Last Updated on January 4, 2024
Driving to Cap d’Agde is not difficult and many choose this as the way to get to the resort, including from the UK, Germany, and other parts of mainland Europe.
Driving from UK or Northern France
If you are driving to Cap d’Agde, consider taking the main Autoroute A9 motorway (AutoRoute) you simply follow the signs all the way to the town of Agde until you reach exit number 34 Southbound.
This will take you onto 34 South onto the road RN312.
If you then keep driving on RN312, Eastbound (you should see signs for the town of Sete on the way) you will eventually see the Agde signs.
Follow the signs for Agde and Le Cap d’Agde.
By car, Cap d’Agde is a leisurely 12 – 14 hours drive from the ferry ports in Brittany and the North coast of France if you are traveling on the motorways.
Alternatively, the Motorail terminal at Avignon is within 2-3 hours of Agde village. Flying into Montpellier and then hiring a car can also be a good way of getting to Cap D’gade naturist village if you like to stay mobile and have a car at your disposal.
Flying to Girona in Spain PLUS renting a car there can sometimes be a lot cheaper than just the car hire itself in France. Driving from Girona to Agde is 220 km. This option can be worth considering.
If you have 10 days plus for your holiday then driving to Cap d’Agde can be very relaxing.
It also will make it much easier if you wish to go outside of the resort to the very large hypermarket.
If you plan also to enjoy some driving around Agde and the Languedoc region, a car will be very useful.
Your Feedback
Bob and Kim and their Experience of Driving to Cap d’Agde
I drove down to Cap d’Agde last summer. It’s was 765 miles according to my car mileage meter from my home in North London to the resort.
I know it’s just under 100 miles from my home to Dover so it’s about 660 miles once you get to Calais.
I always stick with the autoroute, I find it quicker and you are less likely to get lost. I always drive down through Paris onto Orleans, Bourges, Clermont Ferrand, cross the Millau viaduct, and to the village.
I recall it was about 20 Euro to Paris, 39 euros to Clermont and 11 euros for the Millau viaduct. The rest is free.
Time-wise I always like to get an early ferry from Dover so I am in France early. This year I got to Calais at about 9 30 am. The other side of Paris just before lunchtime. Clermont around 8 pm.
Then I usually carry on a bit further and then stop somewhere before Millau for a few hours of sleep.
It’s nice seeing the sunrise over the Millau crossing. Then I drive to the resort around 930am.
I do make frequent stops and I do not exceed the speed limit as I tow a caravan, usually keeping to around 60 mph.
Using the motorways we’ve calculated the distance as around 780 miles from Calais to Le Cap.
With 3 brief petrol/loo/snack stops, we could do the journey in 12 hours keeping within the speed limit.
So glad we don’t have to make the journey every year, now that we have made this place our home!!”
Bob and Kim
Peter and John
Whether to arrive by train or to choose to drive oneself using a rental car is a question of personal choice and money.
Certainly, a car gives you greater flexibility and you do not have to drag a suitcase (or carry-on) on and off buses and trains and you can come and go as you please without worrying about a train schedule.
When we went it was for 3 weeks and it made no sense for us to rent a car for that amount of time, just to leave it in the parking lot.
There are two issues with a car:
- Depending on the time of arrival there can be a lot of traffic on the road and it can take some time to get to the resort.
- Parking. You should check with whoever you are getting accommodation from to sort out parking in advance. Many apartments come with parking or can make arrangements for you to park.
For a week or 10 days though I would probably rent a car at the airport and drive to Agde that evening, to avoid traffic the next day.
You can probably find a reasonable hotel or guest house. in Agde or Cap d’Agde (if you reserve early enough).
The next day you can drive to the naturist village and then check-in at the reception center and then proceed to your accommodation.
If your accommodation does not include parking you can probably find somewhere to park if you get there early but spaces fill up pretty quickly in August.
I am not sure whether or not you can just leave a car in the street side parking outside the resort entrance. Again, your accommodation provider could advise on this.
Another option would be to stay at a hotel in the village the first night but this can be pricey. The Oz Inn, for example, does include a parking space. and the Hotel Eve also has a couple of spaces.
Peter G’s Driving Experience
Tips and Advice: (Peter G) – I have driven to the campsite many, many times in the resort given that I go every year, towing a caravan.
I have found the best way is Dover- Calais ferry onto Rheims, Dijon, Lyon avoiding Paris.
From here in North Londo,n it’s about 730 miles. Motorway all the way (which you have to pay for) but well worth it as you don’t get lost, in fact, it’s almost a straight road and very little traffic.
