Itinerary for a South of France road trip

For those who love adventure and long roads, a road trip to the south of France is perfect. There is so much to see and do in these beautiful regions, from breathtaking landscapes to bustling cities. Here's an itinerary we've put together for you, which you can follow to make the most of your trip. 

Preparing for your road trip 

Preparing for a road trip is not as simple as putting your foot on the gas and driving. There are things to consider, such as trip length, budget, itinerary, stops and more. We have already prepared a recommended itinerary for your road trip in the south of France. Now all that's left to do is to prepare your things for your trip, choose your budget and your vehicle.

Tent pitches in France Tent pitches in Europe

Preparing your belongings

The south of France and the Spanish border offer a lot of space to put your car by the sea. So don't forget to pack a swimming costume and sun cream. This time you don't need a surfboard, the Mediterranean is not known for its waves! The south of France has a holiday atmosphere all year round. So take advantage of this road trip to recharge your batteries in the sun. Take a book and some music with you for the intense tanning sessions that follow. Calculate the length of your stay and your budget so you can plan accordingly. 

🇫🇷Campsites in France

Choosing your vehicle 

There are different options when it comes to transport for your road trip. Do you want to drive yourself, or do you prefer to take the train so you can relax on the road and enjoy the scenery? If you prefer to hop on a train, it's a good idea to check the quality of the connections in the south of France for your road trip itinerary. If you have a motorhome, caravan or van yourself, it may be easy to take your own transport, but if you don't have one, you can rent one! For example, you can find vehicles on great sharing platforms such as Goboony if you're looking for a camper van, or MyWheels or Hiyacar if you feel more comfortable in a car. 

Camper sites and caravan pitches in Europe

Choosing your accommodation 

Before you hit the road, it's a good idea to think about the type of you want to choose. If you're travelling with a camper van or a van, you're probably looking for places to camp. Whichever way you travel, you can find somewhere away from the hustle and bustle of the city, which can make your road trip more relaxing as you'll be surrounded by greenery after a long day of adventure. If you're travelling by car or train, you can either bring a tent and pitch it in a nice spot, or stay in comfortable accommodation that's already waiting for you in a camping area. 

Tree houses, cottages and cabins in Europe

The itinerary

If you have read our article on a road trip in the north of France, this itinerary is in fact a continuation of the itinerary to follow for a road trip in the north of France. Our arrival point was Chemillé-en-Anjou. For this road trip in the south of France, our starting point is Landrais in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. In just over two hours you can reach this village and go from a road trip in the north of France to a road trip in almost all of France! 

1. The big start 

The starting point of our journey begins in the region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. A region known for its gastronomy and its many famous vineyards. Take advantage of these stops in the region to taste the wines of Bordeaux, Bergerac or Jurançon, or the brandies of Cognac and Armagnac. In moderation of course! 

Take part in the festivities in Bayonne and Dax to discover the art of living in New Aquitaine. On your way, stop for the night at Christina's micro camping, which goes by the name of Kristy. Park your car in the middle of the fields, on her unoverlooked 2000m2 plot. Her camspace is located 30 minutes from La Rochelle, capital of the Charente-Maritime. La Rochelle is a living postcard with its famous Old Port. Do not hesitate to go for a walk. 

2. The Arcachon basin in Gironde

Continue your road trip by discovering a little more about the Nouvelle-Aquitaine. The Gironde is one of the hottest regions in France at the moment. Located in the southwest of the country, it offers a Mediterranean climate ideal for a sunny getaway. The beaches of the Gironde are among the most beautiful in France. Visitors can soak up the sun on the fine sandy beaches or take a walk along the steep cliffs. In La Teste-de-Buch, Véronique offers her garden to pitch your tent or her driveway to park your van. Her campspace is located in the middle of the Arcachon basin. It is home to the largest natural lake in Western Europe, Lake Arcachon, as well as numerous beaches and forests. You can also discover the Dune du Pilat: the highest dune in Europe at 110 metres high. This gigantic sand dune is the result of the accumulation of sediments carried by the Garonne river and the rivers that flow into the Arcachon basin.

3. Welcome to Occitania 

This is a region rich in history and culture, with many tourist sites to discover. Before exploring, why not take a moment to rest at Camping du Loup in Lourdes? A campsite in the heart of nature, offering shady pitches for your van as well as unusual accommodation and typical Pyrenean houses. This site is located between Tarbes and the Pyrenees National Park. The Pyrenees National Park is located near the Spanish border. It is home to a wide variety of landscapes, from the green valleys of the Haute-Garonne to the snowy peaks of the Pyrenees. Visitors can admire glaciers, alpine lakes, fir and beech forests and many species of wild animals.

