At this moment you are viewing Abondance, a fairy-tale town in Haute-Savoie with family plans for everyone
Abondance, a fairytale village in the pre-Alps of Haute-Savoie

Abondance a fairy-tale village of Haute-Savoie with family plans for everyone

Abondance through France in a motorhome, what to see and do?

Abondance is one of the dream destinations in the neighboring country and on our route within Lake Geneva. Discover this unforgettable place that turns white in winter.

Live it!

On a route through France in a motorhome, we discover fairytale villages, emerged from a freezer of the most remote history of Europe, pirate villages and beautiful coves on its coast, impressive natural parks and surprising archaeological sites. In addition, we discovered France with children and with our dog Max, who broadens our gaze and makes us enjoy it 200%.

On this occasion we make a 10-day route in winter where we cross the Rhone River from its origin to its mouth in France. It is on this route that you can see his summary in a video from our Youtube channel, that we discover the Lac Leman and Yvoire in its splendor.

Stay on our journey through our posts on our blog and start traveling with us to France by motorhome.

Entrance to the village of Abondance on a rainy day

Abondance: what to see and do

What to see and do in Abondance

Abondance is a small municipality in the Lake Geneva destination, located in the Haute-Savoie department. A ski resort in winter and an authentic mountain village in summer, it is a delight for athletes and nature lovers.

Abondance Abbey

It was founded by the abbey of Saint-Maurice-d'Agaune in the 1100s. It became the abbey of Notre-Dame d'Abondance in the 1795th century when the priory moved to the city. After several abandonments, it was close to ruin before being sold as national property in 1860. The monument fell into disuse and served as a dumping ground for the inhabitants. It was not until the XNUMXs that the place regained its letters of nobility, after being bought by the Sallavuard family.

Today you can visit it with a ticket at a reasonable price. The visit is not very big and the explanations are in French, but if you use the website of the guided tour that they tell you, you can do the automatic translation on your mobile. 

The guide for families with children is entertaining and very good.

Cheese House

La Maison du Fromage d'Abondance stands out for local producers and farmers. The venue contains an exhibition as well as a shop and tasting area to the delight of fans. It is a short visit of 9 steps that will allow you to discover all the secrets and flavors of the best products of the Haute-Savoie department, entertaining with the children and very tasty.

To save some money you can buy the combined ticket that includes the House of Cheese + the Abbey.

Abondance Church

Next to the Abbey is the Abondance church belonging to the same Abbey, but with free and separate access. 

It really is very beautiful, you can enter whether or not you visit the Abbey.

Abondance Church
Abondance Church

Lake Plagnes

Lac des Plagnes occupies 6 hectares and is the Abondance's Nordic ski domain and natural ice rink in winter.

In summer, loved by fishermen, this water point is also the start of many hiking trails in the surrounding mountains. 

Swimming in summer and natural ice skating in winter, Nordic skiing, jogging and many other activities await you. 

On our trip we did not have time to go up, but we have it pending for the next one.

If you like winter sports, ski in its alpine ski resort!

Once the snow season arrives, the mountains of Abondance become ski slopes to launch at full speed. Winter sports and thrill seekers will be very happy. Skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing… 4 green slopes, 6 blue slopes, 2 red slopes, 1 black slope… 

They are relatively small tracks, but it makes them very familiar and ideal to go with children. Of course, you should know that most lifts are ski lifts, if your children and beginners are very young, it is better to change the station.

Gondola lift to the Abondance ski slopes
Gondola lift to the Abondance ski slopes

go hiking

Mont de la Grange is a mountain that rises to over 2.400 meters in height, making it the highest massif in Chablis, after the Hauts-Forts. It is about a dozen hiking trails that intersect in the heights of the mountain. Obviously, each point offers different points of view of the most exceptional. To climb it from Abondance, you will have to take the direction of Lac des Plagnes, pass in front of some typical villages of the region and after passing the Saint-Théodule chapel, you will be there.

Abondance Valley and Mountains
Abondance Valley and Mountains

get lost among deer

Head to the Parc à Daims d'Abondance, located near the impressive Chevenne stream. This is full of animals to admire. Sheep, cheese, deer and much more... A short walk will allow you to clear your mind, seeing, from time to time, animals and chalets that are very typical of the region. The landscapes are relaxing and the expanses are vast, making them ideal for children and nature lovers.

Abondance Valley and Mountains
Abondance Valley and Mountains

Taste and buy local products

Throughout the year, local producers invite you to taste local products such as sheep and goat cheese, as well as other typical specialties of the region. Cured meats, fresh fish, seasonal fruits and vegetables, flowers, handicrafts, and many other Abondance dishes and souvenirs can be found in its little shops and restaurants. 

Every Sunday, in the city center, overlooking the Notre-Dame abbey, the market is held for added pleasure.  

New jackets bought in Abondance with the coat of arms of Haute-Savoie
New jackets bought in Abondance with the coat of arms of Haute-Savoie

Lake Plagnes

Lac des Plagnes occupies 6 hectares and is the Abondance's Nordic ski domain and natural ice rink in winter.

In summer, loved by fishermen, this water point is also the start of many hiking trails in the surrounding mountains. 

Swimming in summer and natural ice skating in winter, Nordic skiing, jogging and many other activities await you. 

