France is one of our favourite countries for a family campervan trip. The distances are manageable, the landscapes change quickly, and there is always something for children to enjoy: beaches, lakes, castles, small villages, easy hikes, playgrounds, markets and plenty of space to run around after a long drive.
What we love most is that a campervan trip in France can be as simple or as adventurous as you want it to be. You can plan a short weekend escape to Northern France, a coastal road trip through Normandy or Brittany, a mountain getaway in the Vosges, or a longer family adventure through Auvergne and the south of the country.
In this guide, I am sharing some of the best campervan routes in France for families, including routes we have already explored ourselves and a few classic ideas that work especially well by van. These are not rushed itineraries where you spend the whole day driving. They are road trip ideas with children in mind: scenic stops, manageable driving days, nature, easy activities and enough flexibility to slow down when needed.
Planning your first campervan trip in France?
Before choosing your route, read our complete guide to campervan travel in France, including rules, parking, aires and practical tips for your road trip.
Quick comparison: best family campervan routes in France
| Route | Best for | Ideal length | Family highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baie de Somme | Short trip from Belgium / Northern Europe | 2–3 days | Seals, beaches, easy cycling, small towns |
| Normandy / Cotentin Peninsula | Coast, history and wild landscapes | 5–7 days | Beaches, cliffs, villages, D-Day history |
| Brittany / Finistère | Dramatic coastline and slow vanlife | 5–10 days | Lighthouses, beaches, coastal walks |
| Vosges | Mountains, lakes and villages | 3–5 days | Lakes, hikes, viewpoints, Alsace villages |
| Auvergne | Volcanoes, lakes and outdoor adventures | 5–7 days | Puy de Dôme, volcanoes, castles, lakes |
| Loire Valley | Castles and gentle cycling | 4–7 days | Châteaux, river paths, family-friendly towns |
| Provence | Sunshine, villages and lavender | 5–10 days | Markets, hilltop villages, nature parks |
| French Alps | Mountains and outdoor adventure | 5–10 days | Lakes, cable cars, hikes, alpine views |
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Planning a campervan trip to France?
Compare campervan rental prices before choosing your route. Pickup location, mileage, insurance and kitchen equipment can make a big difference to the final price.
1. Baie de Somme campervan route: the perfect short family escape
The Baie de Somme is one of the easiest campervan routes in France for families, especially if you are travelling from Belgium, northern France, Luxembourg, Germany or the Netherlands. It is close enough for a long weekend, but it already feels like a proper change of scenery.
The area is compact, which is ideal with children because you do not need to spend hours driving every day. You can explore charming coastal towns like Saint-Valery-sur-Somme and Le Crotoy, look for seals, walk along the bay, enjoy the beach and take your time between stops.
For families, this route works well because it mixes nature and simple activities. You do not need a packed schedule. A walk along the water, an ice cream in a small town, a picnic with a view and a slow sunset by the bay are already enough to make the trip feel special.
Suggested length: 2–3 days
Best season: spring, summer and early autumn
Good for: first campervan trip, weekend escape, toddlers and young children
Internal link: Baie de Somme campervan itinerary
2. Normandy and the Cotentin Peninsula: beaches, cliffs and wild coastal roads
Normandy is a classic campervan destination for a reason. It has wide beaches, dramatic cliffs, small fishing towns, history, green countryside and plenty of scenic roads. For a family campervan trip, the Cotentin Peninsula is especially beautiful because it feels quieter and wilder than some of the more famous parts of Normandy.
A good family route could include Barfleur, Gatteville lighthouse, the coast around La Hague, small beaches, seaside villages and a few historical stops depending on the age of your children. You can keep the itinerary flexible and choose between beach time, short walks, viewpoints and village stops.
Normandy is also a good route if you want a mix of nature and history. Older children may be interested in the D-Day beaches and museums, while younger children will probably enjoy the beaches, boats, animals and open spaces more.
Suggested length: 5–7 days
Best season: May to September
Good for: coast, history, beaches, first longer campervan trip
Family tip: Do not try to see all of Normandy in one trip. Choose one area, such as the Cotentin Peninsula, and explore it slowly or take more time to explore more areas. With children, shorter driving days usually make the whole trip more enjoyable.
3. Brittany by campervan: dramatic coast and slow family vanlife
Brittany is perfect if you love wild coastlines, lighthouses, small harbours, crêpes, beaches and dramatic sea views. It is one of those places where campervan travel makes a lot of sense because the best moments often happen between the famous sights: a quiet beach, a coastal walk, a picnic with sea views or a small village you did not plan to visit.