4. The pink city 

At Mathilde, in Ramonville-Saint-Agne, you can enjoy a flower garden in the outskirts of Toulouse. She offers water and electricity in her garden and you can also use the sanitary facilities of her own house. After a well-deserved break at Mathilde's, hurry to visit the "ville rose". Toulouse is located in the department of Haute-Garonne. The city is known for its medieval architecture, bridges, canals and gardens. Toulouse is also known for its cultural and historical heritage. The city is home to many museums, including the Musée des Augustins, the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Musée St-Raymond. Toulouse is also a popular destination for water sports and hiking enthusiasts.

5. On the farm between the Aude and Hérault

Continue the road trip by driving to Nissan-lez-Enserune. This little corner of paradise located between Narbonne and Béziers is the ideal place to rediscover the farm and nature away from the city. Spend time with the animals on the spot, without encroaching on their peaceful haven. This place is called la ferme du Perrier. Béziers is a sunny city near the Mediterranean, while Narbonne is a little further inland. Both cities are known for their Occitan history and culture, and offer a multitude of tourist activities to their visitors.

6. "PACA"

Welcome to the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region, commonly known as PACA. It is a historical and geographical region of France located in the south-east of the country. It is made up of eight departments and has a population of over five million. The region was created in 2016 by the merger of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Languedoc-Roussillon regions. The capital of the region is Marseille. The south of France is known for its beautiful landscapes and its gentle way of life. Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur is a popular region for tourists to visit, with lavender fields, picturesque villages and the beauty of the Mediterranean. Outdoor activities are also very popular in this region, whether it's cycling, hiking or just enjoying the sunshine. Spend your first night in this region in Isle sur la Sorgue, where you can enjoy unusual accommodation in the heart of Provence. 

7. The Calanques National Park 

It is composed of five mountainous massifs: the calanques of Marseille, the calanques of Cassis, the calanques of En Vau, the calanques of Port-Cros and the calanques of the Côte Bleue. The calanques are steep rocky cliffs formed by marine erosion. The park is home to a wide variety of fauna and flora. There are mammals such as chamois, roe deer, deer, brown bear and wolf, as well as birds such as griffon vultures, white-tailed vultures and bearded vultures. The vegetation consists mainly of holm oaks and Scots pines. The Calanques National Park was created in 2012 to protect this unique site. Since then, many initiatives have been put in place to preserve this natural park. It is a must-see for the PACA region. Take the time to go for a hike in the calanques and find yourself in a small beach hidden among the rocks. The micro camping of Chantal and Alain is located near this park, so you can visit Marseille and its surroundings easily. Relax to the sound of cicadas by their swimming pool.

8. Les Cent Chênes in Nice 

Les Cent Chênes is the name of the campsite that will welcome you with open arms 13 kilometres from Nice. As its name suggests, the campsite is nestled in the heart of an incredible park of hundred-year-old oaks which is not lacking in charm! Between sea, mountains and town. The city of Nice is located on the French Riviera, about 25 km from the Italian border and close to the principality of Monaco. Nice is the fifth largest city in France, with an estimated population of over 340,000. The city is known for its Mediterranean climate, beaches, architecture, cuisine and lifestyle. Stroll along the legendary Promenade des Anglais.

9. Rejuvenate in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is a French region located in the centre-east of the country. It is made up of eight departments and has a population of approximately 6.2 million. The region is known for its mountainous landscapes, forests and rivers. Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is also rich in history and culture. The cities of Lyon, Grenoble and Chambéry are particularly popular with tourists.

At Pierre's farm-camping site, you can recharge your batteries between the Alps and Provence. Pierre talks about an "eco-simple" campsite, designed to have a minimal impact on the environment. He also offers the sale of local and organic products on site. Discover sustainable camping at Pierre's place. 

10. This is the end!

If you've read our article about a road trip in the north of France, you'll know that it ended in a castle. Since we love castles at Campspace, we suggest that the last stop on your road trip be an old castle in the Alps chez Bruno. It's a 2500m2 site with the ruins of a 13th century castle. This space offers a magnificent view of the Belledonne mountains. 

If you want to get away from it all and enjoy the breathtaking scenery, the Alps are for you! Take the time to discover the different massifs and the numerous lakes that dot this mountain range. You can also enjoy the local gastronomy, especially the cheeses of the Valais canton or the famous pain au chocolat!

Our journey ends in the Lyon area. Before you pack your bags and head home, go skiing in Chambéry, paddle on Lake Bourget, swim in Lake Annecy, walk around Lyon and Grenoble...

Want to continue your adventure? Take a look at our suggested itinerary for a road trip in the north of France. If you want to see even further, read our article on a road trip in Europe. You will always find what you are looking for on Campspace.