France is a high vacation spot for campervan holidays, boasting various pure landscapes and charming villages. Drive your campervan alongside both the Atlantic or Mediterranean coastlines, to take pleasure in breathtaking coast surroundings, fairly villages, lengthy sandy seashores and quiet coves, for browsing and swimming and enjoyable. Travel inland to expertise the luxurious countryside, beautiful pure parks and thrilling mountain passes, with spectacular views.
You can select from hundreds of campsites in France, with non-public pitches for motorhomes and campervans. After a busy day of sightseeing, climbing or swimming, take pleasure in a drink or meal on the campsite bar or restaurant. Facilities for the entire household embody swimming swimming pools, children’ golf equipment and playgrounds. But be warned: in the event you’re planning to go tenting in France with your personal camper throughout the faculty holidays or the summer time months, reserve your website as early as doable, as each campsites and aires are likely to replenish.
Travelling with your personal tenting automobile offers you the freedom to get up in an entire listing of recent locations throughout one journey. Here’s our whistle cease tour of mainland France and its high locations.
Campervan holidays within the north west of France
Normandy
Normandy is accessible by quite a few massive ferry ports, making it the right spot for motorhoming in France in case you are heading over from the UK… and it’s additionally very simple to entry from Northern Europe. History buffs will likely be fascinated by the plethora of WWII museums and websites. By staying at a campsite in Normandy you’ll have the ability to go to additionally Mont Saint Michel – one of many nation’s most well-known landmarks – and properly price a go to.
Brittany
Cider, tradition and dramatic coastlines – what’s to not love about tenting in Brittany?
Brittany can also be simply accessible from Belgium, the Netherlands and Northern Europe – and likewise from the UK by the north west ferry ports of France.
The Emerald Coast is positioned between Cancale and Cap Fréhel and it’s an awesome path to journey by campervan or motorhome over 4 or 5 days. The route takes in Saint-Brieuc Bay and Saint-Malo, a gorgeous metropolis to find on foot (there are massive carparks outdoors the ramparts). You’ll additionally move by means of the elegant seaside resorts of Dinard, Saint-Lunaire and Saint-Briac, many small fishing ports and fairly medieval websites such because the Château du Guildo and the Fort la Latte (Château de Roche Goyon). On arrival on the shale and pink sandstone cliffs of Cap Fréhel, you’ll have one of the crucial lovely views in Brittany.
The Pink Granite Coast can also be price travelling in your van. There is a stunning coastal stroll alongside the Douaniers path, between Perros-Guirec and Trébeurden. There are seashores and creeks (Ploumanac’h, Trégastel, La presqu’île Renote and Perros-Guirec), the seaside resort of Saint-Guirec, the pink lighthouse of Men Ruz, and archaeological websites such because the Dolmen of Kerguntuil and the Menhir of Saint-Uzec. Trégastel and Trébeurden are good locations to stick with a campervan or motorhome.
If you’re fortunate, chances are you’ll come throughout considered one of Brittany’s many Celtic festivals celebrating music, dance and native cider.
Pays de la Loire
South of Brittany, the various points of interest of the Pays-de-la-Loire embody historic cities, charming mediaeval villages, grand chateaus and miles of vineyards. Head west to the coast for lengthy sandy seashores and campsites galore.
Campervan holidays in northern France
Hauts-de-France
Hauts-de-France is the northernmost area of France, with loads of campsites away from the crowds. Camping on this space brings you near regional pure parks, historic villages and the large seashores of the Opal Coast, that are nice for households.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites embody the Belfries of Belgium and France and the thirteenth century Notre-Dame d’Amiens Cathedral.
Camping within the east of France
Grand Est
This area shares a border with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland and possession has switched by means of historical past, so it has a really various structure and gastronomy. The area featured closely within the inaugural Tour de France Femmes in 2022 and the tv protection confirmed some fabulous surroundings, good for travelling by means of in a campervan.
Two fascinating little cities price placing on the itinerary are Troyes and Bar-le-Duc. Troyes is an enthralling medieval city, good to simply wander round for a morning. It has fascinating structure: cobbled streets and half-timbered homes relationship from the sixteenth century, slim alleys solely large sufficient to stroll by means of in single file. It has museums and Gothic church buildings with fairly stained-glass home windows to go to. And it has a number of eating places and an actual café tradition, being identified for its muffins, pastries and breads. So, take your urge for food with you, keep for lunch and fill up the van with muffins. Bar-le-Duc is a fairly Renaissance city. You can obtain a discovery stroll of Bar-le-Duc right here. The fort and historic seat of native royalty is now a museum, which has a particular kids’s booklet to make the tour extra enjoyable.
