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Bordeaux, the city of a thousand charms, opens the doors to an unforgettable getaway. Whether you are looking for a camper van rental in Bordeaux to discover its historic neighborhoods, renowned vineyards or idyllic beaches, our selection of tailor-made offers will meet all your desires. Set off to conquer the treasures of this Girondine city, from the Water Mirror to the lively quays, in complete freedom and comfort aboard your camper van. Let yourself be seduced by the Bordeaux art of living and create unforgettable memories at the heart of this exceptional destination.
Itineraries and road trips from Bordeaux
Starting from Bordeaux, set off in a camper van to discover Gironde, the Atlantic and the vineyards in complete autonomy. These three emblematic itineraries, of 7-10, 14 and 21 days, combine nature, culture and gastronomy stops, taking into account the constraints of road and parking in a van. From Bordeaux, you will easily radiate between the Arcachon basin, Médoc, Dordogne and Landes, adapting the pace according to the season and your desires.
7-10 days around the Atlantic and vineyards
From Bordeaux, head towards the Arcachon basin to enjoy the oyster farming villages and a morning ascent of the Dune du Pilat, quieter in a camper van. Continue to the Cap Ferret peninsula, ideal for alternating bike paths, beach breaks and nights in equipped areas. Then head up towards the wild beaches of the Landes coast, before slowly returning to Bordeaux via the wine route of Pessac-Léognan. End your camper van loop with an evening in downtown Bordeaux, accessible by tram from a peripheral area, to discover the quays, Cité du Vin and the ambiance of the Garonne.
14 days between ocean, estuary and grand crus
Starting from Bordeaux, plan a first week loop towards Arcachon, the Dune du Pilat and the long Atlantic beaches, varying campsites, natural areas and daytime parking. Then return to Bordeaux via the vineyards of Graves and Sauternes for visits to châteaux accessible by camper van. The second week heads towards Médoc: Pauillac, Margaux and the châteaux route, with views of the estuary and visits to citadels. From the river, some detours to characterful villages complete the itinerary. The last step brings you back to Bordeaux for an urban day on foot or by bike, with the camper van well parked in the periphery.
21 days between Bordeaux, Dordogne and wide open spaces
This 21-day itinerary from Bordeaux allows time to combine coastline, vineyards and a further escape to Dordogne. After a week around Arcachon, the Dune du Pilat and the Landes, head towards Médoc to explore lighthouses, estuaries and renowned châteaux, always taking into account areas suitable for camper vans. Then veer towards Saint-Émilion and the Dordogne valley, where bastides and perched villages justify the trip outside Bordeaux. Enjoy park-and-ride facilities to access historical centers. End your journey with two full days in Bordeaux, to savor museums, quays and gastronomy before returning your vehicle.
All the towns where you can rent a motorhome in France
Discover on this map all the cities in France where you can rent your motorhome or campervan.
Use the search engine to find out exactly which departure and return towns you can use to organise your road trip.
To do this, enter the first letters of the country in the corresponding field and discover all the cities in France or elsewhere.
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When to rent a camper van from Bordeaux?
Bordeaux, a port city between the Garonne and vineyards, is an ideal starting point for traveling by camper van across France while enjoying a contrasting oceanic climate between seasons. From the quays of Chartrons in Bordeaux, the weather and price variations strongly influence how one plans their road itinerary.
When to leave from Bordeaux by camper van
Departing from the Saint-Jean train station in Bordeaux to the Arcachon basin or Médoc is particularly pleasant in spring, when mild temperatures and longer days allow you to enjoy both the quays of the Garonne in Bordeaux and the coastal roads without massive crowds. Leaving from the Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux between April and June offers a good compromise between pleasant weather, moderate traffic on the A63 or A10, and availability of service areas for camper vans around Mérignac or Pessac.
From the water mirror in Bordeaux, autumn departures in September and October also offer beautiful light on the facades of the quays and a more tranquil atmosphere on the roads to Saint-Émilion or the Lacanau basin. By planning your trip from the Place des Quinconces in Bordeaux during these periods, you largely avoid the peaks of summer attendance while still enjoying pleasant temperatures for overnight stops in a van.
Bordeaux weather and road comfort
The oceanic climate of Bordeaux, noticeable between the Pont de Pierre and the Pont Jacques-Chaban-Delmas, brings generally mild but humid winters, with frequent morning fog on the ring road and the banks of the Garonne. When leaving the Bastide district in Bordeaux in mid-winter, expect cool mornings, sometimes close to 0 °C, and often overcast skies that can make trips to Libourne or Langon more monotonous but rarely extreme.
From the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux, summers are hot, sometimes scorching, with peaks above 30 °C that make nights in a van more delicate if you sleep in parking lots near the Bordelais park or the Matmut Atlantique stadium. Departing from the Saint-Pierre district in Bordeaux, breezes from the Atlantic bring a certain freshness at the end of the day, making getaways to Arcachon, Cap Ferret or Soulac more bearable, provided you plan for significant sunlight in areas without shade.
