L’Auvergne in Camping-Car: advice, areas, routes

In passing through the Centre de la France? What if you discovered the Auvergne in motorhome?

What if we go to the Auvergne on a motorhome rather than to drive to the tourist regions of Midi de la France? The Auvergne is a French historical region in the heart of the Massif Central. It consists of the departments of the Allier , Cantal , Haute-Loire and Puy-de-Dôme. This is one of the oldest regions in France, with more than 2,500 years of history.

The "Arvernes region" is inherited from dormant volcanoes, forming a hirsute relief. Between puys, lakes, forests and small authentic villages, visit the Auvergne on a camping-car will bring you full view. Rich in a multi-millenary history and a generous nature, it is one of the must-see regions to visit in France.

Between terroir and heritage, this country of nature is a dream destination for mountain lovers and gastronomy. In addition to its notorious attractions, the Auvergne is also suitable for sports holidays (hiking, cycling, mountain biking, trail climbing, paragliding, etc.). Are you going to visit the Auvergne on a motorhome? This is our mini-guide for this journey.

Ideas of itineraries in Auvergne in motorhome

The Auvergne, in the form of vertebra, has a central position and thus has multiple entry points. This former administrative region extends over 26,013 km2, almost the equivalent of the Gironde , Landes and of Savoie .

The Auvergne has a wide variety of things to do and to see in its territory. From Moulins to Aurillac, from the Aubrac Natural Park (Cantal) to the edges of the Lozère (Langogne), the region integrates in different cultural specificities. Due to the large dimensions of the Auvergne, you will need to adapt your route depending on the duration of your trip.

You don't know where to go? Here are some ideas of possible routes in Auvergne:

The Auvergne in 5 to 7 days

• Let's go.
• Mills,
• Vichy,
• Clermont-Ferrand,
• Ambert,
• Le Puy de Dôme (randonnées),
• Mont-Dore,
• The Bourboule,
• The Puy of Sancy,
• The Cantal Mountains,
• Salers,
• The Puy Mary,
• Lake Saint-Étienne-Cantalès,
• Aurillac,
• Saint-Flour,
• The Puy-en-Velay.

The Auvergne in 15 to 20 days

• Same path, plus Issoire,
• Orcival,
• Saint-Saturnin,
• Saint-Nectaire,
• The fortress of Polignac,
• La Chaise-Dieu and its abbey,
• The Cézallier massif and its villages (Condat, Saint-Bonnet-de-Condat, Allanche, Ardes-sur-Couze, Massiac, etc.),
• Les lacs du massif de la Pinatelle (lac du Pêcher, lac du Sauvage, tourbière du Jolan),
• Le Plomb du Cantal (randonnées),
• Garabit viaduct.

The Auvergne in 30 days and more

• Same steps, plus Tronçais Forest,
• The villages of the Allier Valley (Auzon, Chilhac, Saint-Arcons-d’Allier),
• Lake Guéry,
• Val Castle,
• The gorges of Avèze,
• The Chaudefour valley,
• Lake Bouchet,
• The village of La Godivelle,
• Mount Mézenc,
• The Monastier-sur-Gazeille,
• The viaduct of the Recoumène (saut à l’elastique).

By visiting the Auvergne for a month or more, you can even make incursions in neighbouring regions. East in Ardèche and Loire. South and South West in Lozère, Aveyron , Lot and Corrèze. You will have time to radiate in the Pilat Mountains, in the Ardèche Mountains, in the Cevennes National Park or in Parc natural régional de l’Aubrac . The Massif Central offers countless gourmet and sporting routes.

Driving in Auvergne in motorhome : traffic rules to know

How to drive during your Auvergne escapades in motorhomes? The answer is simple: slowly. The region lends itself particularly well to the camping-car and van ride. Indeed, the landscapes are varied and the infrastructures are of good quality. The massifs are scattered with superb passes to pass, like the pass of the Geneste or the pass of the Croix-Saint-Robert. You will have magnificent views of the mountains and the valleys.

