Camping holidays becoming more popular in France despite challenges

Camping holidays are becoming increasingly popular in France, particularly among foreign tourists, with 2025 already looking more encouraging than 2024, figures show.

This year is shaping up to be similar to 2023, which was a record year, said the outdoor accommodation federation la Fédération nationale de l’hôtellerie de plein air (FNHPA). 

Its figures show that already 2025 has seen a 1% increase in bookings in comparison to the same period in 2024. 

Foreign tourists in particular have continued to flock to French campsites this year, just as they did last year. Between May and August 2024 the number of foreign tourists, particularly from neighbouring European countries, increased by 4.6%. 

Belgian, British and German visitors are among the most represented.

“Unlike other sectors of the hotel industry, we have exceeded the level of attendance before Covid,” said FNHPA president Nicolas Dayot, to Ouest France. “A record was hit in 2023, with a total of 141.67 million overnight stays in mainland France.” 

However, the number of tourists from within France fell by 0.35% last year, and the number of overnight stays dropped slightly to 141.18 million.

Last year was difficult, the FNHPA said, due to disruptions from bad weather, early general elections, late school holidays, and pressure on purchasing power. This year is looking more promising, it said.

France struggling compared to other EU countries

However, France is still struggling in comparison to some European neighbours, the federation added.

“Italy and Spain continue to enjoy stronger growth than France…we are lagging behind,” it said, with Germany just behind France. It blamed the economic situation in the country, including high inflation over recent years, and decreased purchasing power.

“Camping is suffering from the effects of holidaymakers’ reduced budgets,” the FNHPA said. “Average spending seems to be continuing to fall, with 3-star campsites appearing to be more popular, reflecting increased attention to prices, particularly on the part of families.”

Mr Dayot also noted that families are “no longer going away for three weeks, but for a week”.

A poll by Ifop for the FNHPA recently found that while 80% of people in France have a positive image of camping, “value for money” is always the main criterion, said Mr Dayot.

“We need to maintain excellent value for money, especially in a context where holidays are no longer seen as a necessity,” he said. “After the [2008 financial] crisis, in 2010, 54% of French people could set aside money for holidays. Today, this figure has dropped to 43%.”

Climate change

The federation also said that climate change is contributing to France’s struggles, which has prompted the group to create a new plan to combat the issue (set to be presented to authorities next week).

“France has lost nearly 1,600 campsites due to coastal erosion,” Mr Dayot said. “If nothing is done, 2,000 campsites will be wiped off the map [in the next few years].”