| If you are looking for places of interest to visit | | | | There is plenty to learn about French history |
| while on a camping holiday, France has countless | | | | from this palace, and more rooms and hallways |
| stately homes and castles. Here are just two | | | | than your legs will bear to walk around. |
| chateaux close to Paris that deserve a visit. | | | | But if you are visiting Versailles as part of a |
| Château de Versailles | | | | holiday camping in France, you will probably be a |
| Although Paris is a bustling urban centre, the | | | | fan of the outdoor life, in which case the gardens |
| Camping les Etangs Fleuris site in Touquin, and | | | | at Versailles have plenty to offer. There are long |
| Camping la Croix du Vieux Pont at Berny | | | | avenues and pathways between sculpted lawns |
| Rivière means the city is also well | | | | with statues, fountains, and cascading waterfalls. |
| provided for in terms of quality sites for camping. | | | | In fact, the grounds are so expansive that there |
| France's capital, with all its sights and culture is | | | | is too much to explore in one day. |
| within easy reach of these rural havens, making | | | | Palace of Fontainebleau |
| them ideal places from which to discover Paris. | | | | The Chateau at Fontainebleau, located in a forest |
| The sights of Paris are almost too numerous to | | | | by the same name, is also within an hour's drive |
| mention: from the long arcades of the Louvre | | | | of the Touquin camping site. France's monarchs, |
| gallery, with its iconic glass pyramid and famous | | | | from King Louis VII to Napolean have made this |
| Da Vinci paintings; to the tree-lined Champs | | | | their home, and it now houses an American |
| Elysees avenue with its glamorous buildings; the | | | | school of the arts. |
| Eiffel Tower; and the white, hilltop Sacre Coeur; | | | | In medieval times it was considered a hunting |
| and not forgetting all the cafes, museums and | | | | lodge, but was redeveloped by progressive |
| parks - there's just so much to see. There is, | | | | generations of French rulers, each expanding the |
| however, more to see in the region than just the | | | | palace and leaving their stylistic mark on the |
| city. Just a thirty minute drive from the very | | | | buildings. Fontainebleau is now a UNESCO World |
| centre of Paris, Versailles is so near that it would | | | | Heritage Site, protected because of its |
| be a shame not to visit this icon of France. | | | | combination of architectural styles and its historical |
| Camping les Etangs Fleuris, Touquin is about an | | | | importance. |
| hour away by car, or you can take the train out | | | | The ornate interiors feature high-ceilinged |
| from the city to the Versailles Rive Gauche | | | | wood-panelled halls, inset with murals, detailed |
| station. | | | | carvings and paintings. There are chandeliers and |
| The size and grandeur of this stunning building is | | | | gold leaf to be found throughout, colourful curtains |
| enough to make you catch your breath as you | | | | and carpets, and antique furniture. |
| approach. It is a historical museum, show garden, | | | | The park around the palace is dense and green, |
| castle and art gallery rolled into one. Visitors can | | | | decorated with classical statues and ponds. |
| explore the opulence of the King's apartments, | | | | It's a beautiful place to take a stroll, and makes |
| the hall of mirrors (properly called the Gallerie des | | | | for a pleasant venue for a day out while camping |
| Glaces) and Marie Antoinette's private chambers. | | | | in France. |