RV travel in France: rental, routes, tips

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France, a country with rich cuisine, diverse landscapes, and a long history, is one of the best destinations in the world for motorhome travel. A camper trip allows you to see the lavender fields of Provence, the castles of the Loire Valley, the snowy peaks of the Alps, and the rugged shores of Brittany all in one journey. Thanks to a well-developed network of motorhome stopovers and high-quality roads, traveling across France by camper is convenient and predictable.

Brief overview of the country

Before starting your trip around France, it's useful to know the basic information.

Capital: Paris. The country has right-hand traffic.

Language: The official language is French. In major tourist areas (Paris, the French Riviera) and in large hotels, staff often speak English. However, overall English proficiency among the population — especially outside big cities and among the older generation — is lower than in Northern Europe.

Knowing a few basic French phrases ("Bonjour" — Hello, "Merci" — Thank you, "S’il vous plaît" — Please, "Au revoir" — Goodbye) is not only useful but also seen as a sign of politeness, which the French greatly appreciate.

Currency and money: The currency is the euro (EUR, €). Bank cards (in France called Carte Bleue or CB) of the Visa and Mastercard systems are accepted almost everywhere. Having some cash is useful for paying at morning markets (marché), at small bakeries, buying from farmers, or paying at some motorhome stopovers. ATMs (distributeur de billets) are common. Bank cards from Russia do not work in France.

Time: France is in the Central European Time Zone (UTC+1 in winter / UTC+2 in summer).

Visas: France is part of the Schengen Area. Citizens of countries outside the EU/Schengen need a valid Schengen visa to enter.

Why is France perfect for motorhome travel?

Traveling around France in a motorhome (in French, “camping-car”) is comfortable and enjoyable for several reasons.

Motorhome-friendly infrastructure:
One of France’s biggest advantages is its exceptional network of dedicated motorhome stopovers known as Aires de Service de Camping-Car. There are thousands of them across the country — from simple overnight parking spots to fully equipped service stations with waste disposal, fresh water, and electricity. This system makes road trips flexible, affordable, and stress-free.

Food culture and open-air markets:
A motorhome trip lets you experience French culinary culture in its most authentic form — the true “art de vivre.” You can buy fresh baguettes from a local bakery every morning, pick up cheeses and vegetables at a market, and get wine directly from the winemaker (vigneron). Having your own kitchen and fridge means you can enjoy high-quality food without needing to dine out every day.

A variety of landscapes within easy reach:
France offers an impressive range of scenery in one compact country: Alpine peaks, the azure Mediterranean coast, the granite cliffs and tides of the Atlantic, Burgundy’s rolling vineyards, and half-timbered villages in Alsace. Excellent roads make it easy to move quickly from one region to another.

Themed routes:
France is full of well-known themed routes, such as the Alsace Wine Route, the Loire Valley Castle Route, or the Napoleon Route in the Alps. They’re clearly signposted and perfect for slow, scenic exploration by motorhome.

Popular regions and routes for motorhome travel

France offers many interesting destinations for a motorhome trip.

Loire Valley

A route through the “Garden of France,” famous for its numerous châteaux: Chambord, Chenonceau, Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau, and others.
The journey follows quiet roads along the Loire River, passing historic towns (Tours, Blois, Amboise) and vineyards.
The infrastructure of motorhome stopovers and campgrounds here is excellent.
Provence and the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur)

A road trip in southern France. In Provence, you can see lavender fields (they bloom in June–July, with the Valensole Plateau being the best place), ancient Roman structures (the Pont du Gard aqueduct, the arenas in Arles and Nîmes), and picturesque villages of the Luberon (Gordes, Roussillon).
The French Riviera is famous for its resorts — Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez — and the Principality of Monaco.

Important: In summer, this region gets very crowded; roads (especially coastal ones) are narrow and busy, and finding a spot to park or spend the night in a motorhome can be difficult and expensive.
Normandy and Brittany: the northwest coast of France

Normandy: known for the D-Day landing beaches of 1944, the majestic chalk cliffs of Étretat, the Gothic cathedrals of Rouen, and the island fortress of Mont-Saint-Michel.

Brittany: a rugged and distinctive region with strong Celtic roots. Here you can see dramatic granite coastlines (including the Pink Granite Coast), powerful tides, ancient megaliths of Carnac, and secluded lighthouses.
Alsace and the “Wine Route” (Route des Vins d’Alsace)

A route in the eastern part of France, on the border with Germany.
It passes through charming, almost toy-like towns with half-timbered houses (Colmar, Riquewihr, Eguisheim), surrounded by vineyards where famous white wines are produced (Riesling, Gewürztraminer).
The French Alps

A destination for mountain lovers.
In summer, it offers hiking, relaxing by lakes (Annecy, Lake Geneva, Bourget), and drives over famous mountain passes (Col de l’Iseran, Col du Galibier).
In winter — skiing and snow holidays; there are campgrounds operating at the foot of the resorts (for example, in the Chamonix area).

