L’Andorre en Camping-Car : advice, areas, routes

Are you thinking of visiting the Principality of the Pyrenees, enclave between France and Spain? And why not visit Andorra in motorhome?

Andorra’s Principality is a bordering state between France and Spain, right in the Pyrenees massif. With its area of 468 km2, Andorra is one of the smallest States in Europe. It is also a country co-led by the President of the French Republic and the Bishop of Urgell. Andorra la Vella, at 1,023 metres above sea level, is the highest capital in Europe. The country has experienced a strong tourist development since the twentieth century thanks to winter sports and its natural capital. Visit Andorra on a motorhome will give you a sweet fragrance of freedom. Making a road trip in the Pyrenees, between France, Andorra and Spain will offer beautiful escapades in nature. Here is our mini-guide to visit Andorra by camping-car or in furnished van.

Ideas of itineraries in Andorra by motorhome

Andorra is a high mountain country that will quickly cross through motorhomes or fitted vans. Several routes will be possible as you wish to lose in the mountains or stay in the city. In addition, you will have two main points of entry in Andorra: one from Spain, the other from France.

From Toulouse and Foix, you will enter Andorra through N22 Pas de la Casa. From Lérida or Barcelona , you will enter Andorra by the N-145 at the customs of Sant Julià de Lòria, after La Farga de Moles. Visit Andorra on a motorhome in 5 to 7 days will be enough to have a good overview of the country.

But if you stay longer, you may turn around pretty quickly. This is why we advise you to expand your perimeter a bit. Enjoy a long stay to discover also the Ariège, the Pyrenees-Orientales or the Catalonia . From Andorra to Collioure or Cadaqués, Girona and Catalan Pyrenees s, here are some ideas of possible routes to be made in the region:

• Visit Andorra in 5-7 days: Meritxell and the Basilica of Our Lady, the church of San Joan de Caselles, Ordino, the house-museum of Areny-Plandolit, the old town of Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany and the valley of Madriu-Perafita-Claror,
• Andorra in 15 days: Canillo, La Massana, Encamp, Pal and the church Sant-Climent, the natural park of the valley of Sorteny, the Pic de Coma Pedrosa,
• Andorra and its surroundings: Sant Julia de Loria, La Seu d’Urgell, the lakes of the Aigüestortes National Park i Estany de Sant Maurici, Vic and the surroundings, Tavertet and Lake Panta de Sau, Castellfollit de la Roca, Girona, Cadaqués, Banyuls-sur-Mer, Collioure, Céret, the Pic du Canigou, Foix.

These steps are only indicative. You can also choose to stay in Andorra, or choose to go west of the Pyrenees. In any case, it will be necessary to adapt your itineraries according to the duration of the trip. At all, knowing that the steps sometimes change with daily desires.

Drive to Andorra by motorhome: traffic rules to be known

To visit Andorra on a camping-car, know that the road code does not differ much from the one that prevails in France. The traffic is therefore on the right. And the priority to the right is to put, except on the main roads. The overtaking is done by the left. In the roundabouts, priority is given to the vehicle already engaged from the left. It is, as in France, forbidden to phone by driving, except using a hands-free kit. The driver and all passengers must have closed their safety belts when the vehicle is in operation. Children under the age of 10 cannot sit at the front of the vehicle.

In addition, the vehicle must be equipped with a signage triangle, a reflective orange vest to prevent other motorists in the event of an accident. Of course, you must have the vehicle insurance, the grey card and your driver’s license. Also make sure you have a spare bulb.

However, some specificities related to the country should be noted. Andorra is a high mountain country. But it is necessary: :

• Design a priority of upward traffic on downward traffic.
• On the narrow roads downhill, hold right to let the vehicle that's going up.
• In winter, it is recommended touse winter chains or tires without nails.
• It is also advisable to also have one first aid kit and one extinguisher.
• Careful of wild and domestic animals: at night, they sometimes come out on the roads and the dirt roads. So avoid driving too much at night.
• Moreover, the speed limits in Andorra are 50 km/h in agglomeration, 60 km/h on secondary roads and 90 km/h on main roads.
• Finally, the maximum legal alcohol level is 0.5 g/l. This equals, as in France, with a maximum of two glasses.

Péage en Andorra : what price for your camper category?

Here is the good news of this article: you doubt it, there is no no highway Andorra. Who says no highway, says no toll roads.

