Camping Through France: Our Favourite Campervan Stops (with honest reviews)

This blog shares a real life look at the campsites we stayed at during our campervan road trip through France, travelling as a family of four. From peaceful countryside spots to lakeside pitches and coastal escapes, we’ve included the places that truly stood out, along with the ones you may want to use as a quick stopover!

Whether you’re travelling with kids, looking for scenic park-ups, or just want a smoother, stress free road trip, this guide is designed to help you choose campsites that are actually worth it.

Think of this as your go-to, saveable guide for planning a campervan adventure through France... with real experiences, practical advice, and plenty of inspiration along the way.

Don't forget to check out our Instagram page @toffee_the_vw to follow along with our adventures.

PARIS - Camping Paris-Est (for visiting Paris)

If you’re planning to visit Paris in a campervan, Camping Paris-Est is one of the most convenient and accessible options just outside the city centre. Located on the banks of the River Marne, it offers a practical base for exploring Paris without the stress of driving into the busy streets.

We stayed here for two nights while visiting Paris, and it worked perfectly for a short city break. It’s not the kind of campsite you come to for a scenic, relaxing stay, but for location and ease, it does exactly what you need it to do.

The biggest advantage is how easy it is to get into the city. You can hop on public transport nearby and be in central Paris within around 30-40 minutes, making it ideal for ticking off the main sights without worrying about parking or traffic.

The site itself is fairly simple, with a mix of campervan pitches and cabins. Facilities are basic but functional, and while it may not have a luxury feel, it’s a solid and reliable stopover for exploring the French capital.

✨ Key Info

• 📍 Location: Just outside central Paris, along the River Marne

• 🚐 Great for: Short stays & city exploring

• 🚇 Easy access to Paris via public transport (around 30–40 mins)

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly and suitable for all vehicle sizes

• 🌳 Setting: Riverside, but more practical than picturesque

COLMAR - Camping de I'll

Camping de l’Ill is one of those campsites that instantly feels like you’ve arrived somewhere special. Nestled right by the river and surrounded by greenery, it’s the perfect base for exploring the fairytale town of Colmar... and the best part... you can walk there!

We stayed here for one night while passing through, and honestly, it’s one of those places we wish we had longer at. The peaceful setting is a complete contrast to the busier city campsites, and after a day of travelling, it felt like a proper reset.

The walk into Colmar takes around 20-25 minutes and is flat and easy, making it ideal even with kids. Arriving into the town on foot adds to the experience, especially when you first see the colourful half-timbered houses and canals.

Back on site, it had everything you’d want for a relaxed stay. There’s a lovely swimming pool for warmer days, and one of our favourite touches was being able to order fresh pastries the night before, waking up to warm croissants just hits differently on a road trip. In the evenings, the fairy-lit outdoor terrace bar creates such a cosy atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring.

The campsite itself is well kept, with spacious pitches, plenty of shade, and a relaxed, family-friendly vibe. It strikes that perfect balance between being a great location base and somewhere you’d happily slow down and enjoy.

✨ Key Info

• 📍 Location: On the edge of Colmar, riverside setting

• 🚶‍♀️ Walk to Colmar: around 20–25 minutes (flat and easy)

• 🚐 Great for: Relaxed stopovers & exploring pretty towns

• 🏊‍♀️ Swimming pool on site

• 🥐 Fresh pastries available to order for the morning

• 🍷 Outdoor terrace bar with a cosy evening atmosphere

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly with spacious pitches

• 🌳 Setting: Green, peaceful and scenic

ANNECY - Camping Le Lac Bleu

Camping Le Lac Bleu feels like a full on holiday destination in itself, especially if you’re travelling with kids. Set right by the lake with beautiful mountain views, it’s the kind of place where you can easily slow down and stay a few extra nights.

We stayed here while exploring the Annecy area, and it ended up being one of the most fun, family focused stops of the trip. While it’s located on the opposite side of the lake to Annecy town, the setting more than makes up for it, and it’s perfect if you’re happy to enjoy the lake and campsite facilities just as much as the town itself.

The lake pitches are a real highlight, offering gorgeous views and that peaceful “wake up by the water” feeling. During the day, there’s so much to do from multiple swimming pools and children’s splash areas to slides, play parks, and even water sports on the lake.

