Camping holidays in France have seen another year of growth, with the number of visitors rising by 2.5% compared to the same period in 2024.
Nicolas Dayot, president of the Fédération nationale de l’hôtellerie de plein air (FNHPA), shared the figures during an interview with FranceInfo on August 23.
The increase follows recent patterns in the sector. In 2024, European visitor numbers climbed by 4%, and 2023 marked a record year for French campsites.
According to Dayot, tourists from northern European countries in particular have continued to arrive in large numbers, supporting this upward trend.
Dayot noted that the season is also being extended by late travelers. “Some visitors, such as families coming from the south of Germany, are helping to extend the season as their school year does not begin until mid-September,” he told The Connexion.
In addition, French families are increasingly booking last-minute stays. “In recent years, the last week of August has become increasingly popular” due to lower prices, Dayot explained. He added that at the end of August, costs can be “half as much” as earlier in the month, with week-long mobile home stays available for €300 to €400.
Affordability has been a key factor in the sector’s resilience amid cost-of-living pressures.
Dayot pointed out that camping offers clear price advantages, with an average cost of €22 per night per person, compared to €116 for a hotel. This difference has made camping an attractive option for families managing tighter budgets.
The appeal of mid-tier accommodation is also shifting. Dayot said that 3-star campsites, which had struggled in recent years, are now attracting more guests.
He described these sites as a “good compromise between the facilities for families and prices that are more competitive than 4- and 5-star campsites.”
While higher-rated facilities remain strong performers—data from the statistics body INSEE published in June showed that 40.1% of stays from April to September 2024 were at 4-star sites—3-star operations are regaining market relevance.
French campsites are rated on a scale from 1 to 5 stars by Atout France, the government’s tourism body, which applies nearly 200 evaluation criteria.
Ratings reflect the quality of amenities, from requirements for Wi-Fi at 2-star properties to heated sanitary facilities and swimming areas at 5-star sites. Campsites undergo reassessment every five years.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality sector, these figures highlight several industry signals: demand remains steady despite economic pressures, late-season occupancy is extending revenues, and there is renewed opportunity for mid-market operators.
As competition intensifies, aligning pricing strategies and facility investments with traveler expectations could help capture emerging demand.