Touring France by Motorhome & Campervan
France is one of Europe’s most welcoming destinations for campervan and motorhome road trips. With a vast network of dedicated stopovers, stunning scenery, and driver-friendly infrastructure, touring France on four wheels offers unmatched freedom.
​
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know—from essential legal paperwork to navigating tolls, overnight stays, and driving etiquette.
Documentation & Legal Checklist
Before heading to the border, ensure you have all essential original documents on board
​
Mandatory Documents​
-
Valid Passport: Must have at least 3 to 6 months of validity remaining depending on your country of citizenship
-
Full Driving Licence: Check that your licence covers the weight of your vehicle (e.g., standard UK Category B up to 3,500kg, or Category C1 for over 3,500kg).
-
Vehicle Registration Document (V5C or equivalent logbook): Must be the original physical document.
-
Proof of Insurance: Third-party minimum coverage is required. Keep a paper certificate or Green Card on hand.
​
Non-EU Travel Requirements​
-
ETIAS / Visa: Travelers from non-EU countries (such as the UK or US) should verify entry authorization requirements prior to travel.
-
UK Identification Sticker: Non-French registered vehicles require a country identifier (e.g., a "UK" sticker on the rear) unless integrated into the registration plate.
Mandatory Vehicle Equipment
When driving in France, foreign and local drivers alike are legally required to carry specific safety equipment to ensure road safety and compliance with French traffic regulations.
Mandatory On-Board Equipment
-
High-Visibility Jackets: One for each occupant, which must be kept inside the cabin (not in the garage or trunk) so they can be put on before exiting the vehicle.
-
Warning Triangles: UK/foreign-registered vehicles must carry warning triangles for breakdown events.
-
Headlamp Beam Converters: Required if driving a right-hand-drive vehicle.
-
UK / Country Sticker: Displayed clearly on the rear of the vehicle.
​
Driving without these required items can result in immediate on-the-spot fines enforced strictly by French traffic police.
​
Note on Speed Camera Detectors: Speed camera alerts on satnavs or stand-alone radar detectors are strictly illegal in France. Disable POI speed camera alerts on your GPS before driving
Road Rules & Speed Limits
French driving rules differ depending on the Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of your motorhome.
​
Speed Limits by Vehicle Weight
​
Motorhomes ≤ 3.5 Tonnes:
-
Built-up Areas: 20-50km/h (per signs)
-
Standard Roads: 80km/h or 90km/h (varies by department)
-
Dual Carriageways (Dual Lanes): 110km/h (100km/h in rain)
-
Autoroutes (Motorways): 130km/h (110km/h in rain)
​
Heavy Motorhomes (> 3.5 Tonnes):
-
Built-up Areas: 20-50km/h (per signs)
-
Standard Roads: 80km/h
-
Dual Carriageways: 100km/h
-
Autoroutes: 110km/h
​
Priorities & Horns
-
Priorité à droite (Priority from the right): Unless signs indicate otherwise (e.g., a yellow diamond sign gives you priority), traffic coming from the right at intersections has priority.
-
Horns: Prohibited in urban areas except in cases of immediate danger.
Tolls, Height Limits & Motorway Rules
France's motorway network (Autoroutes) is largely operated by private toll companies
​
Toll Categories
-
Category 1: Standard cars and low campervans (under 2m height).
-
Category 2: Vehicles with an overall height between 2m and 3m, and a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) up to 3.5 tonnes (covers most standard motorhomes and large campervans).
-
Category 3: Vehicles with an overall height greater than 3m or a GVW over 3.5 tonnes
​
Pro-Tip: If an automated toll lane misclassifies your 2.9m motorhome as Category 3, press the intercom button at the toll booth to request a correction to Category 2 before paying.
Overnight Stays: Where to Stop
France offers unequalled flexibility for motorhome accommodation.
1. Aires de Camping-Car (Motorhome Stopovers)
Dedicated municipal or private parking areas specifically for motorhomes and campervans.
-
Features: Service points (Bornes) for fresh water, waste water disposal, chemical toilet emptying, and sometimes electricity.
-
Cost: Ranges from free up to €0–€20 per night.
​
2. Campsites (Campings)
-
From basic Camping Municipal sites to 5-star resorts, offering full hookups, showers, and laundry facilities.
​
3. Wild Camping (Camping Sauvage)
-
Permitted on public land where parking isn't explicitly banned, provided you are parking (wheels on the ground, no awning/tables out) rather than camping.
-
Strictly forbidden in national parks, protected coastal zones, and near historical monuments.
How do I find a French stops?
Our team have created an interactive map listing thousands of stopovers across the EU!
​
We have included campsites, aires, wild spots, showers, toilets, laundrys, LPG sales/swaps and much more.
​
We didn't stop at the EU either, our map covers the UK too!
What to know before you go?
Propane / LPG: Gas bottle connections differ across countries; carry appropriate adapters if refilling gas or swapping canisters abroad.
​
Pets: If traveling with pets, ensure health documentation and pet travel protocols are up to date.
​
Mountain Law: Between November 1 and March 31, winter tyres or snow chains/socks are required in designated mountainous regions (Alps, Pyrenees, Massif Central, Vosges, Jura)