saturday. On the Beach found that Irish departures on Thursdays were often cheaper last year. Zoe added: "Much like playing around with the number of days, also try looking at departure days, according to our research, last year, holidays worked out cheaper departing on a Thursday. This year, that might not be the case, but it's worth checking if you are flexible with which day you fly."
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Daily Record
Travel experts warn 'stop booking seven, 10 and 14 day trips' for 1 good reason
The traditional week or fortnight in the sun is outdated, say experts If you're a fan of a fortnight in the sun for your annual holiday then it's time to rethink it, according to travel experts. They say that going abroad for seven, 10 or even 14 nights is old hat and can be costing you more cash. Instead they are urging holidaymakers to think outside of the box when it comes to the duration of their trips. And they say being more flexible will save you money on your summer holiday. There's no doubt financing a family holiday is costly, but by deviating from the favoured week or fortnight away and playing about with dates, there are substantial savings to be made. Karen Williams, a travel expert at Eurocamp, explained: "There are lots of holiday providers which don't have fixed departure or arrival days, so you can have complete flexibility over your travel dates." She added: "Have a play around with the length of your trip by a few nights either way and if you're flying, choose a duration that allows you to get the best flight prices," reports Birmingham Live. Spain is the most popular travel destination for Brits, with 17.8 million trips made in 2023. France, Italy, Greece and Portugal make up the rest of the top five travel destinations for Brits – all of the top five are in Europe. And she said there are other ways to save money on your holiday. In this cost of living crisis it can pay to think differently. She said: "Whether it is putting the family in the car and hitting the motorways for a cross-country road trip, or opting for rail travel, looking for different modes of transport can get you some serious savings. "A great tip is to split the cost of your accommodation with your mates or nearest and dearest as this can save you a fortune. "Holiday homes are perfect for this, allowing you to book accommodation for a fixed price, not per person." She also said it could be cheaper to book less traditional stays, and opt away from fortnights, seven days or ten days. And when you go can also have a huge impact on price. "Looking at earlier or later in the season can help to keep costs down," she said. "For those travelling with children, look for the latter weeks of the school holidays running up to September which tend to be cheaper than the main part of the school holidays. "When travelling during these months, think carefully about the destinations. If you're looking for sunshine, southern Europe is slightly hotter than more northern regions so you can enjoy the beautiful outdoors even during off-peak months. "You don't need to go out to enjoy a good, filling meal and instead taste some local delicacies from the comfort of your own holiday home. You can even pack and bring your own food to your holiday home to ensure that the kids have all their favourite snacks." She also advised that it's worth looking at next year's break before you've even been on this year's. "For the super organised, many travel providers will be bringing out their 2026 holidays over the coming months, so keeping an eye out for these can also help you save for next year too," she added.
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Tourists flying to Spain told to avoid booking 7, 10 or 14-day holidays
Spain is the number one destination for Brits with 17.8 million trips made in 2023. But travellers are being advised to think outside the box when it comes to their holidays British holidaymakers planning to jet off to Spain are being urged to ditch the usual seven, 10 or 14-day breaks. As UK tourists gear up for their summer getaways, they're being encouraged to reconsider the conventional length of stay in European Union countries. Spain reigns as the top holiday spot for Britons, with a whopping 17.8 million visits recorded in 2023. France, Italy, Greece and Portugal round out the top five favourite destinations for UK travellers – all nestled within Europe. However, those taking to the skies are now being prompted to think more creatively about their holiday durations. Travel expert Karen Williams from Eurocamp advises: "There are lots of holiday providers which don't have fixed departure or arrival days, so you can have complete flexibility over your travel dates." She further suggests: "Have a play around with the length of your trip by a few nights either way and if you're flying, choose a duration that allows you to get the best flight prices." Ms Williams also recommends exploring alternative transportation options for potential cost savings: "Whether it is putting the family in the car and hitting the motorways for a cross-country road trip, or opting for rail travel, looking for different modes of transport can get you some serious savings." To cut costs even further, she advises: "A great tip is to split the cost of your accommodation with your mates or nearest and dearest as this can save you a fortune,". Ms Williams endorsed the benefits of hiring holiday homes, saying: "Holiday homes are perfect for this, allowing you to book accommodation for a fixed price, not per person." She further suggested that opting for less conventional durations of stay could be more cost-effective than sticking to the usual fortnightly, weeklong, or ten-day bookings, reports Birmingham Live. She added that considering alternative times during the season could also reduce expenses: "Looking at earlier or later in the season can help to keep costs down," she advised. For those journeying with youngsters, she highlighted that the later weeks of the school break leading up to September often offer more affordable options than the peak holiday period. In terms of deciding when to travel, Ms Williams said: "When travelling during these months, think carefully about the destinations. If you're looking for sunshine, southern Europe is slightly hotter than more northern regions so you can enjoy the beautiful outdoors even during off-peak months." She also encouraged tourists to embrace self-catering: "You don't need to go out to enjoy a good, filling meal and instead taste some local delicacies from the comfort of your own holiday home. "You can even pack and bring your own food to your holiday home to ensure that the kids have all their favourite snacks." For forward-planners, Ms Williams pointed out an upcoming opportunity: "For the super organised, many travel providers will be bringing out their 2024 holidays over the coming months, so keeping an eye out for these can also help you save for next year too."