Going Via Paris is a headache and down the A75.
I do not like the A75 as I think the hills are too steep, particularly going downhill and too many lorries.
Plus you have Paris to negotiate. One year the SatNav took me down a one-way street, towing a caravan and it was starting to get very narrow!
Paris is best avoided at all costs. Going the A75 way is about 50 miles less but you gain the time back with the lack of traffic and the saving on fuel compared to stop-start driving going around Paris.
Another great option is Newhaven to Dieppe – avoiding the ghastly Dover/Calais shambles.
Then Rouen – Chartres – Orleans – Clermont Ferrand and down the A75.
The A75 is free of course and the total cost on that route comes to about 30 Euros. The 23:00 ferry from Newhaven gets you into Dieppe early and the trip can be done in 10-11 hours (including toilet breaks!)
(Mary and Peter): We’ve also driven to Agde a few times in my camper van, including last summer.
I usually take a few days on either side to do it as there are lots of other places to see and visit in France.
Cost-wise in fuel I reckon about 450 Euros return but that’s in a massive camper van (it might be slightly more!) I would advise to watch out for the toll roads.
They are lovely to drive on but can be quite expensive, so it is definitely worth planning a route in advance.
I probably did about 150 euros in tolls last summer which I’m not sure is worth it unless you can do toll road speeds comfortably (80mph speed limit but people ten to treat that as a minimum!)
I set my cruise control at 75 mph and feel like I’m going too slow!
- We agreed to avoid Paris as there are lots of low tunnels that you will not be able to go through with a caravan as they are around 2m high!
- I also ended up in residential Paris because of this.
- I personally like the A75 from Clermont Ferrand.
The drive through the mountains is beautiful and you reach an altitude of around 3000ft before you need to drive down the other side.
You instantly feel that it is warmer and it is at this point that you know you are getting near Agde!
Furthermore, the Millau Viaduct is stunning and is well worth trying to include en-route if you possibly can!
It is the tallest bridge in the world and is definitely worth a look. If you’re in a decent car without a caravan and want to get there quick, use the toll roads and there are plenty of beautiful places to stop for lunch, etc.
From Calais would estimate 10 hours straight so it’s a fair drive!
Car Parking in the Village
If you are driving to Cap d’Agde, rather than going by train, parking is not really a problem if you are based at the campsite because you are allocated your own spot and which is plenty big enough for a car and other vehicles.
If you are renting an apartment then parking can be an issue and you are thus advised to find out when you book what the parking situation is and if you have an allocated space.
If you are staying in one of the hotels such as Natureva Spa or the Oz Inn Hotel, a parking space is normally supplied.
Just ensure that you state that you have parked a car and have your registration license plate number on hand to inform reception.
Important Considerations – Driving to Cap d’Agde
Car insurance – It is essential that you make sure your car is covered for European travel insurance i.e. to cover all the countries through which you may drive.
If you are flying into France such as from the States and will only drive in France, then French cover is certainly enough in this instance.
Many of you though like to drive from locations such as the UK, Germany, and Italy.
Breakdown cover in France
Similarly, do not forget to make sure that your breakdown cover covers France, or if it does not, can temporarily include it.
You can normally get a month’s European cover on top of your standard national cover. If you buy a month’s top-up up cover for the trip, it can be quite affordable and certainly in terms of peace of mind, I highly recommend it.
Legal Requirements
You are required by law to have the following when driving in France
- A self-test breathalyzer (you read that correctly). You will not be penalized at this time if you do not have one.
- You must have a GB sticker (or your own national one) on the car as this is required by law unless you are using a European license plate.
- Make sure that you have a copy of your vehicle restrictions documents, and driving license as these are required.
- Also required by law is a reflective triangle, headlamp adjuster, and reflective jacket/s.
Also when Driving in France
Planning for Driving France
Do plan your route carefully because the cost of using the French auto-routes can be expensive, whilst hitting the traffic of Paris can be very time-consuming.
It is worth an hour’s planning because it could save you far more than that in the long run. Note that public holidays are particularly bad.
If you understand French, then the French government site can be very useful for highlighting ongoing traffic issues.
Stop-overs Through France
France is a beautiful country, the wines and food well worth sampling in the different towns and regions, and the people, provided you make some kind of effort yourself, are always for the most part, very friendly.
So if you are doing a long drive through or across France, why do a stop-over for one night? It is so much more pleasurable as a journey!
The easiest way to book is via booking.com.
Further Information
- For a full and updated list of exact requirements when driving abroad, for British drivers, it can be worth consulting the AA website.
