The Alabaster Coast: between majestic cliffs and Norman villages
In Normandy, the Alabaster Coast offers one of the most beautiful coastal routes in France. The famous white chalk cliffs plunge into the waters of the English Channel, offering a breathtaking spectacle at every turn. From Étretat to Le Tréport, the route winds through spectacular landscapes where pebble beaches, small fishing ports and charming Norman villages alternate. Hiking enthusiasts will enjoy the GR21 trails, whilst photography enthusiasts won’t want to miss the natural arches at Étretat at sunrise or sunset.
After a day spent admiring the coastal views, it’s lovely to park your motorhome at sites designed for travellers on the move:
Camping Seasonova Les Mouettes: Located in Veules-les-Roses, this campsite welcomes motorhomes on spacious pitches with electricity hook-ups, modern toilet facilities and a peaceful setting close to the coast. It’s an excellent base for exploring the most beautiful villages of the Alabaster Coast.
Camping Huttopia Les Falaises: Situated in Saint-Pierre-en-Port, in the heart of the Alabaster Coast, this campsite welcomes motorhomes on large, leafy pitches with or without electricity. Just a stone’s throw from the famous Normandy cliffs, it features a service area for motorhomes, modern toilet and shower facilities, a heated indoor swimming pool and an outdoor pool. Its prime location makes it an ideal base for exploring Étretat, Fécamp and the coastal villages, whilst enjoying a natural setting overlooking the English Channel.
The Emerald Coast: from wild beaches to pirate towns
As you arrive on the Emerald Coast, the landscape takes on a whole new character. Here, the sea shimmers with shades of green and turquoise, contrasting with the granite rocks and long, fine sandy beaches. Between Cancale, Saint-Malo and Cap Fréhel, the route offers a succession of spectacular views. The tides, amongst the highest in Europe, constantly reshape the landscape and make every visit unique. There’s no shortage of culinary stops, particularly to sample the famous Cancale oysters or stroll through the narrow streets of the pirate town of Saint-Malo before exploring the GR34 footpaths overlooking the ocean.
To extend your experience in pleasant surroundings:
Camping Emeraude: Located in Saint-Briac-sur-Mer, this 4-star campsite is an ideal base for exploring the landscapes of the Emerald Coast. With beaches within walking distance, coastal paths and iconic towns such as Dinard and Saint-Malo just a few kilometres away, it allows you to make the most of the Breton coastline. Its water park and lush green surroundings provide a lovely setting to relax in after a day in the great outdoors.
Camping Le P’tit Bois: Set in a wooded park in Saint-Jouan-des-Guérets, this 5-star campsite offers spacious, marked-out pitches, specially adapted for motorhomes, with the option of Premium pitches equipped with private toilet facilities. Visitors also have access to a waste disposal point, whilst the extensive water park and peaceful surroundings make it an ideal stopover to recharge your batteries between two stops along the Emerald Coast.
As the sun dips below the horizon, the ramparts of Saint-Malo take on a golden hue, lending this stopover a very special charm.
The Pink Granite Coast: a landscape unique in France
Head for the Côtes-d’Armor, where the Pink Granite Coast reveals one of the most stunning landscapes on the French coastline. Between Perros-Guirec, Ploumanac’h and Trégastel, immense blocks of granite, sculpted by the wind and the tides, seem to sit right at the water’s edge. The pinkish hues of the rock create a spectacular backdrop, particularly at sunrise and sunset. Nature lovers will enjoy walks along the customs officers’ path, whilst the more adventurous can set off on an excursion to the Sept-Îles nature reserve, famous for its seabird colonies.
Camping Sandaya Le Ranolien: Perched on the hills above Perros-Guirec, just a stone’s throw from the famous Sentier des Douaniers, this 5-star campsite offers spacious pitches suitable for motorhomes, as well as a waste disposal point to make your journey smoother. Its vast water park, 550 m² spa and prime location in the heart of the Pink Granite Coast make it an ideal stopover for combining seaside walks, exploring the Breton countryside and moments of relaxation.
