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When you think of Paris, camping probably isn’t the first thing that pops into your mind, right? Well, that’s exactly what we thought—until we pitched our tent at Camping de Paris, nestled in the leafy 16th arrondissement along the Seine. Suddenly, we discovered a whole new way to experience the City of Lights. It was affordable, gave the kids plenty of space to run around, and still kept us close enough to all the Parisian magic.
We were on our way back up north to catch our shuttle home, and as we were passing through, we decided to finally check Paris off our list. The kids were always talking about how they’d been to places like Bangkok but never actually visited Paris—so we made it happen, and camping turned out to be the perfect way to do it!
Everything We Needed, Right on Site
The campsite turned out to be way more spacious than we expected, with fantastic, clean facilities and a really relaxed atmosphere. There’s a central lodge where we could kick back, grab a drink, or even borrow a board game for some family fun. On top of that, there’s a restaurant, a handy grocery shop for essentials and during the warmer months, a food truck rolls in with tasty bites.
While we usually cooked up our own meals at our pitch, by the end of the trip, we’re always ready to switch it up and let someone else do the cooking. The on-site restaurant didn’t disappoint—it had a solid menu that catered to both the adults and the kids, making it the perfect spot to unwind without the hassle of grocery shopping or cooking.
We camped, but there are also chalets, wood trailers and pre-erected canvas tents so there are plenty of options if you’d prefer a little more comfort to an air bed and a little more convenience than having to put up a tent.
Easy Access to the City
The real bonus? Although we were surrounded by nature, getting into the heart of Paris was quick and easy. A shuttle bus runs directly from the campsite to Porte Maillot, where you can hop on the metro and reach major landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in under 30 minutes.
We spent our days sightseeing and our evenings winding down on the campsite—letting the kids ride their bikes, enjoying an apperitif sitting outside our tent in the warmth of the evening and enjoying the rare calm you don’t usually associate with big city trips.
Note: the shuttle doesn’t run too late in the evening, so we made sure to plan our returns accordingly.
Final Thoughts
Our stay at Camping de Paris gave us a completely different kind of Parisian experience. It was relaxed, affordable, and genuinely memorable. We still got to see all the famous sights, but we also had time to slow down, breathe, and enjoy the things we love about camping. We initially booked it because there weren’t any other camping options as close to the centre, but I was really surprised at the quality of the site and the facilites available, all so close to one of the most iconic capitals in the world.
If you’re a family looking for a base that’s calm, convenient, and a little unconventional, we highly recommend it and we’d definitely go back. Paris has never felt more accessible.!
Kitchen Family Travels 