Follow the Tour De France on a budget

Camping holidays in France have always been de rigueur with families but are now more popular than ever, thanks to the increasing popularity of the annual cycle race, the Tour de France which takes in July.

With Keycamp holidays in France, the oh la-la has been put in to camping, as cramped tents and primus stoves have been replaced by luxury mobile accommodation, fantastic swimming pools, sport activities, shops, bars and restaurants and all at affordable prices.

Keycamp offers 75 campsites in France across 18 of the country’s most popular regions: charming Brittany, Vendee’s coastal havens, relaxing Picardy, beautiful Normandy, cosmopolitan Paris, idyllic Ile de France, Loire’s fairytale chateaux, dramatic Dordogne, the Lot and Royan, mountainous Languedoc Roussillon, glamorous Cote d’Azur, Burgundy’s vineyards, Auvergne, Cevennes, Ardeche, and not forgetting the spectacular Jura and the Alps.

They range from small and friendly campsites, absolutely perfect for couples or families with small children, to larger, lively campsites with plenty of facilities, organised activities and entertainment for those who like action packed holidays.

The world famous Tour de France is due to start on 07 July 2007 in London, with the final leg reaching Paris on to 29 July. The pack race their way on the 20 stages from Dunkerque to Burgundy, down through the Alps to Marseille, following the coast west to Loudenvielle in Languedoc and up through Cahors to Cognac, finishing 3550km later at the Champs Elysees.

Date: 09 July
Leg: 2 Dunkerque – Grand
Campsite: Guiness (Picardy)

Date: 10 July
Leg: 3 Waregem – Compiegne
Campsite: Berny Riviere (Paris)

Date: 13 July
Leg: 6 Semur en Auxois – Bourg en Bresse
Campsite: Lac de Chalain (Jura)

Date: 18 July
Leg: 10 Tallard – Marseille
Campsite Canadel (Cote d’Azur)

Date: 19 July
Leg: 11 Marseille – Montpellier
Campsite: Marseillan Plage

Date: 27 July
Leg 18 Cahaors – Angouleme
Campsite: Sarlat (Dordogne)

Date: 28 July
Leg: 19 Cognac - Angouleme
Campsite: Marennes (Royan)

Date: 29 July
Leg: 20 Marcoussis – Champs Elysees
Campsite: Paris International

Family camping holidays to Picardy in France are priced from £698 per family of four on 6 July 2007. This includes 7 nights in fully equipped self-catering Villanova mobile home and a Dover to Calais ferry crossing. Low cost carriers operate to many regional French airports so fly drive options are also possible.

Accommodation options range from the "Supertent", complete with four bedrooms, sprung beds, a fully fitted kitchen and electricity, to the brand-new, luxurious Prestige mobile home, complete with flat-screen TV, DVD player, contemporary furnishings and outdoor decking for al fresco meals. All mobile homes have bathrooms with showers and linen can be hired.

After busy day’s out, adults need their relaxing holiday too and a great boost for mums and dads is the fact that many Keycamp sites have free Mini Fun Station and children's club for toddlers and kids, with Base club activities for teenagers. Activities range from football to karting, bowling and volleyball, and should the Tour de France inspire you, cycle hire is also available.

Booking a Self-catering holiday in France is a great way of making the most of fabulous markets and local produce. Top-class cooking facilities include four-burner hobs, fridge-freezers, microwaves and barbeques on many sites. Campsite shops and markets add to the convenience factor and there are bars, pizzerias and, in some locations, even gourmet restaurants to be enjoyed only yards away from holiday homes. Outdoor decking can also be hired to make the most of the outdoor space.

For a family camping holiday to France, Keycamp has it all. To book a 2007 holiday or request a brochure log onto Keycamp.co.uk.