The Ultimate France Motorhome Bucket List

France is a road-tripper's delight. With its towering mountains, beautiful beaches, vibrant cities and world-class culinary scene, it offers something for everyone - sometimes within the same setting.

But with so much to see and almost 100,000 km of roads to explore, planning a journey by motorhome across France can seem a little overwhelming. Whether you're planning to start your trip in the French capital of Paris, the culture and nightlife hub of Lyon, or anywhere else in this stunning country, we've put together a comprehensive list of its top attractions, divided by region and type of activity. And we've even included some exclusive insider tips to help you make the most of your French motorhome adventure.

Northern France Bucket List:

From its rolling hills to its centuries-old towns, Northern France is tailor-made for exploring on foot.

Roam through historic towns

● Join the million-plus tourists a year who visit Mont Saint Michel, a tiny walled town on an island that's cut off from the mainland twice a day.

● Often overlooked by the guidebooks, Dinan is a perfectly preserved medieval town. Make sure to sample a Kouign-amann, a local delicacy described as Europe's fattiest pastry!

● The fortified town of Saint-Malo was founded in the 1st century BC. Spend a day roaming historic attractions like its 12th-century cathedral and the island stronghold of Fort National.

Take a country stroll

● The Grand Site des Deux Caps nature reserve is a fantastic spot for cliff-top strolls. Enjoy the fresh air and, on a clear day, the distant views of the White Cliffs of Dover.

● World War II sites, glorious coastline and rolling hills characterise Normandy's picture-perfect Alabaster Coast. Explore the GR21, a 186 km route stretching from Le Havre to Le Treport.

● The Etangs du Romelaere wetlands in Pas de Calais are dotted with lakes and marshland - a perfect place for bird-spotting.

Image: Troels Fiig, CC-BY-SA-2.0, via Flickr

Alpine France Bucket List:

France's Alpine provinces are a must-visit for adventure-seekers, and there's also plenty of historic buildings and museums to satisfy the culture vultures.

Get a shot of adrenaline

● The high-mountain town of Chamonix is a mecca for outdoor sports. As well as the ubiquitous skiing, you'll be able to enjoy mountaineering, mountain biking and hiking.

● Learn to paraglide - or let someone else do the hard work with a tandem experience - in Saint Vincent Les Forts and Orcieres 1850.

● Canyoning involves traversing canyons by walking, scrambling, abseiling, jumping and sometimes even swimming. The waterfalls of La Blache Canyon are a fantastic spot to enjoy this high-octane activity.

Visit museums and historic buildings

● The Musee de Grenoble is one of the country's most important museums, combining works from great masters like Rubens and George de la Tour with more contemporary paintings from the likes of Monet and Delacroix.

● The Bastille, an imposing hilltop fortress standing more than 1,500 ft above sea level, is Grenoble's biggest tourist attraction, drawing 600,000 visitors a year.

● In Digne, don't miss visiting the former home of Alexandra David-Néel, the first European to enter the ancient Tibetan city of Lhasa. On her death at the age of 101, she bequeathed her house, manuscripts and extensive Asian art collection to the town.

West and Mediterranean Coast Bucket List:

From the sun-drenched Mediterranean to the brooding Atlantic Coast, France offers much more than your average beach destination.

Embrace adventure

● Hawaii and South Africa may be better known surf destinations, but Biarritz has been attracting wave-riders since the mid-20th century courtesy of its world-class breaks and mild climate.

● In La Teste-de-Buch, thrillseekers can paraglide above Europe's tallest sand dune - the 300-foot-tall Dune du Pyla.

● World-class diving is on offer off the coast of Ile de Groix. World War II shipwrecks such as the submarine hunter Chasseur 16 lie in wait beneath the waves.

Chill at the beach

● Big enough to cope with the crowds, Valras Plage also offers superb amenities. There are dozens of bars and restaurants, plus a summer amusement park to keep the kids entertained.

● Along its 3-km stretch, Hendaye combines surfing and bodyboarding hotspots with secluded areas of calm water, perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day.

● Finding the famous beaches of Nice a little too crowded? Head for the Plage des Marinières in Villefranche-sur-Mer. Even though it's narrow, it's further off the beaten track, so it rarely gets full.

Lose yourself in medieval towns

● Myriad medieval structures can be found in Avignon, including the majestic Palace of the Popes, which hosted six papal conclaves during the 14th century.

● The ancient citadel of Carcassonne has been encircled with walls since the 4th century. Walk them today for spectacular views of the fortress and the surrounding countryside.

● The historic town of Albi's most famous son is artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who painted the iconic scenes of dancers at the Moulin Rouge. Albi's Episcopal Palace houses a museum containing the world's largest collection of his work.

Central France Bucket List:

Paris dominates Central France, and deservedly so - it's a true world city. But there's plenty more on offer in this region too.

Explore world-famous landmarks

● No trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower. Built back in 1889 as the entrance to the World's Fair, it has since become one of the most instantly recognisable structures on the planet.

● Honouring those who died in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, the Arc de Triomphe stands 164 ft tall and commands an imposing position on the Place Charles de Gaulle.

● Arguably the world's most famous art museum, the Louvre is home to around 38,000 objects, ranging from the prehistoric to the contemporary. The Mona Lisa is just one of the iconic works on display.

Eat regional delicacies

● Burgundy is the home of some of France's most famous dishes, including bœuf bourguignon (beef stewed in red wine) and coq au vin (chicken with red wine, lardons and mushrooms).

● In the Loire Valley, be sure to sample the andouillettes (sausage made with chitterlings) and rillettes - a spreadable paste, similar to pate, made from braised pork.

● Limousin is famed for a delicious dessert called Flaugnarde, comprising fruit covered with a flan-like batter.

Final tips for the best motorhome experience:

● Most motorways in France charge a toll - look out for the word "peage" on signs to denote a toll road. Fees can be paid in cash or by card.

● If you're planning on travelling across the country, bring a varied wardrobe. France has four distinct climatic zones, from the temperate Mediterranean Coast to the freezing winters of the mountainous Massifs.

● You're legally required to carry an NF-approved breathalyser when driving in France, although you currently won't be fined for failing to do so.

● Shops generally open six days a week from Monday to Saturday. In towns and villages, don't be surprised to find all the shops closed at lunchtime.

● The Tour de France rolls through the French countryside every summer, with the exact route typically announced the previous autumn. If you're visiting at this time of year in an area that the tour passes through, be aware that congestion and road closures are practically guaranteed.

Wherever your French motorhome tour takes you, we hope you have an incredible time - be sure to tell us all about it on Instagram and Facebook!