Caravan holidays in France
Looking for some outdoor adventure on your next holiday? Start planning your caravan trip to France now.
Caravan holidays are not only fun and convenient, but also a great way to see more of France during your travels. With everything you need packed in the caravan, you have the chance to travel at your own pace and immerse yourself in some of France’s best scenery. If you’re looking for somewhere new to explore, France has a number of Eurocamp parks, and beautiful routes for you to choose from. We’ve created a guide to caravan holidays in France to help make planning your next trip a breeze!
Caravan holidays in France
North or south, France is a great place for a caravan holiday, with plenty of caravan parks and campsites scattered throughout the countryside for you to try.
The quickest way to take your caravan to France
LeShuttle’s journey time from Folkestone to Calais is just 35 minutes, meaning you’ll be on your way to your first campsite before you know it! Starting your caravan holiday in France couldn’t be easier with LeShuttle. We have dedicated carriages specifically designed for larger vehicles such as caravans, and the wider entrances mean that it’s easy to manoeuvre vehicles on and off our shuttles. Find out more about taking caravans, campervans and trailers on LeShuttle.
Towing a caravan in France
When towing a caravan in France, you must comply with the rules and regulations around towing. For vehicles towing a caravan that have a gross train mass of less than 3.5 tonnes, the speed limits are as follows:
- On a motorway you must not exceed 130kph (80mph). This is reduced to 110kph/ 68mph in adverse weather.
- On dual carriageways without tolls you must not exceed 110kph (68mph). This is reduced to 100kph/62mph in adverse weather.
- On single carriageways you must not exceed 80kph (50mph).
- In towns you must not exceed 50kph (30mph) unless otherwise advised.
For vehicles towing a caravan which weighs over 3.5 tonnes, the speed limits, unless otherwise signposted are:
- On a motorway and dual carriageway, you must not exceed 90kph (55mph).
- On single carriageways you must not exceed 80kph (50mph).
- In towns you must not exceed 50kph (30mph) unless otherwise advised.
The weight of your caravan should be listed in your vehicle handbook. If not, speak to your retailer or manufacturer for further details.
Caravan holidays in northern France
Northern France has plenty of beautiful caravan parks for you to stay at, and each different location is filled with hidden valleys, cliff-lined coastlines and picturesque towns which are sure to make your trip a memorable one.
Brittany
Northern Brittany has some of the best beaches in France, so if you’re looking for a place to unwind and soak up some sunshine with your caravan in France, this is the one. Caravan sites such as Taden La Hallerais and Penestin Les Illes in Brittany are around a five-and-a-half hour’s drive from Calais.
Brittany boasts a wealth of fantastic campsites, including the Château de Galinée, with a pool, sports facilities and the nearby beach of St Cast for a chance to experience a quintessential French seaside town.
Normandy
A three-and-a-half-hour drive from Calais, the campsites in Normandy are extremely popular. The beaches in particular are steeped in history, including being the site of the D-Day landings. You can also visit the Bayeux tapestry, or take a journey along the dramatic chalk cliffs of the Alabaster Coast featuring the gorgeous seaside village of Étretat.
Picardy
With over 200 campsites, Picardy is another popular spot for travelling with your caravan in France. The area has a prestigious cultural and natural heritage, and visitors can take in some of France’s most famous châteaux, such as Chantilly or Ermenonville.
Most of the caravan parks in Picardy are just over 2 hours away from Calais, so you could arrive at your site in under three hours.
Taking your caravan to the south of France
Alternatively, with its balmy summer days, stunning beaches and rustic countryside, the south of the country also has plenty to offer visitors on a caravan holiday in France.
The French Riviera
If you have more time to spend to explore France fully, the iconic French Riviera is not to be missed. The freedom of a caravan holiday in France means you can take the journey at your leisure, so make time to visit Reims, Dijon, Lyon and Valence on your way to the coast.
Provence
A France caravan holiday is not complete without a trip to Provence, the playground of film stars and the perfect place to get away from it all. A ten-hour drive from Calais, there is something for everyone who visits. Take to the mountains in the northern region for some action and adventure, or take a drive and visit Gordes, Uzès, or Lourmarin.
The Pyrenees
Ideal for intrepid explorers, the Pyrenees offers visitors a glimpse into some of the most pristine landscapes of France. At the end of your ten-hour caravan journey, you will be rewarded with stunning views, mountain pastures and possibly a sighting of endangered species such as a griffon vulture, brown bear or lizard.
If you fancy something a little bit different, why not visit the retro American style trailer park at the foothills of the Pyrenees? Perfect for anyone travelling in their own retro caravan in France, or if you fancy staying at a site which embraces the idea of retro-chic.
Static caravan holidays in France
If you’re looking for a permanent base to spend your caravan holiday in France but still with the freedom of the great outdoors, France has some of the best static caravan holiday parks in Europe, many of which offer their own swimming pools and adventure activities.
Le Ranolien Campsite, Brittany
The beautiful coastal location of Le Ranolien in Brittany makes it a popular spot for holiday makers. The park has six swimming pools (including some indoors) and offers other activities like badminton, volleyball, and crazy golf for visitors to get involved in.
La Garangeoire Campsite, Vendee
Located on the West Coast of France, La Garangeoire is perfect for families. The large park offers an abundance of onsite facilities, including five swimming pools, horse riding, pedalos and a lagoon pool next to the beach where you can sit back and unwind.
Le Paradis Campsite, Dordogne
This riverside campsite park is perfect for those who want to enjoy scenic views from the comfort of their caravan. Located near to the River Vézère, you’ll have the chance to practice your canoeing skills during your stay as well as enjoy all the other facilities the park has to offer such as swimming pools, tennis, boules and volleyball.
Start your caravan holiday in France with LeShuttle
For a holiday which mixes relaxing with adventure and activities, consider a caravan holiday in France. You could even carry on your journey, and travel through Europe into Belgium or the Netherlands. Why not start your next trip with LeShuttle and travel to Calais from Folkestone in just 35 minutes?
Travelling with your caravan FAQs
What do I need for caravanning in France?
To drive a caravan in France you will need to make sure you have all the necessary paperwork with you: your passport, driving licence, V5 document and certificate of motor insurance. Your insurer will advise if you also need a green card. In terms of equipment needed for driving in France you should carry the following inside the vehicle at all times: a first aid kit, warning triangle and hi-vis jacket. Your car and caravan should each have a UK sticker attached. Your car should be fitted with headlamp converters as you will be driving on the right in France.
If your caravan weighs over 3.5 tonnes you will also need a sticker showing the position of your vehicle’s blind spots.
Can I take food in my caravan to France?
Yes, but there are restrictions on what types of food you can take if you are travelling from the UK to France. These came into force after the UK left the EU. You are not allowed to take meat or dairy products from the UK into France. You are permitted to carry fruit and vegetables from the UK on your French caravan holiday, but you must have a plant health certificate from the country of origin. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as bananas and pineapples. Most dry, non-perishable foods like canned goods, cereal, pasta and spices are also allowed.
Can you park your caravan anywhere in France?
No. Caravans are only allowed to be parked overnight in designated campsites, caravan parks or wild camping spots.
Can caravans stop in French aires?
What are the rules for campervans in France?
The parking rules for campervans are the same as those for motorhomes in France. Campervans can be parked at the side of a road, and can park overnight in aires, campsites and designated caravan and camping parks.