Tourism quality

There are thousands of campsites in France, ranging from basic natural areas to 5-star complexes offering services worthy of a luxury hotel. To help consumers find their way, numerous quality labels have emerged. Choosing a campsite that proudly displays a quality label at its entrance means choosing peace of mind.

These distinctions cannot be bought; they are earned. They confirm that the establishment meets strict standards of comfort, hygiene and services. For campsites, displaying an official badge is a major differentiating tool.

It is proof of a voluntary commitment to quality and a desire for transparency. Furthermore, establishments classified from 1 to 5 stars often use these certifications to justify their move upmarket. Whether you are looking for a modest quality campsite or a very luxurious one, the label acts as an absolute trust filter for every holidaymaker.

The camping quality label is undoubtedly the best-known reference among French campers. It is based on 5 strict commitments that the campsite manager must scrupulously uphold: warm welcome, impeccable cleanliness, precise and truthful information, well-maintained private pitch, and a valued and respected environment.

These criteria form the core of the assessment system. By choosing a certified campsite under this banner, you are guaranteed to find clear information from the very first booking stage.

The establishment guarantees a personalised welcome, often with a smile and valuable advice about the region. These 5 commitments are the foundation of a relationship of trust, ensuring that the reality on the ground will correspond exactly to the photos seen in the brochure or on the website.

The Qualité Tourisme brand is the only state label established for tourism professionals in France. Obtaining the Qualité Tourisme label is the ultimate accolade for a campsite. This recognition brings together the rigorous quality initiatives undertaken by professionals whose goal is customer satisfaction. It applies to all tourist accommodation and constitutes a genuine guarantee of the high level of services offered.

To retain the Qualité Tourisme brand, establishments must continuously improve their products and services. The specifications place great emphasis on the quality of the welcome, command of foreign languages, and the promotion of local resources.

It is this skilful blend of professionalism and authenticity that transforms a simple stay into a truly successful holiday. Visitors know they will be listened to and that their comfort is the absolute priority of the management team.

The introduction of these standards is above all an initiative of passionate professionals. Operators representing the outdoor hospitality industry joined forces with the federation of campers, caravanners and motorhome users, representing campers and their real expectations in the field.

Together, they took the initiative to consolidate these reflections in order to structure the future of the sector. The creation of a quality charter readable by all, or even a single national quality charter, was the common and decisive objective of this initiative.

To achieve this, the National Federation of Outdoor Hospitality (FNHPA) and the French Federation of Campers, Caravanners and Motorhome Users (FFCC) worked closely together. This joint work led to the development of several quality labels, contributing significantly to the improvement of campsite quality across the country.

In 2026, the notion of sustainable tourism is inescapable. The Green Key label is the first international eco-label for tourist accommodation. The managers who obtain it make a firm commitment to sustainable development and environmental management (water, energy, waste).

In Haute-Corse, for example, quality is ensured by a strong environmental commitment, attested by certifications such as the Green Key label or the European Ecolabel, adopted by many operators.

Obtaining this type of distinction requires a particularly high level of eco-responsibility requirements. Auditors assess eco-responsibility and the information provided to the public on eco-friendly practices.

More specifically, a high degree of transparency in terms of eco-responsibility and information regarding the carbon footprint of the site is required. Campsites that commit to this path prove that modern comfort and absolute respect for nature can go hand in hand.

The process for certifying the quality of an establishment is long and demanding. First, the manager must compile a comprehensive application file proving that their facilities meet the hundreds of criteria in the reference framework. They must then undergo a mystery audit carried out by an independent firm mandated by the official bodies.

Only after this audit has been validated can the committee award the label. The award is never permanently secured. To prevent any slippage, it is regularly checked, generally every 5 years (or 3 years for certain eco-labels).

This periodic certification assures clients that the certified campsite maintains its standards. Whether classified from 1 to 5 or more precisely from 1 to 5 stars, the establishment must continuously prove that it deserves its honorary plaque at the entrance.

Inclusivity is a cornerstone of the modern quality commitment. The national "Tourisme & Handicap" label aims to provide objective and consistent information on the accessibility of the services offered.

