When planning out your camping in France venture, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? It is always better to have a checklist of things and items that you must bring along with you, especially at situations where you will be far from home.

If you are a frequent traveler, you may already have strict rules as to what and what not to bring during the course of your trip. As much as you want to be equipped with what you may need at dire times during your travel, you should also aim to carry out only the essentials so that you won’t have a hard time carrying your luggage around.

Experience Camping

France is an ideal location for this purpose. This offers comfortable accommodation package deals at prices you can afford. To prove its popularity among tourists, the country’s government rates their campgrounds much like how they do it with hotels, through the use of star ratings. But this is still not a complete guarantee because there are sites that garnered higher ratings but still appear like run of the mill to their visitors.

To be very sure about what you will get into, it is recommended that you research about the locations before you book yourself in. As much as possible, gather as much information that you can get on various websites that feature different campsites with testimonials and reviews from people who have tried them out.

The amount that you have to allot on the venture depends on the kind of accommodation that you want to experience. The price may range from few Euros up to about 500 if you opt to rent out a bungalow for 6 persons in a week. There are sites where you can use electricity for free, while some may charge an extra of about 4 Euros for this purpose.

The budget also depends on the season. You should expect the prices for camping to be more expensive during the peak tourist season that happens in July to August. These are the months when sites feature more than what you can get on regular days, like nightly shows, grocery, stand-by medical practitioners and many more.

First Aid Checklist

It will be best to prepare for the worst when you engage yourself at camping activities, especially when you have your whole family with you. You should be prepared to handle minor mishaps that could happen because of the excitement and unfamiliarity that surround the location. Usually, if you have kids with you, you must be able to handle scrapes and cuts. To make sure that you will be able to emerge fit for all the challenges that you will be faced with during your trip, here are some more things that you can add up on your first aid checklist.

1. Medicines for headaches, muscle pains and anti-diarrhea. You should also bring the pills that you use if you have allergies and the likes.

2. Antiseptic ointments and creams.

3. Pointed tools like knife and tweezers. You must also bring your own scissors.

4. Lotions and creams intended for sunburn relief.

5. Different sizes of gauze and bandages.

6. Rinse solutions and sterile wipes to avoid infection when anyone of your family members got hurt.

When you have everything in place on your first aid kit, you will be able to enjoy and get the most out of your camping in France quest.

There was a time that camping was all about sleeping in a tent. These days, you can rent a mobile home and still be close to nature if you decide to go camping in France.

To rent a mobile home for your camping trip, you need to do some research first to find out how much it costs and what is available. You can do this by yourself and while online, you might be able to get special deals and rates if you make a reservation and pay the down payment.  Take note that the rate changes depending on the season and this is all in Euro not US dollar.

If you don’t have time to look for a mobile home to rent, you can ask your travel agent who is already working on your travel arrangements. Since you are still across the Atlantic, keep in mind that reservations can only be made using a major credit card.

The size of the mobile home varies so you can find out that can house 4 people while there are bigger ones that can house double that number.

Part of what you pay already includes the electrical and water charges as well as a car. If the place you will be staying in is far from the airport, you can choose to have the car waiting in the parking lot with instructions of how to get to the mobile home.

What is not included in the price when you are looking around is are transportation, meals and personal expenses, the provision of bed linen and towels, the cleaning, local tax and bond which is payable on the spot and cancellation insurance.

Since the mobile home is empty, you can bring some of the items all the way from the US or buy it from hypermarkets or supermarkets along the way.

If you would like bed and linen, this is available for rent but you have to request for this while making your reservation.

To do that, make sure that your driver’s license is valid. You will be happy to know that you don’t have to get an international driver’s license since the American driver’s license will do in western European countries. So while you are still in the US, make sure this is still valid. If not, you better have it renewed before you leave so there won’t be any problems if ever you get pulled over.

To be safe, be aware of European street signs and driving laws before you get behind the wheel. It should be pointed out that the auto accident fatality rate in Europe is about four times higher than that in the United States.

Renting a mobile home is not very hard and you can do this on your own or with the help of a travel agent. In the end, you still save money because the rates are still much cheaper than staying in a hotel.

If you enjoyed staying a in a mobile home while camping in France, you are sure to do this again in the foreseeable future. With over 10,000 camp sites all across the country, you are sure to find another which is just as good as this one or maybe even better.

