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

Want nature and authenticity? Why not visit Aveyron on a motorhome? The region has everything to fill you!

What if you are going to visit the Aveyron in motorhome, rather than go on the crowded beaches of the Mediterranean Sea? Land of large natural spaces and rich with remarkable heritage, Aveyron is a must-see destination in the region Occitania , in the South of France. With an area of 8,735 km2, it is one of the largest departments in France.

The Aveyron corresponds to the former province of Rouergue, and extends from Parc naturel régional de l’Aubrac in the Larzac Plateau, Grand Causses Regional Natural Park . Visiting the Aveyron will make you explore sublime and varied landscapes.

In addition, you will not miss things to do and see. From the foothills of Quercy to the mountains of Haut-Languedoc passing through Cevennes , the Aveyron offers a variety of unique landscapes in France.

Here is our mini-guide advice to visit the Aveyron in camper or in a furnished van.

Ideas of itineraries in the Aveyron by camping-car

A relatively central department on the road south of France, Aveyron has generous dimensions. Because of its geography, made of medium mountains and high plateaus, your routes will depend on several parameters. In fact, you will miss time to visit the Aveyron by camping-car in just a few days.

The Aveyron stands out for a quite varied set of natural historical regions: the Aubrac, the Lot Valley, the Gorges de l’Aveyron , the Country of Conques, the Ségala, the plateau of Levézou, the Millavois, the valley of the Tarn, the Causse du Larzac, the Saint-Affricain. This is the result of many villages, sites and cities to visit.

Here are some ideas of itineraries and escapades to be made in Aveyron:

• The Aveyron in 5 to 7 days: Millau, the Millau viaduct, the Plateau du Larzac (La Couvertoirade et Surround), Viala du Pas de Jaux, La Cavalerie, Lac du Pont de Salars, Rodez, Sauveterre-de-Rouergue, Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Najac and the gorges of Aveyron;
• Visit the Aveyron on 15 days: the same steps, plus the villages of the Plateau du Larzac (La Couvertoirade, L’Hospitalet-du-Larzac, Cornus, Nant, Le Clapier), La Roque-Sainte-Marguerite and Montpellier-le-Vieux, the canyon Gorges de la Dourbie, Pont-de-Salars, Bages, Lake Pareloup, Castelnau-Pégayrols, Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, Saint-Affrique, Camarès (Rogier de Camarès and Pas du Loup), Sylvanès and the Cistercian abbey, Brousse-le-Château, Réquista, Lac de Villefranche-de-Panat, Rodez, Sauveterre-de-Rouergue, Belcastel, Peyrusse-le-Roc, La-Bastide-l’Evêque, Monteils, Najac ;
• The Aveyron in 20-30 days: the same steps, plus the Lot Valley and the Aubrac with Bozouls, Espalion, Saint-Côme-d’Olt, Sainte-Eulalie d’Olt, Aubrac, Laguiole, Sarrans Lake (Sublime Point), Conquests.

Ideas of routes for more than a month

Do you have any time or have you decided to extend your perimeter of visits? The neighbouring departments of Aveyron contain beauty and must-have sites: Lozère , Gorges du Tarn de Florac à Sainte-Enimie, la corniche des Cévennes (from Florac to Saint-Jean-du-Gard).

♪ Hérault , the classified villages of the nature park of Haut-Languedoc (Avène, Roquebrun, Olargues, Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare, Celhes-et-Rocozels), Pas de l’Escalette, the mountains of Lacaune, the gorges of Héric and the valley of the Orb.

In the Tarn, Cordes-sur-Ciel and Albi are close to the Aveyron. To the northwest, find the landscapes of Quercy. In the north of Aubrac, taste the cheeses of Cantal with Aurillac, Saint-Flour and Salers .

Driving in the Aveyron in motorhome: the traffic rules to know

In the Aveyron there is no major difficulty. The department's road network is of good quality. This consists mainly of small departmental roads. As a result, when visiting the Aveyron in motorhomes, crossovers may be difficult sometimes. Especially on small mountain roads.

The altitude of the Grands Causses and the Aubrac ranges from 700 metres to 1463 metres. Mountain driving in camping-car requires know how to maneuver and master the template imposing vehicle. The weight of the motorhome increases its inertia strength compared to a car.

In descent, you will need to watch the kinetic energy of the vehicle. Reduce your speed in order to have good braking distances in case of danger and obstacle. This will also help you to properly negotiate turnouts on winding roads. Uphill, adapt your speed and decelerate so as to avoid brakes. This will also preserve the engine from overheating.

Motorways in the Aveyron: what price for your camper category?

The Aveyron is crossed by the highway A75 , which has the peculiarity of being one of the cheapest highways. It connects Clermont-Ferrand to Beziers and Montpellier .

The good news is that the Aveyron has only 74 kilometers of highways and you will have no tolls. Visiting the Aveyron on a motorhome while taking the highway will therefore be free , except fuel.

Unlike: there is a toll on the A75, at the crossing of the Millau viaduct . The cost of tolling the viaduct is high: in motorhome, it is 16,50€ and it rises to 11€ van and car.

You can avoid it by leaving before the work, but you will then have to descend the plateau by a winding and very busy road. In addition, cross downtown Millau , which will be chronophage.

How and where to rent a motorhome in France?

You intend to leave in the Aveyron, but you don’t have a motorhome? This is no longer a problem! Today it is possible to rent a motorhome between people. Many platforms allow the linking, 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. When you return, sign the state of the return places and it’s good!

How and where to rent a motorhome in the Aveyron?

The Aveyron is accustomed to receiving tourists from all over the world. So, near Rodez or Millau, you will find camper rentals without problems. On the other hand, it is possible that for the summer period, the choice is reduced and the desired motorhome is no longer available.

To avoid this kind of disappointment, think about renting your camper in advance, whether online or by phone.

Camping-car areas in Aveyron: where to park?

L’Aveyron is very well equipped in service areas for camper and camping. You will therefore have no trouble finding where to sleep at the wheel of a camper or a furnished van. However, camping-car parking can be complicated if you want to visit the cities of Millau, Rodez or Villefranche-de-Rouergue. You are allowed to park on all locations in white and blue areas .

Be careful, the vehicle will not pass the porticoes of underground parking. Private parking outside. Paying or free, they allow to visit the city on foot or by bus. The site of the Office du Tourisme de l’Aveyron references no less than 138 campsites and campsites throughout the department.

Do you want to sleep in the open air? Wake up at the edge of a lake, in the forest, in the middle of nature, it is still more pleasant than in a camping alley! In natural parks, the camping wild is prohibited by law. To avoid controls, do not install your camping equipment on the public track (tables and chairs, parables, cales).

Also, it is necessary to avoid inhabited areas. You prefer to stay away from the sights, away from the roads. The Aveyron has so many vast spaces of nature that you should be able to find unforgettable spots where to sleep. You can also help you with the Park4night app, a tool for sharing spots between travellers. Parking, service areas, campsites, and positive or negative reviews on these sites are available.

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

So, when can we visit the Aveyron in camper? What weather conditions will be during your travelling trip? The Aveyron enjoys a contrasting climate, with three climate influences. The west is oceanic and mild, the north has a mountain climate, and the south has a Mediterranean influence. To visit the Aveyron in camping-car or in fitted van, the best season is therefore May to September , but nights can be fresh even in summer.

Winters are rigorous, and the cold is all the more intense as you take altitude. Rainfall is important on relief, mainly in spring and autumn. The winter can bring strong frosts and the days can be very hot during the summer canicular episodes.

From now on, you can walk the Aveyronnaise roads in perfect knowledge of the department!