Paris City Breaks: Camping and Exploring the Countryside

Of all the great places to experience around the world, Paris is by far one of the fan favorites for UK and US travelers. It’s romanticized and dreamed of by millions if not billions of people worldwide and it’s visited by as many each year. Why? Because Paris is one of the great, historic cities; and with its wealth of knowledge and art and culture in Europe, few people need to ask why… Parisians enjoy a beautiful range of food, wine, scenery and way of life, but you don’t have to spend all of your time in the bustling city to experience historic art, museums, great wine and amazing food. Believe me, Paris is magical, and once you've visited the Louvre, Notre Dame, and the various cafes, it's okay to take a break and visit the areas outside of Paris are equally as romantic and gorgeous, and rich with new experiences.

From cycling in the Alps or the Pyrenees to road tripping the countryside of along the way to visiting iconic Versailles, Normandy, or Mont Saint-Michel, or touring the wine regions of Chambord, Moet and Chandon, the regions around Paris are packed full of possibilities.


If camping on the coast along one of France’s lovely beaches is what you’re looking for then I would suggest checking out one of the following sites:​

---

• Camping Le Pin Sec, Naujac-sur-Mer, near Bordeaux – Pine forests, dunes, and surfing.
• Camping Les Baleines, Île de Ré, near La Rochelle – Experience nature in a remote setting. Quality birdwatching available.
• L'Anse du Brick, Maupertus-sur-Mer, Normandy – Panoramic views, woodland and waterfalls, but far from roughing it.
• Domaine Les Moulins, Ile de Noirmoutier, Vendée – A more posh and private experience.
• Bot Conan Lodge, Beg Meil, Brittany – Glamping (glamorous camping) is possible here with safari lodges and tents in a private cove of white sand.

For me, I prefer to get out into nature, where there are no sights or sounds of people, no industry, no pollution (or as little as one can ask for these days), and only the connection of nature and wildlife to keep me occupied. There’s something special about getting far away from civilization that allows me to disconnect and reconnect to what’s most important. For it is our origins that makes nature so mysteriously special, and if you’ve never experienced the wonder of wandering in the natural world, then you likely have never felt at home on this planet.


With that said, I have a list of potential options for you to consider on your next trip from the UK to the beautiful nature of France:

• Forét de Fontainebleau – For nature lovers, south of Paris
• Parc naturel régional de I’Avesnois – Beautiful backcountry area with plenty of hiking and camping options
• Parc naturel régional Scarpe-Escaut – Next to I’Avesnois, along the border of Belgium
• Anywhere near the Alps, along the France/Switzerland/Italian border – This is where I would go first!

When I want to get a real feel for a place, simply put: I camp. I look for the least settled areas, where wildlife is strong, and human intervention is inexistent, if at all possible. Some may think woods are woods, but each forest is a unique experience, which can tell you a lot about the place that few outsiders ever get to know. From the flora and fauna to the fungi, seeing the natural areas can give you a new perspective and a rich trip experience that the popular spots elsewhere can not offer.


(Photo #1 by willj + Photo #2 + #3 by aigle_dore via Flickr)

---