Why do campers flock to France? Well, probably the same reason why campers go out in the first place. They like to enjoy nature and have a great time outdoors. Now, France offers a whole bunch of choices for campers. From the most basic campsites which actually have nothing but the ground and trees, to the so called star rated campsites which have additional amenities that offer a certain level of comfort to campers, France has them. In fact there are even four-starred campsites which have luxurious restaurants, swimming pools and even perfect and picturesque landscaping. It all depends on what you when to see when you go camping in France.

Be warned, however, that because of the number of campers who flock to France, campsites actually accept advance reservations. If you found a good place, then it would be best to contact the campsite management and arrange something so you won’t have problems with a site later.

Also be aware that July and August are the peak holiday months where guests, tourists and locals alike will take time pitching their tents and enjoying the great outdoors. These two months are indeed the peak season and you should learn to book early pretty much like hotels in the cities.

What you see in your campsite will usually depend of the location. There are sites near the beaches that give campers a pretty much good view of the sea. Activities that involve the sea and water can be organized by the campers themselves. Meanwhile, campsites located inland have hills, valleys, vineyards, trees, shrubs and mountain rivers as their sceneries. Mountain scenes are more prominent in the western parts of France.

Adding to the coastal or mountain scenes are the old towns surrounding or near the campsites. The fascinating towns and villages are a great plus for campers. These towns are added attractions.

Other sites feature full entertainment facilities. A night of dancing and singing are normal in these kinds of camps. Some others will have comfortable beds and a communal dining area where hosts or the camp management will serve meals which can be part of the camp fees collected from campers. Those with a great mountain or forest trail offer hiking activities that can be enjoyed by both adults and children alike. There are campsites with swimming pools that rival those from top resorts.

Amateur, hobbyists and even professional photographers alike will have a field day when they go camping in France. The flora and fauna in the campsites, the culture and picturesque landscape and townscapes are more than enough subjects for the cameras of campers. France is a good place as any to practice photography and other art forms like sketching, painting, and the like.

Regardless of the kinds of activities and amenities available in various campsites, one thing is certain when you go camping in France. You’ll find that generally, the camping experience is a well organized and in fact a well-established practice. You will find campsites that are well maintained and offer quality services for all campers.

What you see when camping in France is an experience like no other. Whether you love the outdoors or not, if given an opportunity to camp in France make sure to not let that chance to pass you by.

Grab the opportunity and enjoy the experience.

Camping in France may be something that you want to experience, hence your thorough research about the place and the activities that you can do while on it. You are going to spend money in the process. You might as well use it to make the most out of your trip. If you are still clueless about the activities that you can engage into while at it, it is never too late to learn about it.

While you are at home or maybe during your break time at work, you can start browsing the Internet for the information that it can provide you with about the activity. You can familiarize yourself with different campgrounds available in the area where you will be staying during your visit. You may want to check out the sites’ ratings that are being given by its government based on many factors including amenities and freebies.

If you are on a tight budget but you still don’t want to miss the opportunity to experience this quest, you must avoid accomplishing your plans during the peak season for tourists who have heard about the good and exciting things about France, specifically about camping. You must not book yourself during the months of July to August because reservations may be higher because at these times, campgrounds add utilities, facilities, sight s and activities to how they usually handle business.

After you have gained enough knowledge and you think that you are ready to pursue what you want to do, the next thing that you must bear in mind is that you have to enjoy the whole process. This can be achieved by thinking ahead as to how this can be accomplished. There are many ways and many things that you can do to make your trip fun and something you will always be reminded about. To help you accomplish such goal, here are the things that you must remember.

1. Know as much information about the location. This is how you will start your planning stage about the activity. By researching about it, you will learn how you will go about your camping trip. You will not miss out on the happenings and you would want to check out on the things that you have been informed about through your research.

2. Meet new people. Experiencing something new is a challenge but can also lead to some fun and adventure. To make your trip more fun as well as memorable, you must try to meet new friends, people who can share with you their inputs regarding the adventure and other things that you may also want to know about.

3. Bring in family or friends. Share the experience with the people whom you care about. By coming into the place in groups, you will be able to explore more about various activities that you will not dare do if you have come alone.

4. Take lots of picture. You must try to capture as many memories that you may want to be reminded about your trip to France. This can be achieved by getting photos of the locations and spots you’ve been into or the people whom you have met while camping out. You can choose to keep the photos.

You can also share those to other people who are interested about camping in France.

