The 7 best places to make wild camping in France

Want to make wild camping in France? Here are the best spots to plant his tent for a night under the stars!

Are you dreaming of nature and escape? Prepare a trek or a multi-day hike is an exciting project. However, it is often difficult to make wild camping in France. The regulations are heavy and in the end, few places are allowed.

But reassure yourself, nothing impossible! To help you find the perfect spot to plant your tent, Wanderlix offers you to discover in this article the most beautiful spots in the country. But before we look at you, we tell you more about the legislation.

Things to know before camping in France

Where can we make wild camping in France?

The question should be: where can we NOT make wild camping in France? It is therefore forbidden to do:

• areas classified as "wood spaces to conserve" ;
• areas for the protection of nature and sites ;
• the seaside ;
• trails ;
• places less than 200 metres from a drinking water point ;
• places less than 500 metres from a monument classified as “Historical Monument”.

Difference between bivouac and wild campsite

Some structures distinguish between bivouac and wild camping:

• The bivouac is in a light tent or starFrom sunset to sunrise. It is limited to one night and spots in full nature ;
• Wild camping is usually done in a vehicle (car camp, fitted van, car, etc.), closer to civilization. Here the camper can stay for several days Same place.

National parks and regional parks

National parks and regional parks generally allow bivouac, but not wild camping. Keep this distinction in mind! However, each park has different legislation and the bivouac can only be allowed under certain conditions.

A word of order: get in touch

But in practice, how is it going? To know if the wild campsite is allowed where you want to go, the best remains of in advance . Prepare your hike! Learn about the park legislation you want to discover. For this, you can consult their websites.

But the trip also presents its unforeseen lot... Once on site, you can ask a private owner to camp on his land. Or then you can addressed to the Mayor to find a place to plant your tent.

Without further delay, here are the most beautiful French parks that allow bivouac to hikers!

1. The Vercors Regional Natural Park

If you want to make wild camping in France, think of the Vercors Regional Natural Park. The bivouac is allowed throughout the park 17h to 9h . On site, breathtaking landscapes await you. They often train you at more than 2,000 meters of altitude!

But the richness of the park also lies in their wide variety. While in the North, the rigor of the Alps welcomes you in the South, you will enjoy the climate and Mediterranean vegetation. During your hikes, you will cross a rich biodiversity. Wait till you cross wild tulips, bouquetins, deer, or, with luck, the tetra lyre, emblem of the park!

2. The Pyrenees National Park

The Pyrenees National Park is the most visited all national parks. And it’s not for nothing! extending from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, it houses a wide variety of landscapes. Multiple trails cross the six valleys of the park, offering visitors great natural shows.

Among the most famous, one can mention the Cirque de Gavarnie , the peak of the Midi de Bigorre or Gaube Lake. In the end, between mountains, lakes, waterfalls and forests, the desire to sleep in the beautiful star will not be missed. But you will have understood this article: making wild camping in France is a regulated activity. Here, only the bivouac is allowed .

In fact, if you want to become real experts in the region and bivouac, we recommend that you visit "Explora Project" , the agency that offers you unforgettable escapades. With their stay « First wild bivouac in the Pyrenees » , you will dive into the heart of the National Park. Accompanied by a local guide, it is a program for small onions that awaits you: discovering the most beautiful circus of the Pyrenees, learning bivouac techniques and incredible views of the Pyrenees chain. Unbelievable!

3. Auvergne Volcano Regional Natural Park

Over 395,068 hectares, the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park is the largest regional natural park in all metropolitan France. It represents a huge playground for hikers! These are the silhouettes of the famous Auvergnat volcanoes, the legacy of an intense volcanic activity in the past, which characterize the park. In all, they're over 80! On your way, you will fall on breathtaking views as well as on small bucolic corners.

The ideal place to make wild camping in France? Maybe, but don’t forget: it’s only the bivouac who is authorized. You must first request permission from the landowner. I mean, he is. forbidden to make fire and bivouaquer on volcanoes .

4. Mercantour National Park

Located across the border Italian the Mercantour National Park shares Alpine and Mediterranean influences. Its mild climate, even in winter, makes it an ideal place to make wild camping in France. But that’s not all! The park holds the national record of the richest diversity of flora.

During your hikes, you can cross no less than 2,000 species of plants. Some 30 of them are endemic. Wildlife also occupies the land, with no less than 77 mammal species present on the site, including the wolf! This is a dream destination for nature lovers.

What about the bivouac? He is between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. , more than an hour’s walk from within the boundaries of the park or road.

5. The Regional Natural Park of Armorique

The broken coasts of Brittany are among the most beautiful landscapes in France. To enjoy it, the Regional Natural Park of Armorique is an ideal destination. Falaises, peat , dunes and forests are located on 125,000 hectares of land.

If you are looking for a place to camp near the ocean, this is where you have to go! However, the campsite is highly regulated In the park. Before you place your tent, you must request permission to the landowner on which you wish to bivouac. Do not hesitate to get close to the city halls that you will see during your hikes.

6. The National Park of the Writers

It is in the National Park of the Writers that you will have the opportunity to get close to the sky. Indeed, it is the highest park in the country. It contains no less than 150 summits that exceed 3,000 metres of altitude!

Along the trails, you will lead to beautiful altitude villages and you will be invited to contemplate your reflection on the surface of placid lakes. And for nothing to spoil, you have the possibility to sleep under the sparkling heavenly vault. Bivouac is allowed from 7:00 to 9:00 , as long as you do not exceed one hour walk after the park's roads and boundaries.

7. The Cevennes National Park

A desire for bucolic hikes, which navigate between nature and pastoral traditions? The Cévennes National Park is located on average mountain and its heights dominate the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea. Many trails invite you to discover the treasures of the park. Among them, the gorges of Tarn and Jonte have to charm hikers. The translucent streams cross a beautiful landscape of rock and forests.

Small centuries-old stone villages sometimes appear on the waterfront. You can stop there to make step, but you can also bivouaquer in the park between 9h and 7 p.m. . Just make sure you don't get away from the marked trails. In short, this is a dream spot to make wild camping in France!

Now that you know where to make wild camping in France, adventure awaits you!