Exploring the mountains in a converted van means embracing a way of travelling where freedom rhymes with wonder. In summer and winter alike, France abounds with mythical routes and spectacular panoramas to enjoy at your own pace. Whether you're a keen hiker, a lover of wide open spaces or a gourmet, here are five perfect itineraries for an unforgettable adventure at altitude.
1. The Pyrenees, between towering peaks and thermal baths
Itinerary : Bagnères-de-Bigorre - Saint-Savin - Cauterets - Gavarnie - Massif du Néouvielle - Arreau - Loudenvielle - Ainsa - Oô - Bagnères-de-Luchon
Distance : 400 km - Duration: 14 days
The Pyrenees offer an ideal playground for a road trip in a van, alternating between picturesque villages, high-altitude lakes and breathtaking panoramas. From Bagnères-de-Bigorre, a spa town popular with writers, to the Gavarnie cirque, a UNESCO World Heritage site, each stage is an invitation to contemplate.
The Massif du Néouvielle and its turquoise lakes will appeal to wilderness lovers, while a stopover in Loudenvielle will allow you to relax at the Balnéa thermal baths. A stopover on the Spanish side, in the Ordesa national park, offers an even wilder setting, ideal for canyoning enthusiasts.
2. The Alps, from the crystal-clear waters of Annecy to the peaks of Mont Blanc
Itinerary : Annecy - La Clusaz - Lac Bénit - Thonon-les-Bains - France Avoriaz - Chamonix-Mont-Blanc - Courchevel - Albertville
Distance : 415 km - Duration: 10 days
This route takes in the great Alpine classics. The gentleness of Lake Annecy, perfect for a swim or a bike ride, contrasts with the immensity of the Dents Blanches, the vertiginous massif of Avoriaz.
READ MORE: The great winter guide to ski resorts
Chamonix is a not-to-be-missed stopover, where the Aiguille du Midi cable car and a hike to Lac Blanc guarantee unforgettable memories. Courchevel, often associated with luxury, also reveals little-known natural treasures, while Albertville brings the tour to a close with its Olympic heritage.
3. The Vosges, a nature road trip between lakes and exceptional panoramas
Itinerary : Colmar - Grand Ballon - Ventron - La Bresse - Gérardmer - Hohneck - Lac Blanc - Munster
Distance : 180 km - Duration: 7 days
An ideal route for lovers of hiking and unspoilt countryside. After a break in the picturesque town of Colmar, the route climbs towards the Grand Ballon, the highest point in the Vosges mountains.
The Lac des Corbeaux at La Bresse offers an enchanting landscape, while the famous Route des Crêtes guarantees spectacular views. An immersion in the Tanet Gazon du Faing nature reserve and a gastronomic stopover in Munster round off this journey in style.
4. Auvergne, in the footsteps of sleeping volcanoes
Itinerary : Clermont-Ferrand - Puys Chopine et des Gouttes - Puy Pariou - Puy de Dôme - Mont Dore - Puy de Sancy - Vallée de Chaudefour - Montpeyroux
Distance : 160 km - Duration: 7 days
The Auvergne's gentle hills provide the ideal backdrop for a van road trip to the heart of ancient volcanoes. The Puy de Dôme is within easy reach, offering a view of the entire Puys chain.
READ MORE: The great guide to summer ski resorts
The Puy de Sancy, the highest peak in the Massif Central, offers breathtaking panoramic views, while the Vallée de Chaudefour reveals landscapes shaped by time. This itinerary combines nature and gastronomy, with hikes, charming villages and local specialities such as truffade and Saint-Nectaire.
5. The Great Alps Route, the ultimate adventure over the legendary passes
Itinerary : Thonon-les-Bains - Col de l'Iseran - Briançon - Col du Galibier - Serre Chevalier - Isola 2000 - Menton
Distance : 700 km - Duration: 10 to 15 days
This legendary route crosses the highest passes in the French Alps, linking Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean. Climbing the Col de l'Iseran (2,764 m) or the Galibier (2,645 m) promises breathtaking panoramas.
Perched villages like Briançon, roads winding between cliffs and glaciers, and the descent to Menton, where the mountains plunge into the sea, make this itinerary a unique experience.
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