Road trip through France with our directors

We are Vero and Ignace, proud owners of Vanomobil.

Together with our son Armand and our three children, Pauline, Amandine and Armand, we have been travelling in a motorhome for over 25 years. Armand is the only one coming on this trip; the girls have to study and will be joining us in Paris for a few days.

We have explored almost every corner of Europe, yet we always find ourselves returning to France. The peace and quiet, the nature and that typical French “savoir vivre” keep drawing us back time and time again. This time, we set off on a 14-day road trip, with Provence as our furthest destination and Paris as the grand finale. In total, we covered almost 2,000 km.

You can view our full route here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3fM97p68V4bq7vbC8

Day 1: heading to Mâcon by motorhome

Normally, we leave early in the morning, but because things had been so busy, we hadn’t had time to prepare the motorhome yet. So we only started loading everything on Sunday morning and eventually left in the afternoon.

Our goal was to drive as far as possible on the first day so the holiday could really begin that same evening.

We didn’t have a strict plan, but we did have a few possible stops in mind between Deerlijk and Lyon. Since it was Sunday and there were no trucks on the road, traffic flowed smoothly. In the end, we drove 650 km and arrived in Mâcon around 9 pm. We stayed at Camping Municipal de Mâcon: an ideal transit campsite close to the motorway, with a restaurant, pizza service and all the facilities you need.

Tip: choose a pitch at the back of the campsite. At the front, you can hear the road.
Tip: try to schedule your longest drives on Sundays. The absence of trucks really makes a difference.

A first day like this may sound long, but once you’re on the road, it’s surprisingly manageable. Of course, you can also choose to stop earlier and spread out the distance towards Avignon a bit more. That’s completely up to you. Leaving without a rigid plan and simply seeing how far you get is what makes it so enjoyable.

Day 2: towards Avignon

We left fairly early because we had to pass through Lyon on our way to Avignon, about 300 km away.

Tip: try to pass Lyon around midday.

We arrived around 3 pm at Camping du Pont d’Avignon. We’ve known this campsite for years and love returning here, mainly because of its location: on an island right opposite Avignon. You simply cross the bridge or take the free shuttle boat and you’re immediately in the city centre. After setting up, we headed straight into town.

Days 3 and 4: Avignon

We stayed here for two days. Avignon is beautiful not only because of its history (the Palais des Papes and the Pont d’Avignon), but also because it’s such a cosy city with charming squares, terraces and little streets where you can wander around for hours. We spent one day exploring the city and another discovering the surroundings by bike.

Tip: use Komoot to find great cycling routes.

This is where you really switch into holiday mode.

Day 5: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

After Avignon, we were ready for a bit more peace and quiet.

We drove towards Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a place we’ve been returning to occasionally for more than 20 years. It’s only about a 30-minute drive, but it immediately feels completely different.

We chose Camping Monplaisir because it’s a bit closer to the centre. Le Mas de Nicolas is also a beautiful campsite with a more natural feel. We arrived around midday, settled in and then cycled to the supermarket (just two minutes away by bike). After a light lunch, we simply enjoyed the sunshine and the pool.

Later that afternoon, we cycled into the village centre for an aperitif. That’s simply part of the experience.

Days 6 and 7: Provence

This is the kind of place where you just want to stay.

We did two wonderful bike rides, including one towards Eygalières, a village many Belgians know because of Wout Bru’s former restaurant.

Other than that: sunshine, terraces, scenic drives… With temperatures reaching 28 degrees, it really felt like summer.

Day 8: towards Beaune

After a few days in Provence, it was time to move on.

We wanted to head to Paris, but not in one go. When travelling by motorhome, the journey itself is part of the holiday. We left early for a drive of about 400 km and arrived in Beaune around 2 pm.

We stayed at Camping des Cent Vignes, a campsite within walking and cycling distance of the city centre. We immediately headed into town. The Hospices de Beaune are definitely worth a visit and the historic centre is stunning.

We also joined a wine tasting in one of the many wine houses. Very accessible and honestly the perfect way to experience the region.

Tip: definitely plan a wine tasting in Beaune.

Day 9: Burgundy

The next day, we explored the area around Beaune.

We enjoyed a beautiful bike ride through the vineyards and later stopped in the city centre for a light lunch.

Tip: cycle part of the Route des Grands Crus. Peaceful, beautiful and typically Burgundy.

Day 10: towards Paris

We drove about 300 km towards Paris. For us, that’s about the perfect distance if you want to travel in a relaxed way while still having time to enjoy the day. We stayed at Camping de Paris in the Bois de Boulogne. For a city campsite, it’s really a lovely, well-maintained and cosy place right along the Seine.

Days 11 and 12: Paris

We explored Paris at a relaxed pace and also visited Parc des Princes.

For those unfamiliar with it: it’s the stadium of Paris Saint-Germain. Our son is a huge football fan and this visit had been on his wishlist for quite some time.

From the campsite, it’s very easy to reach the city centre. A shuttle bus regularly leaves for Porte Maillot, where you can take the metro and get almost anywhere in the city within 20 to 30 minutes.

We went to the stadium by bike, about a 15-minute ride through the Bois de Boulogne. Very pleasant and probably the easiest way to get there.

Tip: also take some time to explore the Bois de Boulogne. Don’t let its reputation put you off. During the day, it’s simply one of the largest and most beautiful parks in Paris. You can walk, cycle, picnic and even rent rowing boats or canoes.

Last day

We intentionally kept the final drive short (around 260 km), so we were back home around midday and still had enough time to calmly unpack and tidy everything up.

Why this route works so well

Everything flows naturally, and that’s what makes this route so enjoyable. You drive a bit further at the start so you quickly reach the south. There, you stay in one place for a few days and truly unwind. Afterwards, you gradually make your way back with shorter drives and a few more beautiful stops along the way.

No stress, no complicated planning, just a journey that feels natural from start to finish.

Practical tips

• Drive around 100 km/h. You quickly notice the difference in fuel consumption between 95, 100 and 105 km/h
• 300 km per day is ideal
• Bring bikes
• Use Komoot
• Don’t overplan
• Try to arrive at the campsite between 2 pm and 4 pm
• Planning & apps

We mainly use Google Maps (desktop version). It gives a much better overview and makes it easy to explore regions, search for campsites and save or share routes.

For overnight stops:

• Park4Night
• Campy
• Camperstop
• Camping-Car Park

For campsites:

• ACSI
• NKC
• Campercontact

Tip: Météo France: If good weather is important to you on holiday and you’re travelling in France, MeteoFrance has a brilliant app that shows you exactly where the good weather will be over the next few days! 

For transit nights, we sometimes choose a camper stop or a simple campsite. If we stay several days, we prefer the comfort of a campsite, but that’s very personal.

When should you book?

During summer, it’s best to book in advance. Campsites in Provence and around cities fill up quickly. Outside the high season (such as during the Easter holidays), you can often decide just a day in advance.