Are you a fan of nature and vacations in the woods, but not so much the idea of sleeping in a tent? Just wait until you hear about glamping!
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Forget about tent stakes, coolers and sleeping bags: these days, you can camp in style! A contraction of “glamour” and “camping,” glamping is the new alternative for outdoor vacations. We decode a chic eco-friendly trend.
Everything you need to know about glamping:
A five-star night out in nature
Do you want to enjoy a vacation out in nature without having to compromise on comfort? Glamping is just right for you. A portmanteau that combines “camping” with “glamour”, glamping is a stylish alternative to traditional camping. Comfortable beds, fluffy pillows, kitchens and private bathrooms are key to a successful glamping experience.
Glampers are also ready to pay more to stay in a certified eco-friendly environment and take shorter showers in exchange for not having to share their bathroom or listen to their neighbours snoring at night.
This new type of camping is increasingly popular in France. As proof, it now represents 30% of the outdoor hospitality market, with 280,000 mobile homes, 32,000 chalets, and 10,000 canvas bungalows.
The next generation of camping
Who goes glamping? Couples and families who love nature, but don’t love the idea of sleeping on the ground and eating all their food out of tins, like Inès and Alexis, a young couple in their thirties.
“Before, the idea of camping was pretty unappealing to us, between the mosquitoes, the noise and the shared showers! But glamping changes everything. The ambiance is calmer, and the environment is better preserved. We come here to get in touch with nature while enjoying the comfort and privacy of a hotel.”
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The couple definitely enjoyed their glamping experience perched in the treetops in Saint-Paul-de-Vence last spring.
“Our children loved sleeping in a treehouse. They’re still talking about it. The year before, we stayed in an exact replica of an African lodge in the heart of a wilderness park: two lions walked right past our windows. It was amazing.”
Some of our top picks for going glamping
In Provence, you won’t find any lions or African lodges, but rather a big pool and private patios with hammocks where you can spend the weekend. From cabins in the treetops or on the water to transparent bubbles and yurts, more and more French people are enjoying these unique vacation rentals. How about you? What will be your next glamping destination?
Some places to go glamping in France:
- Spend the night in a Mongolian yurt in Étretat. To add to the immersive experience, Serge the llama wanders freely about the property.
- Spend a night beneath the stars in a transparent bubble in the middle of the forest in the Ardèche (Puy-en-Velay).
- Sleep in a Canadian tent in Wattwiller in Alsace like a true fur trader.
- Spend the night in a caravan on the Ile de Ré for a complete change of scenery.
- Sleep in a “cahute,” a cross between a cabin and a tent, in Versailles.