Motorhoming in France: Our Trip and Indepth Guide

Exploring France in a motorhome unveils a diverse array of destinations. The country’s extensive network of dedicated aires makes motorhoming in France a breeze, with many more options for finding overnight spots.

Our year-long journey across Europe in a motorhome showed us that France is exceptionally well-equipped for life on the road. It caters well to motorhomes, campervans, and RVs, making it perfect for road trips and campervanning with its scenic routes and flexible travel options.

During our nine months living in France, we immersed ourselves in the quaint village life of the picturesque Dordogne region.

Perhaps the greatest challenge of motorhoming in France is deciding which regions to explore, which cheeses to sample, and just how many crepes you can enjoy in a single day!

If you’re new to campervanning, consider exploring our post on Motorhoming Tips for Beginners. It offers valuable advice to simplify and enhance your travel experience.

Additionally, we share insights into campervan gadgets we find indispensable, which you might find useful to review before you embark on touring France in a motorhome.

Motorhoming in France Map

How to Use This Motorhome France Route Map

1. To use this interactive map effectively, click the square icon in the upper right corner to expand.
2. A key will appear on the left, guiding you through various locations.
3. Clicking on any site reveals detailed information about that spot.
4. Each campervan stopover on the map links to the Camper Contact website. Here, you can explore available amenities, pricing, and operational hours and read reviews from other travellers.
5. Look for motorhome overnight stops marked by an orange circle (🟠) with a motorhome icon.
6. The places we’ve personally visited are also highlighted with distinct location icons.

Explore France by Motorhome: A Visual Journey

Immerse yourself in the scenic beauty and diversity of France with our two-minute video.

From Brittany’s rugged coastlines to Alsace’s charming streets, this visual journey offers a taste of what makes motorhoming through France a truly unforgettable adventure.

Get inspired for your next trip and see what awaits on the open road.

Motorhome Camping in France

Motorhome Camping in France: A Guide to Beautiful Spots and Budget Tips

Exploring France on Wheels

Embarking on a motorhome tour across France offers an economical and flexible way to explore the country’s stunning landscapes. Whether you opt for luxury campsites or seek out budget-friendly options, there’s something for every type of traveller.

Visa and Entry Requirements for Motorhoming in France

If you’re planning a motorhome adventure in France, it’s important to know the visa requirements, especially if you do not hold a European passport.

Under the Schengen Agreement, non-European travellers can only stay for 90 days within any 180-day period across the Schengen Area, which includes France and many other European countries.

Understanding the 90/180 Rule: The 90/180 rule allows you to travel within the Schengen zone for up to 90 days within a six-month period. To help plan your stay and ensure compliance with these regulations, use tools like the Schengen Visa Calculator. This tool can help you track the length of your stay and avoid overstaying your visa.

More Information: For more detailed information on visa requirements and exceptions, visit Schengen Visa Info. Here, you can find guidelines specific to your nationality, including any additional paperwork you might need before embarking on your journey.

Diverse Camping Options

• Luxury Campsites: France boasts several high-end campsites with extensive facilities for those looking to indulge.
• Budget-Friendly Stops: If you are like us and prefer cost-effective travel, there are plenty of charming, free, or budget-friendly spots to park.

French Motorhome Aires

These designated areas for motorhomes are scattered throughout France. Some provide essential services such as electricity, water, and waste disposal, whereas others are just places to park overnight.

For the best experience:

• Arrival Time: Arriving early, around 10 am, increases your chances of securing a spot, especially during peak season.
• Aire Regulations: Always check the local signage for parking instructions and service fees.

Wild Camping in France

Wild camping with your motorhome in France is possible as long as you park your motorhome, campervan or RV somewhere that isn’t going to bother anyone, you should be ok.

Obviously, it is better not to set up camp and to stay for one night only. Don’t hang out your washing or ‘set up’ camp. You will want to be as unobtrusive as possible when finding a wild camping spot.

Familiarize yourself with the specific rules regarding wild camping in France here.

France Passion Motorhome Stopovers

France Passion is a scheme whereby local businesses, farms, wineries and the like welcome you to stay on their property for free. Many entice you off the beaten path and offer their delicious gastronomic wares for sale.

What better way to campervan France than hopping from one winery to another? 

You can download a guide to over 2000 stops and get a France Passion Sticker here. For more information, visit the France Passion Website. 

Motorhome Hire in France

Renting a motorhome for your French adventure?