For families, Brittany works best when you travel slowly. The region is large, so it is better to choose one part, such as Finistère, the Pink Granite Coast or the area around Saint-Malo and Cap Fréhel, rather than trying to drive around the whole region in a few days.
Children will enjoy the beaches, rocks, tide pools and boat-filled harbours. Parents will enjoy the scenery, coastal roads and the feeling of being far away without necessarily travelling very far.
Suggested length: 5–10 days
Best season: late spring, summer and early autumn but we chose to visit for christmas and loved the empty and authentic nature
Good for: coast, beaches, slow travel, scenic drives
4. Vosges campervan route: lakes, hikes and Alsace villages with kids
The Vosges are a wonderful choice for families who want mountains without driving all the way to the Alps. The roads are scenic, the distances are manageable and there is a lovely mix of lakes, forests, viewpoints, villages and easy hikes.
A family campervan route in the Vosges can include Lac Blanc, Lac Noir, mountain viewpoints, small hikes, Alsace villages and historical stops like Le Mémorial du Linge. It is a great region if your children like being outside, throwing stones into lakes, walking in the forest and exploring places that feel a bit adventurous without being too difficult.
The Vosges also work well as a shorter campervan trip. You can spend a long weekend here or add the region to a longer France road trip. Compared with bigger mountain destinations, the Vosges feel more accessible and less overwhelming with children.
Suggested length: 3–5 days
Best season: spring to autumn, or winter for snow activities
Good for: lakes, easy hikes, mountain views, family-friendly nature
Family tip: Bring layers, even in summer. The weather can change quickly in the mountains, especially around the lakes and viewpoints. During our trip in May, we still had some snow when hiking in the mountains.
5. Auvergne campervan route: volcanoes, lakes and outdoor adventures
Auvergne is one of the most exciting regions in France for families who love nature. It is known for volcanoes, wide landscapes, lakes, castles and outdoor activities. It feels adventurous but still very manageable by campervan.
The area around the Chaîne des Puys is especially impressive. You can visit the Puy de Dôme, explore volcanic landscapes, stop at lakes, visit family-friendly attractions, such as Vulcania, and enjoy plenty of fresh air. For children, the idea of walking near volcanoes can make the trip feel more exciting than a normal hike.
Auvergne is a good route for families who want more than beaches and villages. It is active, green and varied, with many opportunities to slow down in nature. It also combines well with central or southern France if you are planning a longer campervan trip.
Suggested length: 5–7 days
Best season: May to September
Good for: volcanoes, lakes, hikes, castles, active families
6. Loire Valley campervan route: castles, cycling and easy family stops
The Loire Valley is one of the gentlest campervan routes in France for families. It is not as wild as Brittany or as mountainous as the Vosges, but it is very easy to travel with children. The region is famous for its castles, riverside towns, cycling routes and relaxed countryside.
A family route could include Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise, Tours and smaller villages along the river. The castles are impressive for adults, but many are also fun for children because of their towers, gardens, boats, animals or wide open spaces. A very special stop in the Loire Valley is the zoo Beauval, which is one of the most famous zoos in France and Europe. We also liked our less known stop over in Meung-sur-Loire.
The region is also particularly interesting for those who like cycling as a family. Easy cycling paths allow fun for the whole family.
This route works especially well if you want a slower, more cultural campervan trip. Driving distances are not too long, many towns are easy to walk around and there are plenty of campsites in the region.
Suggested length: 4–7 days
Best season: spring, summer and autumn
Good for: castles, cycling, gentle travel, first family road trip
7. Provence campervan route: villages, markets and sunshine
Provence is a beautiful campervan route for families who want sunshine, colourful villages, markets, nature and slower days. It is especially lovely if you enjoy mixing sightseeing with simple pleasures: buying fruit at a market, walking through a hilltop village, stopping for a picnic or cooling down near a river or lake.
The region can get very busy and hot in summer, so for a family campervan trip, spring and early autumn are often more comfortable. A good route could include the Luberon villages, the Verdon area, lavender fields in season and small nature stops where children can move around.
Provence is not always the easiest region for large vehicles because some villages have narrow roads and limited parking. This is where planning your overnight stops and parking options in advance can make the trip much smoother.
Suggested length: 5–10 days
Best season: April to June and September
Good for: villages, markets, sunshine, nature, relaxed family travel
Family tip: Avoid planning too many village visits in one day. With children, one village, one nature stop and one relaxed meal often works better than a long list of sights.
