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.
Hai bisogno di aiuto Stai pianificando il tuo viaggio?
Il nostro Route Planner ti aiuta a mappare rapidamente il tuo viaggio, incluso quante volte dovrai fermarti per caricare il tuo veicolo elettrico e i posti migliori per ricaricare il tuo veicolo elettrico: collega il tipo di veicolo elettrico che stai guidando, lo stato di carica previsto e le condizioni meteorologiche e parti!
Sapere prima di partire
Language spoken
French
Local currency
Euros
Local time zone
Central European Time (GMT +1)
Condizioni meteorologiche e del traffico stagionali
Le condizioni meteorologiche influiscono sulla pianificazione delle vacanze per i veicoli elettrici poiché le temperature più fredde possono ridurre l'autonomia, richiedendo ricariche più frequenti. Inoltre, considera l'affollamento dell'Italia durante tutto l'anno, in quanto può portare a un aumento del traffico e alla congestione intorno alle stazioni di ricarica.
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
Le nostre cinque migliori destinazioni sono state selezionate per offrire una gamma di esperienze per ogni guidatore e budget, e ci sono Sedi IONITY nelle vicinanze per la tua auto elettrica in modo da poter beneficiare della ricarica rapida e collegarti a momenti più belli.
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
The perfect choice for most EV drivers. This subscription saves you money after only two charging sessions per month and you benefit from the cheapest charging prices per kWh.
- Monthly subscription
- Subscribe within the IONITY App
- Pays off after the 2nd charging session
- Benefit from low price per kWh
- No seasonal or peak charges
- Switch to IONITY Motion possible
- Cancel anytime to next billing date
Best for drivers who regularly travel long distances. Making one upfront payment means you lock in our lowest charging prices per kWh across Europe for an entire year.
- Annual subscription
- Subscribe within the IONITY App
- Pay once, valid for 12 months
- Benefit from low price per kWh
- No seasonal or peak charges
- Fair and transparent - with no auto-renewal
- Like for all products: EU-wide high-power charging for borderless mobility in 23 markets
IONITY Motion 365
Ideal subscription for drivers that only occasionally use their electric vehicle and want to benefit from a cheaper charging price per kWh. It pays off after the first charging session.
- Monthly subscription
- Subscribe within the IONITY App
- Pays off after the 1st charging session
- No seasonal or peak charges
- Upgrade to IONITY Power available
- Cancel anytime to next billing date
Best for drivers who make a few long journeys each month. Making one upfront payment means you benefit from cheaper charging prices per kWh across Europe for an entire year.
- Annual subscription
- Subscribe within the IONITY App
- Pay once, valid for 12 months
- No seasonal or peak charges
- Upgrade to IONITY Power 365 available
- Fair and transparent - with no auto-renewal
- Like for all products: EU-wide high-power charging for borderless mobility in 23 markets
IONITY Go
Ready. Set. Go! You automatically benefit from a slightly lower charging price per kWh using the IONITY App. No subscription and no monthly fees. Upgrade to our subscriptions to save even more.
- No subscription or monthly fees
- Sign up and save with the IONITY App
- Benefit from a slightly lower price per kWh
- No seasonal or peak charges
- Switch to IONITY Subscriptions anytime
IONITY Direct
Charge your vehicle without prior registration. Scan the QR code on the charger or use the IONITY app, add your payment details, and start charging fast. Our convenient option for spontaneous charging needs.
- No registration required
- No subscription or monthly fees
- Standard rate per kWh charged
- Payment via IONITY App or QR code
- No seasonal or peak charges
- Switch to IONITY Subscriptions anytime
Tutti i prezzi sono minimo attuale prezzi e possono essere modificati da IONITY in qualsiasi momento. Il prezzo di ricarica presso la stazione di ricarica potrebbe essere più elevato.
Tutti i prezzi includono l’IVA locale e le altre componenti di prezzo.
Visualizza i prezzi delle stazioni di ricarica ChargeLeague qui.
