Planning an EV holiday in France
Planning an EV holiday in France is a great way to travel sustainably while enjoying the stunning sights of its different regions.
Whether you're hitting the slopes in Val Thorens, enjoying gourmet delights in the Loire Valley or soaking up the sun in Nice, IONITY makes your EV journeys a breeze with fast, reliable and convenient charging.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about planning an electric car holiday in France, including key considerations for driving in France, our top five destinations for an EV holiday, and what to expect at different times of the year.
Driving an EV in France
France is an ideal destination for EV drivers, with mild temperatures all through the year - and a perfect mix of landscapes for every type of holiday. However, it’s worth noting that approximately 20% of the land is hills or mountains, where significant elevation changes can contribute to higher energy usage when driving uphill.
Other key considerations for driving in France include:
- All drivers need to pay tolls based on distance and vehicle class for using long-distance motorways, known locally as autoroutes à péage.
- When driving in mountainous areas between 1st November and 31st March, Loi Montagne requires that you fit your EV with winter tyres or carry snow chains.
- Pure EVs can access Low-Emission Zones in cities like Paris, Lyon, Grenoble, Strasbourg, Marseille and Toulouse, where they qualify for Crit’Air “0” status.
- Parking can be especially tight in major or medieval city centres like Avignon and Annecy, so plan to use Park and Ride facilities with chargers when you visit.
- Approximately 70% of public chargers in France deliver AC power, so it’s advisable to pack your own charging cable or adapter if you have one.
Teastaíonn Cabhair Do thuras a phleanáil?
Cuidíonn ár bPleanálaí Bealaigh leat do thuras a mhapáil go tapa, lena n-áirítear cé mhéad uair a bheidh ort stopadh chun do EV a mhuirearú agus na háiteanna is fearr le muirearú - breiseáil isteach an cineál EV atá tú ag tiomáint, staid luchtaithe a bhfuil súil leis agus dálaí aimsire agus téigh!
Bíodh eolas agat sula dtéann tú
Language spoken
French
Local currency
Euros
Local time zone
Central European Time (GMT +1)
Coinníollacha Aimsire agus Tráchta
Bíonn tionchar ag an aimsir ar phleanáil saoire EV mar is féidir le teochtaí níos fuaire an raon a laghdú, rud a éilíonn Ina theannta sin, smaoinigh ar ghnóthacht na hIodáile i rith na bliana, mar d'fhéadfadh méadú a bheith mar thoradh ar thrácht agus plódú timpeall
Winter
Weather: Cold, with frost, and snow in the mountains. Rain and wind along the coasts.
Traffic: High during weeks around Christmas/New Year and school holidays in February.
Attractions: Skiing in Val Thorens or Chamonix, Christmas markets in in Alsace, winter sun in Côte d’Azur.
Spring
Weather: Cool temperatures, meaning optimal efficiency for EV drivers. ⚡
Traffic: Low, rising in May. Easter holidays and May long weekends are especially busy.
Attractions: Fairytale castles in the Loire Valley, prestigious vineyards in Burgundy, hilltop villages in Provence, coastal hikes in Brittany.
Summer
Weather: Hot. Higher temperatures inland but cooler in the mountains or by the coast.
Traffic: High. Very busy from mid-July to the end of August. Especially around Lyon, the Rhône corridor (“Autoroute du Soleil”), and coastal routes.
Attractions: Coastal destinations like Biarritz and Arcachon, the French Riviera in Nice and Menton, and family trips to Normandy.
Autumn
Weather: Warm, with cooler nights.
Traffic: Low, except for late summer and during school holidays. A great time to visit France.
Attractions: Bordeaux vineyards, Dordogne’s prehistoric caves and charming villages, harvest festivals in Provence, and forests of Alsace.
Top Five EV Destinations in France
Our top five destinations were selected to offer a range of experiences for every driver and budget, and there are IONITY Locations nearby for your electric car so you can benefit from fast charging and plug in to more good times.
1. Val Thorens & Les 3 Vallées
Hit the slopes at Europe’s highest ski resort and power the drive up with IONITY Locations in Ile Rose, Seyssins and Val Gelon.
