Instead of booking several hotels, why not visit the Bay of Somme by motorhome or van?
The Bay of Somme is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Nature lovers, animal lovers, history buffs and culture buffs all find what they’re looking for. And as for the landscape, it’s magnificent! With its Crécy forest, cliffs, marshes and sandbanks, this region feels like the end of the world.
Would you like to discover this region? Then take to the roads and visit the Baie de Somme in a converted van or camper van! In this mini-guide, we give you all the advice and information you need for your road-trip.
Itinerary ideas for the Baie de Somme by motorhome
The Baie de Somme covers an area of just over 70 km², and the region surrounding it is highly diverse. To visit the Baie de Somme in a camper van is to visit a world apart! From hills to beaches, forests and marshes, your itinerary will be full of surprises. You’ll see many wonders and enjoy an excellent vacation in the midst of nature.
But to visit the Bay of Somme by motorhome, you’ll need to create an itinerary. This will enable you to plan your route and the costs involved for gas and tolls. If you don’t have a precise idea for your route, here are a few suggestions.
- 7 days: Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont, Réserve Naturelle Nationale de la baie de Somme, Le Crotoy, Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme, Abbeville
- 15 days: Abbeville, Saint-Riquier, Forêt de Crécy, Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont, Réserve Naturelle Nationale de la baie de Somme, Le Crotoy, Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme, Le hourdel, Cayeux-sur-Mer and Chépy.
- 30 days: 15-day itinerary + Crécy-en-Ponthieu, Vironchaux, Rue, Ault, Mers-les-Bains and Longpré-les-Corps-Saints.
These itineraries for visiting the Bay of Somme in a converted van are only suggestions. They are designed to help you discover the Bay of Somme during your stay. However, these itineraries should be adapted to your interests.
Rent a motorhome to discover Bay de Somme
Driving in the Bay of Somme in a motorhome: traffic rules you need to know
Before visiting the Bay of Somme in a camper van, it’s important to know the rules of the road. These are, of course, the same as in the rest of France. Nevertheless, let’s take a quick look at the most important ones.
Speed limits
These are the same for motorhomes and cars. In built-up areas, you must drive at 50km/h. Outside built-up areas, you can drive at up to 80km/h, or 110km/h on dual carriageways.
Safety
First and foremost, make sure you fasten your seatbelt at all times when the vehicle is in motion. In addition, if you have children with you, they should be in a booster seat. Also, never sit in the back of the vehicle when it’s in motion. This applies to both bench seats and sleeping berths. Finally, always make sure that nothing can fall down and obstruct the pedals.
Equipment
When you’re touring the Bay of Somme in a converted van, certain items of equipment are compulsory. These include sufficient reflective vests for everyone in the vehicle. Warning triangles are also mandatory in the camper van. One or two spare tires may also prove useful during your road-trip.
Last but not least, you’ll need a number of documents before setting off to visit the Baie de Somme by motorhome: your driving license, vehicle registration document, rental contract and insurance certificate.
Alcohol level
As in the rest of the country, the maximum permitted blood-alcohol level is 0.5g/l. If you fail to comply, you risk both a fine and a temporary loss of license. So don’t drink and drive.
Freeway tolls in the Bay of Somme: what are the rates for your type of motorhome?
In France, there are many toll freeways. These allow you to easily connect several major cities. They are the most widely used, especially by foreign tourists, and are well maintained. As far as the Bay of Somme is concerned, however, there are few chargeable stretches. Good news for your trip to visit the Baie de Somme in a converted van. To help you visualize potential toll costs, here are a few examples. You’ll find rates for the Bay of Somme, but also for getting there from the larger towns.
- Calais to Le Crotoy: €6,40
- Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport – Le Crotoy : €15,20
- Paris to Abbeville: €14,10
RV parks in the Bay of Somme: where to park?
To visit the Bay of Somme in a van, you’ll need to park several times. And when you say park, you also say follow the rules. Let’s take a quick look at them together. So you can stop to sleep or visit without breaking the parking rules.
Parking in built-up areas
When you go into town to visit monuments, you’ll naturally need to park. For motorhomes, parking rules are the same as for cars. Keep to the inside of the parking lines, and don’t park in two spaces. Always keep windows and doors closed, and don’t put anything on the road.
Campsites and RV parks
Would you like to visit the Bay of Somme in a camper van for several days? If so, you’ll need to stop and sleep. For this, you can choose to stay at a motorhome park or campsite. In both cases, you’ll find it easy to get some rest. And at campsites, you can even set up your own table or other outdoor furniture.
Wild Camping
In France, wild camping is forbidden and can result in a fine. So you can’t stop and set up camp just anywhere. The easiest way is to go to a motorhome park or campsite. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, it’s also possible to find quiet spots out of sight. Apps like Park4Night will help you find them. You can also consult the map to find places to avoid. For example, you’ll be able to see if a police check has recently been carried out in the area.
How and where to rent a motorhome in France?
Would you like to explore the Bay of Somme by motorhome or camper van, for example? It’s now easy to rent a motorhome in France. How do you do it? By using platforms such as Campstar.
How does it work?
- First, you need to choose the motorhome in your city (e.g. Bordeaux, Nantes, Toulouse, Paris, Montpellier or Marseille).
- Make sure you choose unlimited mileage, check the number of berths available and whether international travel is possible.
- Make your rental request online and share your travel details (dates, rental options, mileage, etc.)
- If your application is accepted and after payment, you’ll have access to the rental agency contact details to arrange a meeting.
- On the big day, present your driver’s license and pay the deposit.
- An inventory of fixtures is carried out and a rental contract is signed by both parties. On your return, after you’ve taken to the roads of the Samar region, sign the return inventory and that’s it!
What’s the best time of year to visit the Bay of Somme by motorhome?
Located in northern France, the Baie de Somme enjoys a cool, wet oceanic climate. As a result, showers are not uncommon throughout the year. So you’ll need to take along rainproof clothing at all times, whatever the season.
The best time to visit the Baie de Somme by motorhome is from June to September. During this period, maximum temperatures are between 20 and 22° Celsius. Minima are between 13°C and 16°C. So it’s never too hot, nor too cold. It’s the ideal time of year for outdoor visits. However, avoid visiting the Baie de Somme between December and March at all costs! Temperatures don’t rise above 8°C and rainfall is heavier.
