"Wild" camping in France
Moderators: Philip Whiteman, George, laurence_cooley
"Wild" camping in France
When watching bits of the Tour de France, I have on a couple of previous occasions simply taken a tent and pitched up at the side of the road. Lots of other people were doing it, and I just followed suit. In contrast to what I'd expect in the UK, everybody, including the police, seemed perfectly easy about people camping where there was no officially sanctioned camp site.
Which makes me wonder: do the French simply tolerate this practice in the spirit of the event? Or is it generally OK to camp in the wild in France? Could you pitch a tent half way up a mountain pass at any other time without attracting unwanted attention?
Which makes me wonder: do the French simply tolerate this practice in the spirit of the event? Or is it generally OK to camp in the wild in France? Could you pitch a tent half way up a mountain pass at any other time without attracting unwanted attention?
- GrahamGamblin
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George - from what I understand it's a legal grey area in France, but generally nobody minds as long as you don't have fires, make a mess, camp on crop fields etc. I have also come across designated wild camping areas, usually a clearing in the woods with no facilities, where you can camp for free.
Graham
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- Philip Whiteman
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Re: "Wild" camping in France
Correction: In contrast to what I'd expect in the England, Wales and Northern IrelandGeorge wrote: In contrast to what I'd expect in the UK, everybody, including the police, seemed perfectly easy about people camping where there was no officially sanctioned camp site.
This sort of thing is perfectly okay in Scotland where it is permitted to wild camp in upland areas - as I occasionally do.
G, would you like to borrow my bivvy bag?
Re: "Wild" camping in France
That's a kind offer, Phil, but at this stage I'm just toying with one or two ideas. If they become firm plans, I may get back to you.Philip Whiteman wrote:G, would you like to borrow my bivvy bag?
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