In the evenings, the whole place comes alive with entertainment and an animation team running activities, making it feel more like a resort than a campsite.

It’s lively, social, and ideal if you’re travelling as a family and want more than just a place to park up.

✨ Key Info

• 📍 Location: Lakeside, opposite side of Lake Annecy from the town

• 🚐 Great for: Families & longer, activity-filled stays

• 🏖 Lake pitches available (highly recommend if you can get one)

• 🏊‍♀️ Multiple pools, children’s pools & slides

• 🎠 Play areas for kids

• 🚣‍♀️ Water sports available on the lake

• 🎭 Evening entertainment & animation team

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Very family-focused, lively atmosphere

Camping Domaine de la Bergerie, Vence  (South of France)

Camping Domaine de la Bergerie is one of those campsites that really gives you that “we’ve made it to the South of France” feeling. Surrounded by trees and set in the hills near Vence, it’s a peaceful escape from the busier (and often more expensive) coastal campsites, but still perfectly placed to explore the French Riviera.

We stayed here for a few nights as part of the southern leg of our trip, and it ended up being such a great find. Not only does it have a much more relaxed, laid back feel, but it’s also a far more affordable option compared to staying right on the seafront, without missing out on everything the area has to offer.

This became our base for exploring some incredible places along the coast, including Monaco, Monte Carlo, Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Antibes and Cannes. It’s ideal if you’re happy to do a bit of driving in exchange for a quieter, more budget-friendly stay.

The campsite itself has a really easy, family-friendly vibe, with a pool for cooling off and plenty of space to unwind. After busy days exploring the Riviera, it was so nice to come back somewhere calmer and recharge.

✨ Key Info

• 📍 Location: Near Vence, in the hills above the French Riviera

• 🚐 Great for: Exploring the South of France on a budget

• 🏊‍♀️ Swimming pool on site

• 🌿 Peaceful, nature-filled setting

• 🚗 Ideal base for day trips along the coast

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly atmosphere

Camping de Vaudois, near Fréjus (South of France)

Camping de Vaudois is a great option if you’re looking to be closer to the coast in the South of France, while still keeping that relaxed campsite feel. Located near Fréjus, it’s perfectly placed for beach days, exploring nearby towns, and soaking up that classic Riviera atmosphere.

We stayed here as part of our time on the coast, and it was a really easy, convenient base. Compared to some of the bigger, resort-style campsites in the area, this one felt a bit more laid back and manageable, ideal if you don’t want anything too overwhelming.

The location is definitely the standout here. You’re just a short drive (or cycle) from the beaches, and close to places like Fréjus and Saint-Raphaël, making it a great spot to explore this stretch of coastline without constantly moving on. We visited Sainte-Maxime and Saint-Tropez while staying here (more on this in our South of France blog post).

The site itself is simple but has everything you need for a comfortable stay. It’s family-friendly, easy to navigate, and works really well as a base for getting out and about during the day.

✨ Key Info

• 📍 Location: Near Fréjus, South of France

• 🚐 Great for: Coastal exploring & beach access

• 🏖 Close to beaches (short drive or cycle)

• 🚗 Good base for Fréjus & Saint-Raphaël

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly, relaxed atmosphere

• 🌿 Simple, easy-going campsite

Camping Municipal Le Galetas, Gorges du Verdon

Camping Municipal Le Galetas is the kind of campsite that perfectly sums up van life... simple, spontaneous, and all about the location. We ended up here last minute after an afternoon out on the lake, boating through the incredible Verdon Gorge, and it couldn’t have worked out better.

This is a very no-frills, municipal-style campsite where you can turn up, pick your pitch, and settle in. It’s basic, definitely more of a 2* feel, but honestly, the views completely make up for it.

Set right by the lake at the entrance to the gorge, the scenery here is unreal. Waking up to those turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs is something special, especially after spending the day exploring them from the water.

It’s not somewhere you’d stay for a long, luxury break, but for a quick, easy stopover in an incredible location, it’s absolutely spot on.

