Cuddle up: the great outdoors is perfect for a romantic camping trip – and France is the perfect country for romance.
Love is in the air – the open air! So, if you’re looking to ignite the romance at home, or just dreaming up a more exciting date night, then you should definitely book a romantic stay in the great outdoors in France.
It’s pretty hard not to feel loved-up when cuddled up outside, staring at the stars, holding hands and drinking local French wine by a roaring fire… reminiscing about how you fell in love!
A camping holiday with your special someone is a great adventure and treasured memory, not limited to Valentine’s Day or ‘once in a blue moon’. Camping in the heart of nature is available to you all year round – and you’ll feel as connected to each other as you are to the serene environment around you….
They say that a camping trip with just one other person encourages you to let your guard down and be more relaxed. Apparently, we’re more likely to enjoy each other’s company when no one else is there to intrude, but also when we’re out in the fresh air and getting exercise. Camping delivers both in abundance and creates the ideal opportunity for real intimacy.
Think coastal hikes, forest bathing, wild swimming, wandering through vineyards (or just a well-deserved lie in without the kids jumping on your bed). You can enjoy romantic picnics, explore nearby villages, sunbathe, or just flirt around a log fire like teenagers again!
And, if you think camping is all about roughing it in the wilderness, then think again. You can enjoy a romantic camping experience in France, without having to bring any camping gear. Why not make it a glamping holiday and experience luxury accommodation whilst soaking up all of nature’s goodness?
French campsites are perfect for a romantic getaway
France is a popular destination for camping and, although many lovers default to Paris to experience the fairytale fantasy, there are so many romantic hotspots with equally dramatic backdrops, away from the city – and available all year round.
Consider scenic destinations like La Rochelle, Loire Valley, Provence and Normandy, some of the most romantic camping getaways in France – and there’s no shortage of alternatives brimming with open countryside, forests, coastal views, vineyards, national parks or quaint little restaurants and historical hotspots. (We’ve got more inspo later on).
Oh, and the choice of accommodation at a French campsite (or glampsite) is so exciting! You can find all the luxuries of a boutique hotel in an assortment of glamping pods, safari-tents, wooden cabins, floating huts and more.
Ever stayed in a transparent dome? You could stay in a secluded bubble dome, with panoramic sky views, complete with a luxury bed, a separate private bathroom and shower.
Or, try a canopy treehouse and wake to the sound of the dawn chorus literally right outside your door. France has it all!
But, if lapping up nature in a luxury home-from-home isn’t for you, you’ll find many a cosy little chalet or well-supplied spot to pitch your tent and create the perfect hideaway for two.
>> Discover campsites with a spa for the ultimate couples pampering <<
Best romantic camping destinations in France
Now that we’ve set the scene, let’s talk about some of the most romantic camping destinations France has to offer. You can search by destination from our homepage once we’ve convinced you to book!
Riverside camping in the Dordogne Valley, South-West France
Experience the rural and medieval charm of the Dordogne Valley, and its gift of charming villages, water activities and perfect backdrops. You’ll find tranquil campsites on the banks of the Dordogne River are great for wild swimming, kayaking and romantic strolls too.
Camping in Côte d’Azur (The French Riviera)
The Côte d’Azur in South-East France has been a popular honeymoon destination for as long as we can remember, and why? Because it’s simply beautiful! There are towns bursting with cultural heritage, historical villages, beautiful beaches, world-class eateries, glitz and glamour! Plus a seemingly never-ending stretch of mountainous and countryside landscapes.
Camping in Bordeaux
A romantic stay in the wine capital of the world? Yes please! Here you can set up camp before exploring a city filled with iconic monuments, UNESCO World Heritage site urbana, as well as miles of surrounding vineyards and rolling French countryside. The food in Bordeaux is something else, and the wine? Well, we’ll let you sing its praises (if you can remember the next day!).
Camping in Paimpont, Brittany
Hailed as one of the best places in North France to experience the region’s rich legacy, Paimpont is home to ancient forests, walking trails and the Abbey Notre-Dame. You’ll find lots of campsites here, with all sorts of eccentric and unique accommodation.
Camping in the Massif Central, South-Central France
Try to imagine a more perfect campsite with your lover than one surrounded by nature in all its mightiest glory. We’re talking volcanoes, thermal springs, lakes and magnificent mountains. The village campsites here are both epic and relaxing at the same time.
Top tips for planning a romantic camping trip to France
If you’re planning an unforgettable romantic camping trip, keep reading and let us provide some great tips to keep that flame burning brightly.
Pick a campsite near real beauty spots and walks
Choose a naturally beautiful location to impress your date at every turn. Pick a campsite near stunning mountain or coastal viewpoints, sandy beaches or natural wilderness, so you can create all those romantic memories you are both dreaming of.
Here you can relax and take a walk together through beautiful landscapes or embark on a couples adventure like mountain biking, kayaking or wild swimming.
Remember, the fresh air in forests, woodlands, coasts or lakelands goes a long way to creating healthy appetites for all things – food, exercise, emotions and fun. Breathe it in and take lots of long walks and talks together. Meditate, do yoga, or run. Anything that celebrates you, your bodies and the natural world around you.
Disconnect before you reconnect
The one thing that can kill the mood on a romantic camping trip is your phone, so make sure to try and turn it off – for at least some of the time, and relax into nature.
