Camper van holidays are all about freedom. You stop where you fancy, when you fancy, and for as long as you fancy. But although it’s wonderful to simply follow your whims, it’s helpful to have a rough idea of your journey’s stops along the way. If you’re looking for routes for a camper van road trip, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s hit the road to happiness!
Our 6 favourite routes in France
Brittany, exploring coast and countryside
Brittany is a region brimming with treasures, perfect for a camper van road trip: stop as the mood takes you, following the tides, the sunsets and the amazingly picturesque villages you’ll discover along the way. Laze on the beaches and in the coves of the Côte d’Émeraude, go surfing off the Quiberon peninsula or hiking along the GR34 coastal path (known as the Customs Path), wander around Saint-Malo or admire the Carnac stone alignments… you’ll be captivated at every turn. Pack up for a fabulous adventure exploring coast and countryside in your camper van!
Duration: 7 to 10 days
Best season: Spring & autumn
Where to stay: L’Escale Saint-Gilles campsite, Port Manec’h campsite, Carnac campsite, Le Ranolien campsite, Le Kérou campsite
Provence, Gorges du Verdon & Luberon: a thousand and one natural wonders
During a camper van road trip through Provence, breathtaking landscapes unfold like scenes in a living painting, bringing all your senses to life. The soft purple of Valensole’s lavender fields, the ochre of the Provence’s own Colorado, the turquoise water contrasting with the white rocks at the Gorges du Verdon – it’s a fabulous feast for the eyes. Provence also means fairytale villages like Gordes and Roussillon, magnificent hikes through extraordinary natural scenery, crystal-clear lakes such as Lake Sainte-Croix, and starlit nights in an enchanting setting that’s truly unlike anywhere else.
Duration: 7 to 10 days
Best season: Spring, summer & autumn
Where to stay: Domaine du Verdon campsite
Normandy: exploring historic heritage
For the perfect blend of culture and nature on your camper van road trip, look no further than Normandy! The region is a veritable open-air museum, brimming with outstanding sites for your travel bucket list: Mont Saint-Michel, the D-Day Landing beaches, Caen, Rouen and Honfleur. The Normandy countryside is equally captivating with its half-timbered houses, cider farms and verdant bocage – this corner of paradise never fails to work its magic! And Normandy is to be enjoyed on your plate too, so do stop off and sample the locally made cider, Camembert and Livarot. That’s the beauty of a camper van road trip: the freedom to pull over wherever inspiration takes you!
Duration: 6 to 9 days
Best season: All year round
Where to stay: Côte de Nacre campsite, L’Anse du Brick campsite, Mont-Saint-Michel campsite
Côte d’Azur: a sun-drenched road trip
Another perfect route for a camper van road trip: the Côte d’Azur! With its idyllic scenery, outstanding coastline, equally magnificent hinterland and emblematic towns, wonder and enchantment await around every corner. The details? Your road trip along the Côte d’Azur is sure to include (amongst other things) a glamorous evening out in Cannes and Saint-Tropez, a day’s hiking in the Esterel Massif, a family-friendly stopover in Fréjus and, best of all, a journey through Provence’s most stunning villages like Èze, Grasse and Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Magnificent and memorable!
Duration: 7 to 10 days
Best season: Spring, summer & autumn
Where to stay: Douce Quiétude campsite, Riviera d’Azur campsite, La Barque campsite, L’Etoile d’Argens campsite, Domaine du Colombier campsite
Atlantic Coast: an ocean escapade
Head to the Atlantic coast for a dose of fresh air and excitement on a camper van road trip. Follow the route between ocean and forests from one marvel to the next – from the salt marshes of the Île de Ré to La Coubre lighthouse and La Palmyre zoo in Charente-Maritime, via the Dune du Pilat in Gironde and the long sandy beaches of the Landes, a magnet for surfers.
Duration: 10 to 14 days
Best season: Spring & autumn
Where to stay: Le Truc Vert campsite, Sequoia Parc campsite, L’Orée du Bois campsite, Soulac-Plage campsite, Maguide campsite, Ondres Océan campsite
The Alps: reach new heights
For our next route, let’s head to higher ground… in the heart of the Alpine mountains! Crystal-clear lakes, breathtaking vistas, unspoilt nature and scenic villages – the mountains offer a dream setting for a camper van road trip with the family, or just the two of you.
The must-sees include the crystal-clear waters of Lake Annecy, the verdant mountains around Lake Bourget, and Lake Serre-Ponçon – a veritable inland sea. Among the traditional villages, Doussard, Castellane and Annecy will appeal to anyone seeking authenticity. And that’s just a little taster of what awaits… So buckle up – the beauty of the mountains will take your breath away!
Duration: 8 to 12 days
Best season: Summer & winter
Where to stay: La Nublière campsite, Domaine du Verdon campsite
Occitanie: sun, sea & the good life
Let’s round off our selection of camper van road trips in Occitanie. Sunshine almost year-round, a mild climate, a thousand and one treasures to discover and amazing food: Occitanie’s coastline has all the ingredients for a happy holiday to remember, whatever the season. Kitesurfing in Leucate, lounging around in Torreilles, a lively city trip to Montpellier, cycling along the Canal du Midi, oyster tasting at the Étang de Thau and hiking in the Gorges de l’Hérault – all your wishes can come true on an Occitanie seaside road trip!
Duration: 7 to 10 days
Best season: All year round
Where to stay: Domaine de la Dragonnière campsite, Domaine La Franqui campsite, Les Tropiques campsite, Aloha campsite
Practical tips for the road
Now that you’ve chosen a backdrop for your road trip, it’s time to think about the next stage: preparing the essentials for a smooth and safe journey.
- Travel in a vehicle that’s been checked over (tyre pressure, engine fluid levels, etc.)
- Carry a repair kit and hazard warning equipment (spare wheel, hi-vis vest, warning triangle, etc.)
- Respect the rules of the road for your safety and everyone else’s!
- Download mobile apps to find camper van stopovers for the night
- Be mindful of your environmental impact: rubbish in the bin – no littering the natural surroundings!
- Did you know? Campsites are a brilliant option when you’re keen to combine freedom, quality and value for money. Superb PREMIUM pitches await you at Sandaya (just saying…).
On the Mediterranean coast, high up in the mountains, looking out to the Atlantic Ocean, in Brittany, Occitanie or Normandy – there’s the perfect camper van road trip for everyone! The hardest part will be deciding which route to do first… because once you’ve tasted camper van freedom, there’s no going back!