Wildfire forces evacuation of French campsite, highlighting climate risk to camping sector

Around 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 1, police ordered the evacuation of the Domaine de La Rive campsite near Biscarrosse in southwest France as wildfire flames approached. Manager Hadrien Folliot oversaw the rapid removal of roughly 1,200 holidaymakers, many of whom were mid‑dinner, and the site was cleared in less than half an hour.

The incident underscores a growing threat to France’s camping tradition, with the National Federation of Outdoor Lodging estimating that 62 campsites in the Nouvelle‑Aquitaine region were evacuated, one destroyed and three damaged. President Nicolas Dayot warned that campsites, often located in forests, by the sea or along rivers, are increasingly vulnerable to climate‑driven wildfires. Folliot expects losses of about €2 million, roughly 15 % of the campsite’s annual turnover, and insurance is unlikely to cover refunds or lost business.

The evacuation highlights broader concerns for the French camping industry, which comprises 7,400 sites and is a cherished part of the country’s cultural and tourism landscape, now facing heightened climate risks.