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Paris Motorhome Rental

Welcome to Paris, the City of Lights, the City of Love, and the gateway to your France motorhome hire holiday

 

Hiring a motorhome in Paris

Paris is home to more than 2 million people, and is known for its world-leading food scene, fashion and culture. This European hub is a great place to start a motorhome tour of France, and with Motorhome Republic’s 9 fleets in the city, you’ve got plenty of choice when it comes to finding the right vehicle. The range includes basic sleepervans, large RVs for groups, compact family motorhomes and everything in between. You can hire any of these for any number of days for short excursions from Paris or a full tour of France. 

 

Where to go with a Paris motorhome

Originally a hunting lodge owned by Louis XIII, the Palace at Versailles is now a World Heritage Listed site and a beautiful architectural accomplishment. You can get there in less than an hour from the centre of Paris. 

 

Another short trip from Paris is the French Disneyland, only 40 kilometres from the city. Even if you don’t have kids travelling with you, this can be a fun trip full of castles, rides and costumes. 

 

Head roughly 1.5 west of Paris to Giverny, to the home of famed artist Claude Monet. You can wander around the grounds of his house and see the stunning landscapes (including the bridge and lily ponds) that inspired so much of his work. 

 

Almost 5 hours south of Paris is Lascaux, which is where you will find ancient cave paintings that are estimated to be over 17,000 years old. This cave was only found in 1940, and archeologists and scientists are already in talks to try to preserve these historic treasures. 

 

To the west of Paris lies Mont Saint Michel, an abbey built on a tiny island approximately 3.5 hours from the city. The spectacular structure has a rich history you can learn about as you take a tour of its streets. 

 

An hour and a half east of Paris is Epernay, the champagne capital of the world and easily the best place to try a few glasses of this famous bubbly. You’ll find the world’s leading champagne manufacturers on the Avenue de Champagne, where you can take a tour for the history and a taste of some of the produce. 


From Paris, you can also reach Lille, Nantes and Lyon easily. In case you would like to explore the rest of Europe, you could drive your motorhome hire to Croatia, England, Belgium and Germany in just a few hours. You may also hire a UK campervan and finish your European tour from there.

 

Best times of year to hire a campervan from Paris

Paris welcomes visitors throughout the year with four distinct seasons. 

 

In winter (December to March) it can occasionally snow, and temperatures will generally sit between 1 and 7 degrees Celsius during the day. When spring arrives, it warms up slowly over the few months, eventually reaching daily highs of around 20 degrees C in June. 

 

Summer, from late June to late September, is a beautiful and busy time in the city with average highs in the low 20s. Autumn temperatures drop quickly back down to the single digits, but the natural beauty makes a visit with a few extra layers well worthwhile. 

Let Paris take you away

Reputed to be the most beautiful and romantic capital city in the world, there’s no better place to cuddle up in your cosy camper rental than the city of love. It’s at the heart of global culture and is vastly influential in fashion, art, music and cuisine. No matter how long you spend in Paris, you’ll barely scratch the surface .

 

Where to stay

Sleeping under the stars is a perfect way to make the most of your rendezvous in Paris.

Paris Bois de Boulogne Indigo Campsite is located at Bois de Boulogne park and is the one camping ground in city. There are loads of RV spots and bathrooms are clean.

There are a handful of other campgrounds located in the vicinity of Paris, if not in the city itself. Camping Paris Est le Tremblay is 45 minutes from the airport and perfect for those who intend to make frequent day trips to the city. Maisons-Laffitte is located in a charming suburb north-west of Paris. The camping area is a 20-acre island in the Seine River – you can’t get much more idyllic. The camp is just a few blocks from the suburban train to Paris and is only a 15-minute ride to the town centre.

La cuisine

It’s perplexing how Parisians keep their figures with such incredible treats on offer. If you’re watching your waistline, just stay away from the capital altogether. If you’re not however, get stuck in. There is no place better for decadent, to-die-for foods. 

Try the caramels – rich, melt in your mouth, buttery goodness. You simply cannot leave Paris without sampling these delicious morsels. The baguettes are an obvious choice, as are the croissants and pain au chocolat. The chocolatiers in Paris are a breed like any other. They will have you smitten in less than a sniff. Laurent Dubois will help you pick the perfect cheese for any occasion.