RV routes in France

Provence and the French Riviera: lavender, canyons and the Riviera

Route: ~850 km
Duration: 7 days

Learn more

Loire Valley and Normandy: from kings to D-Day

Route: ~1270 km
Duration: 10 days

Learn more

The French Alps: the peaks of Europe and the Napoleon Road

Route: ~890 km
Duration: 7 days

Learn more

View other road trips

The best time for a motorhome trip

Spring (April–June) and Autumn (September–October)

Many travelers consider these periods the best for a road trip. The weather is pleasant, without extreme heat. There are fewer tourists than in summer, and roads and stopovers are less crowded. Autumn is the grape harvest season (vendange), which makes visits to wine regions especially interesting.

Summer (July–August)

Summer is peak season. It’s a good time for holidays in the Alps, Normandy, and Brittany.
In the south (Provence, the French Riviera), it's very hot and crowded.
Campsite and ferry prices are at their highest, and all coastal stopovers need to be booked in advance.

Winter (November–March)

South of France: the French Riviera and Provence offer mild winters, ideal for sightseeing without crowds.
Alps and Pyrenees: the season for skiing. Many resorts have campgrounds or motorhome stopovers operating in winter.
Most of the country: It’s cool and wet; many campgrounds and Aires may be closed or operating with limited services (for example, water may be turned off).

Motorhome rental in France: what you need to know

France is the birthplace of the motorhome and one of the largest rental markets in Europe, so the choice here is huge.

Where to rent?

Rental offices are found all over the country, but the largest hubs are located near major international airports in Paris (Orly, Charles de Gaulle), Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Bordeaux, and Toulouse.

Rental conditions

Age and driving experience: usually the minimum driver age is 21–25, with 2–3 years of driving experience.
Driver’s license: a category “B” license is sufficient for motorhomes up to 3.5 tons.
Deposit: a refundable security deposit (usually €1500–2500) is blocked on your credit card when picking up the vehicle.
Mileage: mileage is often limited (e.g., 250 km per day or 2000 km per week). Check this condition carefully, as fees for exceeding the limit can be high.

Types of motorhomes

In France, the following types of European motorhomes are available:

Campervans (Fourgon aménagé): very popular with couples; easy to manoeuvre in cities and on narrow roads.
Semi-integrated (Profilé): the most common rental type; a good balance of size and comfort for 2–4 people.
Alcove models (Capucine): suitable for families with children.
Fully integrated (Intégral): the most spacious and expensive. Most rental motorhomes come with a manual transmission.

Insurance

Basic insurance with an excess is included in the rental price. Additional insurance can be purchased to reduce the excess.

One-way rentals (One-way)

Available between branches of major companies, but usually an additional fee applies.

Border crossing

Renting a motorhome in France allows you to travel freely within EU countries. To travel outside the EU, approval from the rental company is required.

When to book?

For summer trips, a motorhome should be booked well in advance — 6–9 months ahead — as demand from French travelers and other Europeans is very high.

Average rental cost in France

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

€110

€130

€115

€130

€140

€170

€110

€140

€130

€110

Roads and driving in France

Types of roads

Motorways (Autoroute, A-): marked with blue signs. Almost all of them are toll roads. The surface quality is excellent.
National roads (Route Nationale, N-): marked with green signs. These are the main free roads of good quality.
Departmental roads (Route Départementale, D-): marked with white signs. This is the most extensive network; roads can be narrow but are often very scenic.

Toll roads (Péage)

The toll road system in France is very widespread and can make up a significant part of the travel budget.

System: when entering a toll section, you take a ticket. When exiting or at a toll booth on the motorway, you pay for the distance traveled.
Payment: toll booths have different lanes: for cash (green symbol), for cards (card symbol), and for electronic transponders (letter “t”). Pay attention when choosing a lane.
Vehicle class: motorhomes up to 3 meters in height and up to 3.5 tons typically fall under Class 2, which is more expensive than cars (Class 1).

Environmental zones (Crit’Air)

To enter Paris, Lyon, Grenoble, and many other major cities (and their metropolitan areas), an environmental sticker “Crit’Air” is required.