Enjoy breathtaking views, world-class skifields and fine dining.
Highlights include family and expert-friendly ski schools, slopeside restaurants and stunning views of Mont Blanc from the Tarentaise valley.
Nice to know: Hotel and public AC charge points are plentiful, so you can leave your car to charge while you ski.
Budget rating: € € € €
2. Strasbourg & Colmar
Explore picturesque villages and top up at IONITY Locations in Brumath and Burnhaupt – or with charging speeds of up to 400kW at Bessencourt.
Enjoy compact and scenic medieval magic any time of year, with charming old towns, canals, and easy day trips to vineyards.
Highlights include the iconic Christmas markets, Michelin-starred restaurants and Alsace wine route.
Nice to know: Strasbourg’s Park and Ride car parks offer AC charging, so you can park up, plug in and catch the tram into the old town.
Budget rating: € € €
3. Nice & Menton
Enjoy a slower pace of life by the French Riviera and get there faster with the help of IONITY Locations in Bréguières Nord, Meyrargues and Rousset.
Take in the sights, sun and culture of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.
Highlights include the palm-lined Promenade des Anglais, art museums, Belle Époque villas, and spectacular events in February and March.
Nice to know: Nice and Menton have municipal and private parking with AC and some DC chargers.
Budget rating: € € €
4. Mont-Saint-Michel
Step back in time at the historic Bay of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, and keep moving forward with IONITY Locations in Mayenne, Plouer sur Rance and Vallée de la Vire Gouvets.
Explore the rich local culture and timeless beauty of Brittany and Normandy.
Highlights include the UNESCO World Heritage-listed medieval abbey, historic towns of Saint-Malo and Dinan, and nearby Normandy beaches.
Nice to know: Mont-Saint-Michel is ready to welcome more EV drivers, with over 200 charging points added in 2025 across official parking (P2, P7bis, P9).
Budget rating: € € €
5. Loire Valley
Unwind in Châteaux Country and power up with IONITY Locations in Jardin des Arbres and Orléans Nord - or with charging speeds of up to 400kW at Artenay.
Fall in love with fairytale castles, romantic villages and local vineyards.
Highlights include the castles of Chambord, Chenonceau, and Villandry, local Sauvignon and sparkling Vouvray wine, and flat terrain for cycling.
Nice to know: Castles are around a 15–45-minute drive apart, making for easy exploration in an EV.
Budget rating: € €
Recommendations from IONITY Employees
We asked our colleagues for their top tips for road trips around France and here’s what they had to say:
“If you can only visit one Christmas market, Colmar is less crowded than Strasbourg but just as special.”
Damla, Product & Sales
“Lyon is the capital of French gastronomy and is well worth a visit - especially if you can find a good bouchon."
Hugo, Network Operations
"Avignon is a great spot for family holidays, and there is an Augmented Reality tour at the Pope's Palace that the kids will love.”
Benjamin, Communications
Charge faster, enjoy more
IONITY offers fast charging at affordable rates – whether you choose to pay on demand, via one of our partners or sign up for one of our subscriptions.
IONITY Power 365
An rogha foirfe don chuid is mó de thiománaithe EV. Sábhálann an síntiús seo airgead duit tar éis ach dhá sheisiún luchtaithe in aghaidh na míosa agus leas tú as na praghsanna luchtaithe is saoire in aghaidh an
- Síntiús míosúil
- Liostáil laistigh den Aip IONITY
- Íocann sé tar éis an 2nd seisiún luchtaithe
- Tairbhe as praghas íseal in aghaidh an kWh
- Gan aon mhuirir séasúracha nó buaicmhuirir
- Aistriú go IONITY Tairiscint is féidir
- Cealaigh am ar bith go dtí an chéad dáta
Is fearr do thiománaithe a thaistealaíonn achair fhada go rialta. Ciallaíonn íocaíocht roimh ré amháin a ghlasálann tú na praghsanna muirir is ísle in aghaidh an kWh ar fud na hEorpa ar feadh bliana iomláine
- Síntiús bliantúil
- Liostáil laistigh den Aip IONITY
- Íoc uair amháin, bailí ar feadh 12 mhí
- Tairbhe as praghas íseal in aghaidh an kWh
- Gan aon mhuirir séasúracha nó buaicmhuirir
- Cóir agus trédhearcach - gan aon athnuachan uathoibrí
- Cosúil le gach táirge: Muirearú ardchumhachta ar fud an AE as soghluaisteacht gan teorann i 23 margadh
IONITY Motion 365
Síntiús idéalach do thiománaithe nach n-úsáideann ach a bhfeithicil leictreach ó am go chéile agus atá ag iarraidh leas a bhaint as praghas luchtai Íocann sé as tar éis an chéad seisiúin luchtaithe.
