First Time Taking Caravan to France!

[Elwynhorton]

Hi Everyone
We have now had our accessible caravan for 9 months and we have had 10 breaks under our belt, ranging from a full week to a couple of nights, about 40 nights in total.
We have stopped on a couple of very basic CL and on all singing and dancing Club sights.
So we are gradually building some experience and confidence.
We are both retired and have no ties to keep us at home. I have driven solo in France, Spain and Italy when I was younger, so have a bit of experience.
We are hoping to make it to France using the Chunnel in early September, after the main season and enjoy a little autumn sunshine.
As we are still relative novices, we would be grateful for any advice and tips on caravan sites to stay at near Calais and ideas on which direction we should head in once our nerves have settled after the first couple of days.
I am happy to tow for about 200 miles a day in the UK. So nothing too ambitious!
Any advice would be gratefully received.

 

[Craigyoung]

Hi ,

We are doing France in 4 weeks time travelling down from the North East stopping on a CL site at Dover (33o miles) and catching a 5 a.m. ferry Dover to Calais as it was cheaper than the tunnel this year then a 5 or 6 hour drive down to the Loire Valley , about another 34o miles !! B)

Splash out on a decent caravan motorhome TomTom sat nav ( or any decent sat nav ) for the UK & European roads and you should be fine , I've never getting lost yet with mine .

If I was you I would drive inland more than staying on the coast as you will probably get about the same weather as what you were getting in Britain .

I prefer driving over there anytime !

Good luck .

 

[Elwynhorton]

Thanks, our car came with 7” screen and Garmin built in, with European maps.
We will be travelling at a more leisurely pace!
No 5.00am starts thank you.
Do I need to worry about EHU 2 pins and polarity!

 

[woodsieboy]

We have found most of the sites we stay on in France have the 3 pin electric hook up, but we always take a 2 pin French plug adaptor and also have made up a reverse polarity adaptor, and carry both in the van just in case. we also have a plug in tester that will show whether the polarity is reversed by putting it into a 3 pin socket in the caravan. Also worth checking whether your caravan has a built in polarity corrector some do. Hope you enjoy your trip.

 

[Guzzilazz]

Thanks, our car came with 7” screen and Garmin built in, with European maps.
We will be travelling at a more leisurely pace!
No 5.00am starts thank you.
Do I need to worry about EHU 2 pins and polarity!

If it were me... I really wouldn't use built in car satnav... My Avtex/Garmin takes us different routes from the Ford built in, because it takes notice of the road widths etc. For example we did an early trip to Lee Valley COuntry Park (Dodd's Weir) and the car took us a more direct route than the Avtex (M25/A10). When we got there, just beyond the site was a 6' 6" width restriction bridge, which was on the Ford route...

 

[Craigyoung]

Guzzilazz ,

Not quite what i wanted to read as since i updated my Caravan TomTom the other week & now it won't bloody come on !!

Spent over an hour last night with the charger , it was charged , but it won't hold the charge and the TomTom website says if you've had it from more than two three years the battery might be knackered and that it is a common thing - justmylook just before we go away so going to have to ring customer support this morning , will let you know what happens .

As it happens i pre -programmed all my destinations into the Ford built in sat nav and it found them no bother , on my Ford Sat Nav also , I can go through the options and add a trailer to the sat nav so that might make a difference to regarding width of roads etc .

As it happens the Ford built in one worked no bother also when we were in Holland other year so I have that for backup but I am trying my hardest to sort tom tom out .

Craig .

 

[CustardAvenger]

...Not quite what i wanted to read as since i updated my Caravan TomTom the other week & now it won't bloody come on !!

Spent over an hour last night with the charger , it was charged , but it won't hold the charge and the TomTom website says if you've had it from more than two three years the battery might be knackered and that it is a common thing...

Craig,

The update part might be your root cause, not the battery: https://caravanchronicles.com/2019/04/27/why-im-ditching-tomtom-and-moving-to-garmin/

The chap who writes the Caravan Chronicles blog updated his TomTom and the update bricked it. Was stuck in a power-up loop after an update. TomTom didn't really care; buy another one was their position.

