Out of Town Blog
The Joy of Doing Nothing: Why Active Idleness Is the Secret to the Perfect French Holiday
In a world obsessed with productivity, it’s easy to forget that doing “nothing” can be the most restorative thing of all — especially when that nothing involves basking in the French sunshine with nowhere to be and no emails to check. But let’s be clear: we’re not talking about lying flat in a hotel room scrolling your phone. We’re talking about active idleness — the kind of relaxed, simple living that happens when you slow down, move often, and leave room for spontaneity.
A French camping road trip is the perfect excuse to embrace this slower pace. It’s budget-friendly, deeply connected to the outdoors, and surprisingly rich in experiences. And for families? It’s a game-changer. The rhythm of campsite life has its own gentle logic — and once you’ve settled into it, it’s hard to imagine going back to airport queues and hotel buffets.
Let the Day Unfold
One of the greatest joys of camping in France is how the day seems to expand. You wake up with sunlight filtering through canvas, stumble out for a croissant from the bakery van, and drink coffee while the kids scooter in circles. There’s no rush. You might have a vague plan to visit a medieval village or check out a hidden beach — or you might not.
Some of the most memorable moments happen without any planning. A campsite like camping warincthun, just a short hop from Calais, is the perfect place to ease into the rhythm of French holidays. With the sea close by and the cliffs of Cap Blanc-Nez on your doorstep, you don’t need much of an itinerary.
Let the Kids Roam Free
In the safe, self-contained world of French campsites, children reclaim the kind of independence that’s rare in city life. They learn to navigate by scooter, make international friendships in the playground, and invent games in the pool. The pressure lifts from parents, too. When the site has a kids’ club, a bouncy castle, and a stream to explore (as at Vaubarlet in Auvergne), the need for screen time mysteriously vanishes.
And if bedtime creeps later and later? That’s fine. This is camp time. As one traveler noted, “The boys weren’t asleep until 10pm and all kids were still playing in the playgrounds at 9pm.” It’s a joyful kind of chaos that comes with warm evenings and no early…
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