We highly recommend Motorhome Republic. They compare offers from various campervan rental companies across France, ensuring you get the best possible deals.

Our personal experience with them was extremely positive; not only were they incredibly helpful, but we also saved significantly compared to booking directly with rental companies.

For an in-depth look at how and why we hired a motorhome for our travels across Europe, be sure to check out our detailed guide: Campervanning in Europe.

Planning Your Motorhome Route Through France

Use the below information to help plan your France road trip, and you will also find it helpful to:

• Explore our How to Plan a Road Trip Guide for detailed planning insights.
• Download our comprehensive FREE Road Trip Planner to enhance your travel experience.

Finding Motorhome Overnight Stops

We’ve listed every motorhome stop we used in France, complete with links to the Camper Contact site for reviews and service details. This was our go-to app throughout our journey.

You might also find Park4night useful, a popular choice among motorhomers.

The Flexibility of Motorhoming in France

Motorhoming in France offers complete flexibility; you can stick to a fixed itinerary or choose your destinations on a whim.

When we travel, we strike a balance. We have a general direction but keep our schedule open to linger in places that capture our interest.

We usually avoided motorways while motorhoming in France, skipping tolls and enjoying the scenic back roads—often more rewarding than the faster routes.

If you are time-poor, however, and need to get to your next destination pronto, then the motorways would be the way to go, as the back-road routes are likely to be much slower.

Motorhoming in France and Destination Choice

France offers a variety of attractions, whether you’re into landscapes, historical sites, beaches, or urban adventures. The country’s culinary delights will tantalize your taste buds, with simple pleasures like fresh bread and cheese and a vast selection of wines to delight any enthusiast.

Choosing where to visit, what cheeses to buy, and how many crepes you can indulge in may pose the biggest challenges when motorhoming in France.

We’ll guide you on the best places to motorhome in France, but when it comes to choosing cheeses and crepes, remember, one can never try too many cheeses or eat too many crepes!

“How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?” 

Charles de Gaulle

Where to Motorhome in France

If you’re arriving from the UK, your adventure might begin in Brittany or Normandy. Both areas are perfect starting points for exploring France by motorhome, with their rich histories and stunning coastlines. For detailed insights into these captivating regions, read more about Brittany and Normandy.

Further afield, you have the lure of the Loire Valley with its fairytale chateaux and the delightful Dordogne villages set amongst rolling hills and meandering rivers.

For lovers of picturesque landscapes and medieval villages, a road trip through the Alsace region is a must and was another of our favourite road trip routes in Europe.

The renowned wine route in eastern France boasts some of the country’s most beautiful villages, where German influences are evident in the charming half-timbered houses adorned with overflowing flower boxes. Explore similar styles and more in our motorhome journey through Germany.

Cities aren’t normally our thing, much preferring small towns and villages, but when in France a visit to its renowned romantic capital city of Paris is a must.

However, we would advise finding a campsite outside of Paris and not driving your motorhome into the capital. It is much easier to park at a campsite in the outer suburbs and catch a bus or train into the city. That’s exactly what we did, and the bus stopped right by the campsite which made life so much easier

Places to Visit While Motorhoming in France

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1. Brittany

Embark on a journey through Brittany and immerse yourself in its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

• Perros-Guirec: Known for its stunning pink granite coast, this town offers picturesque views that are simply captivating.
• Quiberon Peninsula: Famous for its White Point Arch, the peninsula boasts an array of scenic walking trails along its dramatic coastline. Why not take a cruise on a catamaran in the bay?
• Plougrescant: Discover the unique ‘House between the Rocks,’ an extraordinary home nestled between massive boulders, set in a rugged, untouched landscape.
• Dinan: Step back in time with a visit to this medieval town renowned for its ancient cobblestone streets, charming timbered houses, and the oldest ramparts in Brittany. Maybe take a private guided walking tour.

For a comprehensive guide and additional insights, explore our full Brittany Road Trip with more destinations and details.

2. Normandy

Explore our top picks in Normandy, each steeped in history and natural beauty:

• Mont St. Michel: This majestic island boasts a medieval abbey dating back to the 8th century, perched atop its highest point. Note that it’s a popular spot that can be crowded during peak tourist seasons.
• Etretat: Renowned for its breathtaking limestone arches, its iconic ‘Needle,’ and the Etretat Gardens, it offers some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Normandy.

We had hoped to visit Monet’s Garden in Giverny and the Bayeux Tapestry, but the timing wasn’t on our side, leading us to miss these gems. This just gives us another reason to return and delve deeper into Normandy’s rich heritage.

