Clear tent... under the stars camping.

Transparent bubble tent puts campers under the stars (but careful where you get undressed!)

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 12:53 PM on 15th November 2010

Anybody trying these outdoor gadgets might want to bring a pair of curtains.

For although they look and feel more like giant goldfish bowls, these latest inventions are actually totally see-through inflatable tents.

With incredible panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, the bizarre transparent structures are designed to get people as close to nature as possible.

Plenty of bounce: The transparent and inflatable bubble tent has been designed to give campers a panoramic view of the countryside

But they are far from the traditional camping trip - decked out with wardrobes, shelves and electric lights, the bubbles look more like a movable hotel room than a regular tent.

Launched this year, the structures can be now be hired out at sites across France for around £400 pounds a night.

And since then British tourists have been flocking to the country to try out the new camping experience.

French designer Pierre Stephane Dumas said his 'BubbleTree' creations are 'unusual huts for unusual nights'.

He explained: 'Having a night under the stars or seeing the sun rise and set is not something that many people experience anymore.

'A normal tent or camper van means people miss out on these things.

'So I designed this eccentric shelter with the aim of offering an unusual experience under the stars while keeping all the comfort of a bedroom suite.

'The ceiling of the bubble has the Milky Way, guests will be able to enjoy this as well as the extraordinary light variation of the sunset and sunrise.'  

The 'bubbles' are designed for two adults but can be adapted to include a smaller children's bedroom.

One design, called the CristalBubble, is completely transparent, giving a 360 degree view of the surrounding countryside.

But for the more private person, Mr Dumas has also created another, which he calls a 'cocooning' version of the Cristal design.

This is completely opened to the sky but a surrounding wall means the occupants can not be seen from the outside.

Luxury: The tents - some of which are slightly more sheltered - are available to rent for around £400 at camping sites in France

Another design, called the BubbleLodge, is more like a villa than a room and is built with an additional space that can either be used as a bathroom or smaller bedroom.

Once the 'bubble' is inflated, it's kept in shape with an airlock at the entrance and a silent pump, which keeps a constant pressure on the surrounding 'walls'.

Outside sound is kept to a minimum while inside noise is magnified, which, according to Mr Dumas, encourages the occupants to create a peaceful atmosphere by whispering.

As well as hiring the structures, they can also be bought outright for around 7,500 pounds.

Mr Dumas added: 'For me, Bubble huts are a place apart where you can rest, breathe or just stand back.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1329810/Transparent-bubble-tent-puts-campers-stars-careful-undressed.html#ixzz15Mu6M45z