Paul.

 

[SamandRose]

Camping La Bien Assise is about a 20 minute drive from Calais and good for overnight stopovers or short stays. We've only ever headed from there on much longer trips to Switzerland and more recently the Dordogne, but Somme Bay (about 80 miles from Calais I think) seemed very nice when briefly seen on a short detour.

Driving on French autoroutes is dead easy (but very boring)! It's a legal requirement to carry a breath test kit as well as a warning triangle and a high vis vest in the event of breakdown. A set of spare bulbs is also advisory as you can get an on the spot fine for having a defective light. But you can buy all of these things on the ferry or at most petrol stations near the UK or French ports.

We were told that if you car is capable of towing a gross train weight (i.e. car and trailer combined) of 3500kg or more (irrespective of what it's actually towing) you are limited to 90km/h (56mph) on autoroutes and 80km/h (50mph) on all other roads, and that your caravan had to display stickers to this effect. However, our experience in June was that we didn't see any other caravans displaying any such stickers, nobody seemed to pay a blind bit of attention to motorway speed limits and we didn't notice a single police car during our two-week trip.

I agree with others' advice about not relying on car sat navs - our VW system didn't know that a section of motorway near Paris (I think it's the A86?) was height restricted and proved incapable of finding an alternative! One day we'll learn not to trust it.

My other pieces of advice (again based on personal experience) are: guard your passports like your life depends on it, write your mobile number inside them just in case they do get lost and don't drive in Paris unless you absolutely have to - it's horrendous!

Enjoy your trip

 

[otherclive]

Get one of the CMHC European touring guides fir France. Lots of excellent information on all aspects and also details of sites including municipal ones.

Carry spare wheel in van but not in Alko underslung carrier as removing it will bring it straight out into the French traffic stream.

 

[RayS]

If you really want relaxed driving get a SANEF tag for the autoroutes ( now under another name but that wil find it) Autoroutes generally have much less trafic, no roundabouts, good service areas ( but with expensive fuel) and with the tag you can use the HGV booths - extreme right at the peages - which are much wider than the normal car ones. If they have a 30 sign above them approach at 30 km/h or less and you won't even have to stop.. I would also get current issue Michelin maps/atlas, but then I like maps and have used them for most of my touring career as satnavs wern't then available.
Try to buy your fuel at supermarkets - very much cheaper.. If buying fuel when towing use the 24/24 pumps and so avoid the often tortuous route to the paying kiosk. Most pups will give you choice of English: The V ( verify) key is used to confirm.
Ideally carny 2 pin normal and reverse polarity plugs each connected to standard outlet, a shot piece of cable with standard 3 pin on one end and standard socket on the other but wired reverse polarity. then a 13 amp UK socket tester which you use in caravan to show correct polarity - changing connections until you get it. On many smaller sites you may be restricted to 6 amps at 220 volts so need to watch what you connect at the same time.
Assuming your satnav has a direction indicator e.g. top of map is always north, look at this before choosing pitch so you can get the caravan positioned to take advantage of max sun or shade as you may prefer.
If you have even just basic French try to use it - it is generally appreciated and melts whatever ice may have existed. In nearly 60 years of touring France the number of bad experiences don't make up one hand of fingers.
Tourist information offices are good for local sights but also will usually give verbal guides to local eating places, again this has worked well for years. Just tell them you want ordinary rahter than Michelin star places ( or vice versa of course) and suggest regional cuisine.
Do watch you speed - gendarmes are pretty keen on this particularly around bigger cities and near ferry ports, and of course the drink driving limits. While you should carry breathalysers there is no fine if found without one ( and it's better to have two anyway) Buy here - on ferry is expensive - or the first time you buy fuel.
The CAMC club guide to Europe is pretty good for more information although the sites list is not as comperhensive as the ASCI guides. If you have an idea of your routh, Google some likely towns with the word camping after the name and you will see sites in the area. Camping a la ferme is usually pretty basic - like many CLs here but can be wonderful if you like informality and don't mind using your own shower etc.
If you have time before departure, post your possible route and ask for suggestions for sites on this forum.
Bon Route !

