Glamping France
Definition: Glamping combines the words glamorous and camping and is the new art of camping in luxury and style.
Tales of glamping often start with a story about the horrors of ‘old-fashioned camping’. I’m not going to, because tales of my teenage days camping on the Gower Peninsula in Wales and getting drunk and sunburned don’t bear repeating; and a later budget camping safari in Kenya during which the local Masai guard scratched at our tent pretending to be a lion bring back too many memories of being a scaredy-cat when faced with danger.
Glamping has none of that, I’m pleased to report. You won’t be sleeping on a skinny rollout mattress or waiting for the rain to flood you out. You won’t even need to remember which way round a groundsheet goes. But that’s enough about what glamping isn’t. What is it all about?
Glamping is 5 star camping with all the comforts of home that you would hope for, and probably much more besides. Look at some of the glamping locations and facilities on this fascinating glamping listing site, and you will get the idea much better than I can describe it.
Yurts and bivouacs, wigwams and tents – all offering something extra special, and often in stunning locations. All of the glampsites (is that a word?) listed make you want to rush off and sleep under canvas for the first time in decades.
It looks like a great way to take the good points of camping – scenery, location, evenings passed with family and friends etc – while removing those troublesome aspects that made you swear you would never go camping again
Unfortunately if you are thinking of a budget holiday you may be disappointed, luxury not being cheap. But they are not all expensive – how about these Moroccan bivouacs, a snip at 28 euros per person per night? Or closer to home, a Dartmoor Yurt, a bargain at £295 per week. Don’t worry, if you have more money to spare there are ample opportunities to spend it.
Facilities and prices vary widely from one setup to the next so you need to read the fine print about what to expect quite carefully – especially with regards to bathroom facilities (some but not all have private bathrooms). And there is presumably a risk that if glamping becomes the next big thing everyone with a small ‘camping a la ferme’ setup will throw a blanket, a bag of chips and a campfire in with the price, call it glamorous, and triple the price.
But there is one slightly troubling fact for potential travellers – the options seem to be a bit thin on the ground in France. If you happen to know of (or own) somewhere qualifies as glamping in France mention it in a comment below and together we can put France on the glamping map!
But, but but….camping should be hairshirt! That’s the point of it. Being slightly cold and slightly damp and venturing ever so slightly fearfully into dark, smelly campsite washrooms.
This is being pushed by the same buggers who ruined Glastonbury I’ll warant, and I for one shall be having no truck with it!
Jon, I’m sure if you ask nicely these glamping sites will still let you put your two-man tent up at a discrete distance, where you can wrap a damp blanket around your shoulders and sit shivering while you watch the rest of them drinking champagne around a roaring campfire. If you’re lucky they might even throw you a few scraps from their lavish barbecue…
Hi from Melusine Camping!
We have got a glamp site with a difference in Deux Sevres, France. Check out our web site http://www.melusine-camping.com to see our romantic medieval tents set on a wildflower meadow next to a large pond and completely surrounded by nature. Everything is provided including a gorgeous interior with double bed, persian carpet, sheepskin rugs, wooden chests and all your cooking and eating equipment, outside there are hammocks, firepits, picnic tables and barbeques so you only need to bring your clothes and food… We even have a small swimming pool courtyard garden and petanque/badminton area, an indoor shower and washing area and the prices are really cheap. Look forward to hearing from you! Jane
We just opened our doors in 2009 with a site that could very well belong to glamping. Have a look on our website with our beautifully decorated safari tents in the aquitaine region. We have been received with lots of enthusiasm.
Smiles from the Lot et Garonne,
Sandra & Santi
Hi Sandra,
Thanks for letting us know about your ‘glamping’, it looks very tempting – of course we have a soft spot for Lot-et-Garonne, since it’s where we live as well.
It might be worth you trying to get listed on the goglamping.net site if you aren’t already. I’m not sure what their criteria are but the owner is very helpful and will quickly let you know if you’re suitable.
Cheers
Again in the Lot-et-Garonne is our ‘feelgood campsite’ called Les Ormes. Eight years ago we started our “Tent Hotel” inspired by the Safari lodges in the wildlife parks in Africa. Check out our website http://www.CampingLesOrmes.com to get a good impression of our site. We offer luxery tents, a stylish restaurant, a childrens only restaurant, a designer pool and a tennis court. You can pitch your own at the lake.
See you at Les Ormes!
Niels
Thanks for letting us know Niels. I cycle past your place every couple of weeks – I’ve seen your signs but never knew what was behind the trees!