‘World’s first swingers’ campsite’ put up for sale in France (but beware of hornets)

‘An incredible opportunity, with over 20m libertines identified in northern Europe and 6.5m in France’

A CAMPSITE in rural France dubbed the “world’s first 100 per cent swingers’ camping ground” is up for sale for €2million (£1.8million), with the owners insisting it is doing a roaring trade in a country where the practice is said to be booming.

Camping Libertin la Roseraie, or the Rose Garden Swingers’ Campsite, is located just outside the spa town of Vichy, in central France. The estate agent’s advert reads: “First 100 per cent libertine campsite in the world for sale. Incredible opportunity with over 20 million libertines identified in northern Europe and 6.5 million in France.”

It made no mention of where it found such figures, but an Ifop poll in 2014 suggested that 11 per cent of French men frequented a swingers’ club.

Françoise and Gérard Vetter turned the classic campsite into a swingers’ hideaway four years ago, and according to Leggett Immobilier, an estate agent, they posted a “118 per cent increase” in turnover as soon as they made the change. The site boasts customers from all over Europe, including Britain, Belgium, Germany, as well as Australians and Americans.

The biggest proportion of guests – around 40 per cent – are Dutch, and the owners claim that demand is so high that the “world’s second” libertines campsite that opened in Dordogne last year was sold out last summer.

Calling themselves “pioneers”, the Vetters said they had “earned our pension” after “46 years of continuous work”.

France has many nudist camp sites and resorts, notably in Cap d’agde on the southern coast, but Mr Vetter said “they didn’t suit us, so we decided to create what we were looking for”.

Guests must be over 21 years of age and wear different coloured bracelets to let others know whether they are single or in a couple. It allows a maximum of 15 per cent single men, who receive a “life ban” if they receive any complaints. The site includes an outdoor swimming pool with “cuddle corners”, and even a “saucy wood” with various activities to fit all tastes.

Online reviews were mixed, with one calling it “heaven on earth” where you can do “what we want, when we want with whoever we want”, while others complained of the fierce guard dog and – a risk when scantily dressed – a profusion of hornets.