Before you go camping in France, one of the things you will need to prepare for is the food that you will be eating in the next few days. If you think buying them from the grocery is all that it takes, think again.

One way to save time in cooking is to prepare these meals at home and then just reheat it when everyone is hungry. Bring a long a cover pot to heat it faster. This will save on fuel and make sure dirt and insects do not get into your food.  While some of the food can be kept in plastic containers, the rest can be packed using zip lock bags.

Making a fire takes time so instead bring a long a small oven. Since this comes with a gas canister, be sure this is kept upright at all times and in a well ventilated area. Before you put it in the car, check for leaks by putting soap liquid. When it is not being used, turn it off.

To protect your pots and pans from any fire damage, apply liquid soap on the outside putting over the fire. If you will be out camping for a few days, you better apply oil to prevent food from sticking.

Since burnt food happens in the kitchen, you are sure that this will also happen when you are camping. To clean the pan, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover the bottom and then bring to a boil.

While you are eating, put a pan of hot water over the fire so you will have an easy time cleaning up after everyone is done. Another option will be to bring a large coffee pot. That way, you can also serve coffee or hot chocolate.

You may want to drink something cold while you are camping so buy block ice instead of cube ice. Be sure to also put this inside a cooler so it does not melt together with any other refreshments you decide to bring like juices and sodas. Since you will be opening the cooler very often to get good compared to drinks, better separate the two and put one in another cooler.

It will also be a good idea to bring aluminum foil since these are great for mixing meats and vegetables as well as for cooking and cleanup. To prevent them from burning and keeping it moist, apply some ice.

Certain dishes are not the same without seasoning. If you need to bring some along, use the squeeze bottle versions because these are easier to use. If ever these get hard, shake it and then watch it come out.

On the last day of camping, cook over any left over meats and vegetables by mixing this into an omelet. This is because you can mix almost anything with it and you reduce the amount of leftovers you have to take back home.

Cooking and camping in France should not be a problem now that you know what to do even before you get to the camp site. If this is your first time and you had a blast, you can do it again not only with family but also with friends.

You have probably heard about backpacking through Europe. Given that each country has a lot to offer, why not stay in just one and enjoy the sites. One country is Europe that is so vast is France. So with a rental car, why don’t you go on that road trip and go camping in France. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Before you drive off, you should do some planning so you know where you will be going. Naturally, this depends on how much money you have so consider how much you are willing to shell out for the entire trip.

The weather in France makes it great for camping all year long. Since you have to go back to work after the trip, you have plan how long you will be away.

There are over 10,000 campgrounds scattered all over France so you also have to know how far you will be driving and still have enough time to enjoy the campground. So you are sure that this campground is worth staying in, do some research by going online. Compare their prices and amenities because this will tell you whether to stay here or not.

Once you have decided on potential campgrounds, don’t forget to call in advance and make a reservation because you might be going during the peak season or when there is an event which means it will be pretty crowded.

People who schedule the camping trip before or after the summer season are better off because the rates are usually cut by half which means more savings. When all the arrangements have been made, you can already get a map and plan your route.

Before you head to the campground, it will be a good idea to print out the driving directions. Write down also the contact number of the place you are going so you can call if you get lost. If possible, encode all this information into your GPS unit which will reduce the odds of getting lost.

Make sure you also have all the equipment you need. This includes of course a tent, food, survival gear and a first aid kit. You can surely make a stopover at a grocery when your supplies are running low. Since you may get loss, see if you can get a GPS unit.

One thing you should know about camping in France is that you don’t always have to sleep inside a tent. The French government issues star ratings to campsites and if the rating for a certain campground is given a 4 or 5 star rating, this means you can take a dip in the swimming pool, eat in one of the restaurants or even sleep in an inn or hotel.

It should also be pointed out that camping in France is not only in the countryside but within the city itself. Believe it or not, there is a campsite inside Paris itself namely the Bois de Bologne Camp which happens to be just a few minutes away from Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower.

Who knew that a road trip and Camping in France can be done at the same time? With the right information and proper planning, you will have a great time seeing the famous landmarks and the beautiful countryside.

There are a lot of nice places to go camping in France. By staying in the outdoors, you get to save money rather than staying in a hotel.

One camping ground situated inside a 50 hectare manor is the Le Val de Bonnal. Despite the green grassy patches all around, this place is considered to be a heaven for water lovers as they have 4 lakes that allow you to go canoeing, swimming and wind surfing.

