Le Pays Basque français en Camping-car : conseils, areas, routes

Discover all the useful information to visit the French Basque Country, during a road trip on a camper or van.

What if you're going to visit the Basque Country in motorhome? A region with a strong cultural and national identity, the French Basque Country is one of the treasures of the southwest. This unique land between the ocean and the mountains offers a unique natural setting, an invitation to the travelling journey. And this, traveling freely, at your own pace.

From cultural heritage to beaches, to traditional cities, discover our mini-guide to find out how to visit the French Basque Country in camping-car or in furnished van.

Ideas of itineraries in the Basque Country in motorhome

The French Basque Country comprises three historical regions of the Pyrenees-Atlantic: Labourd, Soule and Basse-Navarre. Its total area, 3,000 km2, is equivalent to that of the Rhône department. It is a large size to fully discover the seaside resorts (Hendaye, Biarritz , Saint-Jean-de-Luz) and the Basque hinterland.

You will never leave sight of the Pyrenees or the ocean as you cross the Basque roads. Your steps will be to be defined according to your activity desires to do, and depending on the duration of your vacation. If you have a lot of time, a month for example, also venture into the Bearn and Navarre! Here are some ideas of possible routes to visit the Basque Country in camping-car.

• The French Basque Country in one week: the Atlantic coast and the beaches, Biarritz, Anglet, Bayonne, Bidart, Guéthary, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Hendaye, ascent of La Rhune, the coastal path (from Bidart to Hendaye) and its panoramas, Pyrenees (Holzarte Bridge, Kakuetta Gorges), the caves of Isturitz and Oxocelhaya (Saint-Martin-d’Arberoue),
• The French Basque Country in 10 or 15 days: the same course, the more French villages recognized (Ainhoa, La Bastide Clairence, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Sare),
• Traveling one month: the same route, plus Espelette, Cambo-les-Bains, GR10 and Grande Aiguille d’Ansabère (Lescun), Oloron-Sainte-Marie, walks in the Aspe valley and the Barétous, Pau, the valley of the lakes of Ossau and the Pic du Midi d’Ossau (Laruns) in the Pyrenees National Park.

These steps are of course only indicative. They depend on the activities you want to do (bathing, surfing, hiking, camping-car trips, cultural visits, etc.). In addition, itineraries are logical to adapt according to the duration of the trip.

Driving in the French Basque Country: traffic rules to be known

As everywhere in France, driving is obviously on the right, and overtaking by the left. From a point of view of the law, a motorhome is, let us recall, considered as a car Like the others. You must therefore be a driver of a car permit (permit B).

To be allowed to drive a motorhome, you must have your driver’s license for more than 3 years and be at least 21 years of age. In essence, the rules governing conduct in the French Basque Country are the same as everywhere else in France. It is necessary to have at its disposal the driver’s license, the gray card, the vehicle’s insurance, a signage triangle and a reflective vest.

Quid speed limits? They are also the same as by car:

• 130 km/h on highways,
• 110 km/h on separate roadways,
• 90 km/h on certain overtaking slots,
• 70 to 80 km/h on national roads,
• and 50 km/h in agglomeration.

However, we do not drive a motorhome like we handle a car. The template is much more imposing. Beginners, repeat caution when manoeuvring and crossings on small roads. Recent vehicles are often equipped with radar and rear cameras. This will facilitate your parking, but keep your eye open.

Also think that the weight of the motorhome increases the braking distance. By driving, or leaving a parking space, watch the vehicle’s door-to-fals. The more voluminous the camper is, the more important the gates are. A 6, 7 or 8-metre vehicle involves taking much wider turns than a 4 or 5-metre car.

Last advice: Also think about wind catch. The higher the vehicle, the more likely it will be to vacate in the executioners. To drive windproof in high wind time, adapt your speed!

Motorways to the French Basque Country: what price for your camper category?

The department of the Pyrenees-Atlantiques is crossed by three highways: the A63 , A64 and A65 . The A64 motorway joins Bayonne from Toulouse and the A63 connects Bordeaux at the Spanish border, at the Biriatou level. These two highways of the French Basque Country are granted to the company VINCI Autoroutes and by ASF: there is therefore tolls .

To visit the French Basque Country in motorhome, you will have to pay the amount in class 2. The category of fitted van is Class 1, as are the cars. With respect to A63 and A64, here are some indicative rates:

• Bayonne – Biriatou : 6,30€,
• Saint-Jean-de-Luz – Biarritz: €1.90 to €3.10 (following north or south exchangers),
• Saint-Jean-de-Luz – Bayonne : €3.60 to €4.80 (following north or south exchangers),
• Bayonne (Mousserolles) – Toulouse : 31,10€,
• Pau – Toulouse : 16,20€,
• Pau-Bayonne: 13,40€.

According to class 1, the journey from Bayonne to Biriatou (to go Spain ) 4,20€ . The price of the toll of Bayonne in Toulouse in furnished van is from 19€ . Motorways in camping cars are much more expensive.

How and where to rent a motorhome in France?

Do you want to go to the discovery of the Basque Country with your car campsite or van for example? With internet, it is now easy to rent a motorhome in France. Just go to linking platforms between tenants and particular camper owners 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 from the Basque Country, sign the state of the return places and the tour is played!

Campsites in the French Basque Country : where to park ?

Parking in Basque Country

Here is a question that can be thorny when you travel by itinerant: where to park to visit the Basque Country in French motorhome? The French law, must it be recalled, prohibits the wild camping. However, the Atlantic coast and the Pyrenees offer large natural spaces where to settle without disturbing anyone.

To start, let’s remember that a motorhome is allowed to park like cars, on any regular site dedicated to this effect. In agglomeration, the squares are marked by white lines (free parking) and blue (paying parking). You necessarily want to know where to spend your nights in camping-car. It should be noted that in the French Basque Country, the most conventional places are the service areas for camping-car (free or paid) and campsites.

However, if you prefer more authenticity and freedom, try to sleep in the middle of nature! On the other hand, avoid the towns (Bayonne, Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Hendaye) and stay away from the homes.

At best, ask for an owner’s approval to install you on his or her field. We always find spots where to settle away from indiscrets in the middle of nature. Especially in the hinterland! Coastal areas can be more controlled than small country and mountain roads.

How do I find parking?

Whatever the parking option you choose, note that the internet also facilitated the travelling journey. To find out where to sleep, download the Park4night mobile app. This is a very convenient tool to know vans and campervans. Using a geolocation, an interactive map provides you with information about the service areas for campervans, campsites, car parks and isolated places in the middle of nature.

In addition, a community notice system (in a paid version) shows whether the spots are more or less safe. However, other solutions exist, such as Campercontact, Wikicampers or Caramaps.

What is the best time to travel by motorhome in the French Basque Country?

What is the best season to visit the Basque Country in motorhome? The Basque Country has several climatic influences, although the area is small. The Basque coast is Ocean , the ocean tempers the rigors of winter and makes the summer canicles more bearable.

Temperatures above 30°C and winter frosts are rare. Summers will therefore be warmer in the hinterland, for example in Pau, than on the Basque coast. But it can nevertheless rain a lot. Annual average precipitation is 1,061 mm in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques. In comparison, they are 489 mm in the former Languedoc-Roussillon region.

The best time to visit the French Basque Country in camping-car is therefore between May and October . However, mornings and evenings can be fresh in May and September/October . This, especially if you stay on high altitudes. Add therefore light and covered clothing (impermeable, long sleeves) with equipment for the beach.

Thanks to all this information, you are ready to discover the Basque Country in camping-car !