Last Updated on 5 June 2026 by Colette
There are so many campsites in France that it can be quite overwhelming. I was recently asked how we choose our campsites so I thought I’d share here the process that we go through (and when I say we, I mean mostly Dave!):
1. We pick a general location first
We always go south in search of sunshine for May half term – the weather in Northern France can be quite similar to at home and frankly that’s not what I’m going on holiday for.
Because we drive to the South of France we don’t need to worry about transport links however last year when Kirst and Chris came with us, we did factor in proximity to an airport too.
2. We look for parks in our chosen area with the best slides
Good slides and pools are what keep our kids entertained so this is a priority for us – if they’ve got a decent pool and some slides, they are pretty much happy for the week! Dave and I also really enjoy being able to lie by the pool while they are playing so having a pool area that’s aesthetically pleasing with plenty of beds is also a consideration.
(When the kids were younger we’d have also looked at play areas but that’s not something we worry about now!)
3. Look at proximity to the beach
I’m a massive thalassophile and love to be able to spend some time at the beach on holiday – though what we’ve discovered over the years is that the kids are less bothered by this than I am!
Typically we try to book a campsite within walking distance of the beach (sites like Les Sablons with direct access are the dream!) but I don’t mind a short drive to the beach either. I’ve always felt that it wouldn’t feel like I was really on holiday if I didn’t get to feel the sand between my toes – however Dave has found some great looking campsites further inland which we might consider for a future trip, especially if Dave and I are going on holiday on our own later in the year as we can feed my obsession with the sea then instead!
5. Look at Google to see the pictures other people have uploaded to get a feel for the site.
Google maps is a super useful resource for researching French campsites as you can view pictures that other people have uploaded from their stays rather than just the professional, polished promo shots that the campsite want you to see!
As well as the slides and pools, it’s good to get a feel for the wider facilities and what the accommodation looks like – some sites feel really squashed (we didn’t like Les Sablons because all the holiday homes were facing each other) but others are laid out more thoughtfully with holiday homes facing away from each other so you don’t feel on top of other guests.
6. Check out review on TripAdvisor, Feefo and Google
There are lots of places to read reviews of campsites – blogs like mine (!), TripAdvisor, Feefo and Google – what I would say with review sites like TripAdvisor is that its always worth taking those reviews with a pinch of salt – most people only bother to review things if they love them or if they absolutely hated them, there is rarely any in between!
7. Word of mouth recommendation is also a good starting point if you’re totally overwhelmed
The first time we took the kids to France with Eurocamp, we stated at Chateau De Lez Eaux on recommendation from a family friend with children of a similar age. I totally trusted her opinion and was relieved to be able to just jump on and book that site without doing too much more research. Over time we’ve honed our booking process – we know what we’re looking for (good slides, nice surroundings, beaches, places to visit) and are more confident in our research but that doesn’t stop me jumping on my Facebook page and asking if anyone has been to any nice sites recently!
I hope that’s helpful – if you’ve got any other tips for choosing a French campsite without feeling overwhelmed, I’d love to hear them!
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