TENTS CAMPING

France, like most of Europe, has variations in climate for which the good tent camper will have to be prepared. Some backpackers don't take tents, but the true tent camper is often going to have a tent as well as a camp stove along. If you camp in the summer, a two-season tent will usually be fine, especially in a campground. In spring or fall, a three-season model works best, along with extra layers of clothing. Temperatures will vary considerably depending where in France you are, so it's best to be prepared. Winter camping requires a tent designed to handle it, and other special supplies.A good backpacker relies on his or her feet mostly as mode of transportation. The pack should be designed for ease of carrying, and for tent camping should handle the tent, sleeping bag (and pad if desired), stove, clothing, food for a day or so, water, and whatever else the camper might need. Carrying a light pack is the way to go, picking up what you need on the way, in small enough amounts so that you do not carry extra, will make your trip far more enjoyable than lugging a heavy pack with unused or unneeded items. The more experience you have, the more you will be able to judge what to leave behind. Good tent camping has its own learning curve. France abounds in campsites, many perfect for the backpacker. A very good website to get an idea for where to camp is Eurocamp (www.eurocamp.co.uk), Eurocamp offers UK weekend escapes for "just you, the tent, and the outdoors". In the "Find Your Destination" frame, your mouseclick on the map in France will bring up holiday locations. Another click on a specific location will show you an actual map where the locations are. Clicking on each holiday location will give you a link to the parc, the rating in stars, and information on the resort and whether tent camping is permitted. If you are a braver sort, and know some of the language, you can search a local area or ask locals when you get there about possible places to camp. Many diehard tenters will camp wherever their feet take them, when possible, without the need for formal campgrounds. For planners, researching each area before you head over to France will alleviate a lot of anxiety. For those who just prefer to let their feet do the walking, serendipity must be your guide. Tent camping is by far the least expensive holiday option, especially for the single man or woman, or young couple. A holiday in France requires a bit of forethought, but makes an excellent holiday pastime.