Les meilleures destinations au départ de Lyon pour un road trip inoubliable

6 pays à explorer en van, avec itinéraires de 10 jours et conseils pratiques

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Travelling by van: total freedom, just a flight away

Fly there, hire a van when you arrive and explore at your own pace

What if your next adventure began at Lyon Airport? Just imagine: a flight to a fascinating country, a few hours’ flying time, then picking up your hire van straight at the airport of arrival. In less than half a day, you’ll already be on the road, ready to explore beaches, mountains, historic towns and hidden gems.

Travelling by campervan isn’t just for seasoned adventurers: it’s an incredibly flexible option that can be tailored to your preferences, your pace and your budget. Whether you enjoy spending the night in the great outdoors, stopping off for culinary delights or taking in cultural sights, your itinerary takes shape as you go along.

In this article, we suggest six countries – all accessible by direct flight or with a connecting flight from Lyon – that are perfect for a road trip lasting around 10 days. The itinerary is 100 per cent customisable depending on your arrival airport, the season and your personal preferences.

Why hire a van locally?

Time-saving: in just a few hours’ flight, you’ll arrive right in the heart of your destination, ready to start your adventure.
Savings on the journey: no long days spent driving from France, and no fuel costs or tolls over thousands of kilometres.
More time at your destination: you’ll make the most of your holiday by exploring the destination rather than travelling to get there.
Logistical convenience: airports often have well-equipped van hire agencies (kitchen kits, bedding, insurance).
Flexible itineraries: you can choose one airport for arrival and another for departure to create a straight-line route, without having to turn back.

Top tip: compare hire deals before you set off and check what’s included (unlimited mileage, comprehensive insurance, equipment). In peak season, book your van several months in advance.

Islande – Glaciers majestueux et paysages lunaires

L’Islande est une terre où la nature semble sculptée par la main des dieux. Entre glaciers scintillants, volcans encore actifs et cascades spectaculaires, chaque détour sur la route offre un panorama à couper le souffle. Les plages de sable noir contrastent avec les eaux turquoise des lagunes glaciaires, tandis que les fjords escarpés et les champs de lave créent un décor unique au monde.

Les sources chaudes naturelles et les geysers bouillonnants permettent des pauses féeriques entre randonnées et découvertes, offrant un équilibre parfait entre aventure et détente. Ici, la lumière changeante transforme le paysage en œuvre d’art à chaque instant, que vous voyiez l’aurore boréale danser sur le ciel ou le soleil de minuit caresser les montagnes.

Vols depuis Lyon : Reykjavik
Avantages du van en Islande : liberté totale pour s’arrêter à chaque cascade, source chaude ou plage isolée ; dormir au plus près de la nature sauvage ; itinéraires modulables selon la saison.
Itinéraire 10 jours :

J1-2 : Reykjavik & Péninsule de Reykjanes
J3 : Cercle d’Or (Geysir, Gullfoss, Thingvellir)
J4-6 : Côte Sud (Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Jokulsarlon)
J7-8 : Fjords de l’Est
J9 : Région du lac Mývatn
J10 : Retour vers Reykjavik par l’intérieur

Découvrir le road trip

Portugal – Golden cliffs and colourful villages

Portugal captivates visitors with its endless coastline and whitewashed villages clinging to the hillsides. With its unspoilt beaches, golden cliffs and towns steeped in history, the country offers a varied and exotic holiday experience. Lisbon, with its cobbled streets and colourful azulejos, and Porto, with its quays overlooking the Douro, bear witness to the country’s cultural richness. The cuisine, ranging from seafood to local pastries, provides a delightful highlight at every stop along the way.

Hiring a van allows you to explore the Algarve’s hidden coves, stop off at vineyards or wander through the narrow streets of the small villages of the Alentejo, far from the tourist crowds. The mild climate and the friendliness of the locals make the road trip even more enjoyable.

Flights from Lyon: Lisbon, Porto, Faro
Advantages of travelling by campervan in Portugal: a pleasant climate, spectacular coastal roads, plenty of designated campervan sites, and the freedom to choose your own route.

10-day itinerary (from Lisbon):

Days 1–2: Lisbon
Days 3–4: Alentejo coast
Days 5–6: Algarve (Lagos, Sagres, Tavira)
Days 7–8: Évora and the inland Alentejo region
Days 9–10: Return to Lisbon via Setúbal

Discover the road trip

Canada – Endless lakes and majestic forests

Canada is a country of wide-open spaces and striking contrasts. With its shimmering lakes, dense forests and towering mountains, nature reigns supreme. Montréal and Québec City offer a pleasant urban contrast, with their European architecture and warm atmosphere, whilst the national parks provide a haven of tranquillity and pure beauty.