Discover more: Embark on our Comprehensive 4-Day Normandy Road Trip for more insights and hidden gems.

3. Loire Valley

Discover the Loire Valley’s Châteaux:

The Loire Valley is celebrated for its spectacular châteaux, each telling a story of France’s regal past. Deciding which châteaux to visit can be as challenging as it is exciting, but here are our top five recommendations for your journey:

1. Château d’Usse: Often associated with the tale of Sleeping Beauty, this château is a masterpiece of Renaissance and Gothic architecture.
2. Château d’Azay-le-Rideau: Set on an island in the middle of the Indre River, this château is a fine example of French Renaissance architecture.
3. Château de Villandry: Known for its stunning gardens, ranging from water gardens to ornamental flower gardens.
4. Château de Chenonceau: Spanning the River Cher, this château is notable for its beautiful arches and its role in French history.
5. Château de Chambord: The largest château in the Loire Valley, famous for its distinctive French Renaissance architecture blended with traditional medieval forms.

For a deeper exploration of these historic treasures and practical tips on visiting them, consider checking out our detailed Loire Valley Itinerary for Motorhomers.

4. The Dordogne

Explore the Charm of the Dordogne:

The Dordogne region is renowned for its enchanting villages and breathtaking landscapes. While it’s challenging to pick favourites, these villages are must-visits for their unique charm and historical significance:

• Rocamadour: This stunning town is carved right into a cliff and is known for its historical and religious significance. Don’t miss the Rocamadour Free-Roaming Monkey Sanctuary for a delightful encounter with nature.
• Brântome: Often referred to as the ‘Venice of the Dordogne,’ this idyllic town is nestled on the banks of the River Dronne and is famous for its scenic beauty and tranquil atmosphere.
• La Roque-Gageac: Set against a dramatic cliff face, this village offers picturesque views and a step back into medieval times.
• Bourdeilles: This quaint village is known for its impressive château and the stunning vistas from its ancient bridge over the Dronne River.
• Sarlat-la-Canéda: A vibrant town known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and lively market days, Sarlat is a hub for gastronomy and culture in the Dordogne.

For a more detailed exploration of these villages, delve into our comprehensive guide, 8 Delightful Dordogne Villages.

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Oradour-Sur-Glane: A Solemn Historical Site:

In the northern Dordogne lies Oradour-Sur-Glane, a village preserved as a stark memorial to a horrific wartime massacre.

On June 10, 1944, 642 residents were brutally killed by Nazi soldiers. Today, the village stands untouched since that day, serving as a powerful reminder of the atrocities of war.

The remains of the village, with its desolate ruins and the haunting remnants of everyday life, such as twisted sewing machines and a crushed pram in the church, evoke the chilling reality of the massacre.

Visiting Oradour-Sur-Glane was a moving experience and a poignant reflection on humanity’s fragility and resilience.

5. The Alsace Region

Explore the Enchanting Alsace Region:

Alsace is a region that captivates with its fairy-tale villages and vibrant wine culture. Our detailed post covers the iconic Alsace Wine Route and offers insights on ideal motorhome stopovers.

Here are a few villages that you absolutely must visit:

• Riquewihr: This village looks as if it’s been lifted straight from a storybook, with its colourful half-timbered houses and cobbled streets.
• Hirtzbach: Known for its picturesque church and tranquil greenery, it is a perfect peaceful retreat.
• Eguisheim: This village, surrounded by vineyards, is famous for its charming streets that spiral out from the central square.
• Ribeauville: Set against a backdrop of vine-covered hills, Ribeauville is alive with medieval history and holds vibrant wine festivals.
• Colmar: Often called the capital of Alsatian wine, Colmar boasts an enchanting old town with canals and traditional Alsace architecture.

For those interested in delving deeper into each location, consider exploring our comprehensive guide to a road trip through Alsace, which provides further details and travel tips.

6. Paris

Exploring Paris from a Motorhome Base:

Paris offers an unforgettable urban adventure, but navigating a motorhome through the city can be challenging.

We therefore recommend parking at a suburban campsite and using public transport to explore. This strategy not only eases navigation but also helps maintain harmony between drivers and navigators in such a bustling environment.

For a light-hearted look at how we handle travel stress and cope with travelling together 24/7 as a couple. You’ll find out how we channel Lady Penelope and Parker’s driving personas to keep our cool while on the road!

