Explore

Discover France

France is a dream destination for motorhomers — with scenic drives, charming towns, and one of the best networks of stopovers in Europe. Whether you’re wandering through wine country, exploring coastal villages, or wild camping in the mountains, France has something for every kind of road tripper. It’s welcoming, well set up for van life, and full of unforgettable moments just waiting to happen.

A captivating view of the Eiffel Tower in France framed by historic sculptures and columns in Paris under a cloudy sky.
Paris
A glass of red wine in a lush Bourgogne vineyard during summer.
Bourbogne Region

Language

The main language spoken in France is French. While English is spoken in tourist areas, especially by younger people, it’s not a given — particularly in rural spots. But don’t let that put you off! Just learning a few basic phrases can go a long way, and the locals really appreciate the effort (even if your accent’s a bit wobbly like mine!).
Bonjour – Hello / Good day
Merci – Thank you
Aire de camping-car – Motorhome stopover
Eau potable – Drinking water
Parlez-vous anglais ? – Do you speak English?

And don’t worry — between pointing, smiling, and the occasional bit of Google Translate, you’ll get by just fine. It’s all part of the fun!

Currency

France uses the euro (€), just like Spain, so if you’re touring between the two, you won’t need to worry about changing money. Cards are widely accepted — in shops, fuel stations, tolls, and even most aires — but we’ve found it’s always handy to keep some cash on you, especially for smaller villages, markets, or if you stumble across a little bakery that only takes coins (and let’s be honest, you will stop for pastries!).
ATMs are easy to find, but if you’re using a UK bank card, it’s worth checking for foreign transaction fees. We use a travel-friendly card to keep costs down and always keep a few euros in coins for service points or parking machines.

Weather

France has a bit of everything when it comes to weather — and where you go really makes a difference. The north can feel quite similar to the UK (so pack a raincoat just in case!), while the south often feels like a completely different country — warm, dry, and sunny for most of the year.
Spring and early autumn are our favourite times to travel — it’s warm but not too hot, and you avoid the summer crowds.
Summer can be lovely, especially in the mountains or along the west coast, but down south it can get very hot, so shade and air flow are your friends!
Winter is a mixed bag. In the south you’ll still get some sunny days, but it can get chilly at night. In the north and central regions, you’ll want to prepare for cold, wet weather — and even snow in the Alps or Massif Central.
We always check ahead using a weather app before moving on — France is beautiful in all seasons, but it definitely helps to know what you’re driving into!

At a glance

Our experience in France

France was one of the first places we explored when we hit the road full-time — and if I’m honest, it stole our hearts pretty quickly. It’s one of the most motorhome-friendly countries we’ve come across, and it’s ideal whether you’re travelling full-time like us or just heading away for a week or two.

What makes France so easy to love is how well set up it is for life on the road. You’ve got aires de service (which are basically motorhome stopovers) in just about every town and village — some are free, some cost a few euros, and most of them are in the loveliest spots. You can learn more about how aires work here. We’ve stayed in places overlooking vineyards, parked up beside peaceful rivers, and even had the odd “pinch me” moment outside châteaux and lavender fields.

It’s the kind of place where you don’t have to plan everything to the last detail. You can wing it a bit — drive until you’ve had enough, pull into an aire, and wake up somewhere completely different the next morning. And if you’re like us, and love finding the quiet spots, wild camping in France is possible too, as long as you’re respectful and aware of the rules.

That said, it’s not all sunshine and croissants. We’ve had our fair share of challenges — language barriers at garages, getting used to the péage toll system (don’t worry, we’ve got tips for that too), and the occasional wrong turn down a lane that’s far too narrow for Betty (our American RV). But those are the stories we laugh about now — and honestly, they’ve taught us so much.

If you’re heading to France in your motorhome, campervan or caravan, I’ll be sharing:

Whether you’re a seasoned tourer or just starting out, France is one of those countries that always has something new to offer. I’ll keep updating this space with honest tips, real stories, and everything we wish we’d known before our first French road trip.

So grab a cuppa, have a browse, and if you’ve got any questions or want to share your own France finds — get in touch, I’d love to hear from you!

Explore

Brittany

Explore

Dordogne

No posts

Subscribe Here!

Subscribe to The Travel Beat

You’ll get new tips, updates, and freebies straight to your inbox.