On our trip we did not have time to go up, but we have it pending for the next one.

An extra –> Not far from Abondance you can visit the gorges of the Devil's Bridge, only in summer

They rise 50 or 60 meters above the stream that they overlook and sometimes give the impression of being a sinkhole. The name of the place comes from a large concrete block wedged between two walls, 40 meters high. Nowadays, the site is only accessible between April and September to avoid accidents due to the weather. The landscape is impressive but if you go in winter like us you will find it closed.

 We advise, manage, solve doubts, give support and set up a route or trip in a motorhome personalized to your tastes and needs, so that you can go calm, safe and your trip in a motorhome is unforgettable.

With this service you will really enjoy a motorhome trip without setbacks or loss of time.

 

ACCESS HERE

Park and spend the night in Abondance in a motorhome

Abondance motorhome area

Abondance has a motorhome area with all the services and one of the best in the entire Lac Leman area. A spacious place to park and with a heated utility terminal, making it one of the few places where you will find water available in winter.

Parking and overnight stays are free and the services cost €3,5 each for 20 minutes. You can pay by card at the terminal and the instructions are in Spanish, English and French among other languages.

Abondance motorhome area service terminal

To finish ... 3 maxims about France in a motorhome

1 Don't forget winter chains or tires in winter

You should know that between November 1 to March 31 in 48 departments of France, including those bordering Spain, it is mandatory to wear chains (at least for the two driving wheels) or winter tires.

If you want to see an article about what chains and / or winter tires are better for motorhomes, here We leave you an article that we talk about from our experience in our motorhome.

Finally I leave you here, an article on recommendations of what you should never do in the snow in a motorhome.

Do not forget the necessary documents

To go to France, you must have the valid DNIs or passports of adults and also children as identification documentation.

You must also bring your Covid vaccination certificate or QR code or a PCR or negative antigen test for those over 12 years of age. They can not only ask you for this at the border, but they can ask you for it in many restaurants, museums and other places of interest.

On the other hand for medical issues you must take the European sanitary card in force, although you should know that in France there is a medical copayment for foreigners in most things. For this reason, and due to various experiences of colleagues, we decided to always carry a medical travel insurance that for the cost that it has we go safe and calm. We always take out Iati getaway insurance, which is designed to travel as a family in a motorhome or camper, which apart from medical insurance includes even accident insurance for the pets with which you travel or even a small insurance for theft of the interior of the motorhome. For the price it is really worth it and more with the Covid still around here. Without commitment we leave you here a discount of 5% of the insurance What do we tell you in case you want to ask for a budget at a better price.

Learn about the regulations on parking, spending the night and camping in a motorhome in France 

We make it easy for you, here is a small practical guide about France by motorhome with everything you need to know.

Traveling in France in a motorhome is the easiest. Without a doubt, the motorhome routes in France are among the best in Europe.

Regulations on parking and spending the night in a motorhome in France freely

The regulations in France regulate that you can park and spend the night anywhere that a vehicle can do it, as long as it is not camped (you leave the perimeter of your vehicle, that is, take out tables, chairs, etc.), as in Spain although with particularities, which we will see later. This is the general rule, you can park and stay overnight without problem if there is no explicit prohibition.

Regulations on camping in a motorhome in France

Camping in France is meticulously regulated in various ways depending on the region and site.

Now as a general rule Free camping (taking out table chairs, opening windows, awning ...) is prohibited throughout France in these places:

  • By the sea
  • In natural parks or protected environmental areas
  • In the streets and public roads
  • Less than 500 meters from a tourist attraction
  • On private farms without permission

Outside of these sites, you have to look at each case about the region we are in and place, a normative tidal wave.

But as a general rule, outside of the sites mentioned above, if there is no prohibition, we could take out our awning, table and chair to eat without problem. 
Another important thing to know is that the French motorhome culture is of great respect and education, which means that no one thinks of leaving their table and chair and awning anywhere all day. They only do it at the time of use and then they collect everything quickly. You must always do this as well, so that free camping is still tolerated in France outside of the sites we have mentioned above.

Motorhome services and areas in France

France by motorhome is very easy since has the largest network of motorhome areas in Europe with more than 6000 motorhome areas. Motorhome areas with all the services of emptying and filling with water and many with electricity. 

Most of the overnight areas for motorhomes or campers are municipal and free or at very low prices, less than € 10 for 24 hours.

In practically all points of interest or tourist towns you will find a motorhome area, and generally always central or well connected to the center of the towns.

The French have a PhD in camping and caravanning and it shows.

In addition to these motorhome areas, we find a network of overnight areas in very important farms and vineyards where they allow to spend the night and camp in exchange for the purchase of km0, this network is what makes France Passion.

Carreteras

In general the roads are very good in France. The national ones usually have a hard shoulder and are usually fine, although depending on the area you will find many changes in grade, curves and a lot of two-way traffic.

The highways are great, but against the extortionate prices. In some sections there are highways, however they are minimal.

Finally, you should know that between November 1 to March 31 in 48 departments of France, including those bordering Spain, it is mandatory to carry chains (at least for the two driving wheels) or winter tires.

If you want to see an article about what chains and / or winter tires are better for motorhomes, here We leave you an article that we talk about from our experience in our motorhome.

Poland by camper or motorhome

Other articles that may interest you to travel to France by motorhome or camper van

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