gone and dun it now

[crusader_5040706]

just booked a ferry crossing to france ,first 3 weeks in may,first time abroad with van ! nervous??? no not realy, now got to decide were we will end up, any suggestions welcome( 2 adults< well the wife and myself>) jim p.s, going to order camping cheque,s there directory looks good

 

[OldBean]

For first-timers I'd suggest you get a good map (Michelin Atlas to France is a good one), and get (or borrow) as many guides as you can. The Alan Rogers guide is a good one, as it the Caravan Club guide to Europe part 1. The Caravan Club guide is great for first timers because it gives lots of advice sections, from what you need to take for the car, to a packing list, tips on electricity, and many others - definitely worth the money. Camping Cheque give you their book but the directions to the sites can be hard to follow (we don't have GPS so we can't use their references). Sometimes it's best not to decide, but go where the weather, the mood, and other campers' recommendations take you. Start with a site not far from your port of arrival, then you have plenty of time to set up, and get a feel for the place. If you like it stay a couple of nights, and talk to others - find out where they recommend. Fellow campers often have the 'best sites' to recommend. Most of the Camping Cheque sites we've stayed on have been excellent - some better than others, of course, but everyone likes their own particular things about a site. If you're going to Calais then I can recommend Chateau de Ganspette - if you go there ask for a pitch in the newer section - bit pitches, excellent toilet block, and a good meal in the restaurant. They all speak excellent English and there are lots of other overnighters as well as regulars who stay longer.

Forge de St Marie at Joinville is another Camping Cheque site, handy for the route south if you're going to the east. We don't do the west coast much, because we're not beach people, and if we do swim in the sea prefer the warmth of the med. Don't take too much with you - but food, wine, etc., locally. Take half as many clothes as you think you'll need.

Three weeks should be long enough to get around to any area of France you fancy. There is something to suit everyone - we love the mountains of the Massif Central, the Cevennes and the Ardeche, as well as the upper parts of Provence - and there are some lovely sites (Camping Cheque offer many) in these areas.

 

[Le Chant]

For first-timers I'd suggest you get a good map (Michelin Atlas to France is a good one), and get (or borrow) as many guides as you can. The Alan Rogers guide is a good one, as it the Caravan Club guide to Europe part 1. The Caravan Club guide is great for first timers because it gives lots of advice sections, from what you need to take for the car, to a packing list, tips on electricity, and many others - definitely worth the money. Camping Cheque give you their book but the directions to the sites can be hard to follow (we don't have GPS so we can't use their references). Sometimes it's best not to decide, but go where the weather, the mood, and other campers' recommendations take you. Start with a site not far from your port of arrival, then you have plenty of time to set up, and get a feel for the place. If you like it stay a couple of nights, and talk to others - find out where they recommend. Fellow campers often have the 'best sites' to recommend. Most of the Camping Cheque sites we've stayed on have been excellent - some better than others, of course, but everyone likes their own particular things about a site. If you're going to Calais then I can recommend Chateau de Ganspette - if you go there ask for a pitch in the newer section - bit pitches, excellent toilet block, and a good meal in the restaurant. They all speak excellent English and there are lots of other overnighters as well as regulars who stay longer.

Forge de St Marie at Joinville is another Camping Cheque site, handy for the route south if you're going to the east. We don't do the west coast much, because we're not beach people, and if we do swim in the sea prefer the warmth of the med. Don't take too much with you - but food, wine, etc., locally. Take half as many clothes as you think you'll need.

Three weeks should be long enough to get around to any area of France you fancy. There is something to suit everyone - we love the mountains of the Massif Central, the Cevennes and the Ardeche, as well as the upper parts of Provence - and there are some lovely sites (Camping Cheque offer many) in these areas.

Well done on booking your first trip to France! The best idea would be to stay fairly close to the Channel, not to try and travel too far. The driving over here's generally far better than it is over in the UK. The roads are better, less crowded on the Peage sections. Getting around is easy, and there's no shortage of campsites to choose from. Hopefully, when you've got your confidence, you can maybe have a wander a little further south, and stop off & see us here in the gorgeous Loire Valley. Take care, safe journeys, and have a wonderful time in France!

 

[rayc]

Crusader, What is your port of destination in France? It is a huge country have you any particular areas in mind?

 

[cris_408518]

My wife is happier towing the van on French roads than English!

On holiday and on business I find that travelling in France is easier than here. We have travelled 500 or so happy miles with the van in a day in France with no hold ups or worries, not something I would do here.

Remember to check that you have enough gas or bottles that can be exchanged in France. A polarity tester for the hook up and French electrical connector for the end of the cable.

All though chip and pin has been common there for years most places you still sign with an english card. And chip and pin will not work in most French pay pumps at fuel stations.

24/7 hour fuel signs often indicate pay pumps not open stations and you can drive a hundred miles on A roads and not see an open station at night time or at weekends. So make sure you have fuel unless you are travelling on autoroute.

Carnac , Morbihan area in Brittany or around Royan and La Palmyre. Coast and Lakes south of Arcachon are nice.

Enjoy

 

[Ron2]

For first-timers I'd suggest you get a good map (Michelin Atlas to France is a good one), and get (or borrow) as many guides as you can. The Alan Rogers guide is a good one, as it the Caravan Club guide to Europe part 1. The Caravan Club guide is great for first timers because it gives lots of advice sections, from what you need to take for the car, to a packing list, tips on electricity, and many others - definitely worth the money. Camping Cheque give you their book but the directions to the sites can be hard to follow (we don't have GPS so we can't use their references). Sometimes it's best not to decide, but go where the weather, the mood, and other campers' recommendations take you. Start with a site not far from your port of arrival, then you have plenty of time to set up, and get a feel for the place. If you like it stay a couple of nights, and talk to others - find out where they recommend. Fellow campers often have the 'best sites' to recommend. Most of the Camping Cheque sites we've stayed on have been excellent - some better than others, of course, but everyone likes their own particular things about a site. If you're going to Calais then I can recommend Chateau de Ganspette - if you go there ask for a pitch in the newer section - bit pitches, excellent toilet block, and a good meal in the restaurant. They all speak excellent English and there are lots of other overnighters as well as regulars who stay longer.

Forge de St Marie at Joinville is another Camping Cheque site, handy for the route south if you're going to the east. We don't do the west coast much, because we're not beach people, and if we do swim in the sea prefer the warmth of the med. Don't take too much with you - but food, wine, etc., locally. Take half as many clothes as you think you'll need.

Three weeks should be long enough to get around to any area of France you fancy. There is something to suit everyone - we love the mountains of the Massif Central, the Cevennes and the Ardeche, as well as the upper parts of Provence - and there are some lovely sites (Camping Cheque offer many) in these areas.

Hi Val, We used this site [Chateau de Ganspette] last year found it to be way way off track, when we got there we had a very very very cold reception from the site manager when we asked for a different site we were told that was all we could have on camping cheques so we stopped just the one night and will never return there again.

This is just our obsevations and think it a lot of the road for a newbie.

Ron