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Planning a South Eastern France campervan itinerary from the UK? This route takes you from Dover to Calais via the Eurotunnel, followed by a long drive south through France — tolls and all — before reaching the alpine lakes of Savoie and Haute‑Savoie. It’s a trip that mixes lake swims, mountain hikes and relaxed family vanlife, with a blend of pre‑booked campsites and flexible stopovers that worked really well for us.

The drive is long and the tolls aren’t cheap, but once you reach the lakes, the reward is huge: turquoise water, mountain views and some of the best open‑water swimming we’ve found in Europe. Annecy is big, famous and undeniably beautiful — but also very busy. Lac du Bourget, on the other hand, is smaller, calmer and far less frantic, with another even quieter lake (Lac d’Aiguebelette) just down the road if you prefer something more peaceful.

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7 Night South Eastern France Campervan Itinerary

The lakes of southern France combine stunning scenery, open‑water swimming and relaxed small‑town vibes. Once you’re in the Alps, the drives between stops are short and scenic — a welcome contrast to the long haul down from Calais.

Detailed Itinerary

Night 1 — Late Arrival Stop (Aire d’Urvillers)

It was a less than glamorous start to our South Eastern France campervan itinerary. We arrived in Calais at 1 am via Eurotunnel and drove to a motorway service aire near Urvillers. It did the job. That’s all it needed to do.

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Nights 2–4 — Lac du Bourget

Camping International de L’Île Aux Cygnes

The real start of the trip. Set against an alpine backdrop, Lac du Bourget, France’s largest natural lake, boasts clear turquoise water, warm summer temperatures (often around 22–26 °C), and calm, clean water that’s perfect for swimming.

Why We Loved It

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Hike Highlight – Le Dent du Chat

Our hike up Dent du Chat felt like a proper little adventure. You can actually walk up from the campsite, but we drove to the lookout at Col du Chat and from there it was around a 45-minute climb — steep enough to feel earned, but short enough for a spontaneous morning outing.

The final section includes ladders and fixed ropes, adding a bit of adrenaline before stepping onto the narrow pinnacle summit. The name means “Cat’s Tooth,” and once you’re standing up there looking straight down over Lac du Bourget, it makes perfect sense — huge, dramatic views and some of the best we had on the trip.

Bonus fact: cyclists know this mountain for the brutally steep Mont du Chat climb winding up the slopes below.

Nights 5–6 — Annecy (Camping Le Lac Bleu)

Annecy is big, famous and beautiful — and very busy. We booked just two days before arrival, and although we had to move pitch on the first night, it was still worth it.

Camping Le Lac Bleu sits right on the southern shore of the lake with direct water access from the site — no driving to find a swim spot, just walk down and get in. The water is extraordinary: properly turquoise, glacier-fed, and clear enough to see the bottom well out from the shore. Above it all, the Alps frame every view, and on both mornings we were there paragliders were drifting down off the peaks above the town — one of those backdrops that makes you stop mid-stroke and just look.

We used the campsite jetty for jumping and diving, which the boys made the most of at every opportunity. For longer swims, Claire and Tommy headed out into open water while Dan kept pace alongside on the SUP — the lake is vast and flat, perfect for distance, and the SUP escort made it feel relaxed rather than risky. The site itself has gym equipment and water slides, so there was plenty to keep everyone busy between swims. There’s also a good shop a short walk away for restocking.

Annecy Notes

• The town is extremely busy in peak season
• Take the water taxi or go very early to avoid parking headaches
• Height restrictions make van parking tricky
• Alternate pastry stop: Seyssel

Wild swimming is central to how we plan every trip — if you’re new to it or thinking about taking it further, our complete family guide to wild swimming from a campervan covers everything from safety and kit to finding spots and training for events.

Night 7 — Condal Campsite (Bresse, Bergundy)

We had planned to spend the day driving towards Calais, but it was so hot that driving any further felt borderline criminal, so we pulled off early and stopped at Camping Terre Ferme in Condal. It turned out to be exactly what we needed: quiet, friendly, sunny, and made the journey next day a bit more manageable.

The campsite advertises a “swimming pond”, but honestly… it looked like more of a swamp and there was no way I was getting in! We gave it a very wide berth. The website lists several other swimming spots nearby — we just didn’t have time to check them out.

Instead, we played boules in the sunshine and enjoyed the kind of slow, simple evening that only seems to happen at the tail end of a road trip.

Nearby Swimming Spots (if you have more time than we did)

• Less the 10Km from the campsite are Lac de Louvarel, Lac de Vouglans  (huge, turquoise, and stunning) and the outdoor pool in Saint‑Amour

• There are also some stunning waterfalls at (although I can’t vouch for whether or not they are swimmable) such as those at Baume-les-Messieurs, Balanod or cascade de Quenouille.

➡️ Official site: https://www.campingterreferme.f

Swim & Water Highlights

• Lac du Bourget: front row pitches, boat hire, diving
• Lake activities around Annecy
• Wild lake dips along route
• Swimming + water-focused adventures made this trip a “swimmer’s paradise”

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Would We Do This Route Again?

Absolutely — lakes, swimming, mountain hiking, and small-town charm made this a perfect short vanlife escape.

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Other Itineraries

• Ireland Ring of Kerry
• Northern Spain & Galicia
• Scotland & Isle of Mull