Paris Road Trip Itinerary of Châteaux and Champagne

Difficulty

475 km

Distance

7 - 8

Recom. Days

Culture

Trip type

Image of Indie Campers freelance travel writer Jenn Zajac, outside a cafe.
Jenn Zajac

Ice coffee-addicted, pun-loving, Oxford comma-embracing writer. Currently based in beautiful Bali after too many winters in Boston and London. Specializes in crafting content for hotels and travel.

Paris Road Trip Itinerary: Paris Round-Trip

Paris Road Trip map itinerary

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Ah, Paris. What’s not to love? It’s easy to get swept away by the certain je ne sais quoi of France’s capital and no Paris road trip itinerary is complete without a few days spent exploring this most alluring of European cities.

Paris alone can easily fill an entire itinerary, but there is more to see! For a taste of France beyond the capital, set out from the City Of Lights to explore the countryside.

Stroll through a real-life Impressionist painting in Giverny and skip touristy Versailles in favour of the famed château’s inspiration in Chantilly. Finally, cap off your Paris road trip with a bottle (or three) of bubbly in Reims, the centre of France’s Champagne region. Oh la la!

Golden light in Paris on your Paris Road Trip
Pick-up in
Paris depot
1

Embrace the cafe culture and museum-hop in Paris

The writer Ernest Hemingway famously described Paris as “a moveable feast.” Every sense is heightened in this magnetic city, which attracts millions of visitors every year.

Its glamorous boulevards are lined with luxury ateliers and famous monuments while pockets of winding, cobblestoned side streets conceal tiny shops and charming cafes. There is much to see and do here, so a French road trip itinerary should absolutely include a stop in Paris.

One of many beautiful bridges you'll find on your Paris Road Trip

When it comes to art and culture, the Louvre is not to be missed. Remember to pace yourself as this behemoth of a museum could take days to explore in full.

For this Paris road trip, don’t skip the stunning Musee d’Orsay, home to the great Impressionists like Monet, Manet, and more. After a morning of sightseeing, do as the Parisians do and enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the city’s many sunny outdoor cafes.

Visiting

Paris

2 - 3

Recom. Days

Main route

25 miles

from our Paris Pick-up center

45 min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

River Seine

Stroll or sail the iconic river for top highlights

Louvre Museum

The most famous museum in the world

Musee d'Orsay

Home of the Impressionists, a work of art itself

Montmartre

Hilltop district beloved by artists and bohemians

Signal

Eat at

Crêperie Josselin

$

Popular crêperie, worth the wait

Café Loustic

$$

Chic little coffee shop with pastries

Epicure at Le Bistro

$$$$

3 Michelin stars, because Paris. Reservations.

RV icon

Parking

Porte d’Orléans Car Park

$$$$

Maximum height 2.60 m

Signal

Stay at

Camping de Paris

$$

Close to public transit and sights

2

Visit Giverny and step inside an Impressionist painting

While not a destination on the radar of many travellers, a stop in Giverny is an enchanting addition to any French road trip. This picture-perfect village is particularly inspiring right after a visit to the Musee d’Orsay in Paris.

Arguably one of the most important Impressionist painters, Claude Monet lived and worked here in Giverny for most of his life. Now, his historic home and dreamlike gardens have been transformed into a museum that’s absolutely worth a day trip from Paris.

The famous green bridge in Giverny, a destination on the Paris Road Trip

We recommend driving your campervan up early from the capital, to give yourself ample time to get lost in the picturesque village of Giverny.

The Claude Monet Foundation is a must, of course, and worthy of a few hours’ wandering. Book ahead to secure a guide or simply wing it. Knowledgeable curators are scattered around the grounds to offer context and quippy anecdotes that are sure to impress your friends at future dinner parties.

Visiting

Giverny

1

Recom. Days

Main route

46.5 miles

from Paris

1h15min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Claude Monet Foundation

Historic home and gardens of the famous painter

Museum of Impressionism

Open March to November, history and collections

Signal

Eat at

Les Jardins des Plumes

$$$

Art deco eatery with prix fixe lunch

RV icon

Parking

Motorhome Aire Giverny

Free

(Overnight) parking at Chemin du Roy roundabout

Signal

Stay at

Château de Bouafles

$$

Idyllic campsite near Giverny

3

Experience Chantilly’s castles, cream, and lace

Depending on your energy level, stay the night in Giverny or set out after dinner to reach Chantilly in just over an hour.

Surrounded by the Chantilly Forest, this elegant little town was once home to the princes of Condé, cousins to the king. Their home is now the Château de Chantilly and Musée Condé, an opulent, art-filled estate with gardens rivalling that of Versailles.

Château de Chantilly and Musée Condé, a destination on your Paris Road Trip

Chantilly is known for a number of exports, including its namesake lace and cream, as well as a long tradition of horseracing. Park your campervan and head straight into town to explore.

Fashion enthusiasts should check out the Museum of Lace (Musée de la Dentelle) to explore the delicate fabric’s history and significance. For a slightly more action-packed afternoon, try to catch a horserace at the iconic Chantilly Racecourse.

Visiting

Chantilly

1

Recom. Days

Main route

59 miles

from Giverny

1h30min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Château de Chantilly

Opulent mansion and gardens rivalling Versailles

Músee de la Dentelle

Learn about lace making and its local history

Signal

Eat at

La Vertugadin

$$

Chantilly cream, need we say more?

RV icon

Parking

2A Rue d'Orgemont Parking

$

Conveniently located at RER station

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Stay at

Camping Le Pre des Moines

$$

10-minute drive from centrer of city

4

Reims, the capital of France’s Champagne region

While its “capital” designation is totally unofficial, Reims is a must-do on any Paris road trip itinerary. Park your campervan just outside of town and opt for a taxicab or public transportation to get around.

You won’t want to be driving here as the town is very walkable and there’s simply too much bubbly to imbibe!

You'll visit the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Reims on a Paris Road Trip

The Cathédrale Notre Dame de Reims has been the site of numerous French kings’ coronation since the 13th century. The Gothic cathedral is also home to incredible stained glass windows and interesting sculptures like the Smiling Angel.

Devote a full day at least to enjoying one of the famous champagne houses here, like Taittinger or Veuve Cliquot.

On your final day, sleep in, have a hearty lunch, and perhaps take a walk through town to dust off the cobwebs before taking your campervan back to our Paris depot in the afternoon.

Visiting

Reims

2 - 3

Recom. Days

Main route

90 miles

from Chantilly

2h

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Champagne Taittinger

World-renowed champange house

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Visitors Centre

Tastings, cellar tours, and more

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims

Gothic cathedral with incredible stained glass

Signal

Eat at

Le Bocal

$$$

Simple seafood resto with catch of the day

Brasserie du Boulingrin

$$

Classic French bistro

Le Millénaire

$$$$

Get your Michelin-starred fix in Reims

RV icon

Parking

Motorhome Aire Reims

Free

No-frills (overnight) parking, walk to centre

Signal

Stay at

Camping Val-de-Vesle

$$

Country setting close to town

Drop-off in
Paris depot

130 km

1h30m

from Reims

drive