If you’re eager on doing just a few days of bike-packing, discover someplace protected to park the camper and get on to La Voie Bleue. This is a 700km cycle route working from Luxembourg to Lyon, that takes you alongside canals and rivers, by means of wetlands and by lakes, with a number of fairly villages, cities, historic and cultural sights to find alongside the best way. And you possibly can dip in for as lengthy or as brief a discovery tour as you need. For a shorter spin of the legs, you even have the choice of the Seine & Aube Greenway, which begins at Troyes and runs for over 40kms to Port-Dienville. It brings you previous the Lac d’Orient and Forêt d’Orient, that are nice locations to cease for watersports, rest on the seaside, and exploration or aerial actions within the forest. There can also be an animal park to go to, in Mesnil-Saint-Père (Espace Faune de la Forêt d’Orient).
Take a highway journey in your campervan and keep in campsites within the Grand-Est surrounded by lovely pure places, near mountains, lakes, forests and picturesque villages.
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Perhaps the best-known options of this area are its Vosges, Jura and Morvan mountain ranges, that are good for a campervan vacation with a number of nice spots to base your self and go to.
La Planche des Belles Filles is a household exercise resort within the coronary heart of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park, with actions for households of all ages: accrobranche (a type of aerial impediment course within the bushes), climbing, biking, mountain biking and rafting. So, close to right here might be an awesome place to base your self. Places to find close by embody the Cascade de Longeligoutte, a stunning waterfall nearly 10m excessive, and the Réserve naturelle régionale de la tourbière de la Grande Pile, a bogland with distinctive natural world to be noticed on a brief discovery path, properly suited to household adventures. The Réserve naturelle des Ballons Comtois, in the meantime, provides 90kms of waymarked trails for extra intrepid hikers and cyclists to discover.
Anyone with a motorbike shouldn’t miss the Hautes-Vosges Greenway both. It provides over 50kms of biking trails by means of lovely pure surrounds. You can cycle nearly the entire 50kms in the event you go all the best way from Cornimont-La Bresse to Bussang, or you can begin at Remiremont and go both path, for a shorter journey. The path, which winds alongside the valleys of the Moselle and Moselotte rivers between meadows and forests, passes a number of fascinating websites to cease and see on the best way.
Lastly, for a family-friendly forest stroll punctuated by the thrill of recognizing some native animals, go to Parc animalier de Fougerolles-Saint-Valbert. Nature lovers of all ages will LOVE this 5km out-and-back woodland stroll inhabited by deer, sheep, goats and different native animals. Panels will let you know all in regards to the native fauna. If you’re planning a visit right here with children, you’ll discover extra concepts in our article about high actions for youthful ones in Bourgogne.
If you select the Jura mountains, you’ll should cease on the Cascades du Hérisson. There are a number of viewpoints alongside a strolling path the place you possibly can admire this pure marvel. Hiking fanatics shouldn’t miss the fabulous Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park. You may spot a capercaillie: an incredible gallinaceous chicken, which has change into the symbol of this spectacular space. Also hike the path from the Pic de l’Aigle to the Belvédère des 4 lacs. The finish level provides a powerful view of the Narlay, Ilay, Petit and Grand Maclu lakes. For some heritage, or for a lunch break, go to Salins-les-Bains: the Grande Saline, a UNESCO World Heritage website, recounts 1,200 years of salt manufacturing within the area.
Whatever you do, don’t neglect to benefit from the famend wines and delicacies of the Burgundy area: you’re positive to like the native charcuterie, together with smoked Morteau Sausage, and the excellent Comté cheese. Pair your meals with a bottle of native wine, Vin Jaune or a sip of the notorious Absinthe, which is distilled in Franche-Comté.
You can use our campsite reserving instrument to search out campsites within the Bourgogne-Franche-Comte area.
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Motorhome journeys to France don’t come a lot better than the Alps in the summertime.
There are so many great Alpine resorts to base your self for just a few days that it’s unattainable to discover all the probabilities. Let’s simply give a few examples: Morzine, a Tour de France favorite for the reason that race started, after all provides epic highway biking, but in addition horse driving, health trails, climbing, fishing: there isn’t a scarcity of actions. Courchevel describes itself because the “Ski Capital of the World”and is aware of tips on how to deal with guests in the summertime too, with hikes, walks, guided heritage excursions and fishing journeys.
Another great place to go is Lake Geneva, the place you possibly can base your self close to the nice city of Thonon-les-Bains and maybe go to the well-known village of Evian-les-Bains. Both are famend wellness locations, so plan to take benefit! You’re in all probability a bit stiff in any case that driving… a visit to the thermal spas or therapeutic massage can’t damage, proper?