Telegraph
15-04-2025
- Telegraph
The perfect European holiday park? It must have these essential ingredients
What is it that British families love so much about European holiday parks? Yes, they sometimes deliver the stereotypical naff kids' club mascots and cheesy entertainment – but, on the whole, they're still a brilliant, affordable holiday choice for families, thanks to their wide-ranging facilities and variety of budget-friendly mobile homes. The French have nailed the market especially well, with their villages de vacances (holiday parks) and residences de tourisme (similar to a holiday park, but with no entertainment) making up an incredible 35 per cent of their tourist accommodation, according to the Fédération Nationale des Résidences de Tourisme (FNRT). But what is it that makes so many French – and various other European – holiday parks sing – catering to every need, while keeping things simple, affordable and relaxed? We've scoured the best of the bunch to identify the ingredients of the ideal specimen – creating a handy cheat sheet that promises to help you narrow down the contenders before you book a continental jaunt this summer. An excellent swimming pool The first thing fellow parents always mention when I grill them on their choice of holiday park is the swimming pool. They'll describe it in great detail: how many slides it has, whether there's a toddler pool and, most importantly, if access is included in the stay. The next thing they mention is the proximity of said pool to the bar. In other words, how easy is it for mum and dad to kick back and relax with a beer while the children practice their dive bombs? Eurocamp, on the whole, shines when it comes to fulfilling this brief. Just look at Les Sables d'Or, which features an imaginative pirate-themed waterpark that your kids will never want to leave. 'We make sure there's plenty of water-based thrills, and with pools, water slides, lazy rivers and more,' says Ross Matthews, Eurocamp's chief marketing officer. 'Some of our aquatic centres are as good – or better than – any water park.' And this needn't apply only to destinations that all-but guarantee clement summer weather. If you're heading to a destination where things are less predictable, a park that includes an indoor waterpark could save your holiday – just be sure to check it doesn't come with hefty access fees. A wide variety of activities The perfect holiday park has activities for all ages and all interests. We're talking art workshops, mini discos and sports camps. You can generally expect European holiday parks to provide the likes of archery, mini golf, and use of multi-sports grounds for free, but it's worth checking in advance. Activities like bicycle hire, water sports and horse riding will likely cost extra, but the best ones will make this clear on their websites, so that you can budget for it before you travel. I like, for example, how Europe-wide company Roan offers free children's bikes to those aged under six. Others make nature their playground, with sought-after locations in pristine natural parks. Then there's Germany's Park Hochsauerland, which is handily located next to AVENTURA der Spielberg, the longest play structure in Europe. Solid food and drink options The one thing that absolutely guarantees to put a dampener on a European holiday park experience is poor food offerings. Either there aren't enough supermarkets in the area, the park itself is churning out low-quality fast food, or the serving hours are limited – leading to hangry kids and tetchy parents. The best European holiday parks offer more than one restaurant, a decent mini-market and snack bar on site, and have supermarkets close by. Some have upped their games when it comes to the food quality, too: Tamarit Beach Resort in Catalonia offers more restaurants than most, and even has an adults-only tapas restaurant on the beach. Good access, transport links and free parking The best holiday parks don't rely on guests having their own car: instead, they offer good public transport links and have helpful staff to direct you to it while you're there. Some holiday parks, like Germany's Spreewaldtor parc, offer their own shuttles to local towns, while others can book your airport transfer (though always compare parks' prices with local suppliers). Manor Farm in Switzerland gives guests a card that grants them discounts to local attractions, plus free use of the local bus – a game-changer if you're keen to get out and explore. If you do choose to drive, free parking, electric charging points and – if it's a car-free holiday park – the choice to unload your bags at your lodge before you park are all must-haves, too. Plenty of peace and privacy I'm sure I'm not the only one to have tried to fall asleep sleep in a holiday park, only to have the jarring lullaby of a football, as it is thwacked against the side of an adjacent lodge, ringing in my ears. Similarly, I find it off-putting when the view from the kitchen sink of your cabin is – you guessed it – another person looking back at you, over their kitchen sink. If you share these irritations, you might look to Siblu – a holiday park operator that offers guests a 'choose your own' service that allows you to pick your holiday lodge of choice using a site map. Of course, it comes with an added fee (£39 in low season, £79 in high season), but the benefits are often well worth the outlay. Similarly, Les Charmettes in the Charente Maritime has also been designed for maximum privacy, with homes set in leafy cul-de-sacs, while the popular La Carabasse is among the most spacious parks you'll find anywhere. A variety of accommodation types Historically, many European holiday parks delivered a one-size-fits-all set up of bland mobile homes. These budget-friendly options still feature, of course, and often fit the bill for an affordable family holiday. But today, the best holiday parks have taken a more imaginative approach: Brittany's Les Mouettes, for example, has added rooftop terraces to theirs, affording guests the best sea views, while the lodges and safari tents at mould-breaking Sanguli Salou take on bold and stylish aesthetics inspired by Caribbean, Polynesian, Mediterranean and African designs. Wooden chalets also abound: those found at La Croix du Vieux Pont are lovely and come with a mezzanine level, or second floor. If you're heading to the balmy Costa del Sol during peak summer, a back-to-basics mobile home may fit your bill. But if there's a chance the weather could be a bit off, the best holiday parks offer the choice of cosier abodes. The option of luxury extras To keep costs low, some holiday parks want you to bring your own sheets, and make your own bed on arrival – and for many, that's just fine. Some, however, prefer not to travel with their linen, so the best holiday parks offer the option to hire sheets and, as at Huttopia, to upgrade your package to avoid doing your own pre-departure cleaning. Pay attention to the details when booking your holiday park – and read those traveller reviews, too, especially if you're someone who needs their creature comforts. Having a wellness centre on site could really elevate your holiday, as could the option to upgrade to a cabin with a Nespresso machine and a dishwasher. Because, really, who wants to do the washing up when they're on holiday?
