What is the difference between bivouacking and camping?
The distinction is simple but decisive: bivouacking is an ultra-light, discreet, one-night stay, usually while traveling. Camping is a more sustainable, fully equipped leisure facility, often organized on dedicated grounds. Here's how to choose and stay within the law.
To remember in 30 seconds
- A bivouac is a basic one-night setup, with late arrival and early departure, often on a hiking trip. It is discreet by nature.
- Camping is a recreational stay of several nights, with facilities and generally on developed land.
- Legally speaking: free camping is governed by articles R111 32 , R111 33 and R111 34 of the Urban Planning Code. In national parks, bivouacking is subject to specific rules depending on the site ( National Parks portal ).
- Objective: leave the place intact, avoid any fire and respect local regulations in the mountains, forests and on the coast.
Operational definitions and legal framework
What do you call a bivouac?
In common usage among hikers, bivouac refers to a lightweight, transitory sleeping arrangement: a compact tent where you can't stand up, a tarp, a hammock, or a simple bivy bag. It is limited to one night in the same location, arriving after sunset and leaving at sunrise. This simplicity reduces the footprint on the environment and distinguishes a bivouac from a set-up camp.
What about camping?
Camping is a leisure activity that often involves several nights, parking, or a more extensive facility on a landscaped and equipped site . Free camping outside of a site is only possible where local regulations allow it and under certain conditions.
What the law says in France
Legally, the term bivouac is not explicitly defined, but it is considered to be very temporary camping. The Urban Planning Code specifies that camping is freely practiced with the agreement of the owner (art. R111 32 ), while listing the prohibitions (classified or registered sites, shores, etc., art. R111 33 ) and the possibility of prohibitions by PLU (art. R111 34 ). In state forests, decrees may prohibit camping in the open air to preserve the environment and prevent fires (see the ONF in Fontainebleau and prefectural information ).
Express comparison
| Criteria | Bivouac | Camping |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | One night in the same place, late arrival, early departure. | Several nights, organized stay. |
| Facility | Light and discreet: tarp, small tent, hammock. | Complete equipment: awning, table, coolers, vehicle. |
| Place | Natural environments authorized, often roaming, sometimes near a shelter. | Dedicated land or occasionally free if locally authorized. |
| Regulation | Strict local rules: parks, reserves, bylaws. | Urban planning code and internal regulations of the land. |
| Footprint | Minimal, Leave No Trace. | More marked but framed by the infrastructure. |
Choosing the right practice: a step-by-step method
1) Clarify your intention
Are you heading out to cross a mountain range on foot and sleep where you arrive in the evening? Opt for bivouacking . Are you looking to spend several days in the same spot with comfort and amenities? Camping is a must.
- Planned itinerary (GR, trek, crossing): discreet bivouac.
- Stationary (family, comfort, activities): campsite.
- Check the sensitivity of the environment: heart of the park, reserve, coastline, dunes, forest.
2) Check local rules before you go
Consult the site map (national park, reserve, ONF, town hall) and the authorized hours. In the mountains, several parks allow bivouacking under certain conditions, while it is prohibited in others. On the coast and in the dunes, free camping is generally prohibited.
- See articles R111 32 to R111 35 .
- Parks: consult the dedicated pages for timetables, areas and reservations.
- Forests: look for ONF and prefectural decrees.
3) Choose consistent equipment
When bivouacking, aim for ultra-functionality: lightweight shelter, suitable sleeping bag, mattress, clean stove, water and filtration kit, headlamp, micro first aid kit. When camping, prioritize durability: 2- to 3-person tent, groundsheet, furniture, cooler, and camp organization.
Arknor selection: tents and tarps , stoves and combustion , cooking and pots , bags and portage , smart bivouac guide .
4) Anticipate water, weather, safety
Map your water sources, plan treatment, monitor wind and storm conditions. Tell a friend or family member where you're going, master basic safety precautions, and keep the emergency number 112 handy.
- Water: 2 to 3 liters per person per day with filtration.
- Weather: Have a plan B like a cabin or nearby shelter.
- Fires: Avoid ground fires. Use a stable stove and a windbreak.
5) Settle in properly and leave invisible
When bivouacking, pitch late, leave early, and never on shaky ground. Use light tents, shelter from the wind, and stay away from streams and trails. When camping, follow the rules and respect your neighbors.
- Discreet, flat, no-trace location.
- Toilets: Dig a 15-20 cm cathole more than 60 m from the water. Take the paper with you.
- At the start: 100% clean site, without waste or micro-waste.
Mini case study: a night in Vanoise with regulated bivouac
Scenario: hiking duo, departure 1 p.m., arrival near a refuge in an authorized area at 8 p.m. in summer. Schedules imposed for information purposes only depending on the site: 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. Equipment: 1.3 kg tent, 400 g mattress x2, 800 g sleeping bags x2, 70 g stove with 230 g cartridge, 200 g cooking pot, 3 L water, 900 g food. Base pack approximately 7.2 kg per person excluding water. Fuel budget: approximately 200 g per hour at full power, or approximately 15 g for 0.5 L of boiling under shelter.
Hilly GR, 12 km Bag weight
approximately 9.0 kg with water Respect
Departure 7:15 a.m., place left intact
Refer to local rules before departure: National Parks of France .
Frequent risks and concrete countermeasures
Fire : during periods of drought, vegetation is highly flammable. On dunes and in forests, bivouacking or free camping may be prohibited (see ONF: dunes and erosion ).
Weather and wind : Orient the shelter, keep short guy lines, strong pegs and a little redundancy.
Wildlife and Neighborhood : Stay away from nesting areas, sheepfolds, and watering holes, and store food. When camping, respect quiet hours.
What equipment for each case? Integration and meshing
Minimalist bivouac
- Compact shelter: Arknor tents and tarps .
- 35 to 50 L bag: bags and carrying (e.g. 40 L backpack ).
- Light stove: stoves and combustion . Cooking: pots and containers .
- Resources: smart bivouac and FAQ .
Comfortable camping
- 2 to 3 person tent and groundsheet ( shelter selection ).
- Peaceful cooking: cooking and hydration and stoves .
- Organization: storage and covers .
- Need help? Contact an expert and about Arknor .
Budget tip: A tarp with a mosquito net hammock covers 3 seasons under the trees, with useful redundancy in case the tent breaks.
Sources and image credits
- Urban planning code: Camping subsection (R111 32 to R111 35).
- Items: R111 32 , R111 33 , R111 34 .
- National parks: The bivouac .
- ONF: Fontainebleau Forest and dunes, good gestures .
- Images: Campfire in front of two Bivouac tents , Camping Chaillac location , Bivouac Ciuttulu , Municipal campsite (CC BY SA 4.0).
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