Go big for at least one meal while in Paris. It will be worth every cent – the atmosphere, the wine, the service are extraordinary. Spring Restaurant, Les Tablettes, or Chez L’Ami Jean will help you imbibe indulgently for a predictably disgraceful price.

Bistrot Paul Bert cooks homely, simple and very French cuisine. You can find it at the east section of the city and you should try steak frites and apple tart. Located near Gare du Nord, Chez Casimir is a more affordable option than its renowned elder counterpart – Chez Michel. The bistro food is of excellent quality and they serve a cheese platter to rival any other in the city. Verjus is a romantic spot without being too pretentious. They offer an American take on French cooking.

For dessert, Gelato at Pozzetto does a beautiful pistachio. Or Breizh Café offer a terrific crepe, and no journey to France is complete without one.

Essential Attractions in Paris

  • Sip a coffee as you meander along the Champs-Elysées.

  • Make Mona Lisa smile at the Louvre.

  • Avoid the gaze of the gothic gargoyles at Notre Dame.

  • Kick up your heels at Moulin Rouge, the birthplace of the can-can.

  • Flow with the bohemians on the steps of Montmartre.

  • Dare to roam in the spooky underground catacombs.

  • Declare your love by the Médicis fountain in Jardin du Luxembourg.

  • Cross the Pont Neuf – the oldest bridge in Paris.

  • See the real Paris alive and breathing on the underground Metro.

  • And, of course, take in the view from one of the most recognisable structures on the planet – the Eiffel Tower.


Iconic Paris landmarks are everywhere and with 180 museums and monuments, it is safe to say you cannot see it all. Remember to leave enough time so you’re not rushing through the galleries.

Wander the Champs-Elysées all the way to the Arc de Triomphe. You need to take an underground passage to get to the Arc as 12 roads converge on this roundabout. It’s a beautiful, if slightly terrifying sight to see how the traffic melds together. Or if you’re really game… take the camper.

Sainte Chapelle, close to Notre Dame, is a dazzling example of medieval Gothic architecture and worth a few pictures. Right next-door, Marie Antoinette was imprisoned in Le Conciergerie. It’s not large but the design is impressive.

Get out of the capital

Around Paris the scenery is picturesque. Take a drive for the day and explore the chateaus and tiny towns around the area. A nice day’s drive along the Seine will take you to Giverny – home of Claude Monet. See the world as he did from his own garden.

Versailles is only 20km south-west of Paris. Built by Louis XIV, it is the palace he resided in with Marie Antoinette before the French revolution of 1789. Get here early to avoid the lines that stretch out until evening. The sprawling gardens are a beautiful way to enjoy the afternoon, too.

Château of Chantilly is a wonderful fairy-tale château, with one of the finest art galleries in France and beautiful gardens to match. While you’re here, drive a little farther to Senlis, a small medieval town.

Hiring a camper in Paris

There are a number of campervan rental options to choose from:
 
The sheer quality and volume of what Avis Caraway have to offer will impress you the most. With locations scattered across France, they have a wealth of expertise to call upon.

Big Sky began with seven campers, but has since expanded to become one of the major camper suppliers in Europe and the largest in France. They offer a comprehensive service, with all aspects of motorhome hire covered.

Pure Motorhomes France make campervan hire easy, thanks to a wide selection of vehicles and flexibility for your itinerary. Whether you’re travelling alone, with a partner of friends or as a big group, Pure can deliver the ideal portable hotel.

With the quality Volkswagen available, Van-it is a fresh and vibrant rental company. The emphasis is on funky and stylish, while not compromising on price and quality. 


Enviro Campers

Enviro Campers doesn’t have a physical depot in Paris, so you will arrange a meeting point when you pick up your vehicle. This will most likely be at Charles de Gaulle Airport, but you can arrange it for a hotel or other location. As there is no depot in the city, motorhome and campervan hire is subject to availability. The largest motorhomes on offer at Enviro Campers are designed for six people to sleep comfortably, are all less than two years old, and all come fully equipped with shower and toilet facilities on board. For smaller groups, there are RVs and campervans available for parties of five down to parties of two. At the smaller end of the scale, you can hire simple sleepervans and stay in campground for cooking and bathroom amenities, or you can pick up a two-berth RV with all the necessities on board. All motorhome rentals from Paris with Enviro Campers come with unlimited mileage, roadside assistance and campsite information. 