Hiring a van allows you to explore scenic routes at your own pace, stopping to watch the sunset by a lake or to go for a walk in the countryside, far from the crowds. The vastness of the country gives you a rare sense of freedom: every detour becomes a unique adventure, whether it’s taking in the view of Niagara Falls or enjoying the tranquillity of Quebec’s forests.

Flights from Lyon : Montréal (direct)
The benefits of travelling by van in Canada: vast landscapes, campsites in the heart of nature, and complete freedom to stop wherever you like.

10-day itinerary (Quebec & Ontario):

Days 1–2: Montreal
Days 3–4: La Mauricie National Park
Days 5–6: Quebec City & Montmorency Falls
Days 7–8: Ottawa
Days 9–10: Toronto & Niagara Falls

Discover the road trip

inspiration voyage van Espagne couple nature

Spain – Golden beaches and rugged mountains

Spain combines energy, sunshine and a variety of landscapes. From hilltop white villages to endless beaches and majestic mountains, each region tells a different story. Andalusia captivates visitors with its Moorish heritage, narrow streets and flower-filled patios, whilst the Mediterranean coast charms with its coves and picturesque harbours.

Hiring a van lets you explore the country at your own pace, stopping off at a local festival, sampling tapas in a village or watching the sunset from a secluded beach. Spain offers a unique blend of nature and culture, ideal for a road trip that you can tailor to your own preferences.

Vols depuis Lyon : Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Malaga, Valencia
Advantages of travelling by van in Spain: varied landscapes, mild weather, and the freedom to explore remote areas.

10-day itinerary (from Malaga):

Days 1–2: Málaga & the Costa del Sol
Days 3–4: Granada & the Sierra Nevada
Days 5–6: Córdoba & Seville
Days 7–8: Cádiz & the Atlantic coast
Days 9–10: Return journey via Ronda and the white villages

Discover the road trip

Croatie – Fjords adriatiques et trésors médiévaux

La Croatie offre un spectacle où mer, montagnes et villes anciennes se mêlent harmonieusement. Entre criques turquoise, plages de galets et îles isolées, la côte adriatique est un terrain de jeu idéal pour les voyageurs en van. Les villes médiévales comme Dubrovnik et Split racontent des siècles d’histoire à travers leurs ruelles pavées et leurs fortifications impressionnantes. À l’intérieur des terres, les parcs nationaux regorgent de cascades, de forêts et de lacs émeraude.

Louer un van permet de moduler son itinéraire selon ses envies, de s’arrêter au bord de l’eau ou de prendre un chemin de montagne pour accéder à des points de vue époustouflants. La Croatie combine culture, nature et douceur de vivre, parfaite pour un road trip immersif.

Vols depuis Lyon : Dubrovnik, Split
Avantages du van en Croatie : liberté pour explorer la côte et l’intérieur, accès facile aux parcs nationaux, possibilité de dormir dans des lieux sauvages.
Itinéraire 10 jours (depuis Dubrovnik) :

J1-2 : Dubrovnik et ses remparts
J3-4 : Split et le palais de Dioclétien
J5 : Parc national de Krka
J6 : Parc national de Plitvice
J7-8 : Zagreb
J9-10 : Retour par la côte (Zadar, Trogir)

New Zealand – Smouldering volcanoes and spectacular fjords

New Zealand is a true land of adventure, where nature unfolds in all its splendour. With its deep fjords, snow-capped mountains, golden beaches and active volcanoes, the journey becomes a real-life spectacle. Cities such as Auckland and Wellington offer a contrast between modernity and nature, whilst the national parks are ideal for hiking, kayaking and exploring by campervan.

Hiring a van locally allows you to make the most of every moment, whether it’s spending the night by a crystal-clear lake or waking up to breathtaking views of the mountains. It promises an immersive and unforgettable road trip.

Flights from Lyon : Auckland
Advantages of travelling by campervan in New Zealand: facilities tailored to nomadic travellers, complete freedom on the open road, spectacular scenery around every bend.

10-day itinerary (North Island):

Days 1–2: Auckland
Days 3–4: Coromandel & white sandy beaches
Days 5–6: Rotorua & volcanic lakes
Days 7–8: Tongariro National Park
Days 9–10: Wellington

Envolez-vous vers de nouvelles inspirations

Italie, Arménie, Norvège, Madère ou encore les Pays-Bas… autant de destinations accessibles en direct depuis Lyon qui invitent à l’évasion. De la dolce vita italienne entre Florence et Rome, aux monastères perchés d’Arménie, des fjords majestueux de Norvège aux paysages volcaniques de Madère, sans oublier les canaux pittoresques d’Amsterdam, chaque voyage offre une promesse différente.

Ces escapades permettent de s’éloigner des capitales, de profiter d’un rythme plus libre et de prolonger l’expérience du voyage pour aller à la rencontre de paysages et de cultures uniques. Et au fond, chacune de nos 140 destinations au départ de Lyon mérite d’être découverte : à vous de choisir celle qui fera battre votre cœur.