Following the 2027 Tour de France by motorhome or campervan

Why a van suits the Tour

Hotels near the big climbs are few and book out early, and many are a long drive from the road the race uses. With a van you can stay on the mountain the night before, then move on to the next stage without checking in anywhere.

The catch is that thousands of fans have the same idea. Parking on the famous climbs fills days ahead, roads close long before the riders arrive, and there is no water, waste disposal or shop on the way up.

The best 2027 climbs for a van

These are the climbs where vans gather. The counts are the campsites and RV areas within about 3 km of each stage's route, all listed with links on the stage pages.

• Alps, Stages 9 to 11
• Pyrenees, Stages 17 to 19
• Femmes finale, Stages 7 to 9
• How to watch the Tour in person

When to arrive on a climb

On the most famous climbs, fans arrive two to five days early to get a spot. On smaller climbs and flat stages, the morning of the race is usually enough.

Roads on the route close to traffic a few hours before the publicity caravan passes. On the big mountain climbs, the authorities often close the road to motorhomes the afternoon or evening before, once the parking areas are full. Bikes and walkers can usually go up for longer.

The exact closing times are set by each prefecture and department and published in June or early July. We add them to the climb pages when they come out.

Where you can park and sleep

In France you may sleep in your motorhome wherever parking is legal. Putting out chairs, a table, an awning or levelling blocks counts as camping, which is only allowed on campsites and in some RV areas. Many mountain roads and towns have signs banning motorhomes overnight, so check before you stop.

For the big climbs, the local department often opens dedicated motorhome parking for the race. Otherwise you have three options: RV areas (aires), many run by Camping-Car Park at roughly 12 to 18 euros a night; campsites, which you should book now for July; and the France Passion network of farms and vineyards that host vans for a night.

Water, waste and heat

Fill up with water and empty your tanks in the valley before you climb, because the mountain has no services. Take enough water, food and shade for a long, hot day, and a toilet solution of your own: there are few toilets on the climbs.

July days in the mountains can be very hot in the sun and cold at night, so pack for both.

Getting off the mountain

After the riders pass, the road stays closed until the race convoy and team cars are through, and then everyone leaves at once. On the big climbs, motorhome parking may only reopen that evening or the next morning.

Plan an extra night where you are rather than a long drive straight after the stage.

The UK stages

The race starts in Britain: the men's stages run from 2 to 4 July and the Femmes stages from 30 July to 1 August. The rules there are stricter for vans. In Scotland, access rights cover camping with a small tent but not sleeping in a vehicle. In England and Wales, you need a campsite or the landowner's permission.

Expect pop-up campsites near the busiest stages, and use the caravan parks and campsites listed on each UK stage page.

The Tour de France Femmes

The last three Femmes stages, 5 to 7 August, cross the Auvergne, with the final finish on the Puy de Dôme. The road to the top of the Puy de Dôme is closed to private vehicles, so vans stay below, around Orcines and Royat, and fans walk or ride up.

The Montagne Bourbonnaise and the Sancy massif on the two days before are quieter and easier for a van.