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A Road Trip and Camping in France

France is one of the most popular holiday destinations for campers: beach, sea and mountains, diverse regions, a capital to fall in love with and a cultural and gastronomic heritage that is known all over the world. Find out which routes through France with a camper are particularly appealing and what else you should consider when camping in France.

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© roadsurfer GmbH / Hella Kuehner

A Road Trip and Camping in France: Good to know

  • The speed limits in France for vehicles up to 3.5 t are 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h outside towns, 100*/110 km/h on motorways and 110*/130 km/h on the highway. (* Special regulation for all novice drivers in the first three years).
  • Motorhomes weighing more than 3.5 t must drive at 100 km/h on motorways and 110 km/h on highways.
  • The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 per mille and for novice drivers in the first two years 0.2 per mille.
  • Many French cities belong to environmental zones, which is why you need an environmental badge. All our roadsurfer campers have an environmental badge.
  • Motorhomes weighing more than 3.5 t must drive at 100 km/h on motorways and 110 km/h on highways.
  • The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 per mille and for novice drivers in the first two years 0.2 per mille.
  • Many French cities belong to environmental zones, which is why you need an environmental badge. All our roadsurfer campers have an environmental badge.
  • In France, children up to the age of 10 need a child seat adapted to their weight and size.
  • In France, the child seat for children under 10 years of age may only be placed on the passenger seat in exceptional cases. If this exception occurs, always ensure that you have switched off the airbag, as the child could suffocate in an emergency.
  • Since 1 January 2021, motorhomes over 3.5 t must display a blind spot warning (“angle morte”) on the vehicle. You can find these stickers on the internet or at petrol stations near the border. For roadsurfer models, you do not need a warning label, as all of our campers are under 3.5 t.

Camper van routes in France: Our top 3

Route 1: With the camper to Alsace and the Vosges Mountains

All half-timbered house lovers, wine connoisseurs and hiking and outdoor fans will get their money’s worth during their vacation in Alsace. With our camper route suggestion from Strasbourg along the wine route to Mulhouse, you will not only enjoy the charming cities like Strasbourg and Colmar but also be able to switch off with beautiful mountain hikes.

1. Strasbourg – The capital of Alsace

Walk along the Ill banks and through the former tanners’ quarter “Petite France”, probably the most charming quarter of Strasbourg. Or climb the 332 steps of the Cathedral of Our Lady (Goethe fought his fear of heights!) and enjoy the fantastic view over the city. To top it off, you can take a boat trip on the Ill River and sail from the jetty at Rohan Castle to the European Quarter.

→Discover unique camping spots in Strasbourg

2. Obernai & Mont Sainte-Odile

Not far from Strasbourg, discover the charming wine town of Obernai.

Enjoy a tarte flambée at the “Place du Marché”.

Drive by camper or bike to one of the most impressive destinations in the Vosges: Mont Sainte-Odile. Once at the top, you will be rewarded with a great view over the Alsatian plain.

→Discover unique camping spots in Obernai & Mont Sainte-Odile

3. Hohkönigsburg

Sometimes in German, sometimes in French hands: in the restored Hohkönigsburg, you can see traces of its eventful history everywhere. It’s an excellent destination for families with children, as there are actors around who bring the old knightly times to life.

→Discover unique camping spots in and around the Hohkönigsburg

4. Along the wine route: wine villages and winegrowers

Just let yourself drift along the wine route. In almost all Alsatian villages, you can go wine tasting and enjoy the sweet life. These villages are particularly popular and beautiful: Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg.

5. Colmar

The charming “Petite Venice” district is a must on a tour of Colmar. You can also explore the labyrinth of canals by barge. Stops at the numerous cafés and restaurants are just as much a part of a visit to Colmar as to the Unterlinden Museum.

6. Lac Blanc: Hiking, forest climbing & barefoot trails

Take the road towards the Munster Valley from Colmar, and you will reach the Vosges after a few kilometres. Around Lac Blanc, you will find a wide range of leisure activities. The area around the lake is a paradise for hikers.

→Discover unique camping spots in Lac Blanc

7. Route of the Ridges: Col de la Schlucht, Honeck, Grand Ballon

Follow the Vosges Ridge Road (Route des Crêtes) if winding mountain roads don’t scare you. The mountain road leads you through beautiful mountain landscapes and magnificent views. You will pass the “Col de la Schlucht” and reach the Honeck massif, known for its beautiful hikes. You can also visit the “Grand Ballon”. You can leave the camper and make your way to the 1424-metre-high summit of the mountain peak, and if the visibility is good, you can see as far as the Alps!

→Discover unique camping spots along the Vosges Ridge Road 

8. Hartmannswillerkopf Memorial & Ecomusée Alsace

If you find a campsite near Wattwiller, you can visit the impressive “Hartmannswillerkopf” memorial site on the last day, where the trenches from World War I have recently been opened to the public. For families with children, a full-day excursion to the open-air museum “Ecomusée Alsace” is also worthwhile, where, among other things, storks still nest on the houses – the symbol of Alsace.

→Discover unique camping spots near the Hartmannswillerkopf

Route 2: South of France with the camper

A round trip through the South of France in a campervan is the dream of many campers. But it’s a big country and how can you know where to go in the south of France? We have put together a motorhome round trip for two or more weeks that combines nature, culture and the sea. We have also compiled a list of unique campsites to ensure that your time camping in France is memorable!

1. The Gorges du Tarn

In the southwest of the Lozère department, the emerald-coloured Tarn river crosses the Gorges du Tarn nature reserve (between Quézac and Le Rozier). Here you can climb viewpoints, explore castles, châteaux and Romanesque churches, hike along the left side of the river or see the beautiful nature from the water by kayak or canoe (starting in Sainte-Enimie or La Malène).

