Recommendations for Sites for exploring WW1 Battlefields?

[Dave_374360630]

We're thinking of taking a couple of weeks to explore the WW1 battlefields in Belgium/France and are looking for a good campsite to set up as a base camp while we explore.

WÇ'll want to spend time around Ypres and Arras so anywhere in between the two would be ideal.

We'd be very interested in any recommendations or experiences you may have.

Thanks!

Dave

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Dave,

A couple of Belgian that I think are worth investigating, both are the equivalent of a CC or C&CC site in the UK:

Camping Blaarmeersen (Gent) - 4 star - probably the best camp site in Belgium, and has an on-site restaurant and shop (high season).

Camping Ypra (Kemmel) - 2 star - half way between Ieper (Ypres) and Armentieres - couldn't be any closer to what you want to do...

A note about the Belgian star rating - 2 star means C&CC or CC type facilities, pitches of around 80 or 100 sq metres. 4 star doesn't improve on the 2 star standard, except it has more things on site - like a cafe, or restaurant, or shop, or pool.

Both are in the ACSI guide - so you should be able to get a discount with an ACSI card...

And both are in the Vlaams (Dutch) speaking region of Belgium...

Camping Blaameersen is really convenient for visiting Gent and Brugge, but it's a motorway hop from Gent to Kortrijk and maybe too far for what you want to do...

Robert

On my commute home from Rotterdam, I'll often stay in a family run hotel near Brugge - and I love this part of Belgium. Nice people, good food, great beer.

 

[anotherDavid]

Hi there

You could also try Camping Le Viveier aux Carpes at Seraucourt le-Grand 10 km from St Quentin. (Page 580 in the 2007 CC Caravan Europe Guide). It is well placed for the Hindenbourg Line area. I would also agree with the Camping Ypra recomendation, its not as convenient as the municipal in Ypres itself but we didnt like the way that the public had access to that site and its facilities. I also quite like the municipal at Honnecourt sur Escaut (page 360 2007 CC guide) for the Cambrai area. Its a bit basic and ropey but the warden is friendly as are the regular residents.

Regards

Dave

 

[Steve_374341117]

You could also try the municipal site at Albert for the Somme region. Warden speaks very little (None) English but is very friendly as are the French people who also stay there.

Steve

 

[Michael_374349176]

We stayed at Le Vivier aux Carpes in May and thought it a good site with a very helpful owner who spoke good English. This is helpful to me who only speaks schoolboy French (learnt 50 years ago!) About a ten minute walk from the site is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission site with men from both wars. Both Ypres and the Somme are easily reachable fron Seraucourt.

Michael - Derbyshire

 

[Gumbo]

Michael

I don't know if you are aware of this web site for WW 1 some information on battlefields etc

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php
no connection with the above site given for information only

 

[BurtonRob]

Hi Dave,

If you are hoping to see a number of WW1 sites I would recommend stopping at one camp site on The Somme and then at another at or near Ypres.

If you wish to spend any extended time on the Somme , there is a camp site at Athuile very close to many key places.

Have a good trip. We always find it a moving experience going to the Western Front.

Safe travelling

Rob

 

[Michael_374349176]

Michael

I don't know if you are aware of this web site for WW 1 some information on battlefields etc

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php
no connection with the above site given for information only

Thanks for that, it seems very interesting

regards Michael