First trip to France

[jo3]

We are thinking of going to France next year for our first foreign caravan trip. Two families, two tourers, four young kids in total. Due to the nature of my job we will only be able to do 7 to 9 days in total.

Is it worth it for this length of time? Will we need to purchase much different equipment and any suggestions on good clean sites? (Due to length of trip, don't fancy too many hours driving on French side.

Would be very grateful for any advice.

 

[ValA.]

France is a fantastic place to caravan - for loads of reasons, including less traffic, so easier towing. Generally you have a huge choice of sites - everything from 'one van in an orchard' to four star 'all-singing/all-dancing' with entertainment teams and activities all day long. You'll only need a continental adaptor for your hook-up as not all sites use the standard connection *(although increasingly they are starting to).

The Dover/Calais ferry or Dover/Boulogne are likely to be your cheapest options for a ferry crossing, and then you can travel as little, or as much, as you want. There are sites in Normandy, some near to the beach if that's what you like, which are within easy travelling distance of Calais. There are some lovely sites, ideal for little ones, - have a look at www.fermedesaulnes.com for example (12 minutes from the beach, nice site with lots of facilities, including a kids club in the peak season and an indoor pool if the weather is not so good) - but this may not be the sort of site you want if you like the 'one van in an orchard' type site.

However, to get guaranteed better weather than here you may need to go further south, and then it's probably not worth it for 7 to 9 days.

 

[jo3]

France is a fantastic place to caravan - for loads of reasons, including less traffic, so easier towing. Generally you have a huge choice of sites - everything from 'one van in an orchard' to four star 'all-singing/all-dancing' with entertainment teams and activities all day long. You'll only need a continental adaptor for your hook-up as not all sites use the standard connection *(although increasingly they are starting to).

The Dover/Calais ferry or Dover/Boulogne are likely to be your cheapest options for a ferry crossing, and then you can travel as little, or as much, as you want. There are sites in Normandy, some near to the beach if that's what you like, which are within easy travelling distance of Calais. There are some lovely sites, ideal for little ones, - have a look at www.fermedesaulnes.com for example (12 minutes from the beach, nice site with lots of facilities, including a kids club in the peak season and an indoor pool if the weather is not so good) - but this may not be the sort of site you want if you like the 'one van in an orchard' type site.

However, to get guaranteed better weather than here you may need to go further south, and then it's probably not worth it for 7 to 9 days.

Thanks Val, we noticed that the Portsmouth - St Malo or Caen were quite pricey so will probably give Dover - Calais a go and then drive 2 hours or so the other side.

 

[ShadySadie]

Some people may not agree, but for 7 to 9 days if you are only prepared to drive a couple of hours in France I think you are wasting your time unless you have a particular must see venue in mind.

Apart from being able to say you have been to France, from Calais with a two hour drive much of the scenery is not unlike UK and the weather is likely to be much the same.

Towing a caravan in France is easier and simpler than the UK due to less traffic and good mostly wide roads. Given the choice between towing in to Cornwall about 200 miles for me or doing around 425 to Southern Brittany or the alantic coast south of the Loire give me French trip and road conditions every time.

For the short time you should only need a continental plug in tail for your electric hook up and a polarity tester (Less than

 

[brian_374364257]

Where in the uk are you travelling from? The other channel routes to the west may save you driving on this side and on the French side plus the trip around the M25. Do your sums what may seem an expensive crossing is balanced out with the price of fuel, child hassle factor (are we there yet) and the zero chance to unwind on a short busy Dover crossing. The south coast of Brittany is an option and the northern part of the Loire-Atlantique coast line is another option, generally further south better the weather but it's not the Med. As it's your first trip may I suggest using the Caravan Club the sites shown cater for all tastes and the full booking can be sorted out with one phone call.

Tips, try not to drive to far in a day, its ok people telling what is achievable, this is you first trip and its up to you and your party what you think is right. Even though its 7-9 days try a 2 centre, its better having 2 / 3 nights on a site within a couple of hours of the boat, than a long drive to catch a ferry. Also that's a good time to stock up with items to bring back what's the point of loading up and lugging all that weight back to the coast when it's more or less already there.

Equipment, try and get hold of a reversed plug for the inevitable reversed polarity with the electric. Gas I have always took GAZ to Europe you can take much smaller bottle, its easily exchanged at local shops and as you are unlikely to meet with on or below freezing temperatures there really is no need for propane.

Food, if children are on the small side just take there favorite cereals, milk most is UHT but you can buy fresh milk at the supermarkets, you just have to look. When my to were young the quickly decided that chocolate quasants were more to their liking. I have seen people on caravan sites with their vans full of English food, looking more like a mobile shop than a caravan. The large French supermarkets make your average UK one look like a corner shop. The restaurant / cafeterias such as Flunch, Casino give good value and are child friendly. Also just pack what we call an 'emergency meal' based around dry food, just in case.

Fuel, most large supermarkets have fuel, just watch for height access restrictions though, if that the case and you are with the van, just un hitch leave the van with the wife in the carpark fill up and return.

 

[Woody3]

Where in the uk are you travelling from? The other channel routes to the west may save you driving on this side and on the French side plus the trip around the M25. Do your sums what may seem an expensive crossing is balanced out with the price of fuel, child hassle factor (are we there yet) and the zero chance to unwind on a short busy Dover crossing. The south coast of Brittany is an option and the northern part of the Loire-Atlantique coast line is another option, generally further south better the weather but it's not the Med. As it's your first trip may I suggest using the Caravan Club the sites shown cater for all tastes and the full booking can be sorted out with one phone call.

Tips, try not to drive to far in a day, its ok people telling what is achievable, this is you first trip and its up to you and your party what you think is right. Even though its 7-9 days try a 2 centre, its better having 2 / 3 nights on a site within a couple of hours of the boat, than a long drive to catch a ferry. Also that's a good time to stock up with items to bring back what's the point of loading up and lugging all that weight back to the coast when it's more or less already there.

Equipment, try and get hold of a reversed plug for the inevitable reversed polarity with the electric. Gas I have always took GAZ to Europe you can take much smaller bottle, its easily exchanged at local shops and as you are unlikely to meet with on or below freezing temperatures there really is no need for propane.

Food, if children are on the small side just take there favorite cereals, milk most is UHT but you can buy fresh milk at the supermarkets, you just have to look. When my to were young the quickly decided that chocolate quasants were more to their liking. I have seen people on caravan sites with their vans full of English food, looking more like a mobile shop than a caravan. The large French supermarkets make your average UK one look like a corner shop. The restaurant / cafeterias such as Flunch, Casino give good value and are child friendly. Also just pack what we call an 'emergency meal' based around dry food, just in case.

Fuel, most large supermarkets have fuel, just watch for height access restrictions though, if that the case and you are with the van, just un hitch leave the van with the wife in the carpark fill up and return.

Er, that should be croisants!

 

[brian_374364257]

Er, that should be croisants!

sorry, i did not copy read before posting and was trying to talk at the same time as typing. i have noted a few other typos on my note. but i think the idea is there. ps quite a few other lisitngs have typos too. checking for them may be better than 'daytime tv'