Blog
The municipal campsite has a reputation for being the cheapest in France, but does that image hold up against a real, figures-based comparison? Surprise: at equivalent star ratings, the price gap with cheap private campsites melts like snow in the sun. In this article you’ll find verified price ranges, the real difference for comparable facilities, and the money-saving levers that often get overlooked (ANCV holiday vouchers, VACAF approval, last-minute deals).
Our team also gives you its verdict on choosing the best deal, not just the displayed price!
A municipal campsite refers to a site managed directly by a town council or an intermunicipal authority. Unlike a private campsite, it pursues a goal of accessibility rather than profitability. This public status explains the modest rates, but also a deliberately basic level of facilities: clean sanitary blocks, a water point, sometimes electricity, but no heated pool or kids’ clubs. Most of these sites are rated 1 or 2 stars and only open for part of the year. For holidaymakers on a tight budget, it’s an option worth considering before widening the search to private campsites.
The rate at a municipal campsite starts from €8 a night in the low season for a hiker’s package (1 tent, 2 people) and rarely climbs above €18 in the high season. Good news for purchasing power: at equivalent star ratings, the gap comes to just a few euros. An unrated private campsite starts from an average of €16.1 a night, and a 1- or 2-star one is around €12 to €20.
Three levers can even reverse the trend:
Good to know: the displayed rate at a municipal campsite almost never includes electricity: budget from €3 a night as an extra. This difference brings the final bill closer to the rate of a 1- or 2-star private campsite, which often includes electricity by default. Remember to factor in this extra cost in your comparison, especially if you’re travelling by motorhome or with a small extra fridge!
To make an honest call, you need to compare comparable facilities at an equivalent rating. The table below puts a 1- or 2-star municipal campsite side by side with a 1- or 2-star private one, for a 7-night stay, 2 adults and 2 children in July:
| Criteria | Municipal campsite (1-2 stars) | Private campsite (1-2 stars) |
| Bare pitch rate / night | From €12 | From €14 |
| Electricity | Often optional (from €3) | Often included |
| Pool | Rare | Possible (outdoor pool) |
| Entertainment | None | Occasional evenings in season |
| Rentals (mobile home, chalet) | Not available | Available from €250 a week |
| Wifi | Rarely available | Often included at reception |
| VACAF / ANCV assistance | Rarely accepted | Frequently approved |
| Off-season promotions | Rare | Up to -30% |
| Booking | Often walk-in | Online, in advance, with customer reviews |
For comparable facilities, the price difference comes down to just a few euros a night, quickly wiped out by the promotions and assistance available at rated private campsites. For a family stay, the real total cost almost always tips in favour of the private option as soon as VACAF approval or ANCV holiday vouchers come into the equation.
A rated private campsite gains three advantages as soon as you look beyond the simple displayed-price comparison.
Our verdict: in practice, our team finds that municipal campsites remain relevant for childless couples on an off-season getaway, or for travellers stringing together short stopovers. For a genuine family week, a VACAF-approved, rated private campsite almost always fits within the assistance budget, for incomparable comfort: pool, kids’ entertainment, fully equipped rentals and flexible booking.
Looking for real savings on your camping holiday, without sacrificing family comfort? Compare over 1,800 campsites selected for their value for money on our site, the majority of which are VACAF- and ANCV-approved establishments. Book the deal that really fits your budget!
At equivalent star ratings, the price gap between a municipal campsite and a rated private campsite remains small, often under €5 a night. Private campsites even come out ahead as soon as you use ANCV holiday vouchers, VACAF approval or a last-minute promotion — common at private campsites and rare at municipal ones.
Yes, some municipal campsites accept ANCV holiday vouchers, but they remain a minority. Of the 2,400 ANCV-approved campsites in France, the vast majority are privately run. Always check the approval with the town hall or via the official ANCV list before booking, to avoid an unpleasant surprise at payment time.
A rated private campsite offers several advantages not found at municipal ones: pool, kids’ entertainment, equipped mobile homes, included wifi, VACAF approval, accepted ANCV holiday vouchers and last-minute promotions. These benefits largely offset the few euros’ difference per night, especially for a family stay.
No, most municipal campsites only open from May to September, in line with the town’s tourist season. A few offer year-round opening, especially in the South or in the mountains. This seasonality also explains very attractive rates at the start and end of the season, up to 50% less than summer peak prices.