What it is: a sticker on the windshield indicating the vehicle’s emissions category. On days with high air pollution, entry for vehicles with a “dirty” class may be restricted.
Rental motorhomes: check with the rental company whether the vehicle has a sticker, which class it is, and what restrictions apply. If you are entering with your own motorhome, the sticker must be ordered online in advance on the official website.

Basic traffic rules

Speed (for vehicles up to 3.5 t): in built-up areas – 50 km/h. Outside built-up areas – 80 km/h (on some roads 90 km/h). On divided highways – 110 km/h. On motorways – 130 km/h (in rain – 110 km/h).
Alcohol: the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5‰. For drivers with less than 3 years of experience – 0.2‰.
Equipment: a reflective safety vest (must be kept inside the vehicle) and a warning triangle are mandatory. Formally, disposable breathalyzers are required, but there is no fine for not having them.

Fuel

Types: petrol in French is called Essence (Sans Plomb 95/98 – SP95/SP98). Diesel is Gazole.
Prices: fuel in France is expensive. The lowest prices are at gas stations near hypermarkets (Carrefour, E.Leclerc, Auchan). The highest – on motorways.
Gas stations (Station-service): many stations, especially at supermarkets, operate in automatic mode outside working hours (at night, on Sundays) and accept only chip-and-PIN cards.

Parking and overnight stays in a motorhome

Specialized motorhome stopovers (Aire de Service / Aire de Camping-Car)

Types and facilities:

Basic parking (Aire de Stationnement): a place where parking and overnight stays are allowed. Often free.
Service area (Aire de Services): in addition to parking, has a service column (“borne”) for waste disposal and fresh water refills; sometimes electricity. May be paid.
Private and municipal “Aires”: located at village entrances, near attractions, at supermarket car parks, or in marinas.

Prices: many stopovers are free. Paid ones usually cost €5–15 per night. Payment is often via a machine (horodateur) or through the local municipality.
Finding them: “Aires” are marked with special blue signs and are easy to find via apps such as Park4night (created in France and has the best database for the country) and Campercontact.

Farm stopovers (France Passion)

This is a network of more than 2100 winemakers, farmers, and artisans who invite motorhome travelers to stay on their land for one night free of charge.

How it works: you purchase the annual France Passion guide (book or app), which serves as your “pass.” Booking is usually not required. You are not obliged to buy anything, but it is considered good etiquette to purchase a bottle of wine, cheese, or another product as a thank-you.
Facilities: these are not campgrounds. Facilities (water, electricity) are usually not available. The main value is a peaceful, safe overnight stay in a beautiful setting and meeting local producers.

Official campgrounds (Camping)

France has an enormous number of campgrounds, from simple municipal campsites (camping municipal), which are often inexpensive, to 5-star complexes with pools and entertainment.

Prices: vary widely. A municipal campsite may cost €15–25, while a large seaside campground on the French Riviera in summer can cost €50–80.
Booking: in July–August, campsites on the coast and in popular tourist areas must be booked in advance.

“Wild camping” (Camping Sauvage)

Officially, overnight stays outside designated areas are prohibited, especially on the coast (within 500 m of the shoreline), in tourist regions, national parks, and nature reserves. Fines can be high. In remote rural areas, discreet overnight stays (without chairs, tables, or awnings) usually pass without issues. Given the number of “Aires,” wild camping is rarely necessary in France.

Motorhome servicing on the road

Fresh water refill and waste disposal

Service columns ("borne de services") are a common feature of motorhome travel in France.

Location: they are available at almost all Aire de Service stopovers, at all campgrounds, and at many hypermarket car parks (for example, Super U, Intermarché) as well as at some gas stations.
Process: most columns are automated. To use services (water, electricity), you often need coins (€1–2) or a special token ("jeton"), which can be purchased at the local town hall (Mairie), bakery, or tourist office. Grey water (eaux grises) and black water (eaux noires) disposal is usually free.
Water quality: tap water in France is safe to drink.

Gas bottles (Bouteille de gaz)

System: France uses its own gas bottle system (propane and butane), incompatible with German, Spanish, or Italian cylinders. The most common brands are Butagaz, Antargaz, and Primagaz.
What to do: rental motorhomes come equipped with French gas bottles. If needed, an empty bottle is exchanged for a full one at gas stations or supermarkets. Travelers with their own motorhomes may need adapters or to purchase a local bottle.

Food, groceries and shopping

Bakery and bread: croissants, baguettes, éclairs — pastries and bread should be bought at bakeries (Boulangerie).
Cheese (Fromage): Camembert from Normandy, Roquefort, Brie, goat cheeses from the Loire Valley — France has hundreds of cheese varieties.
Regional dishes: onion soup in Paris, coq au vin in Burgundy, bouillabaisse in Marseille, quiche Lorraine in Lorraine.
Wine: each region is famous for its wines: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, the Rhône Valley.

