Camping without children, but in complete tranquillity
On holiday at the campsite, away from the hustle and bustle of the younger generation
Child-free or 'adults only' campsites in France are becoming increasingly popular, in response to a growing demand for tranquillity. This trend, which originated mainly in Anglo-Saxon countries, is appealing to those looking for a peaceful holiday without the noise and bustle associated with children's activities. These campsites meet a growing demand for escape and serenity.
This type of holiday attracts both couples without children - or with grown-up children who have left home - and parents looking for a momentary escape from everyday life. These campsites, like some hotels and cruises, are perfectly legal, as they fall within the scope of commercial freedom and are not considered discriminatory in France.
Beyond the "adult only" concept, some campsites do not refuse children, but neither do they encourage them to come: no play area, no mini-club, no entertainment... The absence of infrastructures, games or noisy activities becomes an asset for adults who, in turn, are obliged to respect this peace and quiet.
Campsites designed for adults
A child-free campsite doesn't mean you don't like children. Nor does it mean that the campsite managers don't like them. No, it means that these campsites are designed to preserve peace and quiet: no shouts from enthusiastic children around a ball game, no splashing in the pool, no crying from a newborn or parents telling their offspring to go to bed, etc.
These campsites offer a calm environment, ideal for relaxing around the pool or enjoying some relaxing activities, without the shouts and laughter of the younger guests. They have a serene atmosphere, ideal for couples or groups of friends looking for peace and quiet.
The services on offer, such as swimming pools, spas and restaurants, are designed for adults, guaranteeing a relaxing holiday without the hustle and bustle often associated with younger guests. It's worth noting that, even at family-friendly campsites, you can still find a family water park... and a separate Zen pool, where children are not allowed!
Adults-only campsites in France
In France, several adults-only campsites offer peaceful breaks. There are around ten adults-only campsites in France, often located in the countryside or near the sea, but we have only been able to identify a few:
- The Château de Lacomté campsite **** is a 4-star campsite located between the Lot and Dordogne rivers, in a natural setting ideal for relaxation. The site is designed to allow visitors to enjoy the tranquillity of the region, with spacious pitches and an on-site restaurant.
- Camp Laurent in the Charente, a small riverside campsite offering an intimate setting for campers looking for peace and quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of family campsites.
- Camping Petit domaine de vacances Armengauds ** is located in the Aude department, between Toulouse and Carcassonne. This small, charming campsite offers attractive gites and spacious pitches in the Lauragais countryside.
- Le Bonhomme campsite is located in Néret, in the Indre department. You can choose from 25 spacious pitches spread over 1.5 hectares of fruit and walnut trees.
Spaces reserved for adults on family campsites
While welcoming families with children, some campsites reserve one or more areas for adults only. This is often the case for wellness centres such as SPAs, which may be reserved for those aged 16 or 18 and over.
The Bivouac nature ** campsite in the Cévennes is certainly a family campsite, for parents with children, but its major asset lies in its Zen area with natural pool, designed specifically to offer a moment of relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This area, reserved exclusively for adults, allows you to spend time away from the hustle and bustle in complete tranquillity.
The Sen Yan Tropical Village campsite ***** in Mézos, in the Landes region, offers facilities that allow adults to enjoy moments of relaxation, such as the SPA, which is reserved for the over-16s. Although the swimming pool is open to children, the water activities (entertainment, waterslides) are stopped before the pool closes, so that adults can enjoy them in complete peace of mind.
The difference between child-free campsites and libertine campsites
Be careful not to confuse these two concepts! Although reserved for adults, child-free campsites and libertine campsites differ in their aims and atmosphere:
- Campsites without children, often referred to as 'adults only', are characterised by their peaceful atmosphere, designed to provide a relaxing and tranquil setting for holidaymakers. These campsites are aimed at adults looking to relax without the hustle and bustle associated with families with children. The emphasis is on tranquillity and relaxation.
- Libertine campsites are aimed at adults looking to meet and mingle in a friendly, discreet setting. They often offer facilities and entertainment to encourage social interaction in a more intimate setting.