Naturist camping in France

France offers fans of free body culture fantastic naturist campsites, especially in the south. The Mediterranean coast with the glamorous Côte d'Azur is known for its exquisite nude beaches and the pleasant touch of typical French ease of life. Naturist campers will also find plenty of great places to shed their clothes on holiday on the Atlantic, on the wild coast of Brittany or in Corsica.

The most beautiful naturist campsites in France

Bienvenue en France! Camping has a long tradition in France, so it's not surprising that naturist camping has become firmly established over the decades, especially in the southern half of the country. Here we present some of the best naturist campsites in France.

Camping Naturiste Le Sérignan Plage Nature

In the heart of the Occitanie region in the south of France, this great naturist campsite for families is located directly on the Mediterranean Sea. In addition to pitches for caravans and motorhomes, guests can also stay in mobile homes, bungalows or rental tents. A commendable feature: the price for the campsite also includes access to the wellness area.

Domaine de Bélézy

The popular naturist village of Bélézy is located in an old pine forest and offers naturist camping in a family environment under the warm sunshine of Provence. Here you can relax, swim, hike or take advantage of the extensive range of sports on the site. The beautiful surroundings also offer many opportunities for hiking, horse riding and cycling.

Naturist Camping Les Aillos

This 4-star campsite near Toulouse offers everything that makes naturist camping in France so appealing: a relaxed attitude to life, great nature and lots of activities where you can easily socialise with other guests. In addition to the pitches, guests can also spend their holiday in mobile homes, cosy chalets or caravans for hire.

Naturist Camping Le Couderc

Tucked away in the hills of the Dordogne and around 20 miles from the romantic village of Bergerac is this family-friendly 3-star naturist campsite. The site's location in a valley with two small lakes is exceptionally beautiful and makes it the perfect holiday paradise for families with children.

Arnaoutchot Camping Naturiste

In the heart of the Landes region, the naturist camping village of Arnaoutchot is located in a 45-hectare pine forest. There is direct access to a large naturist beach from the site, as well as swimming pools, bathing areas and a large spa for relaxing and unwinding. Dogs are allowed on the campsite, but only one per group of guests.

Domaine de la Sablière

The naturist holiday village Domaine de la Sablière is located on a 62-hectare site on the banks of the River Cèze in the picturesque Cervennes and offers fantastic views of a wooded gorge. It's the perfect place for anyone who wants to spend their holiday in the heart of beautiful nature without sacrificing comfort.

Nudist camping in France: important tips and advice for holidaymakers

France is a true naturist stronghold and is one of the most popular holiday destinations for fans of free body culture in Europe. Well over half of travellers come from abroad, including many campers from Germany.

The naturist campsites in France very often have the character of holiday villages. In addition to pitches for motorhomes, caravans and tents, guests can usually also stay in holiday homes. The leisure facilities on offer are in no way inferior to "textile campsites": Especially in the high season, most campsites offer an extensive holiday programme with sports, activities and children's entertainment - just without covers.

A big plus: the naturist campsites in France are extremely family-friendly. Fans of naturism appreciate a familiar and natural atmosphere and this is also reflected in the naturist camps. The figures speak for themselves: Almost 80% of all guests are families with children.

Do you need a naturist licence in France?

Until 2001, you needed a naturist licence from the national naturist associations FFN or FNI in France to take part in camp activities or use certain facilities, such as saunas, swimming pools or fitness rooms.

Nowadays, this is almost never required, but you should still check the campsites' regulations. The campsite websites will explicitly state if you do need to present a licence.

What about naturist beaches in France?

In France, a distinction is generally made between two types of naturist beaches: "Plage Naturiste" and "Plage Nudiste". "Plage Naturiste" are official beaches recognised and designated by the municipalities. At "Plage Nudiste", nudism is only tolerated on the basis of customary law, so these are unofficial nudist beaches.

If you are unsure, it is best to visit an official nudist beach. These are usually signposted accordingly (Plage Naturiste or Plage FFN). In some cases, there are also public beaches that mix nude bathing and textile beaches. There should be no problems on the beaches on naturist campsites.

Do you always have to be naked on a naturist campsite?

Naturists prefer to be naked. However, this does not mean that you always have to walk around the campsite without clothing. Wearing clothes is tolerated, especially when the weather is cooler. The same applies to certain sports - here, too, you are welcome to wear something.

In general, however, nudity is mandatory in a naturist centre, especially on the beach or in the swimming pool. However, this is not usually a problem for naturists - after all, this is precisely why you are travelling to a naturist campsite.

Weather and best time to travel for naturist campers

Naturists prefer warm temperatures for easily understandable reasons. The best time to go naturist camping in France is therefore the summer months. On the Mediterranean, the months of May to October are ideal. On the Atlantic coast, the period from June to September is recommended for fans of naturism. The same applies to the north coast of France: June and July in particular offer long, warm days

Popular holiday destinations in France for naturists

Naturists are freedom-loving and, above all, nature-loving holidaymakers. This makes France an ideal holiday destination: the diversity of the French landscape offers a magical setting for naturist camping.

In the south-west lies the rough Atlantic Ocean, in the south and south-east there are mountainous areas, green-flowering regions and the long sandy beaches on the Mediterranean. From water sports to relaxed naturist beach holidays, France has everything for fans of nudism.

Among bathing and sailing fans, the Côte d'Azur is considered one of the most beautiful holiday regions in Europe. The contrast between the white beaches and the azure blue water alone makes for a unique backdrop. Between Marseille, Cannes, Monaco and Nice, naturist fans will find the best conditions for relaxing on the Mediterranean and sunbathing under the southern French sky without any disturbing coverings.