Tutti i prezzi includono l'IVA locale e altre componenti del prezzo.
Ready. Set. Go! Con l’IONITY App benefici automaticamente di un prezzo di ricarica per kWh leggermente più conveniente. Nessun abbonamento e nessun costo mensile. In qualsiasi momento puoi passare ai nostri abbonamenti per risparmiare ancora di più.
- Nessuna registrazione necessaria
- Nessun abbonamento o costi mensili
- Pagamento via IONITY App o codice QR
- I prezzi di ricarica variano in base al punto di ricarica e possono essere superiori al prezzo minimo visualizzato
- I prezzi minimi e i prezzi di ricarica possono essere modificati di volta in volta
- Passa agli abbonamenti IONITY in qualsiasi momento
Ricarica il tuo veicolo senza registrazione preventiva. Scansiona il codice QR sul charger o usa l’IONITY App, aggiungi i dati di pagamento e inizia rapidamente a ricaricare. L’opzione più pratica per le esigenze di ricarica spontanee.
- Nessun abbonamento o costi mensili
- Registrati e risparmia con l’IONITY App
- Beneficia di un prezzo per kWh leggermente più basso
- I prezzi di ricarica variano in base al punto di ricarica e possono essere superiori al prezzo minimo visualizzato
- I prezzi minimi e i prezzi di ricarica possono essere modificati di volta in volta
- Passa agli abbonamenti IONITY in qualsiasi momento
La soluzione ideale per chi effettua qualche viaggio lungo ogni mese. Con un unico pagamento anticipato godi di prezzi di ricarica per kWh più convenienti in tutta Europa per un anno intero.
- Abbonamento annuale
- Attivabile dall’IONITY App
- Paghi una sola volta, valido 12 mesi
- Nessun sovrapprezzo stagionale o di picco
- Possibile upgrade a IONITY Power 365
- Equo e trasparente – senza rinnovo automatico
- Come per tutti i prodotti: ricarica ad alta potenza in tutta l’UE per una mobilità senza confini in 23 mercati
L’abbonamento ideale per chi utilizza l’auto elettrica solo occasionalmente ma vuole beneficiare di un prezzo di ricarica per kWh più conveniente. Si ripaga già dopo la prima sessione di ricarica.
- Abbonamento mensile
- Attivabile dall’IONITY App
- I prezzi di ricarica variano in base al punto di ricarica e possono essere superiori al prezzo minimo visualizzato
- I prezzi minimi e i prezzi di ricarica possono essere modificati di volta in volta
- Possibile upgrade a IONITY Power
- Disdici in qualsiasi momento con effetto al successivo ciclo di fatturazione
La soluzione perfetta per chi percorre regolarmente lunghe distanze. Con un unico pagamento anticipato blocchi per un anno intero i nostri prezzi di ricarica per kWh più bassi in tutta Europa.
- Abbonamento annuale
- Attivabile dall’IONITY App
- Paghi una sola volta, valido 12 mesi
- Beneficia del prezzo per kWh più basso
- Nessun sovrapprezzo stagionale o di picco
- Equo e trasparente – senza rinnovo automatico
- Come per tutti i prodotti: ricarica ad alta potenza in tutta l’UE per una mobilità senza confini in 23 mercati
La scelta ideale per la maggior parte dei conducenti di veicoli elettrici. Questo abbonamento ti fa risparmiare già dopo due sessioni di ricarica al mese e ti dà accesso ai prezzi di ricarica per kWh più convenienti.
- Abbonamento mensile
- Attivabile dall’IONITY App
- Beneficia di un prezzo per kWh basso
- I prezzi di ricarica variano in base al punto di ricarica e possono essere superiori al prezzo minimo visualizzato
- I prezzi minimi e i prezzi di ricarica possono essere modificati di volta in volta
- Possibilità di passare a IONITY Motion
- Disdici in qualsiasi momento con effetto al successivo ciclo di fatturazione