Travelling to Northern France in a campervan can be an amazing and adventurous way to explore this beautiful part of the World. Northern France offers a diverse range of attractions, from charming towns and cities to breathtaking countryside and stunning coastline. Here are some tips and ideas for your campervan trip to Northern France.
Planning Your Route: Holiday time is precious and limited so plan your route in advance and decide on the places you want to visit, so that you don’t miss out on something you really want to see or experience. Some popular destinations in Northern France include Normandy, Brittany, the Loire Valley and the Champagne region.
Consider using a navigation app to help you find campgrounds close to your daily destinations and to help you navigate the roads so that no time is needlessly lost.
Campervan Regulations: Make sure that you’re aware of the regulations and parking restrictions for campervans in particular areas of Northern France. Make sure to park up or camp only in designated areas.
Campsites and “Aires de Camping-car”: Northern France has a brilliant network of campsites and “aires de camping-car” (campervan service areas) where you can park overnight between site seeing trips. These sites mostly provide facilities such as water, electricity and waste disposal, as well as showering and toilet areas. Make sure to book your campsite stops in advance, especially during peak tourist season to avoid problems with finding somewhere to park up and re-charge.
Immerse Yourself In The Cultural Experiences Of Northern France: Explore the many charming villages, towns, cities and sites of Northern France, such as Honfleur, Mont-Saint-Michel and the châteaux of the Loire Valley. You should also take time to enjoy French cuisine at local restaurants and markets. Don’t forget to try out regional specialties such as andouillette d’Alençon, marmite dieppoise, mirlitons de Rouen, escalope à la normande, estouffade and mussels à la crème.
Northern France is renowned for its delicious wines and culinary traditions. Consider visiting vineyards and local farmer’s markets to taste the amazing array of food and drink on offer. Enjoy the wide range of different ciders in Brittany and the famous sparkling champagne in the Champagne region.
Outdoor Activities: Northern France offers a wide range of outdoor activities, from hiking and cycling to watersports on the coast. There are a great many unspoilt coastal areas which are amazing for hikers to explore and for campervan drivers to stop overnight.
D-Day Landing Site, Normandy: A visit to Northern France in a campervan wouldn’t really be complete without a visit to the D-Day beaches of Normandy, location of the largest seaborne invasion in history during World War II and the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from the Nazis.
Getting To Know The People Of France: While many people in Northern France speak some English, it’s helpful to know some basic French phrases to help with communication. Your pronunciation doesn’t have to be brilliant, but if you give it a try you’ll find that most locals will respond really well to your efforts and will quickly warm to you. Familiarize yourself with the local customs of the town or village that you visit, to ensure a respectful and harmonious experience.
Travelling around Northern France in a camper van will be a wonderfully rewarding experience as the area is known for its beauty, history and culture. So be sure to take your time to thoroughly explore the region, immerse yourself in the local way of life and enjoy the freedom that a campervan offers. Try to be flexible in your plans because you will undoubtedly encounter no end of unexpected discoveries along the way.
Above all, relax and enjoy Northern France in your campervan as it will certainly provide many lasting memories for you.