Anyone who loves to travel with a change of scenery and a sense of freedom owes it to themselves to discover the pleasures of a touring vacation in a motorhome! A practical, comfortable means of transport that combines vehicle, accommodation, cooking space and even washing facilities. What's more, when you travel by motorhome in France, you'll have the chance to move easily from one setting to another, waking up facing the sea, the mountains, a river, bucolic countryside, a town or a village. If you'd like to experience the joys of a motorhome road trip, here are 10 wonderful places in France within easy reach of your wheels.
1. The Somme Bay
In northern France, the Baie de Somme is one of the most beautiful bays in the world. It's here that seals can be observed from the Pointe du Hourdel. After this magical moment, the motorhome road trip takes us to the charming medieval town of Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme to stroll around its port and authentic sailors' quarter. After all these emotions, it's time for a night in a motorhome with a high level of comfort, like the new Carthago c-tourer T/I 145 RB LE. Its modern design and intelligent layout, with spacious sleeping accommodation, a shower cubicle, plenty of storage space, a functional corner kitchen and an L-shaped living room that allows several people to get together for meals... it's perfectly suited to this type of trip. For the rest of the day, there's plenty of choice in the Baie de Somme, from birdwatching in the Parc du Marquenterre to a stop for fish in the pretty port town of Le Crotoy.
2. The Vendée coast
Whether you're coming from Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon or Perpignan, the Vendée coast seems tailor-made for a pleasant motorhome holiday. Head for the pretty commune of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie for a stroll through its old quarters and a few moments of idleness on its 3.5 km of beaches. Further south, the motorhome journey continues to Les Sables-d'Olonne. A dynamic town overlooking the main beach, Les Sables-d'Olonne is home to a number of nuggets, including the Île Penotte district. In the narrow streets, the walls of the houses are covered with shells. Heading north, you can then take the time to stop off on the Corniche Vendéenne. This is where you leave the camper van to enjoy the charms of the sea and the rocky coastline. The final stop is Noirmoutier, a sublime island of salt marshes, wild beaches and small villages with white houses and blue shutters.
3. Alsace and its villages
A motorhome holiday in Alsace is an opportunity to take in the sights and capture some magnificent shots. Of course, you'll want to stop off in Strasbourg, a city of remarkable architecture and cultural attractions. Then it's on to rolling, verdant landscapes, tinged with vineyards and colorful villages. Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé and Kaysersberg are home to half-timbered houses nestled in flower-filled streets and alleys. Of course, there's no shortage of places to stop and sample the local vintages. Before scheduling a visit to some of Alsace's finest castles, such as Haut-Koenigsbourg and Haut-Andlau. The itinerary can be rounded off with a hike in the Grand Ballon d'Alsace massif, to take in the beauty of the Vosges mountains.
4. The Loire Valley
Whether you're coming from the North, South, East or West, a motorhome road trip in the Loire Valley will take you on a journey through history. We start with a short city break in the charming town of Blois, to get closer to one of the region's treasures: the Château de Chambord. Then, following the banks of the Loire, we stop off at Amboise, where another magnificent château overlooks France's longest river. Once in Touraine, the roads lead to exceptional medieval towns such as Loches and Chinon. Heritage mingles with the pleasures of the table and the discovery of wine appellations. Why not finish the tour in Saumur? Visit Turquant, a troglodyte village, or theRoyal Abbey of Fontevraud, the largest monastic city in the Middle Ages and in Europe.
5. The Basque Country
The Basque Country offers an unforgettable motorhome getaway! From Bayonne to Biarritz, via the charming villages of Ainhoa and Sare, every stop is an opportunity to marvel at the local architecture and breathtaking scenery, between ocean and mountains. You can also take a city break in Saint-Jean-de-Luz and enjoy the charms of its streets, port and beaches. Touring the Basque country in a motorhome means discovering a rich culture, from traditional dances to culinary specialties, including charcuterie, cheeses and the delicious Basque cake. From colorful markets to the festive atmosphere of the férias in summer, the Basque Country promises a magical adventure where authenticity and conviviality are the order of the day!
6- The Camargue
In the south of France, discovering the Camargue by motorhome is another unique adventure. A region of exceptional flora and fauna. Just visit the Réserve Nationale de Camargue, the Parc Ornithologique du Pont De Gau or the Réserve Naturelle des Marais du Vigueirat. Yes, it's not a cliché - you can see wild horses, pink flamingos and a host of other birds on a walk in the Camargue. There are also marvellous salt marsh landscapes to discover, in the vicinity of Aigues-Mortes and Salin-de-Giraud. Motorhome stops in Arles or Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer are an opportunity to see architectural nuggets. Before finishing off with a refreshing swim on the Clos du Rhône or Espiguette beaches?
7. The Hautes-Alpes
Make way for the mountains! France's Hautes-Alpes region is a mountain paradise to discover by motorhome! Always driving carefully, you'll get closer to nature's grandeur as you enter the Parc Naturel Régional du Queyras. Mythical peaks, alpine meadows, crystal-clear lakes: hikers enjoy breathtaking landscapes and panoramas. The Hautes-Alpes also has plenty of beautiful stop-off points. To stock up on food, enjoy the terraces and take in the local heritage. There's the unmissable Briançon, France's highest village of Saint-Véran and Serres, with its undeniable Provencal charm.
8- Brittany
Brittany is a land of legends and mysteries. It's the promise of an unforgettable motorhome getaway! The roads allow you to appreciate all the beauty of its wild coasts, from the steep cliffs of the Côte de Granit Rose to the fine sandy beaches of the Golfe du Morbihan. In Saint-Malo, Concarneau, Dinan or Dinard, city breaks include strolls through historic streets and visits to must-see monuments. Not forgetting the delights of Breton gastronomy: crêpes, galettes, cider and seafood. In no time at all, Brittany takes you from the sea to the historic sites, castles and thousand-year-old menhirs that dot the region. Between seafaring traditions and breathtaking landscapes, Brittany never disappoints. It makes you want to come back!
9- Inland Provence
Provence is often associated with its magnificent coastline. But a motorhome trip from Nice or Marseille also allows you to head north and discover the region's countless treasures. You'll pass through fields of lavender and olive trees that color the landscape with their intoxicating scents. We stop to walk through charming hilltop villages such as Gordes and Roussillon, witness to a preserved heritage. We explore colorful markets where local products reveal flavors that delight the palate. And what better way to end the day than with a trip to the Gorges du Verdon? A true jewel of the region, they offer an extraordinary natural adventure, on foot, by bike or by canoe. Between picturesque landscapes and sun-drenched traditions, inland Provence promises a motorhome trip steeped in magic and authenticity.
10- Les Landes
By motorhome, the Landes is one of the best places to visit in France. Because the roads run through pine forests that never seem to end. Because after enjoying the Dune du Pilat, you can stop off at Hossegor and Biscarrosse to take your board out of the vehicle and go surfing on the waves. In the Landes region, you can also get away from the coast for a while and wander through the historic streets of Mont-de-Marsan. On the agenda are Romanesque houses, the remains of a keep and the Plumaçon bullring. Back along the coast to Mimizan. There's so much to do once you've parked your camper van! Like picnicking around the Etang de la Mailloueyre, paddle-boarding on the Lac d'Aureilhan or going to the beach to laugh out loud in the waves.
