France Travel Guide
Discover France by Motorhome
The Ultimate Roller Team Touring Guide
Real journeys, honest campsite reviews, unforgettable places to visit, and a practical guide built around our own photographs, videos, and touring experience across France.
Quick Navigation
Why Tour France by Motorhome?
Historic ChĆ¢teaux
From Loire icons to hidden fortresses, France delivers grand history, elegant gardens, and memorable day trips.
Food & Wine
Fresh markets, vineyard lunches, bakery stops, and regional specialities make every driving day feel rewarding.
Motorhome Friendly
Aires, campsites, service points, and excellent road infrastructure make France one of the easiest countries to tour.
Our Rating
ā ā ā ā ā
France keeps calling us back with its variety, scenery, and effortless touring rhythm.
Interactive Travel Map
Use this route map as a planning overview. Native WordPress blocks do not support custom colour-coded interactive pins with automatic scroll actions, so this section uses a large embedded map plus quick-jump links for each stop.
- š¢ Campsites
- šµ Attractions
- š£ Castles & Gardens
- š Scenic Drives
- š“ Beaches & Memorials
Our France Journey
Day 1
Ferry from UK
Day 2ā4
Normandy
Day 5ā6
Mont Saint-Michel
Day 7ā11
Loire Valley
Day 12ā14
Saint-Ćmilion
Day 15+
South of France
Approximate driving flow: Portsmouth to Normandy 5ā7 hours including ferry, Normandy to Mont Saint-Michel around 2.5 hours, Mont Saint-Michel to Saumur around 3 hours, Loire crossings between west and east sections 1.5ā2 hours, Loire to Saint-Ćmilion around 4 hours.
Normandy
ā ā ā ā ā History, coastline and powerful memorial visits
- š Base: Bayeux area
- š Campsite: Camping le ChĆ¢teau de Martragny
- ā± Stay: 3ā4 days
- š¶ Dog Friendly: Yes
- š Best For: D-Day history
- š Booking: Recommended
- š Coast Access: Excellent
- ā Favourite Moment: Omaha Beach at first light
Why We Loved It
Normandy combines meaningful history with easy touring. Staying at Camping le ChĆ¢teau de Martragny gives you a calm rural base while keeping Bayeux, the beaches, and the major museums within comfortable driving distance. It is one of those areas where every day feels full without being rushed.
Our Honest Opinion
- ā Worth the visit? Absolutely.
- ā Would we return? Yes, for longer.
- ā Family friendly? Very good.
- ā Motorhome friendly? 9/10.
Top Things To See
Omaha Beach
Powerful and unforgettable. Allow 1ā2 hours.
Normandy American Cemetery
Immaculate and deeply moving. Allow 1ā2 hours.
Bayeux
Beautiful town centre and a good base for evenings. Allow half a day.
š” Top Tip
Give yourself time between museum visits. Normandy is emotionally heavy, and slower pacing makes the experience more meaningful.
Campsite Review
ā ā ā ā ā Camping le ChĆ¢teau de Martragny ā Overall rating 9.4/10. Peaceful setting, good access for motorhomes, and ideal for exploring Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Arromanches, Utah Beach Museum, Overlord Museum, and the Museum of the Battle of Normandy.
Nearby Attractions
- Omaha Beach
- Normandy American Cemetery
- Overlord Museum
- Museum of the Battle of Normandy
- Utah Beach Museum
- Pointe du Hoc
- Bayeux
- Arromanches
Mont Saint-Michel & Pontorson
ā ā ā ā ā Iconic views and one of France’s great arrivals
- š Base: Pontorson
- š Campsite: Campsite Haliotis
- ā± Stay: 2ā3 days
- š“ Cycling: Good
- š Booking: Recommended
- š Best Time: Sunrise or evening
- š¶ Dog Friendly: Limited on abbey visit
- ā Favourite Moment: First full view from the approach road
Why We Loved It
Mont Saint-Michel feels cinematic before you even park. Campsite Haliotis gives you a practical base, and the area offers more than just the abbey itself, with Moulin de Moidrey, Saint-Malo, and smaller local stops adding variety to the stay.
Our Honest Opinion
- ā Worth the visit? Without question.
- ā Would we return? Yes, especially for photography.
- ā Best for? First-time France tours.
- ā Motorhome friendly? 9/10.
Top Things To See
Mont Saint-Michel
The headline attraction. Allow half a day.
Moulin de Moidrey
Classic photo stop with abbey views. Allow 30 minutes.
Saint-Malo
Walled coastal city with a different feel. Allow a full day.
š· Photography Tip
Stay for changing light. Mont Saint-Michel looks completely different at sunrise, midday, and blue hour.
Campsite Review: Campsite Haliotis scores highly for access, touring convenience, and a relaxed base near the shuttle route. Nearby extras include Menhir de Champ-Dolent and Tour Solidor.
