On the filming locations of the Camping Paradis series
"Camping Paradis" is a bit like the "Desperate Housewives" series, because all the settings are open to the sky. The only difference is that for "Desperate Housewives", the studio is closed by a huge stretched tarpaulin that helps protect the site and filter the sun's rays to maintain constant light. This way of turning is widely used in the United States.
Conversely, the Panier district in "Plus Belle la Vie" has been reconstituted in the studio so that the film crews are not interrupted by external nuisances. Except for the "beach" sequences, everything is done indoors.
The filming location for "Camping Paradis" is the only one and a half hectare open-air studio. It's quite unique in France and even in Europe. In France, one of the only other examples that can be cited is in Paris, where there is a street about 50 m long that can be used to make a period film. This street will only be used three times in the year.
An open-air studio that is used so much in the year (about 8 months of filming per year) is quite rare.
An open-air studio that is used so much in the year (about 8 months of filming per year) is quite rare.
The filming of the series must be done in all weathers (wind, rain ...).
The site is protected from the wind. However, there is no filming in the wooded area.
If the rain is fine and it falls on the actors' shirts during filming, the color contrasts caused by the water will be computer erased when the episode is finished.
Another example that occurred the first year when the bar was set up in the middle of the Saulce beach. Filming was taking place in October and around that time there were strong easterly gales that brought the waters up to the beach. As a result, the bar found itself surrounded and had to be moved to the end of the beach. There was so much water that the parking lot also got flooded. It was only when the water reached the electrical outlets that the electricity was cut and the filming was interrupted… But not quite…. Once the actors were sent home, part of the team continued to shoot films. car footage on the road between Sausset-les-Pins and la Couronne. What is noteworthy is that the title of this episode was "Storm at the Campsite" and on the days when the series was to be filmed in the rain it was sunny and vice versa.
The site is protected from the wind. However, there is no filming in the wooded area.
If the rain is fine and it falls on the actors' shirts during filming, the color contrasts caused by the water will be computer erased when the episode is finished.
Another example that occurred the first year when the bar was set up in the middle of the Saulce beach. Filming was taking place in October and around that time there were strong easterly gales that brought the waters up to the beach. As a result, the bar found itself surrounded and had to be moved to the end of the beach. There was so much water that the parking lot also got flooded. It was only when the water reached the electrical outlets that the electricity was cut and the filming was interrupted… But not quite…. Once the actors were sent home, part of the team continued to shoot films. car footage on the road between Sausset-les-Pins and la Couronne. What is noteworthy is that the title of this episode was "Storm at the Campsite" and on the days when the series was to be filmed in the rain it was sunny and vice versa.
The extraneous noise is a real problem during the filming of episodes must be reduced. It is the exclusive job of a technician. Live, with a walkie-talkie, he coordinates the film crews disturbed by ambient noise and the maintenance teams at work on the site. He gives the green light for the start of the action.
Even more surprisingly, a post-synchronization budget is specially allocated to episodes filmed in the summer season. The powerful chirping of the cicadas drowns out the sound of the actors' lines as they return to the studio to re-record the dialogues. Then are added the songs of the cicadas.
Why can't we erase the song of the cicadas? At the time of filming, the sound engineer can attenuate ambient noise, not suppress it.
Even more surprisingly, a post-synchronization budget is specially allocated to episodes filmed in the summer season. The powerful chirping of the cicadas drowns out the sound of the actors' lines as they return to the studio to re-record the dialogues. Then are added the songs of the cicadas.
Why can't we erase the song of the cicadas? At the time of filming, the sound engineer can attenuate ambient noise, not suppress it.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are bogus in order to avoid waste. The rest of the groceries, mostly unbranded, have been around for a long time.
Depending on the weather, the natural light from the skylights and that from the lamps is not enough to illuminate this filming location. The height under roof and its slope are not trivial and serve to hang the projectors more easily. Being a movie set, the mini market is designed to be solid and quickly removable. Its wooden frame makes it easy to remove all the panels for the needs of a scene and only keep the metal structure. The sufficiently large space around the mini-market makes it possible to film “traveling” sequences. This technique makes it possible to position rails on which cameramen circulate in carriages to shoot a scene on the shelves.
Depending on the weather, the natural light from the skylights and that from the lamps is not enough to illuminate this filming location. The height under roof and its slope are not trivial and serve to hang the projectors more easily. Being a movie set, the mini market is designed to be solid and quickly removable. Its wooden frame makes it easy to remove all the panels for the needs of a scene and only keep the metal structure. The sufficiently large space around the mini-market makes it possible to film “traveling” sequences. This technique makes it possible to position rails on which cameramen circulate in carriages to shoot a scene on the shelves.
La Saulce beach, naturally delimited by the rock, is used as a filming location because it perfectly reflects the "human-sized" image of the campsite: it is neither too big nor too small. The convenient nearby car park serves as a film set but also as a logistical aid for the installation of the control room and the trucks.
The beach bar, the flagship decor of the series, was previously located on the Saulce beach. It is made of metal bars that facilitate disassembly and quick storage in a semi-trailer.
The beach bar, the flagship decor of the series, was previously located on the Saulce beach. It is made of metal bars that facilitate disassembly and quick storage in a semi-trailer.
The vehicles of the sets, camper vans, caravans, cars (convertible, ladybug ...) and motorcycles (traffic jam scenes at the start of the holidays) are rented directly to individuals during filming. The team searches for original or old vehicles that are easier to find from individuals or collectors than from dealers.
The extras are an integral part of the series. They keep the campsite alive.
During the filming, a trampoline is installed and children jump on it. In front of the reception, around the water point, the children have fun spraying themselves with the garden hose. A figure plays several roles.
He takes the small road near the mini-market by bike to descend towards the sea. In the same sequence, after dropping off his things and quickly changing, he goes up this same road hand in hand with his partner. We seem to see two people, but it is the same with a few more accessories.
The extras are an integral part of the series. They keep the campsite alive.
During the filming, a trampoline is installed and children jump on it. In front of the reception, around the water point, the children have fun spraying themselves with the garden hose. A figure plays several roles.
He takes the small road near the mini-market by bike to descend towards the sea. In the same sequence, after dropping off his things and quickly changing, he goes up this same road hand in hand with his partner. We seem to see two people, but it is the same with a few more accessories.
These prefabs, strategically located between the Arquet campsite and the redeveloped car park, are used by film crews for dressing, make-up, technical installations and taking meals. Everyone eats in the canteen, whether they are the extras, the technical teams or the actors. Meals are prepared by professionals who cook on site in their truck. These prefabs are there in total respect for nature because no tree has been cut to position them.
The Martigues Tourist Office organizes tours of the filming location in July / August when the teams are not filming. Access days and times may vary from week to week. The seats are limited.
The tours will not take place in 2020. We hope to be able to offer them again in 2021.
Find the official Camping Paradis products on our online store.
Delivery everywhere in France and abroad (except Dom-Tom)
The tours will not take place in 2020. We hope to be able to offer them again in 2021.
Find the official Camping Paradis products on our online store.
Delivery everywhere in France and abroad (except Dom-Tom)