Albertville is greatest identified at the moment for having been the host metropolis of the 1992 Winter Olympics. But the world additionally has a serious historic heritage with the medieval city of Conflans. On its rock, this fortified enclosure, which protected the doorway to the Tarentaise valley, is filled with architectural treasures. Still on the heritage facet, be certain that to go to Aix-les-Bains on the banks of Lake Bourget. The “Riviera of the Alps” provides you wellness and rest actions, but in addition household actions. Upstream, one other lake, Annecy, additionally awaits you. The city of Annecy itself is just a little jewel. It is usually on the rostrum within the rankings of greatest cities to dwell in. You will rapidly perceive why, with its peaceable environment and spectacular views over the lake.
The Vanoise National Park is among the greatest locations to go to within the Alps and provides a large number of hikes for all ranges. You also can be taught in regards to the safety of the fauna and flora by means of quite a few conferences, exhibitions, and so on. But it has sturdy competitors from the Serre-Chevalier valley and the Ecrins National Park. In the Serre-Chevalier valley, go to the Serre-Chevalier Bike Park for a mountain bike session, or just for some good mountain walks. If you’re stuffed with power, there are by way of ferrata routes which might be a singular expertise. Finally, to recharge your batteries, a go to to the Grands Bains du Monétier is a should. The advantages of its waters have been recognised since Roman instances and the 4th century! In the Ecrins National Park, you’ll after all have the ability to hike to your coronary heart’s content material, but in addition uncover exhibitions on glaciers or rent a information to find the flora of the park.
The Alps has a lot to supply that one can nearly neglect that there’s a lot extra to the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes area. For instance, if watersports are your factor, you is likely to be higher to move southwest to the spectacular limestone gorges of the Ardèche pure reserve; the right spot for canoeing, kayaking and wild swimming.
The Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes area is the last word journey playground for youths and large children alike. Park up within the greenest of alpine campsites in Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes with mountain views throughout you and select from a large quantity of out of doors actions to go well with the entire household.
Campervan holidays in central France
Centre-Val de Loire
Located within the coronary heart of the nation, the Loire Valley is well-liked with foodies, historical past buffs and nature lovers.
Plan a visit in your campervan to go to beautiful landscaped gardens, historic chateaux and vibrant cities with magnificent structure and cathedrals. Leave your camper on the campsite and journey your bike alongside picturesque trails by means of the countryside. Don’t neglect to attempt a number of the glorious native wines.
Campervan holidays within the south west of France
Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Along the western coast, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine is the biggest area in France, with loads of famend surf spots, equivalent to Hossegor.
You can go for one of many many campsites in Nouvelle Aquitaine and convey your surf buddies and boards for a campervan surf journey, driving alongside the Atlantic coast from La Rochelle to Biarritz, getting up-close-and-personal with the native surf breaks. Visitors also can take pleasure in picnics in scented pine forests, slide down the tallest sand dunes in Europe or spend a day trip on the stylish retailers and eating places of Biarritz. Check out the perfect 10 issues to do on a campsite vacation in Aquitaine.
Nouvelle Aquitaine can also be dwelling to the Dordogne Valley, which stretches over three departments, Corrèze, Lot and Dordogne. The Dordogne Valley is a superb place to journey in a motorhome due to its wealthy heritage, proof of which you’ll see always out the window. There are many castles, like the well-known Castelnaud, Bridoire and Beynac Castles, and gardens like these at Eyrignac Manor, Limeuil and Marqueyssac. There are additionally prehistoric websites, together with caves, just like the well-known Gouffre de Padirac and the Caves of Lascaux. And lastly, a few of the “most beautiful villages of France” to find: charming medieval cities equivalent to Curemonte, Collonges-la-Rouge, Rocamadour and Sarlat.
As properly as all this tradition, there are many open-air exercise alternatives within the Dordogne: swimming and canoeing in Dordogne river, climbing within the many pure parks, and visiting the vineyards of Bergerac and Montbazillac amongst them.
Campervan holidays within the south east of France
Occitania
Set between the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees, and sharing a border with Spain, the southernmost area in France is Occitania. Home to lush countryside and beautiful mediaeval villages, there are many lovely campsites within the Occitanie area, that are an awesome base for climbing and biking within the Pyrenees mountains. Learn in regards to the historical past of the area on the mediaeval website of Carcassonne or Roman websites such because the Arena of Nîmes.
Occitania is a area of contrasts, with its lengthy Mediterranean shoreline, historic cities, scenic countryside and excessive mountain passes. All of those make nice materials for a campervan journey.
An excellent motorhome journey is the Route of the Cathar Castles. These fortresses are one of many highlights of the Occitanie area, perched on rocky peaks a number of hundred metres excessive. Dominating the plains and the cities, majestic regardless of the marks of time, these ruins mirror the tragic historical past of a area marked by the crusades and non secular wars of the thirteenth century. Visiting them makes for an unforgettable expertise. In the Cathar nation, be certain that to spend time within the Montagne Noire, a preserved pure space excellent for forest walks or river swimming.
