Driving a motorhome in France

Motorways, tolls and vignettes

What a vignette is: in some European countries you buy a permit before using the motorways, now often digital and linked to the number plate, valid for a set period instead of paying at toll booths.

Most motorways are tolled, with booths or, on some sections, without barriers: there you pay online within a few days.

Up to 3.5 t, motorhomes under 2 m high are class 1 and those between 2 and 3 m class 2; over 3 m high or over 3.5 t they are class 3.

Official website

Environmental sticker, ZTL and low emission zones

In low emission zones (ZFE) you need the Crit'Air sticker, also for foreign vehicles. Order it only on the official website: other websites charge much more.

During pollution peaks some cities temporarily ban vehicles with the highest Crit'Air classes.

Low emission zones in our data

14 zones, including: ZFE Caen, ZFE Grenoble, ZFE Grenoble utilitaires et poids lourds, ZFE Lille Métropole, ZFE Métropole Rouen Normandie, ZFE-m de Marseille, ZFEm de Toulouse Métropole, Zone à Circulation Restreinte de la Ville de Paris, Zone a faibles emission Montpellier, Zone à Faibles Emissions, Zone à Faibles Émissions – mobilités de Tours Métropole Val de Loire, Zone à faibles émissions de l'Eurométropole de Strasbourg….

Official website

Useful rules for motorhome travellers

Over 3.5 t, blind-spot stickers (angles morts) are compulsory on the sides and at the back of the vehicle.

From 1 November to 31 March, in the mountain municipalities marked by signs, you need winter tyres or snow chains or socks on board.

The motorway limit is 130 km/h (110 in the rain); vehicles over 3.5 t have lower limits.

Official website