Dutchies love camping, and France is by far their favourite destination. However, camping in France as, or with, a Dutchie, can be quite a daunting experience. Let’s talk about everything you need to know for a superb trip.
With warm weather, a variety of landscapes, and a convenient distance from the Netherlands — France really has something for everyone.
There are wild camping sites in the wilderness (for the Dutchies who crave the unstructured nature they don’t have at home), beach towns and lake sites (for those who need a water source nearby), and lovely cultural sights scattered all across the country.
The destinations: something for everyone
Ok, so France it is. But where exactly? There’s a sea of options to choose from, so step one to making your decision is to identify what you want from the vacation.
Narrowing down your landscape options is a good first step: ask yourself if you want the grand ocean, mother nature herself, a humble lake, or a cool cultural sight at your campsite.
1. The sunny seaside
If the seaside is your thing, consider going camping by the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a dream for families and people looking for a comfortable summer stay. If the Mediterranean is more your vibe, the French riviera is always a good option, with classics like Nice, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez at your doorstep.
The ocean waves and distant sea horizon, the clear blue skies, and white sandy beaches will give you that sweet, sweet vacation vibe.
2. The heart of nature
If beaches stress you out, don’t worry. Why not check out some more nature-oriented options? France has vast woods and impressive mountain ranges — quite the change from the Dutch landscape! Sites such as Domaine du Verdon in Castellane allow you to enjoy water sports on the river and breathe in the fresh forest air.
The green trees and chirping birds will give you a lovely, chill, holiday, whether it be in the Iraty forest of the Pyrenees, the cliffs of the Gorges du Verdon or the vast lavender fields of Provence.
3. Land somewhere in between
If you want the water source nearby, but you’re not quite vibing with beach life, a lake vacation should be right up your alley.
France can offer options such as La Nublière camping for people like you. It’s located near Lake d’Annecy and is great for water activities, and the views are immaculate.
Another good lake destination is Lake de Genève, on the border between Switzerland and France. It’s the largest lake in Central Europe and has a gorgeous village, a classic French chateau, and tons of water sports to show for it. You’ve got the water, you’ve got the woods; it’s the best of both worlds, really.
4. Camp with culture
For the intellectuals among us, a simple sun-sea-and-sand vacation might just not cut it. But fear not, France is stuffed with amazing cultural attractions, from castles to vineyards, with campsites not far away.
Culture geeks should not miss the many gothic cathedrals France has to offer, such as the impressive and famous Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres, located in the charming city of Chartres (not far from Paris).
Those seeking a more geologically thrilling experience on their cultural trip can explore the famous Gouffre de Proumeyssac, also known as “the devil’s hole” — a fascinating cave filled with crystals and legends.
Other examples include the beautiful English Canal campsites, Dordogne camping, or Château des Marais for breathtaking sights and interesting history.
The accommodation: pick your level of comfort
Of course, the destination is important, but almost just as important is your accommodation.
In general, there are three main types of accommodation that you’ll find yourself in when camping: tents, camper vans/caravans, and cabins/bungalows.
Back to the basics: the humble tent
For those who want to get extra close to mother nature on their camping vacation, a tent is the best option.
Simply reserve a pitch on a campsite, put up your tent (with or without great struggle) and voila — you’re enjoying the real, hard-core camping experience.
A step up for comfort: the camper van
For an ever so slightly less in-touch-with-nature, more in-touch-with-mattress option, you can opt for a camper van.
Reserve a pitch for you and your trusty (motorised) travel companion, and enjoy the freedom of being able to move your house around wherever and whenever you like.
For those with higher standards: book a cabin
Luxury camping, or “glamping”, is also a popular option for those who don’t like the idea of sleeping in a car or on the ground for their vacation (weirdos).
You can typically book anything from primitive wooden cottages to luxury houses, or even tree-top huts, depending on where you decide to go.
Other important aspects to consider
Once you’ve decided on your accommodation of choice, it’s time to consider other facilities you’d like to have on your campsite.
Disability-friendly vacation
For people with disabilities, it might be worthwhile to take an extra look at which sites cater to different disability needs. La Grande Côte is an example of a site that ensures wheelchair-accessible accommodation, and most sites guarantee that service animals are welcome.
Child-friendly vacation
Some sites have an extensive range of activities for children, while others cater more to other groups, for example, couples on vacation. If you’re travelling with children, it’s always smart to check your chosen campsite’s child-friendliness.
Les Tamaris, for example, has a lovely playground for the little ones and prides itself on being super family-oriented. Les Alicourts is another great example of a child-friendly destination, with a baby pool, waterslides, and a huge, private lake at your disposal.
Pet-friendly vacation
Got a four-legged friend you’d like to bring along on your camping trip? Many campsites cater specifically for pet owners, allowing you to include all family members in the vacation fun. Pet-friendly vacation destinations might include dog showers, grounds for free frolicking, and houses suitable for campers of all kinds.
Life hacks for a pain-free trip
Now that you know where you’re gonna stay, and how you’re gonna camp, it’s time to plan everything else. Let’s talk tips and tricks for planning the trip of your dreams.
Pack like a pro
No matter your accommodation, certain things are just a must-bring;
- The ultimate night of sleep while camping can depend on good earplugs. Trust us, you don’t want to stay up all night because the neighbours are having fun, and mosquitoes somehow always find their way in with their infuriating buzzing.
- A decent eye mask can save you many a fight with your camping buddies, who might get up at the crack of dawn, while you want to sleep in. That summer sun also tends to sneak in just a bit too early…
- Another smart gadget is a microfiber towel. If you camp like most Dutch people, chances are there’ll be some sort of water source nearby for cooling dips and swimming.
- If you want to be guaranteed a nice, dry towel every time, you cannot go wrong with a microfiber one. They dry faster than you can say “breakfast mimosa.”
- A final key point on the packing list is a Dutch/English-French dictionary. Make it an e-book for easy access, or go old-school with an actual paper copy, but make no mistake: French people hate to speak anything but French.
If the Dutch habit of bringing everything they need from home fails you, you can always pick up stuff in France if you forget something. Believe it or not, the French have stores too.
Evaluate Dutch habits
Now that you’ve packed everything you need for the perfect, stress-free camping trip, it’s time to plan things more in detail.
First of all, if you wanna be a proper old-fashioned Dutch camper, you’ve got to bring your own food from home. It might be a questionable habit, but with the proper planning, it can save you tons of time and money and will ensure you don’t have to buy as much as an ounce of French food.
If you’re not dead-set on following the stingy Dutch code of conduct, you can also ignore this part, and get your food in France like a regular tourist.
Still, if you’re down to save some money on your camping trip (like the good, stingy Dutch person you are/strive to be), it might be worth researching where the closest large-ish supermarket is. Small-town convenience shops and campsite stores can be ridiculously expensive.
Wearing shoes inside is another controversial Dutch habit that should arguably be scrapped when camping. No matter your accommodation, shoes should definitely be left outside.
Nobody wants the dirt, grime, and pool water from a campsite in their (sometimes very limited) living space.
It can be intimidating to join the Dutch tradition of camping in France and understand all the norms and habits that come along with it. It does not, however, have to be overwhelming.
With some planning and preparation, you’ll quickly find yourself loving the Dutch tradition of driving across the border for the summer!
Have you ever been camping in France? Tell us your best tips in the comments below!