France by Motorhome 2026
Day 4 of 8 – Lost Around Paris, Found in the Jura Mountains
Monday, 13 July 2026
Another beautiful summer morning greeted us at Camping Paris Maisons-Laffitte Sandaya.
After freshening up, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast beneath the awning. Fresh French croissants and crispy baguettes were served alongside a selection of Indian pickles, while the children tucked into fruit juices and the adults savoured another round of Hansa’s much-loved masala tea. It was a wonderful blend of two cultures—French bread with Indian flavours—and somehow it worked perfectly.
Today was a travelling day.
Our destination was Camp Jura, nestled in the beautiful Jura Mountains of eastern France, a journey that would take us through hundreds of miles of changing landscapes.
Before leaving, however, we had one more stop to make.
Saying Goodbye to Shivem
Before setting off, Ashaani and Shay clung tightly to their dad, reluctant to let him go. There were long hugs, kisses and promises to see each other again in just a few days.
We drove towards Maisons-Laffitte railway station, where Shivem would catch his train back to Paris before flying home to England. Unfortunately, work commitments meant he couldn’t continue the rest of the holiday with us.
The goodbye was far more emotional than any of us had expected.
As grandparents, moments like these remind you just how close family bonds really are.
With a final wave from the roadside, Shivem disappeared from view, and our convoy continued its journey.
A Battle with Paris Traffic
After filling both motorhomes with fuel, we programmed our destination into Google Maps and confidently set off.
Or so we thought.
Within minutes we missed a turning and found ourselves searching for somewhere large enough to turn two motorhomes around.
That was only the beginning.
Bharti and Vienna were acting as navigators in the lead Peugeot motorhome, while we followed behind in the Fiat. Despite faithfully following the sat-nav, we repeatedly found ourselves facing unexpected height restrictions that were completely unsuitable for motorhomes.
Each diversion seemed to lead to another restriction.
Every attempt to rejoin our planned route sent us somewhere else.
By the time we finally escaped the outskirts of Paris, we had lost almost three hours.
As anyone who has travelled together as a family will know, long delays can sometimes test even the happiest of travellers. A few good-natured disagreements inevitably broke out between the driver and the navigation team as everyone had their own opinion on which direction to take.
Fortunately, Shital stepped in with her usual calm approach, helping to diffuse the situation before it became anything more than another family travel story.
Once we eventually found the correct route, smiles returned, laughter replaced frustration, and the adventure continued.
We have driven around Paris on several previous motorhome holidays, but this was the first time we had encountered so many low bridges and height restrictions. Perhaps Google had simply chosen a route better suited to cars than six-berth motorhomes!
Looking back now, it has become one of those stories we laugh about.
Through the Heart of Rural France
Once clear of the city, France revealed a completely different character.
Busy motorways gave way to quiet country roads winding through rolling farmland, sleepy villages and picturesque forests. Golden fields stretched towards the horizon, while occasional vineyards and charming stone houses reminded us that we were now travelling through the very heart of rural France.
We stopped at several French aires along the way to stretch our legs, enjoy refreshments and give the children a chance to burn off some energy before continuing.
One of the joys of travelling by motorhome is that the journey itself becomes part of the holiday. There is no rush. Every stop offers another opportunity to discover somewhere new.
Arrival at Camp Jura
By the time we reached Camp Jura, it was almost 8.00 pm.
Unfortunately, reception had already closed for the evening, so a helpful member of staff directed us to temporary pitches near the bottom of the campsite until we could formally check in the following morning.
Although these pitches were quite a walk from the toilet and shower block, we were pleased to have electrical hook-ups, allowing us to settle comfortably for the night.
The location was absolutely beautiful.
A peaceful lake lay just beyond the campsite, surrounded by woodland and rolling green hills. After the bustle of Paris, the tranquillity of the Jura Mountains felt wonderfully relaxing.
The children wasted no time.
Within minutes they were back on their bicycles, racing around the campsite, exploring every pathway and enjoying the freedom that only a campsite can offer.
For Hansa and me, however, the steep walk uphill to the washrooms proved a little more challenging. Between Hansa’s recent injury and our ageing knees, we certainly appreciated the downhill journey far more than the climb back up!
Another Memorable Evening
With our tables and chairs arranged outside, it was time for another relaxed family dinner.
Hansa had prepared a delicious fish curry, which we enjoyed with freshly bought French baguettes—a surprisingly successful combination.
The vegetarians were equally well catered for with homemade chutneys, pickles and a selection of vegetarian dishes that disappeared just as quickly.
As the evening cooled, Nitin and I enjoyed a couple of chilled beers while discussing the day’s adventures.
Surprise Surprise !
Hansa produced a bottle of Malibu and poured herself, Shital and Bharti a refreshing Malibu and Coke. Seeing the ladies relaxing together with a tropical drink in hand certainly brought a few smiles and plenty of jokes around the table especially when Hansa is a non drinker.
Meanwhile, the children happily sipped fruit juices, with Druv enthusiastically polishing off his favourite crunchy rotis.
Just when we thought the day’s surprises were over, another unexpected incident occurred.
Shital suddenly cried out after being stung by a wasp—a timely reminder that spending time in nature comes with its own little hazards. Fortunately, Bharti had thoughtfully packed an After Bite relief pen in her bag. We quickly applied it to the sting, and within a short time the pain began to ease.
Despite the frustrations of navigating our way out of Paris, the day had ended exactly as we had hoped—with laughter, good food, beautiful surroundings and another collection of family memories.
One by one the lights inside the motorhomes went out, conversations faded into silence, and everyone drifted off to sleep after another full day on the road.
Tomorrow we finally have a full day without any long driving. We look forward to exploring the beautiful Jura Mountains, enjoying the peaceful lakeside surroundings and discovering what hidden gems this delightful corner of France has in store for us.