If you want to get some exercise, you can hike and visit the village of Bonnal. You will never get bored here because if you run out of things to do, you can check out unique activities organized for visitors.

Another camping ground is the Aluna Vacances in Ardèche that is near the town of Vallon Pont D’arc. It has a swimming pool with slides for you to cool off. For those that don’t want to swim, they can go on a canoeing trip. After dinner, you can sing your heart out at the karaoke, go dancing in the mini disco or sit and watch the live show.

Next is Le Ranc Davaine in Ardeche. As you explore the vast camping ground, you will notice the hidden valleys, majestic rocks and rivers hidden in greenness. If hiking is not your thing, you can fun and even meet new friends as you go to the aqua gym or participate in sports such as archery, volleyball and tennis.

Who said you can’t go camping near the beach? This is possible in France because of two great camping destinations to go to namely Les Sablons in Languedoc-Roussillon and Domaine de la Yole in Languedoc/Roussillon.

Both campsites have a sandy beach so your kids can make a sandcastle while you go out trying the various activities.

You can even do a little shopping as you go inside the various shops and find fruits, vegetables and excellent wine.

If you want a camping site that has the beach on one end and the mountains in another, you should go camping in Les Pêcheurs in Côte d’Azur. Because it is so central, you can take a drive in any direction and engage in various activities.

If you happen to go camping in Southern France, you get to enjoy the great scenery, the beaches and the fishing villages which you will not find anywhere else. If you want to do some shopping, you can go to the cities of Cannes, Monaco and St Tropez.

You may even want to take pictures in the canyon of Gorges du Verdon or visit the perfume distilleries. If you are traveling with kids, let them have some fun in the Aquatica inside the Frejus.

For those who want to go camping in the north, Brittany is an ideal place to go as you can see the rugged coastline and rocky coves. Since you can’t swim here, go south where there are long stretches of sandy beaches.

As you can see, there are a lot of nice places go to camping in France. You just have to do some research and find out what your family likes to do so you will enjoy your vacation. If you want to get a discount in any of these places, you are advised to book in advance.

Camping is perhaps the best way to be close with nature. If you have done it in different parts of the US and want something different for a change, do this abroad and see if you can get the same experience while camping in France.

When you go camping, it is only natural that you bring the equipment from your home to the campsite. But if are going to cross the Atlantic to do that, it will probably be better to rent some of the equipment rather than bringing these along in your carry on luggage.

One of the most important things you will have to rent is the tent. Once you get it, read the instructions and practice setting it up a few times so you won’t have any problems doing this later on. This will allow you to do it without any difficulty when you arrive at the campgrounds in the later afternoon or after dark.

Also check the other equipment that you will be using for the trip including the flashlight, compass, knife and GPS if you are able to borrow one. These things are essential for your survival in the event that you get lost.

It will be a good idea to get all the information you need about the camp ground before deciding to go. That way, you are sure that there are different activities for you and the kids to do especially when you are staying there for a few days.

To do that, you can go online and check out the most frequented camping sites in France. You might be surprised to find out that some of the camping grounds in France are situated inside large estates or have an amusement park inside.

With that, you are sure that there are plenty of activities to do and you can even get the assistance of the organizers.

If cars are not allowed inside the campground, that means you have to walk a bit to get there. Just be sure that the distance is manageable because you will only end up exhausting yourself carrying all the gear.

When you reach the camp ground, set rules for the safety of everyone. For instance, children should not wander off alone, they should never approach animals and they must not taste or touch any of the vegetation. Everyone should also learn some basic first aid and fire safety.

Since you don’t have a stove or an open in a campsite, it is best to bring food that is easy to cook and prepare. You may not find hotdogs or burgers here but you can surely make up for that by cooking sausages, marshmallows and a few other delicacies that you can only find in France.

After camping in France for a few days, clean up and make sure all the garbage that you have made is collected and store properly. That way, your children will learn to be responsible and so that other campers who will be visiting this site in the future will also be able to enjoy it.

The purpose of camping outdoors is to get away from the everyday comforts and be close to nature. By doing some planning, you will be able to enjoy that even if you decide to go camping in France.

Camping in France is very different when you sleep in a mobile home compared to a tent. This is because in the mobile home, you get the amenities similar to what you have back home. If you want the simple life and sleep on the ground, you need to have a tent. So you get the best value for your money, you have to know how to buy the right tent.