During our two-day stay, we soaked in the beauty and history of Paris. Here’s a snapshot of the iconic sites included in our itinerary:

• Eiffel Tower: The quintessential symbol of Parisian elegance and a must-visit landmark.
• Louvre Palace: Home to thousands of works of art, including the Mona Lisa. You can skip-the-line here.
• Notre Dame: This majestic cathedral is a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture (Reopening December 2024).
• Montmartre Cemetery: A peaceful resting place of many famous artists and writers.
• Basilica du Sacre Coeur: Offers sweeping views of the city from its hilltop location.
• Arc de Triomphe / Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: Iconic symbols of French national pride and history.
• Tuileries Gardens: Perfect for a leisurely stroll between museum visits.
• Place de la Concorde: Famous for its monumental fountains and obelisk.
• Parc Floral de Paris: A floral haven that offers an escape from the city.

A Visit to Versailles:

Just 40 minutes from Paris lies the magnificent Palace of Versailles, a symbol of royal extravagance and architectural grandeur. Originally a hunting lodge, King Louis XVI transformed it into a stunning residence.

Today, it stands as a testament to royal opulence, complete with vast gardens, stunning artwork, and the famous Hall of Mirrors.

We recommend arriving early to avoid the long queues, especially if you plan to explore the extensive gardens and enjoy the musical fountains.

For those interested in the arts, the Palace of Versailles offers numerous virtual exhibitions that can be viewed online before your visit.

These exhibitions provide insights into the palace’s history and the pivotal events that took place here, including the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. For a glimpse of the musical fountains that await you, take a look at our video here.

For a detailed exploration of what else you can see and do in Paris and Versailles over a weekend, don’t miss our comprehensive 2-day Paris itinerary, which includes tips on visiting these iconic locations efficiently.

7. South West France

While our visit to South West France was brief, it was remarkably memorable. We enjoyed the hospitality of friends, and even the rainy days couldn’t dampen the spirit of places like Biarritz, Espelette, and St. Jean de Luz.

Here’s what stood out:

• Biarritz: This elegant seaside town is known for its beaches, therapeutic seawater, and vibrant surfing scene. 🍄‍🟫 Enjoy a guided and gourmet tour.
• Espelette: Famous for its red peppers, the village is a must-visit for anyone keen on Basque culinary traditions.
• St. Jean de Luz: A charming fishing town with beautiful architecture and a rich history linked to the sea.

This region is steeped in Basque culture, which is evident in its unique language and heritage. As you explore, you’ll notice distinct cultural markers that define the Basque identity, straddling both France and Spain.

Motorhoming in France: Handy Information

Here’s some practical information that will help you navigate your motorhoming experience more smoothly in France:

Handy French Words

Knowing a few essential French words can significantly ease your journey:

• Gazole: Diesel
• Autogas: LPG
• Camping cars (pronounced comping carr): Motorhome
• Péage (pronounced payaage): Toll
• Laverie: Launderette
• Jeton (pronounced jshuton): Token (sometimes needed for washing machines at campsites)

Supermarkets in France

You’ll find various supermarkets convenient for stocking up during your travels:

• Intermarché
• Auchan
• Carrefour
• E.Leclerc
• Lidl

Remember, in rural areas, supermarkets may close during lunchtime and all day on Sundays, with some also closing on Saturday afternoons.

French Launderettes

In France, 24-hour self-service launderettes are frequently located in supermarket car parks. These facilities make it easy to manage laundry while on the road, particularly useful for those without washing facilities in their motorhomes.

For times when a bigger laundry load was necessary, we found it convenient to use Google Maps to locate the nearest ‘Laverie.’

Motorhoming in France … That’s a Wrap

We loved our time motorhoming in France, where we soaked in the beauty of its towns, villages, and diverse landscapes. We hope you also find freedom and adventure on your motorhome journey through France. If it’s your first time, we wish you all the best in discovering the joys of motorhome travel.

While we have transitioned from a motorhome to a 4×4 bush camper for our overlanding adventures in Africa and now also explore Western Australia with a 4×4 and rooftop tent, each mode of travel brings its own unique set of experiences and joys.

Explore our adventures in Africa and Western Australia to see how versatile and thrilling exploring with different setups can be.

We’ve packed this guide with as much advice on motorhoming in France as possible. However, if there’s anything you feel we’ve missed or if you have any questions, please reach out.

We’re here to help you navigate your travels as smoothly as possible and to inspire further exploration.

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