✨ Key Info

• 📍 Location: Right by the lake at the entrance to Gorges du Verdon

• 🚐 Great for: Quick, easy stopovers & last-minute stays

• ⛺ Pitch style: Turn up and choose your spot

• 🌄 Incredible lake and gorge views

• 🛶 Perfect after a day kayaking/boating the Verdon Gorge

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly, relaxed vibe

Aire Stopover, Port de Pêche de Carro, Martigues

This aire in Martigues, right next to Port de Pêche de Carro, was one of those unexpected finds that ended up being a real highlight of the trip. Simple, easy, and all about the location... exactly what you want from a stopover like this.

It’s a straightforward setup: turn up, grab a ticket, and you’re good to stay for 24 hours. But what makes it special is where you are. Parked right by the harbour, with the sea just steps away, it’s the kind of place where you instantly slow down and soak it all in.

We arrived to a car park mostly filled with big white motorhomes - so naturally, our little dark VW T6 stood out 😅 - but there was still plenty of space. And unlike many stopovers, it actually felt relaxed enough to set up a bit, get the chairs out, and enjoy the evening properly.

From here, everything is on your doorstep. A wander around the marina, an ice cream in hand, walking along the beach collecting sea glass, and then settling in to watch one of the most stunning sunsets of the trip... it just had that perfect, effortless vibe.

✨ Key Info

• 📍 Location: Port de Pêche de Carro, Martigues

• 🚐 Great for: Easy 24-hour stopovers by the sea

• 🎟 Turn up, get a ticket, stay for 24 hours

• ⚓ Right by the harbour and marina

• 🏖 Walking distance to sea glass beach

• 🌅 Incredible sunset spot

Camping Le Salagou (4*), near Clermont-l’Hérault

Coming up from the South of France, Camping Le Salagou is a 4* campsite set near the beautiful Lac du Salagou, just outside Clermont-l’Hérault. Approaching it through the striking red rock landscapes is an experience in itself, a scenic drive that immediately makes you feel like you’re somewhere special.

The campsite is big, well maintained, and family friendly, with plenty of space so you never feel crowded if you prefer to find a quiet corner. For us, one of the highlights was picking a high up pitch, perfect for watching the sun set over the lake and the surrounding hills.

There’s lots to do if you’re after entertainment: multiple swimming pools, poolside activities, and evening shows if you feel like joining in. For a more relaxed night, there’s even an onsite pizzeria, we enjoyed a laid-back evening with pizza, sometimes accompanied by live music, which made the atmosphere really fun without feeling overwhelming.

Le Salagou strikes a great balance, you can soak up the amenities and activities, or simply park up and enjoy the views and the space.

✨ Key Info

• 📍 Location: Near Lac du Salagou, outside Clermont-l’Hérault

• 🚐 Great for: Families & longer stays with entertainment

• 🏊‍♀️ Multiple swimming pools

• 🌄 High-up pitches give amazing sunset views

• 🍕 Onsite pizzeria & occasional live music

• 🎭 Poolside activities and entertainment available

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Spacious site, so easy to avoid crowds

DORDOGNE - Camping Le Pech de Caumont, Dordogne

If you’re heading to the Dordogne, Camping Le Pech de Caumont is one of those places where you can truly relax and soak in the scenery. Set overlooking the valley, it has a wonderful mix of space, comfort, and chill vibes perfect for a slower part of your trip.

We loved this campsite for its huge pitches, which give you plenty of room to spread out and enjoy your surroundings without feeling crowded. The swimming pool is clean and inviting, and there’s a small terrace that’s ideal for evening drinks while watching the sun set over the valley, it quickly became one of our favourite spots to unwind after a day exploring La Roque-Gageac.

A magical touch? If you’re up early, you might catch the colourful hot air balloons drifting over the valley, a truly memorable Dordogne moment. This campsite really feels like a “pause and enjoy life” stop, perfect for soaking up the region’s slower pace.

✨ Key Info

• 📍 Location: Dordogne, overlooking the valley

• 🚐 Great for: Relaxed, scenic stays in nature

• ⛺ Huge pitches for space and privacy

• 🏊‍♀️ Clean swimming pool

• 🍷 Small terrace for evening drinks & sunsets

• 🎈 Hot air balloons often visible over the valley

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly, chilled atmosphere

CHAMBORD - Sandaya Château des Marais (5*), Chambord

Sometimes on a road trip, you just need to treat yourself... and that’s exactly what we did at Sandaya Château des Marais, a 5* campsite near Chambord. If you haven’t heard of Sandaya before, check out their website, their 4* and 5* sites are incredible for families who want a proper 'holiday within a campsite' experience.

