A Not So Rustic Camping Experience

Daniel took last Friday off of work and following a morning of bumming out on one of the beaches in the calanques, we decided it was high time for Jonas to experience camping for his first time (okay, I decided), so why not that night? Although we had already given it a couple of perfunctory attemps, I was finally motivated to figure out the French system of camping. Searching online, we had been surprised to discover that camping in France appeared to be quite a classy experience, with camp sites rated on a 1-4 star scale, many offering ornate water parks, television, many leisures activities and high class restuarants. Our first challenge was to find the least frills site possible, leaving us a total of two 1-star sites to choose from in our region. The check in time at one ended at 6:00, well before we could be there, so by default we were really left with one. Scambling to pack the gear and the kids in the car, we headed for a site in a little town called Eygaliers in the early evening.We discovered a cute little campsite located right in centre-ville. We also soon discovered that campfires were forbidden, and apparently this rule applies to all of France. So instead of tin foil dinners and smores, we sought out a pizza truck. Not the kind of camping meal we are used to, but still delicious.

The kids enjoyed the simple playground.

Picture of the campground. There were plenty of olive trees and flowers. Kind of like a glorified backyard; but, hey, it can be fun to sleep in a backyard.

Jonas loved playing in the tent. However, with the sleeping bags all over the ground I think that he expected the floor of the tent to feel like a matress all over when he would fall over head first. He had a few rude awakenings.

Jonas following he first night in a tent: very tired and lots of static in the hair.

The area of our "campout" was that of the Alpilles, or "little Alps." Yes--the very little Alps.

We spent the morning exploring Eygaliers, a thus far unspoilt Provencal hill town. It was absolutely beautiful, even after a night of sub-par sleep.

Jonas was especially fond of chilling out in the shade.

Isn't he adorable?

In the early afternoon we headed over the St-Remy de Provence, another hill town, but of the more touristy variety. The highlight? Jaxon got to play in this fountain for about an hour.

So I think that we have changed our expectations of camping here. More than anything, it is a (possibly) cheap place to stay where you bring your own bed. Which we can appreciate. Even if we miss the overwhelming smell of smoke, fingers sticky with marshmallows and having to find our own toilets...