Slow tourism on a campsite: the art of savouring every moment

© Le Soleil Vivarais

How about really taking the time to enjoy your holidays? Slow travel invites you to slow down, savour every moment without rushing, and focus on the quality of your experiences rather than the number of miles you travel. Camping, with its simplicity and direct contact with nature, is perfectly suited to this gentler way of travelling.

What is slow tourism?

Born out of the slow food movement, slow tourism offers a different way of travelling: gentler, more mindful and more rooted in the present moment. It encourages you to slow down and soak up a place, its culture and its people, rather than rushing from one sight to the next. The idea is to take the time to discover, feel and fully experience every stage of your journey.

Travel differently with slow tourism in France

Slow tourism encourages you to stay longer in a region to fully capture its atmosphere, explore its landscapes and discover its heritage. You take the time to get around on foot or by bike, stroll through markets, meet artisans and taste local specialities. This way of travelling also allows you to limit motorised travel and reduce your carbon footprint, while enjoying a preserved natural environment.

Camping: the ideal accommodation for slow tourism

Camping is much more than just a place to pitch your tent or park your caravan. It's a way of life that fits perfectly with the values of slow tourism. By choosing to camp, you are immersing yourself in nature, in the heart of unspoilt areas, far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This immersion promotes well-being, relaxation and reconnection with the essentials: fresh air, landscapes and the sounds of nature.

© Camping Le Camp du Domaine, Bormes-les-Mimosas (83)

When camping, you adopt a more natural rhythm, guided by daylight and simple pleasures: a meal shared outdoors, a sunset contemplated in silence, birdsong when you wake up or a morning stroll. This direct contact with nature allows you to slow down, savour the moment and enjoy a more authentic stay.

Camping also encourages human interaction. Whether with family, friends or other holidaymakers, it creates spontaneous bonds that are often lacking in other types of accommodation. You share tips, discoveries and moments of life that enrich the travel experience.

© Le Soleil Vivarais

Finally, many campsites are now committed to an ecological and local approach, with environmental labels or initiatives such as the Accueil Vélo label. These campsites promote short supply chains and regional products, and offer services designed to minimise their environmental impact while encouraging visitors to discover the local heritage. Camping in this setting therefore also means supporting responsible and sustainable tourism.

Fewer kilometres, more memories

One of the great advantages of slow travel is that it focuses on proximity. You don't need to travel hundreds of miles to get away from it all. Choosing a campsite close to home is often the best way to discover an unspoilt corner of nature, with a slower pace of life, and to meet friendly locals. It also reduces your environmental impact by limiting the time spent on the road, allowing you to make the most of your stay.

Slow travel: freedom regained

This type of trip does not follow a strict schedule. It leaves room for improvisation and spontaneity. Visiting a village, reading in the shade, spending an afternoon by the water... It is often these simple, unplanned moments that become the most memorable.

Summer holidays in Carcassonne© istock

Ideal destinations for slow travel camping

France is full of perfect places for slow tourism: the Dordogne with its villages and rivers, the Ardèche wild , the Luberon with its enchanting landscapes, and the Brittany calm and green . On CampingFrance.com, it's easy to find campsites committed to this approach, thanks to filters for campsites with the Accueil Vélo (Bike Welcome) or eco-responsible labels.

A different way of travelling

Adopting slow travel means choosing to travel consciously, prioritising encounters, nature and time for yourself. With its simplicity and direct link to the local area, camping is the ideal way to enjoy this experience. So, are you ready to slow down and rediscover France in a different way?