I ❤️ France in a Motorhome

Driving through France in the motorhome was spectaculaire – and honestly, everything we hoped it would be.

After a couple of weeks exploring the UK, we headed for France via the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle. The process couldn’t have been easier: a smooth drive onto the shuttle at Folkestone, followed by a speedy 35 minute crossing to Calais. Just enough time to stretch our legs and grab a quick snack in the comfort of our own little home on wheels.

Is France Motorhome Friendly?

In short: yes, absolutely.

France is one of the most motorhome-friendly countries we’ve travelled through. Along the motorways (autoroutes), you’ll find aires roughly every 15 km – perfect for regular driving breaks. These secure rest areas have clearly marked sections for motorhomes and caravans, so pulling in is stress-free.

There are a few different types of aires:

• Aire de Repos – simple rest stops with toilets and picnic tables
• Aire de Service – larger stops with fuel stations, shops, restaurants, and motorhome service points for waste and water
• Aire de Camping Cars – designed for overnight stays, usually near villages, towns, and popular tourist spots

While motorway aires are ideal for short breaks, the dedicated Aire de Camping Cars are suitable for overnight stays – if you enjoy a more relaxed, “wild camping” style of travel.

That said, our personal preference is a little more comfort. We’re happy to pay for the convenience of electric hook-up, fresh water, proper toilet and shower facilities, and well-maintained motorhome service points. After a long drive, those small luxuries make a big difference to us.

Our Route & Stops

We began our French adventure in early May 2025, welcomed by sunshine and vast fields of bright yellow oilseed rape in full bloom. Our early drives took us through Dienville and Pesmes, where the roads – and even the towns – were incredibly quiet.

At times it felt almost eerily still… but honestly, it was a joy. No traffic, no rush, just us navigating tiny village roads in a very large vehicle, with nothing but birdsong and church bells for company.

From there, we headed into the French Alps, climbing up to Saint Sorlin d’Arves (1,860m) a truly breathtaking spot. Lush green valleys met snow-tipped mountain peaks, and the views were nothing short of spectacular. Normally buzzing during ski season, the town felt peaceful and almost magical without the crowds.

Next came wine – because it would have been rude not to. We ventured into the Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine region and visited a couple of beautiful vineyards. There was plenty of tasting, plenty of learning… and yes, plenty of bottles purchased.

After that, we slowed the pace and spent a few days near Narbonne, tucked away in a pine forest high in the windy hills. We were surrounded by ponies, goats, and nature – the kind of place where time stretches and daily life becomes wonderfully simple.

Trip Highlights

One unexpected highlight early on was experiencing Victory Day (La Fête de la Victoire), a public holiday marking the end of WWII in Europe. Every town we passed through was decorated with le Tricolore flags, flowers and carefully tended war memorials – a powerful and moving display of national pride.

I also spent a few blissful afternoons paddleboarding on the River L’Ognon. The water was so calm and the scenery so beautiful it felt like drifting through a Monet painting – utterly tranquil and timeless.

And of course, no French trip would be complete without a game (or three) of pétanque!

Food, Wine & Crème Brûlée

Alongside our growing wine collection, we indulged in some truly wonderful French food – and yes, a lot of cheese. Cliché? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely There’s very little in life that beats a fresh baguette, a smear of butter, and an indecent amount of good French cheese.

After all the indulgence, our final French stop was near Bizanet. From there, we crossed the France–Spain border and continued our journey south, heading toward Barcelona – with full hearts, full stomachs, and a motorhome that now rattled slightly with wine bottles.

What are some of your favourite motorhome spots in France? Share them in the comments below.