You could go so far as to choose a place with no Wi-Fi and let the relative isolation strengthen the bond between you. Or you could just agree to keep the devices packed away in your rucksack – once the initial impulses to check for messages disappear, the lack of technology will be a real treat.
Natural habitats are already full of adventure and entertainment, so after a while you won’t miss your devices at all – except to take those #couplegoals selfies of course.
>> Read more about the benefits of a digital detox <<
Choose a room with the ultimate view
There is very little to compete with the feeling of waking in a campsite and opening the door of your cabin or pod to find nature in all its healing beauty waiting there for you. It’s a sure-fire way to get romance blossoming and so make sure and pick a spot with a fantastic view.
You won’t be short of choices in France – from coastal, to riverside, to mountains, to lakes, there are so many exceptional landscapes to stay in, helping you both switch off from the fast pace of daily life.
Wrap up beside a blazing campfire
Building a campfire is relatively easy and, as long as your campsite allows it, it can create a perfect romantic experience for you and your significant other. Check with your host before you go whether they provide a fire ring, which is a metal ring to contain your fire, then surprise your love by learning how to build it before you go.
You’ll need tinder, kindling and larger firewood. The simplest campfire shape is the teepee shape, which will give you a tall roaring fire in no time. Pack some blankets and wrap up together around the fire. It’s a wonderfully romantic experience.
Alternatively, find a glamping home with a log burner. Similar outcome, less prep!
Research the facilities
Make sure you stay at a campsite with good toilets and washing facilities like showers and sinks, whether in your private chalet or communal facilities beside your tent or camper. You might be a little perspired from travelling or outdoor adventuring and nothing kills romance quicker than poor hygiene facilities!
Most modern camps have great facilities and you won’t have to worry, but have a look at the photos and descriptions to be sure.
Pack some flavour in your picnic
Food is everything on a romantic camping date – whether in a restaurant, a mountainside or the edge of a lake. Pack lots of exciting flavours and options – and plenty of treats! You can keep things cool for up to a day in a cool box or bag filled with ice blocks.
>> Check out our essential camping food checklist <<
You’ll want your favourite drink, but also something special like rich chocolate to make those toasted marshmallows a bit more luxurious, or packets of expensive cold meats and cheese and a jar of nuts in honey. Anything that’s just that little bit more special than normal.
If you enjoy a tipple, a local French wine could be the perfect aphrodisiac.
Consider luxury accommodation
Not everyone likes a basic tent while camping, so think about what would make your date feel most comfortable and perhaps check out all the different glamping accommodations available nowadays for romantic camping.
From log cabins and treehouses to yurts and gypsy caravans, there’s no end of romantic camping ideas, with a range of facilities. Some have hot tubs, private hammocks or an on-site heated swimming pool and you can find an extensive range of options when you browse our campsites.
But, don’t get us wrong, sometimes a cosy tent equipped with clean, comfortable bedding, or a cute little chalet, will tick all the boxes too – In fact, cosying up this way could make sparks fly!
Wild swimming
Why not plan to do some wild swimming while you’re on your romantic break? Choose a campsite on the coast or near a river or private lake and bring a comfortable daypack with light towels, togs, snacks and water bottles if you’re thinking of taking the plunge.
Whatever the weather, it’s a fantastically refreshing experience after a hike or day of sunbathing – and spending time exercising in a natural landscape will help build endorphins that will simply make you feel good about yourself and your partner.
Protect the environment together
Camping is one of the most eco-friendly trips you can take. Even when you’re staying in an organised glamping campsite, prebuilt for you, the emphasis is normally on minimising our carbon footprint. Taking a trip that enriches both of you, while protecting the environment your romance is blossoming in, can only create stronger bonds between you.
>>Everything you need to know about camping in France<<
Make your camping experience as romantic as possible
Still wondering if a camping trip is for you? Perhaps our FAQs hold the answer:
Yes, you’ll find that some of the more romantic and luxurious sites are aimed at adults-only and create a very romantic atmosphere from the moment you arrive. You can even find naturist campsites by filtering it as an option when booking with us.
Yes, in general you can have very short stays at glamping sites in the shoulder seasons, when you can also get great deals for cheap holidays. However, it’s best to book early as they can be very popular spots and the best ones book up quickly.
Most larger campsites have separate areas for tents, campervans and caravans, and self-catering accommodation. The big family-style campsites tend to have their pitches very close together, but the more boutique sites ensure each pitch has its own privacy, visually separate from others. There is a huge range of accommodation in France, so make sure you choose the type best suited to your romantic trip, by using our search filters.
Yes, a large proportion of accommodation at French campsites is in fact private mobile homes, chalets and cottages, with their own toilets and showers. Some of the 4 and 5 star campsites have private or semi-private washrooms at each tent or van pitch too.
Many sites have their own shops or are near villages with everything you need. Since it’s France it won’t ever be difficult to find wine and cheese, the essentials of a romantic trip. Cooking your own food on a campfire can also become a romantic adventure – but pack plenty of ready-to-go treats too.
You’ll find plenty of seasonal and year-round camping options in France. Camping in winter is super romantic! You can find cosy cabins in the woods surrounded by snow-capped trees that ooze enchantment. Equally, a hot summer camping holiday could bring the heat to your couples getaway. Camping in the spring or autumn (avoiding school holidays) could bag you a bargain deal. So depending on your preference & budget, France is your Oyster!
Feeling romantic? Check out our romantic camping options.
