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Calais, France
Start your journey in Calais and head south. There are free aire de camping-car stops along the N43 and A26 corridor. Stock up on supplies at the Cité Europe retail park before departing.
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Reims, France
Reims has a well-known free motorhome aire on Rue du Champ de Mars near the city centre. Walk to the stunning Gothic Notre-Dame de Reims cathedral and sample a glass of local Champagne. A perfect overnight stop before heading east.
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Colmar, France
Colmar's picturesque Little Venice quarter is unmissable with its colourful half-timbered houses. There is a cheap municipal motorhome aire at Parking Dessenheim nearby for around €5-8 per night. Try tarte flambée and local Alsatian wines in the old town.
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Bern, Switzerland
Switzerland's capital has a well-maintained motorhome park at TCS Camping Eymatt on the western edge of the city, reasonably priced for Swiss standards. Explore the medieval old town arcades, the Rose Garden viewpoint, and try rösti at a local Beiz. Note you need a Swiss motorway vignette (around €40) to drive on Swiss highways.
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Interlaken, Switzerland
Interlaken sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz with jaw-dropping Alpine scenery. TCS Camping Interlaken offers affordable lakeside pitches and is popular with motorhomes. Take the cogwheel train up to Jungfraujoch or hike the trails above Grindelwald for free panoramic views.
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Lugano, Switzerland
Lugano is the Italian-speaking gateway of Switzerland sitting on a stunning lake surrounded by mountains. There is a municipal campsite at Camping La Palma in nearby Agno with good facilities. Stroll the palm-lined lakefront promenade and enjoy Italian-style gelato and risotto before crossing into Italy.
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Milan, Italy
Milan is an easy day stop on the way south. Use the free camper parking at Orio al Serio near Bergamo just outside Milan to avoid city traffic. Pop into Bergamo's stunning medieval Città Alta for lunch and a stroll — far less crowded than Milan itself.
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Cinque Terre, Italy
The five colourful clifftop villages of Cinque Terre are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and absolutely unmissable. Park your motorhome at the dedicated camper park in La Spezia (around €10-12/night) and take the cheap local train into the villages. Hike the coastal trails between Monterosso and Vernazza for stunning sea views and fresh pesto pasta.
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Nice, France
Nice is the jewel of the French Riviera with its iconic Promenade des Anglais and vibrant old town market at Cours Saleya. Use Camping Magali in nearby Villeneuve-Loubet for a cheap base (around €15-20/night) with easy bus access to Nice. Don't miss Socca flatbread, pan bagnat, and a sunset walk up to Castle Hill for free panoramic views.
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Arles, France
Arles is a beautiful Roman city in Provence made famous by Van Gogh's paintings. There is a well-located motorhome aire near the city walls for around €8-10 per night. Visit the stunning Roman amphitheatre, explore the Saturday market, and enjoy a bowl of soupe de poisson before the final leg home.