Road Genius compares campervan rentals across trusted brands and helps you pick the right vehicle at the best price. Bordeaux is a key pick-up hub in south-west France and sits two hours from the Atlantic beaches, the Dordogne valley and the Pyrenees. Spring or early autumn offer mild weather and quiet roads.
Season | Avg High °F | °C | Good to visit? |
---|---|---|---|
Spring (Mar – May) | 59-68 °F | 15-20 °C | Yes – vineyards in bloom, lighter traffic |
Summer (Jun – Aug) | 77-82 °F | 25-28 °C | Yes if you book campsites early |
Autumn (Sep – Nov) | 62-70 °F | 17-21 °C | Best – grape harvest and mild days |
Winter (Dec – Feb) | 50-54 °F | 10-12 °C | Possible, but many camps close |
Speed limits are 50 km/h (31 mph) in towns, 80 km/h (50 mph) on rural roads and 130 km/h (81 mph) on autoroutes in dry weather.
The A10, A62 and A63 autoroutes use toll booths. Take a ticket when you enter and pay cash or card when you exit.
Order a Crit'Air emissions sticker online before travel. It is required on pollution-alert days inside the Bordeaux ring road.
Old-town streets are narrow and have height bars under 2.0 m (6 ft 6 in). Use park-and-ride lots (signed P+R) on tram lines.
Place | Hook-ups | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|---|
Camping de Bordeaux-Lac (city, Mar-Dec) | Full | 15 min tram ride to center, large pitches, lakeside path | Book July-Aug, some road noise |
Aire Camping-Car Park Pessac | Water+Electric | 24-hour automated entry, dump point, close to supermarkets | Max stay 24 hours, no shade |
Camping Le Village du Lac (Bruges) | Full | Pool, playground, accepts big rigs, open year-round | Higher price in high season |
Aire de Camping-Car Arès (Arcachon Bay) | Water+Electric | Low cost, walk to bay, oyster huts nearby | Limited spaces, fills fast |
Public Forest Parking Médoc (select signed spots) | None | Free, quiet pine forest, beach access | No services, fire bans in summer |
Most Aires provide water and a dump station. The cheapest near the ring road is Aire Pessac.
Bordeaux municipal recycling centers accept RV gray and black water. You need a badge - ask security.
Emergency numbers: 112 (all services), 15 (medical), 17 (police), 18 (fire).
French law requires a reflective vest and warning triangle on board. Keep them reachable from the driver's cab.