Wild camping in France: is it allowed? (2026)
True wild camping is banned in France, but bivouacking (one night, a lightweight tent) is allowed or tolerated in many places — even in national parks above the tree line.
What's allowed
- Bivouacking: one night with a lightweight tent, pitched in the evening and gone by morning
- Bivouacking in national parks away from the entrance (often above an altitude limit)
- Spending the night on private land with the owner's permission
- Camping at a (small) campsite or recognised motorhome site ('aire')
What's not allowed
- Staying several nights in the same spot with a car or motorhome (camping sauvage)
- Camping on the coast, on beaches and within 500 m of a monument
- Bivouacking in nature reserves, protected forests and within 200 m of a water-catchment point
- Open fire in forests and natural areas, especially in dry summers
France draws an important distinction between camping sauvage (true wild camping, several days, with a vehicle or a lot of gear) and bivouac (bivouacking: one night, a lightweight tent, arriving late and leaving early). Wild camping is forbidden in principle, but bivouacking is allowed or tolerated in many places — a big difference from neighbouring countries.
Where it’s allowed
The French rule is essentially the opposite of the one in the Netherlands: camping is allowed in principle anywhere it isn’t explicitly forbidden. Bivouacking is permitted in many forests and mountains, and even in national parks, provided you:
- stay only one night (usually from 7 pm to 9 am);
- are at least an hour’s walk from the park entrance or access road;
- often bivouac above an altitude limit (e.g. from 1,500 m in the Alps, 2,000 m in the Pyrenees parks).
In the Pyrenees, bivouacking outside the parks is allowed from about 1,000 m; on Corsica, bivouacking is only tolerated along the GR20, close to the mountain refuges.
Where it isn’t allowed
Off limits are, among others: nature reserves, protected forests and parks, the coastline and beaches, within 200 m of a drinking-water point, within 500 m of a historic monument, and along public roads. Municipalities can impose extra bans through a local by-law (arrêté municipal) — so always check the signs on site.
Open fire and fines
Open fire is forbidden in virtually all forests and natural areas, and in the dry southern summers strict fire bans apply, with heavy fines. Anyone breaking the rules risks a fine of about €135 to €1,500, depending on the zone and its level of protection.
Practical tips
- Arrive late, leave early and leave no trace.
- In doubt? Choose a recognised aire de bivouac or motorhome site — they’re on the CampCompass map.
- Always respect local signs and seasonal fire bans.