Dordogne in July

[JohnW250]

We are planning a three-week tour in the Dordogne in July this year. We prefer quieter campsites, rather than Pontins-style sites.

I’m hoping that I don’t need to book ahead for that time of the year – preferably just turn up on the day, or next best-case, phone the day before. What are your thoughts?

TIA

 

[Hutch]

We used to try and get to destination sites, if not booked, before French lunchtime, that way you have about 5 hours from 2pm . To find another site, after that find a village and park in the market square, but be off by 7 am, otherwise you get a village fine, Or get blocked in by the Market and cannot get out until 2pm and a fine. Only once in 7 years, did we have to find a second site. We were happy to sit in the driveway to the caravan site for 1.5 hours and be first in the queue.
The French we found were happy to stop travelling at 12.00 and start again at 2.30.
You get used to the French relaxed lunchtime.

 

[Hutch]

The Caravan and Motorhome, sites guide for Europe is fantastic, showing all sites in Europe, big sites Cl/cs, style Farm sites,
Municipal sites, ( the best really). Well worth the money.
Acsi is also worth joining although you are going in season, but you can get good discounts in the UK out of the main season .

 

[otherclive]

I agree with Hutch the CMHC guide to France is excellent and lists sites from mega on the Mediterranean to local municipal ones. All contact details are provided to, plus it contains lots of useful touring information.

Being boring folk we tended to book in advance as we didn’t fancy being rendered pitchless whilst on holiday. Don’t forget French go on holiday en masse mid July. We always went in June or September and some sites were surprisingly busy with British, Irish, Dutch, German and Scandinavians. Made fir some good nights in the bars, especially if World or Eurocup was on.