French Alps Tighten Wild Camping Rules
French authorities have introduced new restrictions on bivouacking, wild swimming, and camper van parking across Haute-Savoie and the Écrins massif in...
French authorities have introduced new restrictions on bivouacking, wild swimming, and camper van parking across Haute-Savoie and the Écrins massif in 2026, citing overtourism and environmental damage. In the Contamines-Montjoie reserve, bivouacking is banned below 2,500 meters from June 15 to September 15, with swimming and boating prohibited year-round. In the Aiguilles Rouges reserves, the reservation season for bivouacking has been extended from June 1 to September 30. In the Écrins National Park, bivouacking is banned within 500 meters of the shores of Lakes Lauvitel and Muzelle. Chamonix has banned wild parking for camper vans, with fines of €35.