8. French Alps campervan route: lakes, mountains and outdoor adventures
The French Alps are perfect for adventurous families who love mountains, lakes and outdoor activities. The scenery is spectacular, and a campervan gives you the freedom to move between valleys, lakes and mountain towns.
A family-friendly route could include Lake Annecy, Chamonix, alpine villages, easy cable car trips, lake swimming in summer and short hikes with mountain views. This is a route where children can enjoy nature in a very active way, from paddling in lakes to spotting animals and riding mountain lifts.
The Alps do require a bit more planning than flatter regions. Mountain roads, weather changes, busy summer parking and seasonal openings are all things to check before you go. But if you are prepared, this can be one of the most memorable campervan trips in France.
Suggested length: 5–10 days
Best season: June to September for summer activities or December to April for winter sports
Good for: mountains, lakes, hiking, active families
How to choose the best France campervan route for your family
Choosing the right campervan route depends less on what looks best online and more on your family’s rhythm. Some children are happy with longer drives, while others need frequent stops. Some families love hiking, while others prefer beaches, villages or simple campsite days.
If it is your first campervan trip with children, I would choose a shorter and easier route, such as the Baie de Somme, Normandy or the Vosges. These regions give you the feeling of a real adventure without requiring huge distances.
If your family is already used to campervan travel, Auvergne, Brittany, Provence or the Alps can make a wonderful longer trip. Just remember to leave space in your itinerary. With children, the best moments are often the unplanned ones: a playground near the campsite, a lake where you stay longer than expected, or a quiet morning outside the van.
Practical tips for a family campervan trip in France
Keep driving days short
As a general rule, we prefer shorter driving days when travelling with children. It makes the trip feel more relaxed and gives everyone time to enjoy the destination instead of only reaching it.
Plan overnight stops in advance, but stay flexible
France has many campsites and aires, but it is still helpful to check options before arriving, especially during school holidays or in popular regions. We usually like having a few possible stops saved, so we can adapt depending on the weather, mood and how the day goes.
Pack for outdoor days
Even simple items can make a big difference: layers, rain jackets, comfortable shoes, a picnic blanket, snacks, water bottles and a few toys for quiet moments near the van.
Do not overload the itinerary
A campervan trip with kids is much easier when you plan less. One main activity per day is often enough, especially if you also need time for meals, naps, playgrounds, laundry or simply relaxing.
Choose regions with variety
The best family routes usually include a mix of nature, villages, easy walks, water and simple activities. This is why regions like Normandy, Brittany, the Vosges and Auvergne work so well by campervan.
Before you start your France campervan trip, you need a van? Compare campervan rental prices in Europe.
Our favourite family campervan route in France
If we had to recommend one route for a first family campervan trip in France, we would probably choose Northern France or Normandy. It is easy to reach from Belgium and northern Europe, the driving distances are manageable, and there is a good mix of coast, towns, history and nature.
For a short trip, the Baie de Somme is ideal. For a longer trip, the Cotentin Peninsula in Normandy gives you more variety and wilder landscapes. If you prefer mountains, the Vosges are a great alternative because they feel adventurous but are still manageable with children.
In the end, the best campervan route is the one that fits your family’s pace. France has so many beautiful regions that you do not need to see everything in one trip. Choose one area, slow down and enjoy the freedom of travelling with your little home on wheels.
FAQ: family campervan routes in France
Is France good for a family campervan trip?
Yes, France is one of the best countries in Europe for a family campervan trip. The road network is good, there are many campsites and aires, and the country offers a huge variety of landscapes, from beaches and lakes to mountains, castles and villages.
What is the best campervan route in France for beginners?
For a first campervan trip in France, the Baie de Somme, Normandy or the Vosges are good choices. They are scenic, manageable and do not require very long driving days.
Which region of France is best with kids by campervan?
It depends on your travel style. Normandy and Brittany are great for beaches and coastal scenery, the Vosges and Auvergne are perfect for nature and hiking, while the Loire Valley works well for castles and gentle family travel.
How long do you need for a campervan trip in France?
You can enjoy a short campervan trip in France in 2 or 3 days if you choose a compact region like the Baie de Somme. For a bigger route, such as Brittany, Auvergne, Provence or the Alps, 5 to 10 days is more comfortable.
Can you travel France by campervan with a baby or toddler?
Yes, travelling France by campervan with a baby or toddler is possible, but it helps to keep the itinerary simple. Choose shorter driving days, plan regular breaks and stay flexible with your route.
Do you need to book campsites in advance in France?
In high season and popular regions, it is better to book campsites in advance. Outside peak periods, you can often stay more flexible, especially if you use a mix of campsites and official campervan aires.