Bon voyage: the best campervans for driving in France

Summer is well underway, and although van life-esque staycations are great, you just can’t beat a little road trip abroad. Chasing warmer weather and breathtaking scenery, we’ve got the best campervans for a French holiday.

France has it all at the best of times. Roads winding around, through, and between historic cities, rolling mountain passes, timeless villages, over 2,000 miles of scenic coastline, stunning vineyard vistas, delicious food spots… we could go on.

That said, l’hexagone does present a few challenges to anyone heading south for a summer road trip, but we think it’s well worth it — and not just to get away from this year’s disappointing UK weather.

So, with that in mind, we’ve put together a list of campervan considerations to set you up for a sporty French camping holiday.

Track star — Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

France is huge, over twice the size of the UK at around 550,000km2, and if you plan to explore its breadth and width, you’ll need a camper with endurance.

So where better to start than with a camper based on our most reliable van pick? The Sprinter has earned this spot due to its Mercedes build quality and low breakdown rates. For years campers have trusted it to have the legs required to cruise over extended stretches of tarmac, so why not put it through its paces in the iconic French countryside. Couple this with the comfort of the luxurious, well-ventilated cabin, and you’re all set for the long haul.

As an additional bonus, thanks to their ample size, Sprinter conversions tend to pack enough space for equipment such as bikes and surfboards. So if you plan on hitting up some iconic surf spots like The Silver Coast’s Lacanau or Hossegor, or taking a spin along the Col du Tourmalet cycling route, this could be the camper for you. 

Compact Camping — Volkswagen California

If long distance driving isn’t your thing, fear not. From the cobbled back streets of the City of Light to the narrow winding roads of rural villages, France has plenty to explore on the smaller scale.

No larger than many modern SUVs, boasting car-like handling, and pulling off a 12.1 metre turning circle, the VW California is our choice for maneuvering through tighter spaces. Even better, measuring just 5,173 mm by 1,941 mm, and with a pop-up roof to keep its height down, this little camper should comfortably avoid any size restrictions or ticket price increases should you opt to sail one over the channel on a ferry.

It is also worth noting that if you are planning on bringing a camper with you, rather than hiring abroad, there are a few extra factors to consider.

Access all areas — Volkswagen ID. Buzz

That’s right, the UK’s not the only place with Low Emission Zones, and although some have been put on hold until after this summer, permanent ZCRs (Zone à Circulation Restreinte) as found in Paris, Lyon, and Bordeaux should still be on your radar.

The best solution? An EV campervan, and although the ID. Buzz doesn’t yet have an official camper variant, conversions are available for hire (if you haven’t already built your own, of course). The electric VW give will give you access to the best-in-class Green Crit’Air sticker, a vignette exclusive to zero emissions vehicles, and effectively a VIP pass to avoid any ZCRs on route.

The French charging network is increasingly robust with over 100,000 public chargers, and while the ID. Buzz isn’t yet as iconic as a T2 camper, you’ll still definitely be travelling in style.

It’s automatic — Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo

Fancy a trusty automatic transmission like our previous pick, but find yourself feeling some range anxiety? The luxurious Marco Polo might be the one for you. 

Driving on the right-hand side of the road can be an experience, and picking up a rental with the steering wheel in a spot you’re not accustomed to can be bamboozling enough. So, before taking on the brain-training required to shift gears with your right hand, consider the ease of this 9-speed automatic camper.

A road trip is a holiday, and holidays are for relaxing. An automatic gives you one less thing to worry about as you get your head around giving way to traffic on French roundabouts. 

Mountain Climber — Fiat Ducato

Serious snow may be unlikely at this time of year, but should you tackle the 2-hour alpine drive from Lyon to the French Alps, we reckon an off-road camper could still be the move. 

We’d choose the Fiat Ducato. The hardy 4x4 expedition variant with its winches and roof-racks would be more than a match for the remote trails and scenic mountain passes which the summer Alps present. And if you have access to a model fitted with a set of rugged all-terrain tyres like BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2s to assist your ascent? Even better.

Although France has long been known for its smooth roads, a far cry from the UK’s holey cheese-like tarmac, a particularly wet winter has left them in worse condition than usual this year. So even if you don’t see yourself up on the slopes, a robust suspension may still be useful to hop over any potholes.

From the beach to the mountains, and everything in between, a campervan can be the ideal companion for a trip across the channel. So, what would be your camper of choice for a French road trip?

Hero image credit: Mercedes-Benz