However, it should be noted that on the French side, some sections allowing to go to Andorra, have tolls. The highways A9 , A61 and A66 in particular. Here are some prices to come from Toulouse, Montpellier Narbonne and Carcassonne (class 2):

• Montpellier sud-Pamiers sud (A9, A61 and A66): 36,60€,
• Narbonne sud-Pamiers sud (A9, A61 and A66): 21,8€,
• Carcassonne ouest-Pamiers sud (A61 and A66): 14€,
• Toulouse sud-Pamiers sud (A61 and A66): €9.30.

If you take the Puymorens tunnel to go to Bourg-Madame after your road trip to Andorra, you will have to pay a toll. Cost in Class 2 is €14.40 . The mythical RN20 will lead you to Bourg-Madame. If you would like to visit Andorra on a motorhome without passing through the Pas de la Case, you will have to take the Envalira tunnel. The Spanish company Globalvia invoices 12€ for motorhomes in class 2 for the passage.

How and where to rent a motorhome in France?

To go to Andorra on a camping-car, you already need one. Is that not? No panic. Today platforms like Yescapa allow you to rent, online and in advance, motorhomes between people.

This solution allows you to choose the starting position of the road trip. In summer, it is also the assurance of having a vehicle. You will thus avoid any unpleasant surprises.

How does it work?

• At first, you have to choose the motorhome in your city (For example Bordeaux, Nantes, Toulouse, Paris, Montpellier or Marseille).
• Be careful choose unlimited mileage, to check the number of beds available and if travel abroad is possible.
• Do your work online rental request and share your travel information (dates, rental options, mileage, etc.) to the owner.
• If your request is accepted and after payment, you will have access to the owner's contact information to organize a First meeting.
• Day J, present your driver's license and pour bail.
• One. status of premises is executed and a lease is signed between the two parties. When you return, after rolling on Andorran roads, sign the state of the return places and the tower is played!

How and where to rent a motorhome in Andorra?

Always with Yescapa, it is quite possible to rent your camper in Andorra. This option has the advantage of avoiding the most stressful of the wheel from riding too much in the mountains. However, the offer is obviously lower than in France. Therefore, if you do not want to take risks, rent your camper in your home town or in one of the cities near the Principality.

Campsites in Andorra : where to park ?

Here’s one of the most worrying issues when you leave on a road trip. Where to park to visit Andorra on a camper or in a furnished van? Know that during the big weekends and in the summer, customs are quickly saturated. The caps are therefore frequent. Arrive early in the morning, and avoid leaving between 5 and 20 hours. The best thing is to settle somewhere to spend the night.

Besides, where to park? According to the law, a motorhome is considered a car. So it is authorized to park on all parking spaces for cars. From a legal point of view, the wild camping is, like in France, prohibited Andorra. This practice is illegal above 2,000 metres of altitude, but allowed around a refuge. However, the establishment must be complete. And paradoxically, sleeping in his motorhome, his van or his car is allowed.

In order not to be considered as wild campers, do not install any table and chair on the road, nor any layers or parables. Andorra is a country of mountain and nature. So you will find many spots where you can stay away from the eyes to spend the night.

To find where to sleep in Andorra, you will find many service areas for camping cars and some campsites. If you want to sleep in nature, we have a tool for you: Park4night. This is an ingenious tool for sharing spots between travellers.

What is the best time to travel by motorhome in Andorra?

The Principality of Andorra has Mediterranean climate influenced by the high mountain. This results in temperatures lower only in neighbouring areas. L’ snow is also important in winter .

Andorra has an average altitude of 1,900 metres. So, the ones summers promise to be fees and harsh winters . He does less 20°C on average throughout the territory in summer.

I'll have to tell you right away, so you'll have to plan little sweaters for the evenings! And remember that the higher you climb, the more dangerous the sun is. Even if it’s not hot, think about sun cream and cover your head.

The best time to visit Andorra in camping-car is logically summer and early spring . In June, temperatures reached 20°C , 23°C July and 22°C in August in Andorra la Vella (1,013 metres above sea level). The temperatures drop as you take altitude. At Pas-de-la-Case (2,050 meters above sea level), it only does 17°C on average in June. The nights will be fresh even in summer (10°C).

Here you are on Andorra. All we have to do is fill the camper and leave on the assault of the Pyrenees. Good trip!