Le Larzac in Camping-Car: rental, tips, areas, routes

Are you going to visit the south of France? Here are our tips to travel on the plateau of Larzac in motorhome !

Located on horseback on the Gard, the Hérault and the Aveyron, the Larzac causse is a famous southern plateau of the Central Massif. Known for its cheeses and large spaces, it is the largest and most southern of the central mass cocks.

Larzac is also known for being the epicentre of a civil resistance and disobedience movement against a military expansion project (1971-1981).

Are you leaving for the roads of Midi de la France, with its typical villages under the sound of cigales? Before descending on the Languedoc, here's how to travel on the Larzac in a camper!

Ideas of itineraries on the Larzac by motorhome

Inscribed to Unesco’s World Heritage, Larzac extends over 1,000 km2 between Lodève, Le Caylar (Hérault), Nant, Millau and La Couvertoirade (Aveyron). You will encounter an exceptionally rich biodiversity and a remarkable cultural and architectural heritage.

You don't know where to go? Here are some itineraries for 3 to 7 days to fully explore the unique and typical Larzac landscapes.

Visit the Larzac in motorhome on a weekend

• 1 day : Millau, Roquefort-sur-Soulzon (25 km, 30 minutes);
• 2nd day : Viala-du-Pas-de-Jaux, Sainte-Eulalie-de-Cernon, L’Hospitalet-du-Larzac (30 km, 40 minutes);
• 3rd day : Nant, Cantobre, La Roque-Sainte-Marguerite, La Couvertoirade (80 km, 1h30).

This course allows you to have a global overview of the Larzac Plateau in just three days. But in a weekend, you will miss time to immerse yourself in the rural landscapes and pastoral culture of Larzac.

Le Larzac in camping-car on a week

Here is an indicative itinerary to do on the Larzac in motorhome, on a week :

• 1 day : Millau, Créissels, the Viaduc de Millau, Saint-Georges-de-Luzençon, Saint-Rome-de-Cernon, Roquefort-sur-Soulzon (60 km, 1h) ;
• 2nd day : Montpellier-le-Vieux (by the Gorges de la Dourbie), La Roque-Sainte-Marguerite, Cantobre, Nant (70 km, 1h30);
• 3rd day : Saint-Jean-du-Bruel, Sauclières, La Couvertoirade (30 km, 35 minutes);
• 4th day : Cornus, L’Hospitalet-du-Larzac, Saint-Jean-et-Saint-Paul (55 km, 1h) ;
• 5th day : Saint-Affrique, Fondamente, Lapanouse-de-Cernon, La Bastide-Pradines (70 km, 1h20);
• 6th day : Peyre, Comprégnac, Saint-Rome-de-Tarn, Viala-du-Tarn (the Heron of the Raspes) (50 km, 1h) ;
• 7th day : Ayssènes, Le Truel, Villefranche-de-Panat (and the lake) (30 km, 40 minutes);
• 8th day : Salles-Curan and Lake Pareloup, Pont-de-Salars (and lake), Rodez (55 km, 1h).

This route can vary depending on your desires and the season. You could indeed choose to visit the black causse and the Cevennes .

Or, in case of heavy snow in winter, make incursions in the Hérault to visit the Haut-Languedoc nature park. Or go down to Pézenas, Aniane, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert (the Gorges de l’Hérault) or the cities of the Thau Basin (Mèze, Marseillan, Sète ).

The Larzac plateau with a central position, a variety of routes are possible. In addition, the area of 1000 km2 of the territory is quite low: you will quickly travel the unmissable villages of Larzac!

What budget to travel by motorhome in Larzac?

How much to spend on a trip to Larzac on a motorhome? In order to forecast your budget, here is an estimate of the average rental prices of the Millau camper and fuel and parking expenses.

Average budget for 1 weekend

• Rental + motorhome insurance : 111€ per day on average, 333€ for three days;
• Essence : 15€ ;
• Millau's viaduct: 13,60€ (winter) and 16,80€ (summer) ;
• Parking : up to 10€ per day;
• Total : 395€ about.