Estimated trip budget

Traveling in France by motorhome falls into the mid-range price segment in Europe, but the budget can be adjusted flexibly thanks to the well-developed network of stopovers.

Motorhome rental: the main expense. A compact camper in low/mid season may cost €90–150 per day, and in peak summer season €180–300 and higher.
Fuel: fuel in France is expensive. With diesel (Gazole) prices around €1.80–2.00 per liter and average consumption of 10–12 l/100 km, each 1000 km will cost roughly €180–240. Refueling at hypermarkets helps save money.
Toll roads (Péage): toll expenses can be significant. Driving on motorways from northern France to the south can cost €70–100 one way for a Class 2 motorhome.
Stopovers: overnight stays at free "Aire" stopovers cost €0. Paid "Aires" are €5–15. A night at a campground varies from €20–30 at a simple municipal site to €50–70 at a seaside campground on the French Riviera in summer.
Food: cooking with groceries bought at hypermarkets is cost-effective. Expect €30–40 per day per person.
Attractions: entrance tickets to castles and museums usually cost €10–25.

Overall daily budget (excluding motorhome rental)

Economy option (free roads and stopovers, self-catering): €80–120 per day for two people.
Mid-range option (occasional use of toll roads, paid "Aires," occasional meals in cafés): €150–220 per day for two and up.

Money-saving tips
Actively use free Aire de Service stopovers and the France Passion program. Shop at hypermarkets. Refuel at gas stations near hypermarkets rather than on motorways. Use free national roads (Routes Nationales) instead of toll motorways when time allows.

Connectivity and internet

Mobile network

The main operators are Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom. Free Mobile is the fourth major provider. Orange is known for having the widest coverage, especially in rural areas.

SIM card

For tourists from the EU: it’s convenient to use roaming under domestic tariffs (Roam Like At Home).
For tourists from non-EU countries: buying a local prepaid SIM card (carte prépayée) can be complicated. It’s easier to purchase a SIM card in another EU country with a simpler registration process (for example, in Italy or Spain) and use it in France. If you do buy one in France, look for tourist-oriented packages (for example, Orange Holiday).

Wi-Fi

Available in cafés and McDonald’s. In campgrounds and at motorhome stopovers, it is often paid.

Safety, culture, laws and useful tips

A few tips for traveling in France.

General safety

France is generally a safe country. In large cities (Paris, Marseille) and major tourist areas, be mindful of pickpockets.

Motorhome security

Theft from motorhomes is a serious issue, especially at motorway service areas and near big cities. It is strongly recommended not to spend the night at motorway service stations. Choose official Aires inside towns or villages, campgrounds, or France Passion stopovers. Always lock your vehicle and do not leave valuables in plain sight

Police (Police, Gendarmerie)

Road police frequently monitor speed, especially on rural roads with an 80 km/h limit.

Laws

Environmental stickers (Crit’Air): remember the requirement to have the sticker to enter many cities.
Alcohol at the wheel: alcohol laws are strict, especially for inexperienced drivers.

Culture and etiquette

"Bonjour": greeting when entering any establishment (a shop, bakery) is a must — it is considered basic politeness.
Lunch break: many shops, banks, and pharmacies in smaller towns close for lunch, usually from 12:00 to 14:00.
Tipping (Pourboire): the service charge (15%) is already included in restaurant and café bills. If you were very satisfied, you can leave a few extra euros on the table.
Language barrier: the French appreciate it when foreigners try to speak French, even if it’s just a few phrases. In tourist areas people understand English, but in rural regions much less so.

Tap water

Tap water (eau du robinet) in France is safe to drink everywhere in the country.

Emergency numbers

General emergency number: 112.
Ambulance (SAMU): 15
Police: 17
Fire department: 18

Electricity

Mains voltage is 230 volts, frequency 50 Hz. Sockets are type E (with a protruding grounding pin), but they are compatible with standard European plugs type C and F. Motorhomes use the blue CEE 17 connector.

Useful resources

For planning your motorhome trip in France and getting up-to-date information:

Apps for finding stopovers: Park4night (the most comprehensive resource for France), Campercontact.
Farm stopovers: france-passion.com
Toll road information: autoroutes.fr
Environmental stickers: certificat-air.gouv.fr – the official website for ordering the Crit'Air sticker.
Official tourism portal of France: france.fr

Conclusion

Traveling through France in a motorhome combines comfort with gastronomy and culture. The unique Aire de Service and France Passion networks make exploring the country especially enjoyable and allow you to fully immerse yourself in local life.