 

[otherclive]

French police can and do carry out random breath tests. I was stopped on a minor road in a small village around 1100. Clearly they were looking for evidence of too much alcohol the night before. They were very polite and very professional but be in no doubt their approach to drink and driving has tightened up considerably over the last few years. And the breath test limit is lower than ours. Combined with clamping down on speeding and drink the road casualty figures are now much lower. And a purely personal opinion I think their driving has got better than ours too.

 

[woodsieboy]

One other thing to consider is your hook up lead, some sites need a longer lead to reach the post, we carry 25 metre and a 10 metre one that we can join together if needed.

 

[PaulT]

Driving on French autoroutes is dead easy (but very boring)! It's a legal requirement to carry a breath test kit as well as a warning triangle and a high vis vest in the event of breakdown. A set of spare bulbs is also advisory as you can get an on the spot fine for having a defective light. But you can buy all of these things on the ferry or at most petrol stations near the UK or French ports.

Enjoy your trip

It isn't a legal requirement to carry a breath test kit and hasn't been for a number of years so don't be tempted to buy one.

 

[otherclive]

Camping La Bien Assise is about a 20 minute drive from Calais and good for overnight stopovers or short stays. We've only ever headed from there on much longer trips to Switzerland and more recently the Dordogne, but Somme Bay (about 80 miles from Calais I think) seemed very nice when briefly seen on a short detour.

Driving on French autoroutes is dead easy (but very boring)! It's a legal requirement to carry a breath test kit as well as a warning triangle and a high vis vest in the event of breakdown. A set of spare bulbs is also advisory as you can get an on the spot fine for having a defective light. But you can buy all of these things on the ferry or at most petrol stations near the UK or French ports.

We were told that if you car is capable of towing a gross train weight (i.e. car and trailer combined) of 3500kg or more (irrespective of what it's actually towing) you are limited to 90km/h (56mph) on autoroutes and 80km/h (50mph) on all other roads, and that your caravan had to display stickers to this effect. However, our experience in June was that we didn't see any other caravans displaying any such stickers, nobody seemed to pay a blind bit of attention to motorway speed limits and we didn't notice a single police car during our two-week trip.

I agree with others' advice about not relying on car sat navs - our VW system didn't know that a section of motorway near Paris (I think it's the A86?) was height restricted and proved incapable of finding an alternative! One day we'll learn not to trust it.

My other pieces of advice (again based on personal experience) are: guard your passports like your life depends on it, write your mobile number inside them just in case they do get lost and don't drive in Paris unless you absolutely have to - it's horrendous!

Enjoy your trip

Just to say there have to be Hi Viz vest/jacket for all occupants of the vehicle and French law requires they be put on before exiting the vehicle. You may see some drivers with them draped over the seat but this can affect airbag performance in the event of an accident. We carry ours rolled up tightly in the respective door pockets.

 

[Elwynhorton]

Thanks, we do have a 25m and a 10, I did not realise you could connect them together.

 

[otherclive]

Thanks, we do have a 25m and a 10, I did not realise you could connect them together.

To protect the joint you can buy Safebox Protectors for about £10. Same colour but better protection than the ubiquitous Sainsbury’s plastic bag

https://www.trailerpartsbanbury.co.uk/4058-safebox-protector-p-3303.html

 

[Raywood]

Driving on French autoroutes is dead easy (but very boring)! It's a legal requirement to carry a breath test kit as well as a warning triangle and a high vis vest in the event of breakdown. A set of spare bulbs is also advisory as you can get an on the spot fine for having a defective light. But you can buy all of these things on the ferry or at most petrol stations near the UK or French ports.

Enjoy your trip

It isn't a legal requirement to carry a breath test kit and hasn't been for a number of years so don't be tempted to buy one.

It is a legal requirement but it has never been enforced. Given the more aggressive attitude to drink driving now it could be revived at any time. The things cost next to nothing so it will not dent your budget.

 

[Harby]

We're heading over to La France next week, one the ankle biters have finished school. I'd agree with all the comments above, as well as making sure you take originals of all your documents (V5, insurance, caravan ownership etc) and keep them safe as the French do like to see originals not copies. Can't recommend the Sanef (now EMOVIS) tag enough... but apply quickly to get it in time.