In the mountains, roads can be narrow and winding, especially on small departmental roads. Moreover, denivels are often important. As a result, drive slowly using the engine brake in steep slope descents. It is recommended to respect a safety distance between each vehicle equivalent to two strips.

In addition to the legal provisions of the road code in France, motorhome driving requires greater caution. Especially because of the template. But precisely, in view of your scale, the other motorists will keep you in the eye. This makes anticipations easier when a potential danger occurs (obstacle, accident, etc.).

Motorcycles in Auvergne: what price for your camper category?

The Auvergne, in the centre-south of France, is crossed by several highways. These are among the largest axes in the country to reach the Midi Languedocienne and Provence. This is the A75 , of A71 , of A89 and of A72 . Only the A75 was not granted. It is therefore free, except for Millau's viaduct.

Coming to the Auvergne on a motorhome, you may need to take one of these highways. It will be necessary to pay in Class 2, but Class 1 applies for fitted vans. Here are some indicative rates in Class 2:

• Paris to Clermont-Ferrand : 62.10€,
• Clermont-Ferrand in Montluçon: 15,10€,
• Brive-la-Gaillarde in Clermont-Ferrand: 21,30€,
• Clermont-Ferrand in Saint-Flour : free,
• Clermont-Ferrand in Saint-Étienne: 17,10€.

How and where to rent a motorhome in France?

Today it is possible to travel by camping-car, even if you are not owners of a vehicle. Indeed, it is now easy to rent these vehicles among individuals. Many platforms allow this type of rental, online, as Yescapa For example.

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. Once back from Auvergne, sign the state of the return places and the tour is played!

How and where to rent a motorhome in Auvergne?

Along the way to the Auvergne you will find many dealers where to rent a motorhome. The problem is availability. Indeed, if you do not book in advance and the period is tourist, you may not get the vehicle. So book online before leaving is a prudent but wise choice.

Campsites in Auvergne : where to park ?

When you want to visit the Auvergne in a camper or in a fitted van, the question of parking may arise if you know the area. Know that this region has large natural spaces. You will therefore have no problem finding places to park.

In the cities, you can park on reserved car pitches. Outside the towns, be careful not to hinder visibility or traffic. As a result, avoid parking on an emergency stop strip, in double-file or in front of a sign. However, you never settle for a night when a prefectural or municipal order was taken to limit access to a site. Because the law can indeed be hardened by prefects and mayors for the preservation of a site. Parking areas are, for example, often prohibited to motorhomes in regional natural parks.

But then where to sleep in motorhome in Auvergne? To stay in legality, first aim for camper-car service areas. Many of them are found in Natural Park of the Auvergne Volcanoes , in Cantal and in Haute-Loire.

The other solution but paid, is the campsite. You will find many. Would you prefer to sleep in the middle of nature? Use the Park4night app, the incontournable route. This tool refers to all the spots where to sleep nearby with an interactive map. The spots include car parks (free or paid), camper service areas, campsites and isolated places in kind (field, road, lakeside, etc.).

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

But then, when to go to the Auvergne in motorhome? The volcano and Central Massif region is crossed by areas influenced by a mountain climate. But the climate of Auvergne is varied.

In the West, the climate is oceanic. It is continental in the east and in the north, slightly Mediterranean in the south of Haute-Loire and Cantal. Winter is wet and cold, with high snow. From December to February, it is the best time to ski and visit the Auvergne on a camping-car (provided to be very well equipped against the cold). The temperatures go back in the spring, and it's mild in May. June , July and August are the best times to visit the Auvergne in camping-car, because it is hot and dry.

Finally, in September and October, the climate remains pleasant, but the weather is deteriorating over the days and nights are getting fresh, even cold at altitude. The temperatures deflate towards the end of October, with the winter that settles in November.

Only to leave for the Auvergne. Good trip!