- Síntiús míosúil
- Liostáil laistigh den Aip IONITY
- Íocann sé tar éis an 1st seisiún luchtaithe
- Gan aon mhuirir séasúracha nó buaicmhuirir
- Uasghrádú go Ionity Power atá ar fáil
- Cealaigh am ar bith go dtí an chéad dáta
Is fearr do thiománaithe a dhéanann cúpla turas fada gach mí. Ciallaíonn íocaíocht roimh ré amháin go mbainfidh tú leas as praghsanna muirir níos saoire in aghaidh an kWh ar fud na hEorpa ar feadh bliana iom
- Síntiús bliantúil
- Liostáil laistigh den Aip IONITY
- Íoc uair amháin, bailí ar feadh 12 mhí
- Gan aon mhuirir séasúracha nó buaicmhuirir
- Uasghrádú go IONITY Power 365 atá ar fáil
- Cóir agus trédhearcach - gan aon athnuachan uathoibrí
- Cosúil le gach táirge: Muirearú ardchumhachta ar fud an AE as soghluaisteacht gan teorann i 23 margadh
IONITY Go
Réidh. Socraigh. Téigh! Baineann tú leas go huathoibríoch as praghas luchtaithe beagán níos ísle in aghaidh an kWh ag baint úsáide Gan síntiús agus gan aon táillí míosúla. Uasghrádú ar ár síntiúis chun níos mó fós a shábháil.
- Gan aon síntiús ná táillí míosúla
- Cláraigh agus sábháil leis an Aip IONITY
- Tairbhe as praghas beagán níos ísle in aghaidh an kWh
- Gan aon mhuirir séasúracha nó buaicmhuirir
- Athraigh go Síntiúis IONITY am ar bith
IONITY Direct
Muirearaigh d'fheithicil gan roimh chlárú. Scanadh an cód QR ar an charger nó bain úsáid as an aip IONITY, cuir do shonraí íocaíochta leis, agus tosú ag muirearú go tapa. Ár rogha áisiúil do riachtanais luchtaithe spontáin
- Níl clárú ag teastáil
- Gan aon síntiús ná táillí míosúla
- Ráta caighdeánach in aghaidh an kWh a
- Íocaíocht trí Ionity App nó cód QR
- Gan aon mhuirir séasúracha nó buaicmhuirir
- Athraigh go Síntiúis IONITY am ar bith
Is iad na praghsanna go léir an íosmhéid reatha praghsanna agus féadfaidh IONITY iad a choigeartú ag am ar bith. D'fhéadfadh an praghas muirir ag an stáisiún luchtaithe a bheith níos airde.
Cuimsítear CBL áitiúil agus costais eile i ngach praghas.
Féach ar phraghsanna stáisiúin luchtaithe ChargeEague anseo.
Cuimsíonn gach praghas CBL áitiúil agus comhpháirteanna praghsanna eile
Réidh, socraithe, imigh! Baintear tairbhe as praghas beagán níos ísle in aghaidh an kWh go huathoibríoch nuair a úsáideann tú an IONITY App – gan síntiús ná táille mhíosúil. Is féidir leat uasghrádú go síntiúis IONITY aon uair le níos mó coigiltis a fháil.
