France for the first time

[Jim_374361976]

Wifey has mentioned she fancies a trip to France next year in the caravan , this will be our first time abroad with the van so i am giving myself plenty of time to plan.

We will prob be spending 7-10 nights in France in addition to a couple of nights in the UK en-route and anticipate staying in the North / Brittany areas although as we have never holidayed in France before guidance on areas to visit would be appreciated

As there will just be the two of us ( and maybe the dog ) all we require are a site/s with good basic facilities,near to towns and villages where we can we sample local food, beer and wine after a hard days walking or lounging about.

Would appreciate any tips and advice on best routes , methods of crossings , places to stay and visit etc

Many thanks in advance

Jim

 

[JohnM20]

Hi Jim

If you want good basic sites look for municipal sites. It seems that almost every town has at least one.

These are usually excellent value and their amenities are usually very good / excellent. What they tend to lack is a pool and bar or any other forms of entertainment. Because they are council run they tend to be looked after very well, particularly the grass and flowerbeds. Very occasionally have we found one that we wouldn't go back to but these are a rarity.

If you are going low season, ie not July or August, you wouldn't even need to book so if a site is good you can stay on or if it is poor you can move on immediately.

The Caravan Club's Caravan Europe 1 is a bible, especially for the first timer in France. Not only does it list almost every site in France with reviews from members who have been to the site but it also has a lost of 'technical' information and tips. It provides a very good starting point for your planning.

Brittany is a lovely part of France with weather very like Cornwall. It is a long and quite expensive ferry crossing from Plymouth or Portsmouth or, do as we do, and make the journey through France part of the holiday and use the cheaper, much shorter Dover Calais crossing. The drive to Brittany is quite straight forward and enjoyable.

JohnM

 

[Woody3]

The best short crossing is Dover-Dunkerque on Norfolk Line and one of the cheapest. We are going end August and it will cost

 

[Robtel]

An even cheaper crossing if you happen to use Tesco for your shopping or fuel is via the tunnel. Exchange your Tesco vouchers for Tunnel fare and go free ( Tesco vouchers worth four times their face value in Tunnel vouchers).

The advice given to me on my first visit to France was that if you are going to the effort and expense of crossing the Channel don't limit yourself to the North of the country but consider the extra few hours drive further south for a better chance of really good weather. Worked for me, first visit was to the Vendee region. Drive down was easy, weather was great.

Pick what area you want to visit then ask for site recommendations and I'm sure you will get the answers you need.

 

[ChristineandAlan]

Hi Jim,

for the first time towing in france,depending where you are living,i would go portsmouth to caen if you have the 14.45pm you can stop overnight at Les pommiers municipal site in ouistreham thats 2 miles from port easy to get to.then for main holiday camping le chateau de martragny in normandy 21 miles from le pommiers 40 minutes away lovely site restruant/outdoor swimming pool shop etc.near the city of bayeux 6 miles from camp.if you like history in easy reach to normandy beach landing WW2.we have just had a month touring france that was our last stop,we stayed there for 10 days it was the best,we enjoyed immensly.we booked everything through Alan Rogers travel,breakdown cover with red pennant with caravan club,we are hopeing to go to barcelona for month in sept aswell this year.Hope this has helped you good luck on your choice All the Best Alan P/T

 

[trickydicky]

Hello Jim,

Were thinking of doing exactly the same as you next year,taking the van to France in june for the first time.

The cheapest way to get accross the channel looks to be the Eurotunnel,using Tesco clubcard vouchers where you get the 4 for 1 deal with them,so it is effectively free.

The wife has allready got enough vouchers,so thats the way we are going to go.

Cheers Richard