Gaëlle, a 44-year-old school canteen worker from Frouzins, spends every summer holiday with her two children at Camping Le Moulin in Martres-Tolosane near Toulouse.
For the fifth consecutive year, the mother of two has chosen to stay within 50 kilometres of her home rather than join the holiday crowds at coastal resorts.
Gaëlle explained that she does not hold a driver's licence because she fears speed, so her mother drives the family to the campsite every year. She added that even if she were to get a licence, she would not change her holiday routine, describing the location as a small bubble of rest where everything is available on site.
The family spends the second-to-last week of August at the site every year. Gaëlle noted that despite the short distance from Frouzins, a commune in the Haute-Garonne department, the stay provides a complete change of scenery without requiring travel to the far side of the world.
Martres-Tolosane lies in the historic Comminges region of southwestern France, along the Garonne river. The tree-filled campsite offers a peaceful setting that attracts local residents looking to escape urban heat while staying close to home.
Budget planning and family rituals
After finishing her coffee at the campsite bar, Gaëlle pointed out her favourite sector of the park next to the swimming pool, where she requests a mobile home every year. She previously tried coastal camping in Valras-Plage, a Mediterranean resort town, but found the crowds overwhelming and preferred a calmer environment.
Her 17-year-old daughter, Eloïse, and eight-year-old son, Chryslin, share her preference for the local spot. Eloïse said that although they previously travelled to the Spanish island of Majorca, she prefers Martres-Tolosane because of its friendly atmosphere.
Eloïse described their arrival routine, noting that as soon as they arrive with Chryslin, the first thing they do is change into swimsuits and head straight for the pool.
To fund the annual trip for her family, Gaëlle organises her budget months in advance. She reserves the mobile home in January and arranges with management to pay 100 euros per month until the start of their stay in August.
Rising local tourism in Haute-Garonne
Camping Le Moulin has seen an influx of residents from Toulouse and the wider Haute-Garonne department seeking relief from recent heatwaves. Guests have taken advantage of the site's air-conditioned accommodation and swimming pool during periods of high summer temperatures.
Hugo Sladden, the director of Camping Le Moulin, said visitors from Haute-Garonne make up the majority of the campsite's clientele, far exceeding guests from any other department.
Sladden noted that the trend of local holidaymaking has strengthened since the COVID-19 pandemic, as residents realise they do not need to travel far for a change of scenery. He added that high fuel prices during the summer season may also have encouraged families to holiday closer to home.
Gaëlle confirmed that she has no intention of altering her holiday plans in the future. She said the family intends to keep returning for as long as possible and is already preparing for next year's trip.
