Caravanning in France is the classic first trip abroad for UK tourers. This guide brings together the crossing, the driving rules and the French campsites reviewed first-hand.
After all, France is close, varied and packed with campsites. From Calais, you can reach Normandy in a morning, or the Riviera in a couple of days. Along the way, there are vineyards, mountains, beaches and some of Europe’s best holiday parks.
However, towing abroad brings new rules, tolls and paperwork. So this page gathers every France guide on Caravan Adventuring in one place. Work through it before you book, and you’ll set off with confidence.
Everything here suits motorhomes and campervans too. For other countries, see European Touring.
With Eurotunnel, you stay with your outfit the whole way. Ferries can look cheaper, but extra fuel and travel time add up. Ultimately, the guide weighs both.
Routes from Calais to Normandy, Brittany, the Loire, the Dordogne, the Alps and Provence. It also covers ways to avoid Paris, plus tolls and Crit’Air checks.
Every document to pack, from passports and the V5C to insurance, breakdown cover and your GHIC card.
What the EU’s Entry/Exit System means for UK travellers crossing into France, and what to expect at the border.
Carry a warning triangle, a hi-vis vest for each person and headlamp beam converters. In addition, fit proper towing mirrors. The guide also explains when you need a UK sticker.
Typically, a car and caravan is charged as Class 2. However, some lanes are only for tag holders. On free-flow roads without a tag, you must pay within 72 hours.
You’ll mainly need one for low-emission zones in big cities. For a caravan, only the tow car needs a sticker, while a motorhome needs its own.
The signs that catch UK drivers out. As a result, if you learn them before you go, French roads feel far less daunting.
Only buy a Crit’Air sticker from the official French government Crit’Air website, not a copycat site.
Caravan Adventuring personally visits every campsite in its official reviews. These are the French ones so far.
A shaded, green site on an island in the Seine. In addition, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the RER, then roughly 25 minutes into Paris.
Ideally placed as a first or last stop in northern France. The owner even phoned local garages to help after a breakdown.
A practical overnight stop roughly halfway between Spain and Paris. Better still, the countryside views are impressive.
Between Cannes and Saint-Tropez, with six pools and a water park. Above all, it’s brilliant for families.
Not a scored review, but a travel diary from Carnac. It features the famous standing stones and a water park with heated pools and slides.
Aires mainly suit motorhomes, and some don’t allow caravans. So campsites are usually the better choice when towing.
No, but it helps. A tag such as Liber-t lets you use the orange “t” lanes without stopping. Otherwise, pay by card at the booth. The French tolls guide explains more.
Only if you’ll drive into a low-emission zone, mainly in big cities. Most towns and rural areas don’t need one. If you do, buy it from the official site only. The Crit’Air guide explains more.
It depends on your priorities. Eurotunnel keeps you with your outfit and is quick, but often costs more. Meanwhile, ferries give you more space to relax. See the ferry vs Eurotunnel guide.
Sometimes, but aires are mainly for motorhomes, and some don’t allow caravans. So always check before you arrive, or book a campsite instead.
Start with the documents checklist. Then check GOV.UK’s driving abroad guide for the latest official rules.
Yes, very. As well as campsites, France has lots of aires built for motorhomes. As a result, it’s easy to tour without booking every night.
Planning a French trip? Ellie can help with campsites, routes and costs.
Save campsites, plan upcoming stays and meet other tourers in the Community. Joining is free and takes under a minute.
