holidaying in france for first time

[Grahamsprite4]

we are wanting to explore further afield next year and are looking to go to france, can anyone recommend a good site which is not too big (we tend to enjoy the peace & quiet now we dont take the kids) & possibly not too long a drive from the ports.

we do like our little luxuries eg elect, good sanitation good pitches and preferably good scenery.

thanks alot

graham

 

[ValA.]

Hi Graham

How far do you want to drive? France is much easier to 'get around' than England, and driving is far less stressful - but everyone's idea of 'not too long a drive' is different. Someone on here once said that anything more than a couple of hours was too long - but others think nothing of driving for the best part of a day.

If you're travelling outside peak season, that is not between mid-July to mid-August, then you could use Camping Cheques - and outside these periods sites are likely to be quieter anyway: see www.campingcheque.co.uk. Camping Cheque offers about 300 sites in France, costing

 

[JohnM20]

Hi Graham

France is a great place for caravanning. As Val says, travelling around France is a lot easier than in the UK. There are far more caravan sites in France as well. Most are excellent / very good with just a few that we wouldn't return to. Don't be put off by local council owned 'Municipal' sites. These are usually excellent and very good value for money being cheaper than commercial sites although they don't usually have swimming pools or bars etc.

The cost of sites varies quite widely with those on the coast, especially the Med. being pretty expensive. Come in-land only a few miles and the price can be quite cheap relatively. I've never used Camping Cheques but for this year I have got myself an ASCI card. This is a discount card for use at sites which are part of their network. Pitches cost 10, 12 or (maximum) 14 Euros per night. The card costs

 

[JohnM20]

Graham

The Caravan Club's book is 'Caravan Europe' not Holiday Europe as I wrote. I had a senior moment. Ready for a holiday (in France in 4 weeks time !!! yippee).

John M

 

[Grahamsprite4]

Graham

The Caravan Club's book is 'Caravan Europe' not Holiday Europe as I wrote. I had a senior moment. Ready for a holiday (in France in 4 weeks time !!! yippee).

John M

THANKS FOR YOUR INFO I THINK WE WILL CERTAINLY TAKE THE PLUNGE AS YOU MAKE IT SOUND SO EASY!

 

[LesleyRussell]

As you say, you may like to try something more local as a taster. There are some sites not far from Caen or Le Harvre that you may like and you may initially like the 'security' of booking and travelling with the Caravan Club. With that in mind you could try Le Brevedent (a member of Les Castels chain and also in the Caravan Club Travel Service in Europe Book) www.campinglebrevedent.com - 8 amp elec. A nice quietish site with a restaurant and a lake around which are the pitches. Usually once a week the 'Madame' of the Chateau invites campers around for wine tasting etc. Nice location with plenty of areas to visit i.e. Honfleur. Just around the corner from that site is Camping le Domaine du Lac - again based around a lake (5 amp elec). If you are travelling to Calais - have a look at Gandspette www.chateau-gandspette.com. Again you can book this via the Caravan Club and can make your booking with the site reservation or with Camping Cheques which this site will take in low season. Be Warned however - once you take the plunge you will not look back!

 

[shropshirefuzzyed]

Hi,

Etang des haizes is nice near cherbourg about an hours easy drive,there are children there but the site is large enough for peace,the surrounding area is superb and the owner looks after the site really well,but if its beauty,quality and climate Leperviere near Macon,Burgundy is excellent and at the end of the day youve made the crossing so whos counting?

regards

andy

 

[Woody3]

A tip: if and when you have decided where to go, go to the French autoroutes site www.autoroutes.fr - you will need to know a little French. You can set your start and finish points, specify if towing, and also specify if you prefer not to use the autoroute. It will quickly work out the best and cheapest route for you. If you have selected non-motorway it will still take you on the free sections and occasionally on short sections of chargeable, but the rates are not high (about 10c/km towing) and as others have said they are quiet, smooth, and good for towing.

Also being a newby, note that Route Nationals (RN) use a green sign, autoroutes are blue, and local road signs are yellow. If you see a blue sign and it does not say 'peage' then it is free, but there is a tendency to tell you only at the last minute. Worry not, there is always an escape road just before the booths (unless the access is directly off a roundabout.)

As for road numbers, A and RN roads should not be a problem, but the French started renumbering their local road system in 2006 and it is still ongoing. Generally a two or three digit D road will be peculiar to the Department (county-ish) so you may find yourself using, for instance, unconnected D18's several times in different areas during your journey. However the D9?? series roads are either former RN's that have been downgraded or rerouted, or they are cross-Department routes. Takes a bit of getting used to but is essentially straightforward.

Lastly remember that in many areas, especially urban, the 'priorite a droite' still applies. This means that a vehicle joining from a side road has priority - even on traffic islands. The worst bit is that locals using such side roads shoot straight out onto the main road more often than not without even a glance to see if something is coming. On traffic islands even where traffic on the island has priority, the French usually go right around the outside of the island, rather than using lane discipline as we do. Net result is that if you follow our practice you may well find someone coming round your outside and cutting across your nose. Watch and understand the road signs and you will have great fun.

(GB on your plate by the way is the only two words in English that every French driver knows - Get By - and they do!!)

 

[RayS]

If you go off peak there is no need to book. Most sites just take your CCI card when you arrive; just pay and get it back the night before you leave. Usually don't need to say how long you are staying - just shrug and mutter "plusiers jours" if they do ask.

Take a set of electrical adapters some wired reverse polarity and ideally one of the plug in socket testers which show three lights when all is well. You may have to juggle your use in the van to avoid tripping the breakers, usually set at 6 amps. The truma water heater can take about 3, so things like hair driers or hotplates can take you over the top. Some breakers are visible for DIY resetting but not in all sites.

 

[BurtonRob]

Hi Graham,

We have been going to France for over 15 years and have never yet pre booked though we do go late August after the main French holidays. If you like quiet sites (as we do) don't be afraid to use the municipal sites. We paid on average around