Spending a night under canvas, alone on a mountain plateau, waking to the sunrise over the ridgeline: bivvying is quite possibly the finest way to extend a day's walking into something unforgettable. But before you pitch your tent just anywhere, it's worth knowing the rules — because in France, not everything is allowed, and camping in the wrong spot can cost you a fine of up to £1,500.
Good news: wild camping remains tolerated in many places, as long as you stay discreet and follow a few simple principles. Here's what the law actually says, where you can pitch your tent in peace, and the kit that makes all the difference for sleeping light and warm.
Our picks for a night under the stars
Three pieces form the heart of a great night under canvas: a lightweight tent that pitches in two minutes, a warm and compact sleeping bag, and a mat that insulates you from the cold ground. Here are our most popular picks. You can also explore all our hiking and bivvy gear.
Bivvying or Wild Camping: Don't Get Them Mixed Up
The two terms are often mixed up, but the distinction matters hugely, as it changes everything in the eyes of the law. Wild camping for one night (bivouacking) means a single overnight stop: you pitch a lightweight tent at dusk and take it down at sunrise, leaving no trace behind. Wild camping proper, on the other hand, means settling in for several nights in the same spot, with heavier kit. The first is discreet and short-lived, so it's widely tolerated; the second is far more regulated, and sometimes banned outright. Remember this simple rule: you bivvy, you don't camp.
What does French law say?
There's no single law that clearly defines wild camping. It's the French Town Planning Code that governs camping outside designated sites: its article R.111-32 permits pitching on private land with the owner's permission, and forbids it without that permission. On public land, it all depends on who manages the area - the local council, the park authority or the forestry office. In practice, a single night's wild camping is often tolerated where it isn't explicitly banned, but some areas strictly prohibit it, with fines that can reach £1,500. The golden rule: if in doubt, check in advance with the local town hall or the relevant park authority.
Once you've got the legal basics sorted, the real question on the ground remains: where should you pitch your tent for a peaceful night, and which spots should you steer well clear of? The answer comes down to a few simple pointers, valid anywhere in France, that will save you the unpleasant surprise of being woken by a warden.
Where to pitch your tent (and where it's forbidden)
Some spots are perfect for wild camping, while others are strictly off-limits. Here are the key points to bear in mind before choosing your spot:
- Often tolerated: in the mountains, at altitude and well away from road access (typically more than an hour's walk), as well as in woodland on private land with the owner's permission.
- National parks: wild camping is generally allowed here, but regulated (specific zones and hours, from sunset to sunrise). Each park has its own rules - check them on its official website.
- Strictly forbidden: nature reserves, the coastline and maritime public land (beaches, dunes, headlands), listed sites, the surroundings of historic monuments, and drinking water catchment areas.
- To avoid: roadsides, cultivated fields and anywhere too visible or well-trodden - a successful camp is one nobody notices.
The golden rules of responsible wild camping
Wild camping remains tolerated as long as it stays invisible and leaves no impact. Four principles are enough to avoid any issues: arrive late, leave early (pitch your tent at sunset, pack up at sunrise); never light a fire, which is banned in the wild and causes wildfires every year; leave no trace, meaning you take all your rubbish with you, including organic waste; and stay discreet, in small groups and without noise. These good practices echo those set out by the French National Forestry Office for respecting the forest. A clean camp is also what guarantees it'll still be tolerated tomorrow - and packing your rucksack well, by bringing the essentials without overloading it, is all part of the game.
The essential kit for lightweight wild camping
Sleeping outdoors isn't something you can wing: the right kit makes all the difference between a restorative night and a sleepless one spent shivering. The basics come down to three items - a lightweight tent, a sleeping bag suited to the season and an insulating mat - to which you add something to cook with and something to see by. The real challenge is weight: every gram is felt on your back while walking, which is why it's worth choosing gear designed to be ultra-light, along with a rucksack of the right size to carry everything without a struggle.
After a long day's walking, nothing beats a hot meal and a comforting drink. A compact stove lets you boil water in minutes, even in the wind - the bit of kit that turns a simple snack into a proper camp moment. Up high or along an exposed ridge, wind is a flame's worst enemy: a model built to handle gusts heats twice as fast and uses far less gas. Choose one that's light, stable and compact, so it tucks away in a corner of your rucksack without ever weighing down your walk.
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The other essential once night falls is the head torch. Pitching your tent, cooking, finding your gear or navigating the trail at first light: it's all done hands-free. Go for a rechargeable, powerful model that stands up to the weather, with enough battery life to cover several nights without a recharge. It's a tiny bit of kit, but you only realise how important it is the day you've forgotten it.
£38.90
Pay in 4 instalments of £9.72 with no fees using Shop Pay
Gear checklist
It's easy to forget something when packing: between shelter, sleeping gear and cooking kit, an essential item can easily slip your mind. To help you get your gear sorted at a glance, here are the five essentials that make up a comfortable, lightweight wild camp, along with what to look for when buying each one so you sleep warm without overloading your rucksack:
| Gear | What it's for | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Lightweight tent (or tarp) | Shelter from rain, wind and dew | Under 2 kg for 2 people, quick to pitch |
| Sleeping bag | Keeps you warm all night long | Comfort rating suited to the season |
| Insulating sleeping mat | Blocks the cold rising from the ground | Great insulation, inflatable or self-inflating |
| Compact stove | Hot water, meals and drinks | Lightweight, wind-resistant, compact |
| Head torch | Move and cook hands-free | Rechargeable, powerful, water-resistant |
Ready for your first night outdoors
Wild camping isn't complicated: a few common-sense rules, a quiet spot and the right kit are all you need for an unforgettable night out. A lightweight tent, sleeping gear suited to the season, something to cook with and a light source, and you're all set. All that's left is to keep an eye on the weather, pick your patch of nature away from the hustle and bustle, and savour the silence of a night under the stars.
Frequently asked questions
Is wild camping allowed in the UK? There's no blanket ban under general law, and it's tolerated in many places, provided you're discreet, stay just one night and steer clear of restricted zones (nature reserves, coastline, protected sites). If you're not sure, check with the local council or park authority.
What's the difference between wild camping and roughing it for several nights? Wild camping is a single night with a lightweight tent, pitched at dusk and packed away at sunrise. Camping rough over several nights in the same spot is a different matter: it's far more regulated, and often banned outright.
Can you light a fire when wild camping? No. Fires are banned in the great outdoors (fire risk) and this is one rule you should never break. Bring a stove for cooking and keeping warm instead.
What gear should you bring for a wild camp? The essentials: a lightweight tent (or a tarp), a sleeping bag suited to the season, an insulating sleeping mat, a compact stove and a head torch. Choose everything as light as possible so you don't weigh your rucksack down.
