Five options for sleeping in a campervan in France

Travelling in a campervan in France offers unrivalled freedom, but you still need to know where to stop your wheels for the night. Alternating between different options will not only take you on a variety of adventures, but also enable you to manage your budget effectively. In this article, we present five places to sleep in a campervan in France: from a spot in the middle of nature to the incontrovertible campsite, an unusual stay on a farm or the hospitality of a local. Each of these alternatives has its own advantages and logistical considerations, and at WeVan we recommend that you combine them during your campervan hire road trip.

 

Find a spot at the heart of nature

Sleeping in the great outdoors offers unrivalled flexibility, enabling you to choose a location at the last minute (or almost). But are you allowed to sleep in your campervan in the middle of the countryside? This is a legitimate question because, under French regulations, parking habitable vehicles at night is tolerated outside explicitly prohibited areas. These bans, which are often indicated by signs, generally apply to national or regional parks, nature reserves, listed sites, areas around historic monuments and the coastline. Spending the night in a van is therefore tolerated wherever it is not explicitly forbidden, as long as certain common-sense rules are observed: don’t spread out, settle in at the end of the day and leave in the morning. It’s therefore acceptable to sleep out in the open as long as you remain discreet, and it’s also preferable not to stay more than one night in the same place. Regular travellers often refer to it as a ‘nature spot’.

To find this spot, we recommend you download the Park4Night app, but also take a look at the surrounding area (trailhead car parks, cul-de-sacs, etc.) or, for the more adventurous among you, do a satellite search on Google Maps. Ideally, find your spot before nightfall and don’t hesitate to get out of your campervan to check the condition of the ground before venturing onto an unfamiliar path, at the risk of not being able to turn back. One last thing before leaving your nature spot: leave the area clean by taking all your rubbish with you.

>>>> Budget : free of charge

Sleeping on a campsite 

The most comfortable option, but also the most expensive, is to spend the night at a campsite. At WeVan, we advise you to opt for independent campsites, which are often rated 2 or 3 stars and offer a limited number of pitches. These campsites are also listed on applications such as Park4Night, which makes searching and booking, if it’s necessary, easier. Before you arrive, it’s best to contact the owner, especially in the off-peak period, to make sure it’s open. The same applies in high season, to check availability. This will also give you the information and prices you need to plan your budget accordingly.

By opting for small campsites, you can enjoy quality services while avoiding the crowds. The atmosphere is often more intimate, making it easier to relax (we’re talking about evening drinks, of course) and rest before hitting the road again for new adventures!

>>>> Budget : €20 to €80 depending on the season and number of stars

Sleeping at a stopover site

Stopover sites, like campsites, vary in facilities from one municipality to another. They often offer a pitch with access to drinking water and a grey water discharge station, and sometimes have on-site toilets. Some sites offer a free stay and only charge for services such as water and electricity. Our preference is for stopover sites nestled in the heart of nature, whether in the forest or with direct access to the ocean. In general, these sites are chosen to facilitate access to a place of particular interest. In south-west France, for example, it can be difficult to find an authorised nature spot with pedestrian access to the ocean. To find your stopover site to sleep in your campervan, we recommend the Camping-car Park network and its app, which enable you to anticipate the availability of stopover sites just a few kilometres from your destination. You check in independently at the barrier, offering greater freedom of movement. Let’s face it, it’s not the most attractive option on paper (or behind a screen), but when it’s getting late and you just want to relax after a long day’s travelling (or the kids are getting impatient), it’s still very convenient!

>>>> Budget : free to €35 depending on the season and region

Stopping off at a farm 

Sleeping in a campervan on a farm is an authentic and unusual experience. Thanks to the France Passion network (which requires membership), travellers can enjoy free stopovers, limited to 24 hours, on private farms. The concept involves farmers, winegrowers, livestock breeders, craftspeople and others who are passionate about their trade welcoming travellers. It’s essential to note that these stopovers differ from traditional campsites: your vehicle must be completely self-sufficient in terms of water, electricity and toilets. In return for hospitality, travellers are often invited to discover and buy the local produce offered by their hosts: freshly picked fruit, garden vegetables, artisanal cheeses, regional wines and other gastronomic delights are frequently available to buy directly on site (remember to take cash). Although this option requires a little more organisation and is less common, it offers an incomparable gourmet experience that’s well worth a detour!

>>>> Budget : €33 annual membership of the France Passion network in 2024 and the purchase of local products from the producer (our favourite part).

 

 

Staying with a local

The fifth and final option, which is more anecdotal but nonetheless rewarding, is to spend the night with a local using the HomeCamper platform (or follow chance encounters along the way). The concept is simple: staying with private individuals who make their gardens or land available, with varying levels of comfort depending on the services offered. The appeal of this type of accommodation lies in its authenticity, where ideas are shared and expert advice is given on what to do in the region. However, one point to bear in mind is that it can sometimes take a long time to get a response from the hosts, which doesn’t necessarily make for a last-minute option. Despite this, staying with local people often gives you unforgettable memories and enrichment.

>>>> Budget : from €10 to €45 depending on the services and region with Homecamper

As you can see, from nature spots to staying with locals, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to finding a place to sleep in a campervan... So see you soon on the roads of France with WeVan for unforgettable adventures!

 

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>>> Article written by Chloé Ferrari

>>> Photos by T hibaut Priou,Clémence POLGE, Clément SIGNOLES, Gang of Croissants