Seasonality of prices from Bordeaux
Around the Saint-Jean train station in Bordeaux, camper van and van rentals see a significant price increase between July and August, linked to the influx of travelers to the Atlantic coast via Bordeaux. By booking from the Caudérian district in Bordeaux for a departure outside school holidays, particularly in May, June, September or early October, rental prices as well as those of campsites near Bordeaux-Lac or Bruges are generally more affordable.
From the Place Pey-Berland in Bordeaux, the low winter season, from November to March, often displays the most attractive prices for vehicles departing from agencies located near Mérignac or Bègles, but some campsites along the Garonne remain closed or limit their services. By preparing your itinerary from the quays of Chartrons in Bordeaux, you thus benefit from a real budgetary margin by aiming for mid-season, while keeping interesting parking options around Bordeaux Metropolis.
Types of vehicles to rent in France
This list gives you a good overview of the offer of motorhomes, campervans, and other vehicles in France. Please note that not all of these vehicles are necessarily available at all rental agencies of our partners. To find out about the available vehicle options for your road trip, please use the search form at the top of this page. You can then filter the results by rental company, price, type of motorhomes, compare rental offers and their options, check availability, save your offers, and of course book online when your choice is made!
Practical guide for traveling by camper van from Bordeaux
Starting from Bordeaux, between the quays of the Garonne and the Place de la Bourse, traveling by camper van requires a good understanding of local regulations, sleeping possibilities, and some habits specific to the Bordelais.
From the boulevards between the Pessac barrier and the Médoc barrier, traffic around Bordeaux Metropolis is marked by the ZFE and by the density of traffic on the A630 ring road, which directly influences how to drive and park in a converted vehicle.
Driving, ZFE and regulations around Bordeaux
When entering the center from the François-Mitterrand bridge or the Saint-Jean bridge, one must take into account the ZFE of Bordeaux Metropolis, which covers the intra-ring road and also concerns camper vans circulating around the Saint-Jean train station and the Chartrons quays.
To reach the water mirror or the Porte de Bourgogne by camper van, it is essential to check your Crit'Air sticker before leaving the Bordeaux-Lac district or Mérignac, and to favor major routes like the Cours de la Marne or the Cours d'Albret to avoid the narrow streets of Old Bordeaux.
Sleeping in a camper van near Bordeaux
For the night, many travelers choose to sleep outside the hypercenter and take the tram to Bordeaux from a park-and-ride near the Buttinière station in Lormont or the Arts et Métiers station in Talence, rather than trying to park near Rue Sainte-Catherine.
After a day spent at the Grand Théâtre or the CAPC contemporary art museum, it is easier to find your camper van in a peripheral spot, for example towards the Bordeaux-Lac district or Pessac Saige, where parking is more spacious than around the Place des Quinconces.
Connecting and managing electricity
Many travelers use specialized areas located around Bordeaux, more easily accessible from the A630 ring road than from the Louis XVIII quays in the historic center.
During the day, you can leave your vehicle connected in an area near Bordeaux-Lac, reach the center by tram from the Parc des Expositions – Stade Matmut Atlantique station, and then return before evening to check your water and electricity levels.
Local traffic tips from Bordeaux
The Bordelais know that in a camper van it is better to avoid peak hours on the ring road between the Bordeaux-Lac and Gradignan interchanges, especially if returning from a weekend towards the Arcachon basin or the beaches of Porge after crossing the Aquitaine bridge.
From the Place de la Victoire or the Saint-Michel district, it is often faster to leave Bordeaux via the Pont de Pierre or the Pont Jacques-Chaban-Delmas, then pick up the ring road, rather than weaving through the narrow streets near the basilica of Saint-Michel.
Safety and tranquility around Bordeaux
For sleeping, many travelers avoid staying isolated near the parking lots of the Queyries quays or the Bassins à flot warehouses, preferring more frequented and well-lit areas in the evening, such as around the Matmut Atlantique stadium or the Bordeaux-Lac Exhibition Center.
Before leaving your vehicle for a stroll in the public garden or the Bordelais park, it is advisable not to leave anything in sight in the cabin and to securely lock the openings, especially if parking near the Place Pey-Berland or the Allées de Tourny.
Local tips for enjoying Bordeaux in a camper van
A practical solution is to park during the day near the Quai de Brienne or near the Halle Boca, then walk to the Capucins market, the Place du Parlement or the streets of the Saint-Pierre district to enjoy Bordeaux's gastronomy.
By leaving early in the morning from the Caudérian district or Villenave-d'Ornon, you avoid traffic jams and easily reach the vineyards of Médoc or Saint-Émilion after following the Garonne from the Chartrons quays, while keeping Bordeaux as a return base for the night.