 

VAN-IT Van Rentals

The Van-IT depot is located at 2 rue Gaston Gourdon, Vigneux sur Seine, which is to the south of the city approximately 40 kilometres from Charles de Gaulle Airport. If you are flying into Orly Airport, this trip is only 11 kilometres by car, or a quick train ride on line D of the RER. Van-IT specialises in affordable van rentals in Paris, with most of the models ranging from 1992-1995 to ensure you are not paying huge rates when you only need a basic set of wheels. The largest vans have space for four to sleep, and the smallest are fit for two. There are some newer models in the range if you refer something more modern. All of the extra features are set as optional extras, so you can forgo GPS, multi-driver insurance, table and chair hire, bike racks, solar showers and other things if you don’t think you’ll need them and would rather save the money. The Paris Van-IT depot is open 10am to 7pm Monday to Saturday and from 2pm to 7pm on Sundays. 

 

Avis Car-Away and Big Sky Motorhomes

Avis Caraway and Big Sky Motorhomes operate at the same depot at 89 Rue du Colonel de Rochebrune, F.92500, Rueil-Malmaison. There are no transfers available so you’ll need to make your own way to the depot. A taxi from Charles de Gaulle will take about an hour or from Orly it’s about 45 minutes. The branch is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 11am and 2pm to 4.30pm, and on Saturdays from 9am to 11am. Avis Car-Away has a fleet of nine vans and motorhomes, from the two-berth minivan, to the A2 four-berth standard motorhome, to the A Class luxury motorhome with beds for four and panoramic views from the seats. Big Sky’s fleet is also large and varied, covering similar models of standard vans, comfortable mid-sized RVs and larger, more luxurious models. Even the basic two-berth vans in the Big Sky range are equipped with toilet and shower facilities for added comfort. Plus, all models mentioned above are recent models not more than a couple of years old. 

 

McRent, Pure Motorhomes and Netolidays

Pure Motorhomes and Netolidays in Paris offer a massive fleet of motorhomes of all sizes and styles for any group of travellers. With a sleeping space for seven adults, the category B Jc690 is suited to the largest groups, while a range of compact globescouts and globebuses are ideal for couples or pairs. For those looking to travel in real comfort, Pure rents a range of luxury four-berth motorhomes, all of which are late model RVs and come fully equipped with kitchens, bathrooms and extra features. McRent’s fleet is no less impressive, starting small with two-berth poptops and campervans, offering a variety of basic and comfort mid-size motorhomes, and finishing with the six-berth 8.5-metre Group Premium Plus motorhome. The depot for McRent, Netolidays and Pure Motorhomes is located at 51, Avenue Georges Clémenceau 77400 LAGNY SUR MARNE, which is roughly 40 kilometres from Orly Airport, and less than 30 kilometres from Charles de Gaulle Airport. The branch is closed on public holidays and Sundays, but is open 9am to 5pm on weekdays and 9am to 11am on Saturdays. If you are looking to pick up or drop off on a Saturday, it is only available via prior arrangement for a fee. 

 

Autocaravan Express Camper Travel

Autocaravan Express Camper Travel doesn’t own a branch in Paris, so a representative will meet you at the airport so that you don’t need to worry about transfers. You will be given a full brief on your camper at the airport carpark where you will sign any remaining papers and make any remaining payments before you head off on your adventure. The drop off procedure will also be conducted at the airport before you leave. Generally speaking, all pick ups and drop offs will be made during business hours of 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 7.30pm on weekdays, or 10.30am to 2pm on Saturdays. Autocaravan Express’ fleet is all about simple comforts. Even the standard two-berth campervan is fitted with a small kitchen and bathroom and if tidily finished with wood panelled interiors. At the larger end of the range, the ACE Group I is brand new and suited for two or three couples, easily fitting six people into this spacious motorhome. In between, there are a number of stylish, very comfortable RVs for groups of two to six, all of which are either brand new or only a year or two old. 

 

A quick guide to camping in Paris:

  • July and August are exceptionally busy months. The majority of Europe take their holidays during this time.

  • The French appreciate you speaking the local language. Many can speak English, but do not like to do so. Use any French you have.

  • Know the height and length of your vehicle, as you will likely come across a narrow gap or low bridge.

  • The French roadside rest areas are great, and an excellent place to stop during the day to break up your journey. However, do not stay overnight.

  • Don’t let you fuel run below a quarter of a tank. Many places close on a Sunday and finding fuel can be hard.

  • Under French law, vehicles must carry a reflective jacket for the driver in case there is a breakdown.