Clef verte, Camping Qualité : tourism labels dedicated to camping

Today, we’re talking about labels: Camping Qualité, Clef Verte, etc.
And why? Because France, Europe’s camping champion, has over 7,400 campsites, particularly concentrated in certain geographical areas (source: Insee – 2023).

And in the face of all this competition, how can you make your campsite stand out from the crowd and meet the expectations of ever more demanding campers?

From the customer’s point of view, how do you choose the ideal campsite from such a wide range?

Whether you’re a campsite owner or a customer looking for a quality campsite, this article lists the main campsite labels and their specific features.

A guarantee of conformity for official certifications, campsite labels focus on the quality of responsible practices, environmental protection and services offered.

Of course, these are not the only criteria to be observed, but they do represent solid arguments to guide vacationers’ choice. Here’s a quick overview…

What is a camping label?

A camping label is a distinction or certification awarded to an outdoor hotel guaranteeing the quality of its services and facilities according to certain criteria.

Labels are created by independent bodies or associations, and sometimes by public institutions, on the basis of specifications to be met.

Labels for campsites assure customers of a certain level of quality or commitment in terms of environmental responsibility, hospitality or accessibility.

Campers can thus identify campsites that meet specific standards, whether :

• comfort,
• equipment,
• respect for the environment,
• services adapted to certain types of customer (families, disabled people, cyclists, etc.).

To help you, here is an overview of the main labels dedicated to campsites, the best known being :

• la Clef verte, the ecological label for campsites,
• Camping Qualité, the quality label for campsites.

Eco-labels for campsites

Clef Verte, the sustainable tourism label

Clef Verte is an international label dedicated to eco-responsible tourist accommodation.

Based on criteria defined by the Fondation pour l’éducation à l’environnement (FEE) internationally and Teragir in France, it is awarded for a period of four years.

Labeled campsites meet strict criteria in terms of natural resource management, waste sorting, ecological awareness and even responsible purchasing.

Called Green Key in English, it rewards campsites that have focused all or part of their approach on sustainable development and environmental protection.

? In 2024, the Green Key program was awarded to 1,665 establishments in France.

European Ecolabel, the ecological label par excellence

TheEuropean Ecolabel is an official certification awarded to many eco-responsible products and services, including campsites that adopt strict ecological practices.

Tourist accommodation with this label implements measures such as reducing energy and water consumption, and minimizing waste within their establishments.

The label lasts for two years and covers 97 criteria in five areas: energy, water, waste management, cleaning products and the company’s environmental policy.

In France, Afnor is authorized to award theEuropean ecolabel.

NF Environnement certification, the French ecolabel

Afnor also awards NF Environnement certification, the French ecological label.

The strict criteria are more or less the same: the reduction of environmental impacts (resource consumption, pollution) as well as the performance, durability and quality of the product or service.

Ecocert, for our environmental and social footprint

Écocert is an independent certification and control body specializing in organic farming and sustainable development.

Although best known for its certifications in the agri-food, cosmetics and hygiene products sectors, Écocert also offers certifications for tourist establishments, including campsites, as part of its approach to respect for the environment and sustainable tourism.

Green Globe, sustainable tourism on a global scale

The Green Globe is a global certification recognized by the World Tourism Organization.

This international label assesses the performance of campsites according to environmental, economic and social criteria, with a particular focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR).

It is awarded to campsites that demonstrate exemplary management in terms of sustainable development,energy efficiency andsocial commitment. It also involves raising customer awareness of environmental issues.

LPO, for the protection of biodiversity

A partnership with the Ligue de Protection des Oiseaux (Bird Protection League) shows the campsite’s commitment to preserving biodiversity, in particular by protecting local bird species.

The campsites concerned are often located in sensitive natural areas and encourage respectful cohabitation with the local flora and fauna.

Blue Flag, preserving the coastline

The Blue Flag is an international ecolabel from the Foundation for Environmental Education, like the Green Key. It is awarded to beaches and marinas, but can also be awarded to campsites located near these sites. It guarantees clean beaches, sustainable resource management and good quality bathing water.

Quality labels for campsites

Camping Qualité, the Holy Grail of camping quality

The Camping Qualité label is awarded to campsites that meet more than 600 demanding criteria in six areas:

• the warm welcome,
• impeccable cleanliness,
• the quality of information provided to customers,
• well-kept private location,
• the environment respected and valued,
• eco-responsibility.

Managed by an independent association, the Camping Qualité label aims to ensure that customers enjoy a stay that meets the highest quality standards.

Labeled campsites are audited regularly to ensure that they meet at least 80% of the criteria.

Qualité Tourisme and Atout France, the French government’s quality labels

Atout France is the French tourism development agency (ADT), which classifies campsites according to their facilities, services (swimming pool, restaurant) and quality of welcome (languages spoken, etc.) in the form ofstars (from 1 to 5) to guide holidaymakers, in compliance with the standards defined by the French Tourism Code and the decree of January 11, 1993.

It also manages the Qualité Tourisme label, which guarantees a personalized welcome, clear information, clean infrastructures and staff trained to meet tourists’ needs.

The Destination d’excellence label will replace it in December 2026. It will take over the essential aspects of the system, notably the guarantee of a high level of quality in the reception area, and will raise the bar in terms of eco-responsibility and information for the disabled on the accessibility of the services on offer.

Atout France also awards the Vignobles et Découvertes label to campsites located near vineyards and offering wine tourism activities.

Specific labels for different audiences

Famille Plus, the label for tribes

Aimed at tourist establishments, the Famille Plus label guarantees a welcome and services specially adapted to families with children. Campsites with the label offer activities for all ages, adapted and secure infrastructures (playgrounds, baby equipment), a warm welcome and adapted rates.

This is a joint initiative by three associations (Association nationale des élus des territoires touristiques, Association nationale des maires des stations de montagne, Fédération française des stations vertes de vacances et des villages de neige).

Accueil Vélo, the label for bicycle tourists

Tourist offices award the Accueil Vélo label to campsites that cater specifically for cyclists.

It guarantees the presence of dedicated facilities (covered areas for bicycles, repair tools) and a service tailored to the needs of cycle-touring enthusiasts (signposted routes, etc.).

The aim of the label is to simplify the stay of travelers who have opted for this environmentally-friendly mode of transport during their vacations.

Tourisme et Handicap, the label for inclusive tourism

The Tourisme et Handicap label certifies that the campsite is accessible to people with motor, visual, hearing or mental disabilities.

It guarantees the presence of adapted equipment, signage and services to facilitate the reception of these specific publics.

It was set up by the Tourisme et Handicaps association.

Of course, there are many other camping labels, such as :

• Relais Motards,
• Accueil Paysan,
• Rando-Camp,
• Home Hiking,
• Welcome to the Farm,
• Fishing accommodation,
• Les Castels (top-of-the-range campsites), etc.

It all depends on your personal tastes and needs.

The label, a guarantee of quality no longer an option

Today, campsite labels have become much more than just a marketing tool: they represent a genuine guarantee of quality, environmental commitment and accessibility.

According to a 2023 study by Booking.com, 76% of holidaymakers expressed a desire to travel more sustainably in the future, and 45% said they were more likely to choose accommodation with sustainability labels.

These distinctions enable campers to make an informed choice, in line with their values and expectations for a successful vacation.

As the camping market continues to grow, as does the demand for more responsible vacations, labels will play an even more important role in the years to come. And in a world that is increasingly concerned about its ecological impact, campsites committed to sustainable practices will come out on top.

Adopting labels is not only a way of meeting current consumer expectations, but also a way of anticipating future trends in tourism: greener, more ethical and more inclusive.