I've just topped up with AdBlue today.... we very nearly found out the hard way that towing vastly increases the consumption rate of AdBlue and once you run out you can't start your car... ended up topping up at hugely inflated motorway services prices once back in the UK to get us home, so worth remembering if your car uses the stuff.

And I seem to think you can't get Calor gas over there, I'm sure someone else can advise, but we always take enough to keep the Cadac going for the holiday.

We stayed at a great campsite called Camping de la Vallee in Houlgate, Normandy, fab for us with two children, pool etc but maybe not what you're after. It's About 4 hrs (towing) from Calais.

And.. a big one in our car... when Daddy is manoeuvring to get us on the train at the Eurotunnel... "Everyone be quiet and let Daddy concentrate!!!!!!!!!!" The first time it was daunting (for us all), now after a few trips it's a breeze.

Bonnes vacances

 

[Elwynhorton]

Great thanks for the info.
Have a good one!

 

[Boff]

Late to the party, but here are my random observations.

1. Getting onto the tunnel train is easier than it looks, but do not tailgate the vehicle in front, hang back and only enter a carriage when you know you will fit. That way you won’t have to reverse when the can’t shut the doors.

2. La Bien Assise Expensive for a 1 night stay, OH found a small site that was €16 and 8 minutes from the tunnel. Only small and I can’t remember the name and wouldn’t tell you if I could

3 If you use the toll roads then a tag speed things up. I believe the ATMB tag is currently free. They all work everywhere.
4 After stopping for lunch on French aires and not being able to park at 2pm. We have adopted a first aire after 12 rule, this is before France goes to lunch
5 Money, if you can get a credit card that doesn’t charge a premium for using abroad most do. We have a Halifax clarity card and this gives a good exchange rate better than you will get for cash.
6. On the subject of exchange rates do not ever, ever accept the kind offer of paying in gbp (£££’s). They rip you off with the exchange rate. A recent example not caravan related but recently I withdrew €120 from a atm in Dublin, it offered to convert this to £££ and it would have cost £114, I kept the transaction in €. I got the bill and it was £96. I don’t think that this is a small amount.

7 Crit air sticker for your car you probably don’t need one but as they cost about £5:if bought from the French gov website there seems little point in not having one to keep you legal

8 Most importantly enjoy your holiday and feel free to, follow or ignore the above advice as you see fit.

 

[Elwynhorton]

Hi
Thank you for the really useful information.
I will apply for the CritAir document.
Will research the site you mention.
Regards
Elwyn

 

[Hutch]

Elwyn, a site that we stay at two and from the UK is this one. http://www.campinglafontainedesclercs.fr/
Its about 50 minutes from Calais, along the A16, the turning into the site is down a narrow road but the locals are ok and will reverse back for you, we tend to stay there for a week on the way home as we have the dogs to get sorted out by the vets. A really nice town, lots of bars and restaraunts , the walk up the hill can be gruelling for about 300 yard after that its fine.
Another nice site a bit further down is in Neuf Chatel en bray, http://camping-sainteclaire.com/ about 2 hour from the Calais terminal.

We haven't been over for a few years now, but we used the acsi sites and the caravan club site book for Europe especially the french section , shows all the sites not just club site municiple sites etc. For the last 4 years we were going over every 12 weeks for a month and never really book places, except in the winter, get to a site just after lunch time 2pm to 3 pm and you could normally find a pitch, the Phillips map bok of France was good and I carried a fold up Routes National, which was handy to make sure you were going the correct way.
Enjoy your trip.

 

[Elwynhorton]

Many thanks for the information.

 

[Hutch]

Many thanks for the information.

As RayS mentioned, the sanneff tolling tag for the paege system is now called, emovis.
https://www.emovis-tag.co.uk/ its great, they bill you the following month and average out the exchange rates. That way your not using cash or card when on holiday. Well worth it. Where you go depends on how long your over for.

 

[Elwynhorton]

Thanks all very useful information.