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Campsites and caravan parks in France had a record year in 2011 despite one of the peak months, July, being cooler and wetter than usual.

In 2011, there was a record 106.8 million overnight stays at French campsites according to a report issued on Friday by the Office of Secretary of State for Tourism, Frédéric Lefebvre.

A warmer than average spring and an extended autumn seem to have more than compensated for adverse weather conditions, particularly in July, which was particularly cold and rainy. The record ‘room-nights’ at open-air accommodation in France represented an increase of 2.8% over the 2010 season.

The increased popularity of camping in France as a holiday option was due to increases in both the number of arrivals (+1.9%) and average length of stay (5.5 days against 5.4 in 2010). The number of French customers at campsites showed a significant jump – up 4.1% whilst there was also a modest increase in the number of foreign visitors – up 0.4%.

The survey disclosed a mixed picture across the French regions. Campsites along the Mediterranean coast recorded a 5.1% increase in visitors whilst those campsites along the English Channel showed campsite visitors down 1.3%.

The move to quality - 4 star & 5 star campsites most popular

The French Minister of Tourism, Frédéric Lefebvre stressed that it was primarily 4 and 5 star establishments that had driven growth in campsite numbers. Visitors at top end establishments were up a healthy 14.3% on the previous year. Top end campsites also had significantly higher occupancy rates where their figure was 45% as against the average for all campsites of 36%. The figures also disclosed a slight trend away from touring pitches towards static mobile homes and ready erected tents such as offered by UK operators Eurocamp and Keycamp. Occupancy of tourist pitches was down 2.2% on 2010 whilst rental of tents and mobile homes to those camping in France was up 10.2% on the previous year.

See also our article 'Camping Holidays in Pays de la Loire, France'

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