Alternatively, many naturist campers are drawn to the island of Corsica. The island is regularly travelled to by ferry from northern Italy and southern France. The east coast in particular is a great place to relax with its sandy beaches and spectacular rocky cliffs. The region is also known for its good conditions for hiking and sailing, and Biarritz is France's bathing paradise on the Atlantic coast. Just a few minutes north of the municipality on the coastal road to the highest dunes in Europe in Arcachon, holidaymakers can stay at the Domaine Naturiste Arnaoutchot and enjoy the ambience in the midst of fragrant pine forests.

The best places for naturist camping in France

The number of naturist campsites in France is constantly growing. As a result, the demands on the quality and standard of the campsites are also increasing. Of the 14 naturist campsites in France described in the ADAC camping guide, 4 are listed as tips.

Nudist strongholds are mainly the regions of Nouvelle Aquitaine, Occitanie, Provence-Alpes-Côte dAzur, Rivièra - Côte dAzur and Corsica.

Nouvelle Aquitaine

The naturist campsites in Aquitaine on the Atlantic are particularly popular with water sports enthusiasts among naturist campers. The rough swell offers ideal conditions for surfers. There are even a number of naturist holiday villages right on the coast with many sports and wellness facilities.

Occitanie

In Occitania, nudists have a wide choice. Beach holiday fans can spend their holidays on the Mediterranean coast. Those who prefer things a little quieter are drawn to the interior between Ardèche and Provence. Agde is also home to the world's largest naturist holiday resort.

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Rivièra - Côte d'Azur

The Côte d'Azur in south-east France is one of the most popular attractions for many holidaymakers - and for good reason. The area is characterised by beautiful beaches, mountainous regions and the famous lavender fields of Provence. Every naturist camper will find the perfect holiday destination there.

A popular campsite with naturist facilities is Camping Holiday Green in Fréjus. The beach is just a few steps away. On site, overnight guests can look forward to a children's playground, paddling pool and swimming pool, mini golf and tennis court. There is also a small shop and a restaurant.

Corsica

Naturists who want to enjoy their camping holiday in unspoilt nature are in the right place in Corsica. The 180-kilometre-long and 80-kilometre-wide island has 1,000 kilometres of coastline and plenty to keep you busy. Mountain hiking, water sports or beach holidays on the crystal-clear waters are just some of the possibilities.

In Corsica's municipality of Morta, the Riva Bella Resort is a favourite destination for nudists. The campsite is pleasantly shielded by bushes and conifers. Excursions to the dunes can be undertaken nearby. The 800 metre long beach is open exclusively for nudists from April to November.

Top tips for naturist campers in France

• The small island of Île du Levant off the Mediterranean coast near Toulon is a worthwhile excursion destination for fans of naturism. Europe's first naturist village was established here in 1931 and even today, residents and visitors still go nude on the streets and in public places. Nudity is compulsory on the picturesque beaches.
• The Village Naturiste, the largest naturist resort in the world, is an entire town reserved for naturists. The beach at Cap d'Agde is 2 kilometres long and is exclusively for nude bathers. You can hire a sailing boat and get a streak-free tan on a cruise.

Tips for activities and excursions

Whether it's the Mediterranean, the Atlantic or one of the picturesque lakes inland, France offers its holidaymakers first-class opportunities for swimming, water sports and hiking, among many other activities.

France's bathing paradises

The Côte d'Azur and the southern part of the Atlantic coast in particular are true bathing paradises. In summer, the water here is pleasantly warm and reaches temperatures of well over 20°C. Most campsites with naturist areas are located directly on the beach.

Learn to sail on holiday

If you want to learn to sail, it is best to set off on a trip from the harbour towns on the Côte d'Azur. Nice, Fréjus, Toulon and Cannes in particular are famous for their excellent sailing courses. A similar number of water sports schools can be found in Corsica.

Harnessing the wind and waves - surfing and kitesurfing

Most holidaymakers head to the windier coasts of France for surfing and kitesurfing. On the Mediterranean, the Languedoc region near Montpellier is a particularly good option for letting the wind carry you across the water. Ambitious sports enthusiasts can take to the waves of the Atlantic in Normandy or Brittany.

Underwater fun diving in the Mediterranean

The best place to take your first steps in diving is the Mediterranean. On the Côte d'Azur, the water is pleasantly clear, making it easy to spot schools of fish and underwater plants. Courses here usually end with the acquisition of the internationally recognised PADI certificate.

Hiking in the Alps or Pyrenees

Corsica, with its wooded and mountainous hinterland, is a popular hiking paradise in France. The nature park named after the island includes the challenging Grande Randonée 20 long-distance hiking trail, which leads right through the high mountains to places worth seeing such as the Cirque de la Solitude and the Col de Vergio pass road. On the mainland, the Pyrenees can be reached quickly from Biarritz. At higher altitudes, the Basque villages are interesting thanks to their specific culture. From the Côte d'Azur, you can quickly reach the foothills of the Alps and the Mercantour National Park.

Events

Concerts, medieval markets and theatre festivals are just some of the event highlights on France's beaches.

May

• Cannes Film Festival: In May, the international film scene meets in the small Mediterranean town of Cannes.

June

• Fête de la Musique: The longest night of the year is celebrated throughout France on 21 June. Stages are set up at several locations in the cities and free concerts are organised by local artists and international stars. The hotspots include Nice and Marseille, for example.

July

• Biarritz Surf Festival: Every year, the third week of July in Biarritz is dedicated to surfers. You can admire the spectacular jumps of the athletes from the waterfront promenade.

• Avignon Theatre Festival: Against the backdrop of the medieval papal palace, the municipality of Avignon organises an exciting theatre festival every year.