Loire Valley West
ā ā ā ā ā ChĆ¢teaux, river towns and vineyard drives
- š Base: Saumur
- š Campsite: Camping Huttopia Saumur
- ā± Stay: 3ā4 days
- š· Best For: Wine and castles
- š Booking: Recommended
- š“ Cycling: Excellent
- š¶ Dog Friendly: Yes
- ā Favourite Moment: Evening light over the river and chĆ¢teau skyline
Why We Loved It
This part of the Loire feels balanced in the best possible way. You can tour major chĆ¢teaux during the day, enjoy relaxed vineyard scenery in between, and return to a campsite that still feels close to nature. It is one of the easiest regions in France to recommend to motorhome owners.
Top Things To See
- ChĆ¢teau de Saumur
- ChĆ¢teau du BrĆ©zĆ©
- ChĆ¢teau de Brissac
- Montsoreau
- Royal Fortress of Chinon
š” Top Tip
Build in slower afternoons here. The Loire is at its best when you leave room for scenic detours and long lunches.
Campsite Review: Camping Huttopia Saumur is a strong all-round base with easy access, good facilities, and a location that suits both sightseeing and relaxed evenings.
Loire Valley East
ā ā ā ā ā Elegant chĆ¢teau touring with famous river landmarks
- š Base: Camping Le Moulin Fort
- ā± Stay: 3 days
- š° Best For: Classic Loire icons
- š Booking: Recommended
- š Access: Easy
- š¶ Dog Friendly: Mostly yes outdoors
- š² Cycling: Good
- ā Favourite Moment: Cruising beneath ChĆ¢teau de Chenonceau
Why We Loved It
If Loire West feels broad and scenic, Loire East feels polished and iconic. Chenonceau, Amboise, Clos LucƩ, Montpoupon, and GuƩ-PƩan create a route packed with memorable stops, but the area still feels easy to navigate in a motorhome.
Nearby Attractions: Chenonceau, Amboise, Clos LucƩ, Montpoupon, and GuƩ-PƩan.
Campsite Review: Camping Le Moulin Fort works well for chĆ¢teau-hopping and gives you a practical central base.
Saint-Ćmilion
ā ā ā ā ā Wine country, lakeside camping and slower touring days
Base yourself at a lakeside campsite and enjoy a gentler rhythm built around vineyard drives, village walks, and chĆ¢teau visits including ChĆ¢teau de La Rochefoucauld, ChĆ¢teau Saint-Georges, and the Castle of the Dukes of Duras.
Favourite Moment
Relaxing beside the lake at the end of a warm touring day with vineyards still within easy reach.
Our Honest Opinion: This is one of the best stops for couples, slower pacing, and anyone who enjoys balancing sightseeing with downtime.
Villedomer
ā ā ā ā ā Gardens, countryside calm and a refined Loire base
Stay at L’Orangerie de Beauregard and use it as a peaceful base for Chaumont-sur-Loire, ChĆ¢teau de Valmer, and Plessis SasniĆØres Gardens. This stop suits travellers who enjoy quieter roads and beautifully kept landscapes.
Driving Note: Loire Valley East to Villedomer is a short and easy transfer, usually under 1 hour depending on stops.
Compare Our Destinations
| Destination | Stay | Best For | Booking Needed | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normandy | 3ā4 days | D-Day history | Recommended | ā ā ā ā ā |
| Mont Saint-Michel | 2ā3 days | Iconic views | Recommended | ā ā ā ā ā |
| Loire Valley West | 3ā4 days | Wine and castles | Recommended | ā ā ā ā ā |
| Loire Valley East | 3 days | Classic chĆ¢teau touring | Recommended | ā ā ā ā ā |
| Saint-Ćmilion | 2ā3 days | Relaxed wine country | Yes in peak season | ā ā ā ā ā |
| Villedomer | 2 days | Gardens and quiet countryside | Helpful | ā ā ā ā ā |
Essential France Motorhome Guide
- Driving in France
- Toll roads vs scenic routes
- Fuel & LPG
- Service points
- Aires de Camping-Car
- Supermarkets
- Travelling with dogs
- Mobile signal
- Cash or card
- Best time to visit
France is one of the easiest countries in Europe for motorhome travel. Tolls save time on longer transfers, scenic routes reward slower touring, LPG is generally accessible, and aires make overnight planning flexible. Cards are widely accepted, but keeping some cash helps in smaller towns and markets.
Our Favourite French Experiences
- Sunrise over Mont Saint-Michel
- Standing on Omaha Beach
- Normandy American Cemetery
- Cruising beneath ChĆ¢teau de Chenonceau
- Hot air balloons over the Loire Valley
- Chaumont gardens
- Relaxing beside the lake at Camping Saint Ćmilion
- Walking through Loire vineyards
- Hidden villages
- Peaceful countryside campsites
Related Travel Guides
Final Thoughts
France is one of those countries that keeps calling you back. There is always another chĆ¢teau, another vineyard road, another peaceful campsite, and another memorable stop waiting just beyond the next turning. For Roller Team owners planning a European tour, it remains one of the most rewarding and practical countries to explore.