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The castles of Allinges in France by motorhome, what to see and do?
The castles of Allinges is one of the dream destinations in the neighboring country. Discover this unforgettable place with the best views of Lake Geneva.
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.
The castles of Allinges: what to see and do
What to see in the castles of Allinges
Located on a hill overlooking Lake Geneva, the ruins of Château Vieux and Châteaux Neuf in the town of Allinges remain one of the most visited and iconic sites from medieval times in the UNESCO Geopark of Chablais that towers over Lake Geneva.
This is your destination if you are looking for ideas for a walk that combines culture, history and nature, all in the heart of Chablais. Discover the castles of Allinges, vestiges that are worth visiting!
Access is completely free and free.
A jump to the Middle Ages
The ruins of Château-Neuf and Château-Vieux stand face to face on the top of the Allinges hill. The Château Neuf's XNUMXth-century Romanesque chapel, which houses a remarkable fresco in the dead-end apse, is listed as a Historic Monument.
This site of the castles of Allinges served as the residence of Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622) during his mission to evangelize this province after the Duke of Savoy took over the Protestants of Geneva and Bern. Today it is still a place of pilgrimage.
The Belvedere des Châteaux rises to 717 meters. It offers one of the most beautiful views of Chablais: you can admire the lake, the Swiss and French Jura, but also the Dent d'Oche, the highest point of Chablais (2222 meters).
The Châteaux of Allinges occupy an essential site of the UNESCO Chablais Global Geopark. You will discover the medieval history of these two neighboring and rival fortresses. Its walls bear the scars of its war. Below you, the panorama will tell a much older story, stretching from the Molassic Sea to the great Alpine glaciers.
What to do in the castles of Allinges
The Allinges walk
Take the exit from Allinges Church. Directional signs are present at all major intersections. There are yellow arrow markers from one place to another, indicated in the description only when necessary.
From the parking lot at the side of the church, with your back to it, take the small street in front that goes up towards the castles. At the end of the asphalt, after about a hundred meters, turn right onto a shaded path towards the castle car park. At a fork, take the path to the right and proceed more or less flat into the brush.
Follow a small road to the left in the direction of Château Neuf and Château Vieux. Climb up, pass under two successive stone arches and enter the Château Neuf estate. You will find a statue of Saint-François de Salles and further on, a viewpoint, and around it the sheep that you will see in the photo.
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.
Park and spend the night in Allignes in a motorhome
To visit Allignes there is only one day car park and not a very large one at the entrance to the castles.
Being small, it is preferable not to spend the night so that we are not prohibited from accessing motorhomes or campers shortly.
To stay overnight, we find a free area with services near Thonon les bains or a paid area with all services near Yvoire.
In winter in this area of Lac Leman there are only services in the area close to Yvoire for a fee or in the free area of Abondance (only services pay €3,5 paying by card), in the rest the water and services are closed due to frost.
REMEMBER, CAMPING IS OUTSTANDING THE PERIMETER OF YOUR VEHICLE (taking out a table and chairs, awning, opening windows, spending more than 72 hours in the same place ...). For camping you can go to private areas or campsites.
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.
2 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.
3 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.
