First time in europe

[MonkeyHanger]

Hi all,

Im thinking of going to France for the first time with the van and I dont think i want to travel to far the first time.

If you could recommend to me a nice area anywhere in france as i might get confident and some nice campsites i can look into that would be great.

Its my wife and I plus our youngest and his mate who are both 14 so if you know some good sites where they would be entertained as well that would also be great as well.

I have driven in europe before ages ago but i have never towed so any tips will be most welcomed as well.

Cheers,

M.H.

 

[Guest]

MH

You dont say how far you want to go or which port you may use from the UK, so thats a good starting point (dont mind the pun)

Roads by and large are far easier in France as with a population the same as UK with 3 times the land mass there is a bit more room over there. Autoroutes are safe and ok to tow on but you pay for them, we have covered 000s of miles in Europe over 26 years and the only accident we had was when I misjudged a turn into a campsite and scraped half the side of the van down the gatepost, its fun and I hope you and your family will enjoy

 

[ValA.]

For a first time, and without travelling too far from Calais, try La Croix du Vieux Pont at Berny Riviere - it has a fantastic range of entertainment for teenagers, indoor and outdoor pools, fishing on lake and stream, organised bus trips to Disney - and you're near enough to get a train into Paris for a day's sight-seeing.

The area is rolling hills, small quite pretty villages, but it's not the most scenic of areas in France. If you want scenery as well then you have to drive further south, with the Dordogne area being popular with families. There are absolutely loads of campsites there.

If you want even further afield - and the driving in France, even towing, is not anything like as bad as here - then for teenagers the Ardeche is a fantastic area, with super canoeing, rivers to play around in, and fabulous scenery. Again lots of campsites to choose from.

If you can go late August (last two weeks) rather than July or early August, then you'll find you may not have to book, and perhaps can tour around - and sites usually bring their prices down then anyway.

 

[cooky1]

Hi MH, you don't say where you are from, but could I have a guess at Hartlepool from your user name?

We travelled to Portsmouth a couple of years ago and crossed to Cherbourg and stayed on the site recommended by the Caravan Club which is only about 10 miles from the port. It had plenty to entertain teenagers and would be an ideal holiday for a family on their first trip to France.

HTH.

Graeme.

 

[tj1]

Hi MH we went to france last year for the firt time it was great , we live in south wales we went from portsmouth to cherbourg on a sunday with brittany ferries (

 

[MonkeyHanger]

Hi MH we went to france last year for the firt time it was great , we live in south wales we went from portsmouth to cherbourg on a sunday with brittany ferries (

 

[MonkeyHanger]

Hi MH, you don't say where you are from, but could I have a guess at Hartlepool from your user name?

We travelled to Portsmouth a couple of years ago and crossed to Cherbourg and stayed on the site recommended by the Caravan Club which is only about 10 miles from the port. It had plenty to entertain teenagers and would be an ideal holiday for a family on their first trip to France.

HTH.

Graeme.

Hi Graeme,

Do you know the name of this site mate.

Cheers M.H.

 

[cooky1]

M H, the site near Cherbourg is L'Anse Du Brick.

http://www.anse-du-brick.com/it/index.htm
The site is sometimes used by the CC for people who have never been abroad before, so it must be OK.

The Normandy beaches are within driving distance and Mont-St- Michel is a good drive away but we did it easily.

Graeme.

 

[tj1]

Hi, Tj,

do you have a web address for this site, when I look it up it only comes up as a key camp site or thompson alfresco there is nothing about taking your own unit.

Cheers M.H.

HI MH sorry its late just came in from work ,right we booked through eurocamp they have a video of the site, or type in www.domaine des ormes. holidays in brittany i think its the third one down this is the actual campsite website,you can book directly with the site and arrange your own ferry but as it was our first time we booked it all with eurocamp hope this helps tj.

 

[audiorob]

As on another posting - have a look at www.les-castels.com (click the union jack top right to get the english version). Qulaity sites of different types throughout france.

Try to aviod peak holiday saturdays when you may find congestion at the tolls - apart from a few hot spots the roads are generally MUCH quieter than here. You have regular Aires on the main routes if you want to startch your legs, and on the whole the service areas knock spots of the UK equivalnet. Have you considered the tunnel - dead easy and onto the french motorway route within 40 minutes of departure from Ashford.

 

[Clubman1]

If you use the Poole or Portsmouth/Cherbourg crossing try Camping Etang des Haizes Le Hays de Puits. Site is approx 40 minutes from Cherbourg on the "right hand side" of the Cherbourg penisula. Excellent site in orchard; has swimming pool, good coarse fishing lake as wella s good bar and restaurant. Owner very friendly and welcoming and speaks good english. The site's website is www.etangdeshaizes.com