Wild camping in France: these are the rules

Wild camping in countries like France promises a great feeling of freedom. However, hardly any country welcomes camping at will

Wild camping in France – what you need to know

Lavender fields in bloom, the wild and romantic Alps, breathtaking cliffs, great wine and delicious biquets: it’s not for nothing that the saying “Live like God in France” exists. The idea of roaming freely and unbound through this fascinating country and camping wherever you like quickly comes to mind. But be careful, wild camping is not allowed without restrictions in France either.

• The French are considered to be a very freedom-loving people whose citizens don’t put up with everything. This is why the French live by the likeable motto “Tout ce qui n`est pas interdit est autorisé”, loosely translated: what is not forbidden is allowed. As a result, the French are also relatively relaxed when it comes to wild camping.

• However, you should not overdo it. If you attract unpleasant attention or don’t follow certain rules, your adventure trip to France can quickly become expensive. Fines of up to 1,500 euros are quite realistic

Wild camping in France – it is definitely forbidden in these places

In general, you are not allowed to camp wild in France in the places listed below. Otherwise you risk the penalty mentioned above.

• As tempting as it is to be woken up early in the morning by the waves of the sea, camping on the coast and on the beach is absolutely taboo in France. As a general rule, you are not allowed to camp within a radius of 200 meters of a water source

• The French are also no fun when it comes to wild camping in nature reserves.

• There are numerous sights to discover in France, from old châteaux and castles to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. However, you should keep an appropriate distance from all sights. The prescribed minimum distance is 500 meters.

• Furthermore, you may not camp wildly on private property. It is also prohibited to camp on public roads and paths as well as all places that are designated accordingly.