→Discover unique camping spots near the Gorges du Tarn

2. Albi

The old town of Albi will leave you speechless! The Sainte-Cécile Cathedral and the Palais de la Berbie were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010.

→Discover unique camping spots in Albi

3. Toulouse

Toulouse is less crowded than places along the Côte d’Azur, especially in summer, which is why the Airbus city is considered a real lover’s tip.

The historic old town on the Garonne is decorated with ancient terracotta tiles and makes the city shine in copper or pink, depending on the sun’s position. A boat trip on the Garonne, a visit to the “Aeroscopia Museum” and the “Cité de l’espace” of the ESA is an absolute highlight for both young and old in Toulouse.

→Discover unique camping spots in Toulouse

4. Carcassonne

No longer an insider tip, but still worth a visit, is the city of Carcassonne with its medieval Cité and fabulous atmosphere.

→Discover unique camping spots in Carcassone

5. Pyrénées Ariégeoises: Relax and unwind in the mountains

If you are more in the mood for nature, you can take a detour by camper from Carcassonne to the Pyrénées Ariégeoises Nature Park and enjoy some time out in the foothills of the Pyrenees.

→Discover unique camping spots near Pyrénées Ariégeoises

6. Narbonne & Montpellier

Want to cool down and enjoy some relaxing beach time? Then you can relax on one of the many beaches between Narbonne and Montpellier on your motorhome tour of the south of France. You will find the most unspoilt beach in Saint-Pierre-la-Mer. La Franqui and Leucate Plage are the best-known surfing and sailing spots.

→Discover unique camping spots between Narbonne and Montpellier

7. The Ardèche

If you still have some time, plan a detour to the Ardèche region during your camper holiday in the south of France. A 2-day kayak tour on the Ardèche with an overnight stay in a bivouac will be your crowning glory! Apart from that, picturesque villages, the Domaine Lavandaïs and the Lavender Museum and the “Grotte Chauvet 2” with cave paintings await you in the Ardèche Nature Park. If you still haven’t had enough of France’s beauty, continue the route towards Annecy and back along the coastal road!

→Discover unique camping spots near the Ardèche region

Route 3: Explore the Brittany province

Did you know that Brittany is France’s second most popular destination after the Côte d’Azur? Brittany comes across as cool, unspoilt and a bit rugged. But that’s precisely why we love it. If you like the sea, the 2500 km coastline in the northwest of France is the place to be, with a view of the turquoise water almost always guaranteed, as well as fresh oysters, mussels and Breton galette with a sip of cider.

1. Rennes 

The capital of Brittany attracts visitors with its young and fresh flair and traditional façades provided by the old town’s crooked half-timbered houses.

The streets Rue Saint-Sauveur, Rue de la Psalette, Rue Saint-Yves and Rue des Dames are particularly special.

→Discover unique camping spots in Rennes

2. Malo

We are heading for the coast with the camper, the “Côte d’Emeraude” (Emerald Coast); here, you will find the town of Saint-Malo. Take a walk along the massive fortress walls washed by the water and enjoy the best view of the old town, the sea and the harbour.

→Discover unique camping spots in Saint-Malo

3. Cap Fréhel & Cancale

Lighthouses, cliffs and wild coasts make Brittany what it is. At Cap Fréhel, you’ll find it all. On the way to the Cap, you’ll come across the oyster capital of France – Cancale. There are plenty of places serving seafood, beurre salé and white wine. Nowhere tastes better than on the coast with a fresh breeze.

→Discover unique camping spots in Cap Fréhel & Cancale

4. Plage de Trestrignel

The rocks glow in shades of red and orange, which has given the coast its name. You can hike along the coast along the GR34 coastal hiking trail, which incidentally goes around the entire Breton coast. The beach in Trestrignel is not only beautiful and extensive but also offers many activities such as a catamaran or SUP.

→Discover unique camping spots near Plage de Trestrignel

5. Île de Batz

From Roscoff, you can paddle to the idyllic Atlantic island on a guided kayak tour. Alternatively, there is a ferry that you can take your bike on. Don’t forget your swimsuit if the weather is nice, because the island with Caribbean flair offers 20 fine sandy beaches and is the ideal place for swimming and kayaking.

5. Crozon 

The Crozon peninsula juts far into the sea like a giant cross. The impressive capes and cliffs of Crozon give you a true Brittany feeling: “Pointe de Penhir”, “Pointe de Dinan”, but also the “Pointe des Espagnols” and the “Cap de la Chèvre” entice you with unique views. When you drive through France with your motorhome, you can choose small and picturesque country roads or fast motorways. From Roscoff, it is worth taking the coastal road to Crozon. If you have less time, you can take the direct route.

→Discover unique camping spots near Crozon

Tips and costs for a road trip and camping in France!

When you use motorways in France, you often have to pay a toll at the toll booths (French: péages); you can do this easily in cash or by credit card. Alternatively, you can use the country roads and save money.

Wild camping is prohibited in France, as in many other European countries, but municipalities and cities sometimes even provide free or low-cost pitches. You can try the urban campsites “Camping municipal” or farm campsites (Camping à la ferme) as a cheaper alternative. We also recommend our roadsurfer spots in France with lots of fantastic campsites and pitches that you can book in advance or on the go!

If you want to travel here in the summer with your camper, avoid August at all costs, as the whole of France is on holiday during this month. The best months are May to July and September and October. On the French Mediterranean coast, you can also expect reasonably consistent weather in other months.

Start your roadsurfer adventure today!

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