Tents come in different sizes and shapes. When you are buying one, choose based on the weather conditions where you will be camping. For camping in moderate elevations, you can buy a three season tent but if you are will be camping in high elevation, you should get a 4 season tent.

You should also consider how many people are going on the camping trip because tents can hold 2, 3 and 4 people. Naturally, tents that are able to hold more heads are more expensive and this could each close up to $700.

Aside from how many can sleep inside the tent, also consider how much equipment you will be keeping inside when you go to bed.

When you go shopping for a tent, get a brand that is well established in the industry. Some brands worth checking out include Kelty, Marmot Mountain, Mountain Hardware, North Face and Sierra Designs. Aside from seeing it in specialty stores, you can get more information about what each one has by visiting their websites.

That way, you sure that the tent will not be blown away if the wind is too strong or that water will not enter if it rains very hard.

The only way that can happen is if the tent is made of strong materials. The fabric should be made either of nylon or polyester. Between the two, polyester is better since it can withstand UV rays. It should also be breathable so it is not too hot or too cold inside and of course waterproof so you won’t get wet if it rains.

Since most tents have poles to keep it upright, be sure that this is made of aluminum or fiberglass. You can ask the sales assistant about this or read the label which should mention the tent material specifications.

You can find tents for camping in sporting goods store or online. But if you want to test it, you are better off seeing it in person. Should the price be a bit expensive, see if someone on the web is selling it for a more affordable price.

One thing you will notice when looking at the different kinds of tents available is that there are trade-offs between each one. For instance, taller tents although comfortable are not that wind resistant. Shorter tents that can withstand strong winds and are warmer inside may make you feel claustrophobic.

You just have to weigh the pros and cons of each one and then decide which one is best for your camping trip.

Whatever design you decide to bring along for your camping in France, be sure to practice setting it up so you won’t have any problems even when you arrive in the camp ground after dark. If you are doing this for the first time or have other things to bring along and there is not enough space, see if you can borrow one instead.

Once you have found a tent for your camping in France, the next thing you have to buy is a sleeping bag. This is because tents don’t come with that and if you don’t invest in a good one, you will not be able to sleep very well at night.

There are 6 things you have to look for when are looking for a sleeping bag namely size, shape, warmth, fabric, weight and price.

If you are the one who is going to use the sleeping bag, naturally this should fit you. There should be room enough for you to lie on your back and also be comfortable if you move to your side.

The next thing you have to consider is the shape of the sleeping bag. These days, you can find them in mummy or tapered shape, one that is narrower at the bottom or the most common which is the shape of a rectangle.

Of the three shapes, the best is the mummy or tapered shape sleeping bag because it provides the most warmth and it is the least bulky when you are packing it with the rest of your gear.

Speaking of warmth, there is no standard set in the industry. This depends on the manufacturer but to give you an idea, if it is given a 3 star, the sleeping bag is good for you use only during the summer. If you go camping during the winter, it is best to buy a 4 star rating sleeping bag.

What makes the sleeping bag warm is the material. Some sleeping bags are made using goose down that is a natural fiber. The only problem with this fabric is that it is very uncomfortable to use when it is wet. It also takes a long time before it dries. Your option then will be a sleeping bag that uses synthetic fills.

The sleeping bag is not the only thing you will carry when you go camping. So when shopping for a sleeping bag, make sure that this weighs at least 6 pounds or less.

When you are shopping for a sleeping bag, consider also the outer shell. Ideally, this should be moisture resistant as this keeps out dampness. The problem with this is that it also keeps the moisture in. If you happen to sweat easily, better get a sleeping bag made of a cotton exterior.

It is best to also get one that has a dark color because this keeps the sleeping bag warm during cold days and dries more quickly.

The last thing to consider when shopping for a sleeping bag is the price. If you around, you can find one for less than $60 while more durable ones will be the hundreds of dollars. For people who camp regularly, better buy one for long term use.

Now that you know what to look for when you buy a sleeping bag, there are two things you have to do when you use it.

First, after a good night’s sleep, open the bag so you can let the air go out. If the weather is good, spread it out and lay this on top of your tent.

Second, after using it on a camping trip, hang it using clamps or leave it folded loosely as this will help it last longer and ready for your next adventure.

You will sleep much better if you are able to buy a good sleeping bag and it doesn’t matter if you are camping in France or just in your backyard.