You might additionally take your motorhome by means of the Gard, Hérault and Cévennes, the place there are speeding rivers to swim in, mountains to hike and delightful gardens to go to. Here are some stop-off factors to your journey:
- Pont du Gard: Listed as a World Heritage Site, this historic and majestic website is ready in a splendid pure setting, simply accessible by motorhome. Park up and wander the paths close by, admiring the spectacular views of the bridge and the river.
- Cévennes National Park: Just a little nook of paradise within the coronary heart of this nationwide park, the Gorges du Tarn supply magnificent landscapes. It’s good to drive, however actually one of the best ways to understand it’s by water, in a ship or a kayak. The Corniche des Cévennes overlooks the Vallée Française and the Vallée Borgne, two very lovely valleys. The Cirque de Navacelles is classed as a Grand Site de France. The views of the cirque from the viewpoints are extraordinary. If you want to be completely immersed, there are magnificent hikes within the coronary heart of the cirque. The website is well accessible by motorhome, however descent into the cirque with a motorhome shouldn’t be advisable. Park up and hike down – or use the shuttle bus in the event you should!
- The Hérault Gorges: Admire the cliffs all alongside the deep gorge from the driving force’s seat, then head for a dip or paddle at Devil’s bridge (pictured beneath) or Salagou lake, nestled in the midst of arid crimson rock hills.
As properly as jaw-dropping nature, this area has some extremely fascinating cities and villages. Carcassonne is considered one of its jewels, however a number of different cities and villages, some categorised among the many “Most Beautiful Villages of France” some not, are price a go to: Bozouls, located in a canyon, Sauveterre-de-Rouergue, Lautrec, well-known for its pink garlic and for being the birthplace of the well-known painter Toulouse-Lautrec… whose museum is positioned in Albi. The Sainte-Cécile cathedral there, each huge and futuristic on the surface and really vibrant on the within, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One extra for the highway? Then head for Cordes-sur-Ciel, not removed from Albi. A medieval village which, as you might have guessed, can also be categorised as one of many “Most beautiful villages in France”!
Another nice day’s driving can be from Lacapelle-Marival to Rocamadour. The former is a pleasing city within the foothills of the Massif Central. Rocamadour is a serious vacationer website in Occitania in addition to an vital stage on the Pilgrim’s Camino de Santiago de Compostela. Its worldwide popularity is properly deserved: inbuilt successive ranges on the facet of a cliff 120 metres above a canyon, it’s more likely to depart you breathless. The shrine of the Black Madonna, Rocamadour stays a spot of pilgrimage for Catholics from everywhere in the world, who’ve been flocking there for the reason that twelfth century. You can’t afford to not go to it, however you need to know that the location is at all times very busy, particularly throughout the excessive season. On the best way from Lacapelle-Marival to Rocamadour, you may go to considered one of three very totally different animal parks:
- the Gramat animal park: near Rocamadour, this park has 1 000 wild animals and 150 totally different species;
- La Forêt des singes: 150 Barbary macaques dwell freely on 20 hectares of forest and meadows; an distinctive setting and expertise!
- the Rocher des Aigles: nonetheless in Rocamadour, within the Causses du Quercy Regional Natural Park, this park is dwelling to birds of prey.
Last however not least, the Occitan shoreline makes for a pleasant drive too, lined with magnificent seaside resorts. To title however just a few : Cerbère, a paradise for diving fanatics on the border of Spain, Port-Barcarès, an genuine resort on the amethyst coast, Canet-en-Roussillon, the ‘resort with two faces’, Argelès-sur-Mer, on the foot of the Albères massif, Collioure, an enthralling fortified port between the ocean and the mountains, Cap d’Agde with its volcanic seashores and nudist resorts, or Grau-du-Roi, on the gateway to the Camargue.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
To the east of Occitanie, stretching to the Italian border, is Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
The lavender fields of Provence are legendary. Head right here between mid-June and late July to drive by countless fields of lavender in bloom, stretching for miles in each path. Nearby, you possibly can drive by means of the winelands of the Lubéron, admiring the vineyards and maybe visiting some wineries to fill up on rosé.
This area can also be dwelling to the Côte d’Azur, famously often known as the French Riviera. Here you’ll discover epic coastal roads with beautiful views of the azure Mediterranean to drive – like within the Parc National des Calanques close to Marseille and the stretches from Fréjus to Théoule sur Mer, or from Nice to Menton on the Italian border.
With various landscapes, fascinating points of interest and thrilling actions to go well with the entire household – France is the right vacation spot for the final campervan vacation.
Now you’ve recognized the areas that almost all curiosity you, sort them in to our search instrument to search out an enormous variety of campsites in France for motorhomes, campervans and RVs, and put together for an unforgettable highway journey.
First time in France? Find our high ideas for a campervan vacation in France.