What to see and do when you’re camping in France
Discover fascinating French culture, from iconic art and architecture to celebrated vineyards and historical landmarks.
Go hiking in a national park
Take your family for a hike along trails through the rugged mountain ranges, lush forests and verdant river valleys of France’s national parks. Wear a sturdy pair of hiking boots, fill up your water bottle and pack a picnic including baguettes; local cheese; and fruit for a healthy snack along the way.
Swim and surf
France boasts a stunning coastline, from the glamorous beaches of the French Riviera to world-class surf beaches along the Atlantic. Find sheltered coves for paddling with kids, big wave surfing in Hossegor and long stretches of sand along the southwest coastline that extend all the way to the Spanish border.
Take a guided tour
One of the best ways to discover a new place is by taking a tour run by a knowledgeable local guide. Whether you’re interested in art and architecture or historical sites, there is a wide range of guided tours on foot or by bike. Book a food tour for an introduction to the vibrant culinary scene or a bus tour through the wine regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy.
See iconic monuments and natural wonders
France is home to legendary monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the Palace of Versailles. Natural wonders include the lavender fields of Provence, the cliffs of Étretat, the snowy peaks of Mont Blanc and the bright pink salt flats of the Camargue.
Stroll around grand chateaux
Romantics at heart will adore visiting fairytale castles and stately manor houses in the French countryside, surrounded by manicured hedges and elaborate topiaries. The stunning Château de Chantilly is close to Paris, while Château de Chenonceau and Château de Chambord are situated in the Loire Valley.
Discover remarkable World Heritage
Take a drive from your campsite to see extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Highlights include prehistoric caves in the Ardèche and Vézère Valley, the Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard and the historic fortified city of Carcassonne. Bordeaux, Port of the Moon and the banks of the Seine have also been recognised for their unique cultural heritage.
Get inspired by art
Awaken your imagination at the countless galleries and museums in France. Visit the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and Centre Pompidou in Paris, which feature some of the largest collections of Impressionist paintings, as well as modern art and performance spaces. There are also many mansions with unique collections.
Partake in gastronomic rituals
With a focus on local produce, careful dish selection and food and wine pairings, French gastronomy is world-renowned. Every region has its specialities and the French multi-course gastronomic meal has been added to UNESCO’s Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Dine at neighbourhood bistros with the locals or treat yourself to a meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant near your campsite.
Top reasons for staying at campsites near cultural attractions
Immerse yourself in art and history when you book your next camping holiday in France with Campsited.
Check off your bucket list
If you’ve always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower or the opulent Palace of Versailles, you can check these items off your bucket list when holidaying in France. The Louvre in Paris is the largest art museum in the world and home to Leonardo da Vinci’s enigmatic portrait, the Mona Lisa. Cannes is also a popular destination in the glamorous French Riviera, which hosts a prestigious annual film festival.
Discover French art
Art lovers will relish spending days exploring galleries and admiring works by distinguished French artists such as Monet, Renoir, Degas and Cézanne. Famous French artworks include Liberty Leading the People by Delacroix, Renoir’s celebrated Bal du Moulin de la Galette and The Thinker by Rodin, alongside countless collections of portraits, landscapes, sculptures and still-life paintings.
Have a real-life history lesson
Take your family to visit incredible places that demonstrate how humans lived thousands of years ago. Within the Lascaux caves in the Dordogne, detailed wall paintings show hunting scenes and animal figures that date back to prehistoric times. The Pont du Gard aqueduct was built by the Romans around 1AD to bring water to Nîmes. This masterpiece of engineering is almost 32 miles long.
Spend a rainy day in a museum
If the rain starts to fall on your tent, there’s still plenty to see and do if you’re staying at a campsite close to cultural attractions. France is home to more than a thousand museums, whether you’re interested in art, history or science. Marvel at famous artworks, historical artefacts, bronze sculptures, lavish palaces and bold exhibitions of modern art.
Add some culture to your camping trip
Camping holidays are usually spent by the beach, at the pool or relaxing in natural landscapes, but it’s always great to mix it up. Depending on where you’re staying, you can admire Gothic cathedrals, stroll around pristine formal gardens, discover the medieval pilgrimage site of Mont-Saint-Michel or see the D-Day Landing beaches in Normandy.
