France trip

no overnight

Calais is your gateway to the continent — a quick transit stop as you roll off the ferry and point the motorhome south. Nothing is planned here; it's simply the starting pistol for the adventure ahead.

1 night

You'll spend your first night at the communal campsite in Chimay, a gentle introduction to life on the road in the rolling Belgian countryside. Nothing is planned, so it's a relaxed stopover to settle in and rest after the crossing.

🏕 Staying at Camping communal de chimay · Toilets

1 night

Metz makes for a fine overnight stop, a handsome city on the Moselle with a striking cathedral skyline. With nothing specifically planned, you can stretch your legs and soak up the atmosphere at your own pace.

🏕 Staying at Camping Municipal de Metz

1 night

Obernai is a beautifully preserved Alsatian town, full of half-timbered buildings and the warm character of the Alsace wine route. It's a single night with nothing locked in — perfect for an easy wander and a glass of local Riesling.

🏕 Staying at Le Parking des Remparts

2 nights

Two nights in the charming village of Eguisheim gives you time to explore the medieval Château Saint-Léon Pfalz and make the short trip into the gorgeous town of Colmar with its colourful canalsides and Alsatian architecture. This is the scenic and cultural highlight of the French leg of the trip.

🏕 Staying at Aire de camping-cars d'Eguisheim · Toilets, Power, Dump station

1 night

Vitznau sits on the shores of Lake Lucerne, a peaceful and picture-perfect Swiss village. Nothing is planned, so you'll enjoy a quiet overnight with the lake and mountain scenery all around you.

1 night

Lauterbrunnen is one of Switzerland's most breathtaking valleys, with towering cliff faces and waterfalls cascading all around. Nothing specific is planned, but the scenery itself is the spectacle — a night here is unforgettable.

🏕 Staying at Jungfrau

3 nights

Three nights based at Täsch — the gateway to Zermatt and the iconic Matterhorn — gives you plenty of time to visit the fascinating Matterhorn Museum, explore the Gletschergarten, catch the famous Photo Spot #9 view of the peak, and pay a visit to Heiliger Bernhard. This is the Alpine centrepiece of the whole trip.

🏕 Staying at Attermenzen · Power

4 nights

Four nights in Chamonix means you have ample time to take the spectacular Aiguille du Midi cable car up into the sky and ride the Montenvers rack railway down to the vast Mer de Glace glacier. This is high-altitude Alpine adventure at its finest, and the long stay means you can take it all in without rushing.

🏕 Staying at Mer de Glace · Showers, Toilets, Water, Power

3 nights

Three nights in Annecy — often called the 'Venice of the Alps' — offer a beautiful, relaxed counterpoint to the mountain intensity of Chamonix and Zermatt. Nothing is specifically planned, leaving you free to enjoy the famous lake, the old town canals, and the mountain backdrop at your own pace.

🏕 Staying at Le Belvédère · Showers, Toilets, Power, Dump station

2 nights

You'll make your way to Dole via Pont du P, a pleasant town in the Jura region of France, for a two-night stay. Nothing is planned, so it's a comfortable basecamp to rest and explore the area as the mood takes you.

🏕 Staying at Camping du Pasquier · Showers, Toilets, Power

On the way: Pont du P

2 nights

Two nights in Dijon, the proud capital of Burgundy, gives you time to soak up one of France's most celebrated cities at a leisurely pace. Nothing is locked in — you're free to roam the old town and perhaps sample what this great wine and food region has to offer.

🏕 Staying at Camping du Lac Kir · Showers, Toilets, Water, Power

1 night

A single night in Reims marks the start of the journey home through historic northern France. The city is famed for its magnificent Gothic cathedral and its place at the heart of the Champagne region, and it makes for an atmospheric overnight stop.

🏕 Staying at Aire de Camping-Cars Centre International de Séjour de Champagne · Dump station

1 night

Arras is a handsome town in the Pas-de-Calais, steeped in the history of the First World War and surrounded by the cemeteries and memorials of the Western Front. Nothing is planned, but the town itself and its remarkable Grand'Place make it well worth a quiet night's stay.

🏕 Staying at Aire de camping-Cars Arras Vallée de la Scarpe · Power, Dump station

1 night

Your penultimate stop is the Blockhaus d'Éperlecques, a remarkable WWII site, where you'll visit the sobering Bombardements du 27 août 1943 exhibition. It's a powerful and thought-provoking final overnight before heading back to Calais.

🏕 Staying at Château du Gandspette

no overnight

Calais brings the journey full circle as you make your way back to the ferry and head for home. Nothing is planned — just the satisfied feeling of a grand trip well travelled.