- Gan chlárú riachtanach
- Gan síntiús ná táillí míosúla
- Íocaíocht tríd an IONITY App nó cód QR
- Athraíonn praghsanna luchtaithe de réir an phointe luchtaithe agus d’fhéadfadh siad a bheith níos airde ná an praghas íosta a thaispeántar
- D’fhéadfaí praghsanna íosta agus praghsanna luchtaithe a choigeartú ó am go ham
- Athraigh go síntiúis IONITY aon uair is mian leat
Luchtaigh do charr gan chlárú roimh ré. Scan an cód QR ar an luchtóir nó bain úsáid as an IONITY App, cuir do shonraí íocaíochta leis agus tosaigh ag luchtú go tapa. Is é seo an rogha áisiúil do riachtanais luchtaithe spontáineacha.
- Gan síntiús ná táillí míosúla
- Cláraigh agus sábháil leis an IONITY App
- Tairbhe as praghas beagán níos ísle in aghaidh an kWh
- Athraíonn praghsanna luchtaithe de réir an phointe luchtaithe agus d’fhéadfadh siad a bheith níos airde ná an praghas íosta a thaispeántar
- D’fhéadfaí praghsanna íosta agus praghsanna luchtaithe a choigeartú ó am go ham
- Athraigh go síntiúis IONITY aon uair is mian leat
Is fearr an rogha seo do thiománaithe a dhéanann cúpla turas fada gach mí. Trí íocaíocht aon‑uaire a dhéanamh, baineann tú taitneamh as praghsanna luchtaithe níos ísle in aghaidh an kWh ar fud na hEorpa ar feadh bliana iomláine.
- Síntiús bliantúil
- Cláraigh tríd an IONITY App
- Íoc uair amháin, bailí ar feadh 12 mhí
- Gan táillí séasúracha ná buaic‑tháillí
- Uasghrádú go IONITY Power 365 ar fáil
- Cothrom agus trédhearcach – gan athnuachan uathoibríoch
- Cosúil leis na táirgí eile go léir: luchtú ardchumhachta ar fud an AE i 23 margadh
Is síntiús idéalach é seo do thiománaithe a úsáideann a bhfeithicil leictreach ó am go chéile agus atá ag iarraidh tairbhe a bhaint as praghas luchtaithe níos ísle in aghaidh an kWh. Íocann sé as féin cheana féin tar éis an chéad seisiúinluchtaithe.
- Síntiús míosúil
- Cláraigh tríd an IONITY App
- Athraíonn praghsanna luchtaithe de réir an phointe luchtaithe agus d’fhéadfadh siad a bheith níos airde ná an praghas íosta a thaispeántar
- D’fhéadfaí praghsanna íosta agus praghsanna luchtaithe a choigeartú ó am go ham
- Uasghrádú go IONITY Power ar fáil
- Cealaigh am ar bith go dtí an chéad dáta billeála eile
Is fearr an plean seo do thiománaithe a théann ar thurais fhada go rialta. Trí íocaíocht aon‑uaire a dhéanamh, ghlasálann tú ár bpraghsanna luchtaithe is ísle in aghaidh an kWh ar fud na hEorpa ar feadh bliana iomláine.
- Síntiús bliantúil
- Cláraigh tríd an IONITY App
- Íoc uair amháin, bailí ar feadh 12 mhí
- Tairbhe as praghas íseal in aghaidh an kWh
- Gan táillí séasúracha ná buaic‑tháillí
- Cothrom agus trédhearcach – gan athnuachan uathoibríoch
- Cosúil leis na táirgí eile go léir: luchtú ardchumhachta ar fud an AE i 23 margadh
Is é seo an rogha iontach do formhór na dtiománaithe EV. Sábhálann an síntiús seo airgead duit tar éis ach dhá sheisiún luchtaithe sa mhí agus tugann sé na praghsanna luchtaithe is ísle in aghaidh an kWh duit.
- Síntiús míosúil
- Cláraigh tríd an IONITY App
- Tairbhe as praghas íseal in aghaidh an kWh
- Athraíonn praghsanna luchtaithe de réir an phointe luchtaithe agus d’fhéadfadh siad a bheith níos airde ná an praghas íosta a thaispeántar
- D’fhéadfaí praghsanna íosta agus praghsanna luchtaithe a choigeartú ó am go ham
- Is féidir aistriú go IONITY Motion
- Cealaigh am ar bith go dtí an chéad dáta billeála eile