Camping Les Alizés: Situated in Lannion, just a few kilometres from Perros-Guirec and the spectacular landscapes of the Pink Granite Coast, this 4-star campsite is a popular stop for motorhome travellers wishing to take the time to explore the Breton coastline. Its location provides easy access to the region’s iconic beaches, harbours and coastal paths. With its dedicated motorhome pitches and facilities designed for family holidays, it offers a comfortable base from which to make the most of this unspoilt part of Brittany.
The tranquillity of the Breton coast invites you to slow down before continuing your journey south-west.
The Basque Coast: between the ocean, cliffs and traditions
At the south-western tip of France, the Basque Coast charms visitors with its authentic character. From Biarritz to Saint-Jean-de-Luz via Guéthary, the roads offer unbroken views of the Atlantic. The beaches attract surfers from all over the world, whilst the villages, with their white houses and red half-timbered buildings, keep Basque traditions alive. Local markets, regional specialities and walks along the seafront are among the must-see attractions. Further south, the cliffs of the Corniche Basque reveal exceptional panoramic views stretching all the way to the Spanish border.
For a comfortable stopover in a motorhome:
Camping Atlantica: Located in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, just a few minutes from the sea, this 4-star campsite is an ideal base for exploring the Basque Country, with its beaches, traditional villages and local traditions. Motorhome owners have pitches specially adapted for their vehicles, whilst the campsite offers a water park, seasonal entertainment, a kids’ club and a wide range of facilities to help you make the most of your stay. After a day spent touring the Basque coast or exploring the narrow streets of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, it’s lovely to return to the campsite’s friendly atmosphere and its relaxation areas.
Camping Ur-Onea: Situated in Bidart, between Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, this 3-star campsite offers the perfect base for discovering the unique atmosphere of the Basque Country. Motorhome owners will find pitches suited to their vehicles, whilst families particularly appreciate the campsite’s friendly atmosphere. In high season, the days are filled with sporting activities, entertainment, the kids’ club and themed evenings – perfect for sharing cosy moments after a day spent exploring beaches, Basque villages and coastal paths. Its water park, featuring a spa pool, heated swimming pools and relaxation areas, rounds off this getaway between the ocean and Basque traditions.
Come evening, the convivial atmosphere of the Basque terraces is the perfect backdrop to the last rays of the sun over the Atlantic.
The Corniche de l’Estérel: between the Mediterranean and red cliffs
To round off this road trip, head for the Var and the famous Corniche de l’Estérel. Between Saint-Raphaël and Cannes, this scenic route is considered one of the most beautiful in France. The red cliffs of the Estérel massif plunge into the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, offering a spectacular contrast.
Every bend reveals a new cove, a secluded beach or an exceptional view of the sea. Hiking enthusiasts can explore the massif’s trails, whilst swimming enthusiasts can enjoy the many calanques accessible along the route.
To make the most of this final leg of the journey:
Camping Esterel Caravaning: Nestled in the heart of the Estérel massif, in Saint-Raphaël, this 5-star campsite offers a unique experience amidst red rocks, the Mediterranean and unspoilt landscapes. Motorhome owners can choose from pitches in various categories, some offering high-end amenities such as private bathroom facilities or even a private spa. On site, the vast water park with its swimming pools, slides and white sandy beach provides a real holiday break after walks along the Corniche de l’Estérel or trips to the coves along the Var coastline.
Camping Douce Quiétude: In Saint-Raphaël, this 5-star campsite lives up to its name by offering a peaceful, leafy setting, whilst providing a wide range of facilities to help you make the most of your stay without having to hit the road every day. Motorhome owners can park their vehicles on specially adapted pitches, some with additional facilities, and enjoy a proper holiday village with its water park, leisure areas, entertainment and kids’ clubs. An ideal stop-off to take a break during a road trip along the Côte d’Azur and take the time to enjoy both the campsite and the surrounding attractions.
Conclusion
Travelling along France’s most beautiful coastal roads in a motorhome means travelling as close to the sea as possible and discovering an incredible variety of landscapes. From the cliffs of Normandy to the Mediterranean coves, via the wild coasts of Brittany and the beaches of the Basque Country, each route offers its own array of panoramic views, discoveries and moments of relaxation. Thanks to the many motorhome-friendly campsites, it’s easy to stop off at comfortable spots whilst making the most of the freedom this way of travelling offers. An ideal itinerary for those who want to take the time to explore the French coastline to the rhythm of the waves.