Average budget for 1 week

• Rental + motorhome insurance : 111€ per day, or 777€ for 7 days,
• Essence : 50€,
• Millau viaduct : 13,60€ (winter) and 16,80€ (summer),
• Parking : up to 10€ a day.
• Total : 900€ about.

In short, if you radiate on the tray, travelling in the Larzac on a camping-car will not cost you much fuel. You'll be a little mile away and pay no tolls.

Camping and driving in Larzac

Do you want to anticipate on the traffic conditions on the Larzac in camping-car ? Here is the essential information to prepare your trip.

What documents do you have on board?

• Driver's license (B) if the PTAC of the motorhome does not exceed 3.5 tonnes;
• Grey card of the motorhome;
• Certificate of motorhome insurance;
• The lease agreement signed between the two parties;
• A copy of the state of the place of departure.

Motorways in the Larzac: what fare for your camper category?

Here is a good news: the department of Aveyron is crossed east by the A75 motorway. It is an unconceived highway, and therefore entirely free .

It allows to connect Beziers to Clermont-Ferrand and thus constitutes an ideal alternative to come to the Larzac plateau or visit the surrounding area (Causses, Cevennes, Lozère and Hérault) without passing through the A7 and the A9.

The only paid passage is the toll of the Millau Viaduct. Its price in class 2 is 13,60€ in winter and 16,80€ in summer .

To reach the Larzac from the other regions of France, you will need to take the major highways of the A7 and the A9. Here are some indicative rates to travel in the Larzac motorhome since Marseille , Toulouse or Montpellier :

• Marseille-Millau: 16,10€;
• Montpellier-Millau : No toll ;
• Toulouse-Millau : 2,30€ (by Albi);
• Perpignan-Millau: 14€.

The A75 free will save you a lot on your journeys!

Other information about driving in Larzac

The Larzac plateau is at an altitude of 600 to 1,000 metres. Therefore, the causse is found regularly under snow in winter .

If you come to travel in the Larzac during the winter season, check the weather . Because you could literally be buried under a thick snowy coat in one night! You'll have to make sure the camper is equipped with chains or snow tyres .

In addition, the Larzac Plateau is mainly made up of small departmental or communal roads. Be careful in the mountains and in the gorges, for the visibility may miss . It is recommended to klaxonner before turning to warn other road users.

Do also attention to motorcycles : middle mountain massifs are often a privileged playground for bikers.

The camper areas in Larzac: where to park?

When you are travelling on a campervan or in a fitted van, the question of parking is preponderant. In camping-car, you must be able to park to visit the cities.

To sleep, the service areas for camping-cars and campgrounds are plebiscities because Installing on the public space is prohibited . It is indeed a practice considered wild camping. Especially as the Larzac plateau is located in the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park. To avoid being chased and punished by the police, target service areas .

The major disadvantage is that you will only find it very little . The offer of service areas is indeed much less abundant only in neighbouring areas. This is due to the fact that Larzac is a relatively isolated and altitude territory.

The Caramaps platform can help you find where to install you. Most of the service areas referenced by this site are well noted by travellers, but they are, on the other hand, paid .

These include access to a flat parking space, services Wastewater discharge , to the electricity , to sanitation and trash . The best ones even have Wi-Fi , showers , a block of Laundry or snack bar .

How and where to rent a motorhome France ?

Would you like to explore the Larzac in motorhome, but you don't have a vehicle? Now it is very simple to rent these vehicles between individuals, especially in France. 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. You'll have to sign it as soon as you get back, and once done, the tour is played!

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

The best time to travel to the Larzac in camping-car is no surprise summer . Renowned for its harsh climate and aridity, the Larzac is influenced by the Languedoc and the large causses. The climate is indeed Mediterranean with intense cold in winter and summer droughts .

Average maximum temperatures range from 5°C (January) to 24°C (August). The Larzac knows strong frozen between November and March : temperatures can fall to - 15°C . Snowfall can be abundant.

But the temperature rises rapidly in spring, with 17°C in May and 21°C in June (in Millau). In addition, Larzac is not spared by the waves of summer heat : the maximums regularly exceed 35°C in summer . The end of the summer season However, often storm .

Autumn sees the return of rain and cold . The months May to September are therefore the better periods to visit the Larzac in motorhome.