We stayed for one night and absolutely loved it. Our pitch came with a private hut of facilities, including our own toilet, shower, picnic bench, and all the amenities you could need, it felt luxurious for campervan life!

The site itself is huge and packed with family fun. Multiple pools, lazy rivers, and a full animation team keep everyone entertained. There’s a wide range of activities during the day, mini discos in the evening, and live music or bands for a really lively atmosphere.

Honestly, it’s a children’s dream, they could easily spend days here without being bored.

Even if you’re not all about kids’ entertainment, the site has something for everyone, a mix of relaxation and activity, in a stunning location near the iconic Chambord Château, which can easily be cycled to, we drove and had a morning exploring Chateau de Chambord.

✨ Key Info

• 📍 Location: Near Chambord, Loire Valley

• 🚐 Great for: Families & those wanting a luxury campsite experience

• ⛺ Pitch style: Private hut with toilet, shower, picnic bench, and amenities

• 🏊‍♀️ Many pools and lazy rivers

• 🎭 Animation team, daily activities, mini discos, live music

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect for kids and families, lively atmosphere

Aire Stopover, Gisors (just above Paris)

For the penultimate night of our trip, we pulled up at a small aire in Gisors, just north of Paris. It’s a super simple setup just drive in, take a ticket at the barrier, and settle for the night.

There are only 6-8 spaces, but we arrived around 8 pm and managed to get in easily. The pitches are nice and big, giving plenty of room to park comfortably, which is a huge plus for stopovers like this.

Facilities are very basic, there are two toilets, but they’re only open at certain times, so it’s best to have your own off-grid setup ready for this stop. Despite its simplicity, it was a perfect, easy overnight stop on our way back up to Calais.

If you want the exact location, feel free to reach out on Instagram @toffee_the_vw - happy to share the Park4Night ID location.

✨ Key Info

• 📍 Location: Gisors, just above Paris

• 🚐 Great for: Quick overnight stopovers on the way north

• ⛺ Small aire with 6–8 spaces

• 🚻 2 toilets (open only at certain times)

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Simple, quiet, convenient

Camping La Paillote (last stopover before Calais)

Our final stopover before catching the ferry at Calais was La Paillote, just under an hour from the port, a great last night to relax before the journey home.

This is a small, simple, no-frills campsite, but it has its own charms. The pitches are large and private, perfect for campervans, and despite a few long-stay caravans on site, there’s plenty of room to pull up and settle comfortably. A quirky touch - chickens roaming around, which adds a fun, rural vibe to the site.

The highlight for us: the shower. Set in a barn, it’s honestly the nicest power shower we encountered on the whole trip, a small luxury that felt like a real treat before heading home.

It’s simple and practical, ideal as a quick stopover to break up the drive to Calais and recharge before the ferry.

✨ Key Info

• 📍 Location: Under 1 hour from Calais ferry port

• 🚐 Great for: Last-night stopover before heading home

• ⛺ Large, private pitches for campervans

• 🚿 Barn-style power shower — the best on our trip!

• 🐔 Chickens on site for a fun, rural touch

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Small, quiet, no-frills campsite

And that’s a wrap on our incredible campervan road trip through France! From the bustling streets of Paris to the fairytale town of Colmar, the sparkling lakes of Annecy, the stunning South of France coast, and the peaceful valleys of the Dordogne, we loved every stop... each campsite brought its own vibe, views, and memories.

Whether you’re chasing convenience, stunning scenery, family-friendly fun, or a few secret spots along the way, there’s something here for every type of road tripper. We hope this guide helps you plan your own adventure, find the perfect pitches, and make the most of every stop along the route.

For more tips, behind-the-scenes travel moments, and campervan inspiration, drop us a follow on Instagram @toffee_the_vw - we love sharing our journeys and connecting with fellow vanlifers!

Happy adventuring!

Ashleigh x