Information for people in situations of impairment (motor, visual, hearing or mental) must be perfect. For people with disabilities, the specifications meticulously examine each disability situation with regard to reception and accommodation infrastructures.

Auditors specifically assess disability in terms of accessibility of circulation routes, swimming pools and toilet blocks. Establishment managers formally commit to the accessibility of catering and entertainment services.

Choosing a site displaying this badge guarantees people with disabilities the ability to enjoy their holiday with the same level of comfort and independence as any other guest.

Atout France, the French Tourism Development Agency, plays a central role in managing the Qualité Tourisme brand. It defines the main directions and guarantees the credibility of the scheme internationally.

For its part, the national federation of outdoor hospitality (FNHPA) supports managers in the field to help them meet these high standards. These major tourism players work together to ensure that the frameworks proposed to campsites are in line with the evolving expectations of consumers.

It is thanks to this synergy between the State (Atout France) and professional unions that certified French campsites are recognised as among the best in the world, exporting national expertise in outdoor holidays.

The customer experience begins well before arriving on site. At the time of booking, a certified establishment must be transparent about its services, rates and cancellation conditions. Once on site, a warm welcome is the norm.

Staff are trained to respond efficiently to requests, offering digital welcome booklets, personalised tourist advice and unwavering availability. This rigour applies to all campsites bearing the quality seal, from the small rural site to the vast coastal resort.

By choosing these establishments, holidaymakers avoid unpleasant surprises. The condition of the accommodation is as described, pitches are mown and cleaned, and the opening hours of services (shop, swimming pool, restaurant) are strictly adhered to, as communicated at the initial point of contact.

Guaranteeing quality for dedicated traditional campers is a challenge that labels meet with flying colours. For motorhome users, for example, the presence of clean waste disposal stations, stable electricity and stabilised pitches is a non-negotiable mark of quality. The label specifications take into account these very specific technical needs, often overlooked by conventional hotels.

Some campsites excel particularly in welcoming travellers on the move. They understand that tent campers look for heated facilities and communal spaces, while leisure vehicle owners seek autonomy and accessibility.

This label awarded to campsites therefore reflects a deep understanding of the diversity of outdoor practices, ensuring that every type of traveller finds exactly what they are looking for.

No, not at all. The certification process has a cost (audit fees, membership) and requires a great deal of administrative work. Many small independent establishments offer exceptional services without applying for official certification. However, the label remains the best "blind" guarantee when booking remotely.

No, the two are complementary. The star classification, managed by Atout France, primarily assesses facilities (pitch size, presence of a swimming pool). The Qualité Tourisme label assesses the overall quality approach: welcome, friendliness, cleanliness, customer satisfaction. A 3-star campsite can perfectly well hold the Qualité Tourisme label.

1 - Safety and Trust: labels such as Camping Qualité and Qualité Tourisme are the guarantee of the high level of services.
2 - Eco-responsibility: the Green Key or the European Ecolabel guide you towards sustainable tourism.
3 - Inclusivity: the Tourisme & Handicap label ensures accessibility for all people with disabilities.
4 - Strict control: certification requires an independent external audit renewed every 5 years at most.
5 - Commitment: it is a voluntary approach stemming from an initiative of professionals and representatives of campers.

The Green Key label goes far beyond that. While it requires rigorous waste sorting, it also evaluates energy policy (LED lighting, solar panels), water management (flow reducers, controlled irrigation), responsible purchasing (local and organic products in the restaurant) and raising holidaymakers' awareness of the local environment.

In 2026, internet access has become an essential criterion in outdoor hospitality assessment grids. For 3 to 5-star campsites seeking a quality label, the provision of a reliable internet connection (Wi-Fi or 5G) on pitches or at least in communal areas is carefully verified during the audit.

The core of the Qualité Tourisme system rests on customer feedback. Certified campsites are required to implement a system for collecting and analysing complaints and satisfaction questionnaires. If the overall score of online reviews falls, the label can suspend its certification even before the next five-year audit.

The Tourisme & Handicap badge is modular. It is represented by four distinct pictograms (Motor, Visual, Hearing, Mental). A campsite can be certified for one, two, three or all four types of impairment. It is therefore important to check the pictograms displayed on the campsite's website to ensure that the accessibility of the services offered matches your specific needs.