The Sites et Paysages association: nature campsites
Discover the Sites et Paysages association.
A camping fan? Then you've surely heard of the Sites et Paysages association! No? Here's everything you need to know.
The association
A non-profit association under French law, Sites et Paysages was founded in 1982 in the French Alps. Run by professionals, it has its own charter guaranteeing customers quality campsites in the most beautiful regions of France.
To become a member of the Sites et Paysages network, a few criteria have to be met:
- Being set in anunspoilt natural environment
- Being a unique, independent campsite on ahuman scale
- Being close to majorhistoric, tourist or cultural sites
- Holding at least3 stars
- Committing to aneco-friendly approachand tosustainable development
- Getting involved in their region and being staunchchampions of local heritage
- Offering awarm welcomethat feels "just like home"
To join the association, an annual membership fee is payable. Nothing is left to chance, as every campsite is visited in person.
Working for the environment
Deeply committed to respect for the environment, these campsites undertake to:
- Protectnatural resources,for example by harvesting rainwater
- Promote and preservelocal heritage
- Be committedplayers in their regionand eco-citizens (waste sorting and so on)
The one we could easily picture ourselves in? Camping du port!
So, fancy heading off to a nature campsite now? And if you still need convincing about this way of travelling, we have an article that should tip you over the edge!
Campsites in the Sites et Paysages network meet strict criteria, verified before membership. Here's what sets them apart.
| Criterion | Requirement | Verification |
|---|---|---|
| Environment | Preserved and natural | Mandatory before membership |
| Size | Independent and small-scale | Mandatory before membership |
| Location | Close to historical, tourist or cultural sites | Mandatory before membership |
| Rating | Minimum 3 stars | Mandatory before membership |
| Environment | Eco-friendly approach and sustainability | Mandatory before membership |
| Local commitment | Regional involvement and heritage protection | Mandatory before membership |
| Welcome | Warm, "like at home" | Mandatory before membership |
Frequently asked questions
What does a campsite need to join Sites et Paysages? The charter sets several conditions: an unspoilt natural setting, an independent campsite on a human scale, proximity to major historic, tourist or cultural sites, a minimum of three stars, an eco-friendly approach, genuine involvement in the local area and a warm welcome. These conditions add up, you do not pick and choose among them.
How long has the association been around? Sites et Paysages was founded in 1982 in the French Alps. It is a French non-profit association under the 1901 law, run by campsite professionals.
Do you have to pay to belong to the network? Yes, membership runs on an annual fee. But the cheque is not enough: every campsite is visited before it joins. That is what separates a checked label from a paid directory listing.
Can a two-star campsite be labelled? No. The charter requires at least three stars, with no exception on offer. A campsite that meets every other criterion stays outside the network until it reaches that rating.
What do these campsites actually do for the environment? They commit to protecting natural resources, rainwater harvesting for instance, to promoting and preserving local heritage, and to acting as eco-citizens in their area, waste sorting included. The commitment covers how the site is run as much as what surrounds it.
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