Site in South of France for January/February

[Lawrence1]

We have caravanned for several years in France during September. We are thinking of trying somewhere warm (or at least away from the worst of the Scottish winter) for 6 weeks in January/February. Can anyone recommend the South of France at this time of year and recommend any sites in the Cote d'AZur (or anywhere else in the south), as one of our favourite areas is Vaison la Romaine in Provence.

Thanks

Lawrence

 

[ValA.]

Unfortunately there aren't that many campsites open in the winter - the best way to locate at least some of them is to have a look on the ACSI card site (www.campingcard.co.uk) or the Camping Cheques (www.campingcheque.co.uk) websites. Both these specialise in low season sites - and you can search 'by date' on the Camping Cheque website, or by 'Holiday Period' on the ACSI site. As far as I can see there are only two on the Camping Cheques website in the south - Camping Manjastre, and Le Plein Aire de Chenes, though there are others which might prove useful overnight stops!

 

[Gafferbill]

……..if you want somewhere warm and you have 6 weeks then you will need to be looking further south towards Southern Spain.
Sites down there can cost around 10€/ night with 10 amp EHU for long term deals.
The weather is equivalent to our May/June for the time you are thinking of going!

 

[Lawrence1]

Thanks Val. I have access to this information. Have you, or anyone you know, ever stayed in the south of France at this time? It seems that most people head for Spain which would not be our first choice of destination.

Lawrence

 

[Lawrence1]

Thanks Gafferbill. As I replied to Val, we do not aprticularly want to go to Spain and wondered if anyone had stayed in the south of France at this time of year. You can view all the weather sites but it would be good to hear of actual experience.

 

[ValA.]

Hi Lawrence, No we haven't - we've been in November and December - but only for a few days each time and not in the caravan. Both times we had lovely sunshine during the day, and in November we had temperatures of 19 degrees. Nights were cold though. December was much colder - though in the sun you could sit out and picnic in the middle of the day but out of the sun it was freezing!
You could have a look at this website which shows historical weather records, including minimum and maximum temperature - and you can search for any destination (or the nearest city of any size). It will give you an idea of whether you need snow shoes or suncream!

 

[Gafferbill]

Lawrence….. last year in February on the way down to Spain we had a stop at Chateaudun -5 degC at night,
then one at Biarritz –1degC, then Arunjez Spain at 5degC then on to Granada for a week.
Granada is a historical city with plenty to see and do at that time of year.
There was frost at night and early morning fog but sunny afternoons.

It is 1 hour’s drive from the Ski resorts of the Sierra Nevada Mountains with great views and snow to play in!

We then had 3 weeks near Nerja on the Mediterranean.
This is a mixture of an old town with a modern seaside resort.
Here you will find people on the beach and even some swimming on the warmer days.
The are many small/ beautiful mountain villages in mountains that lie inland from the coast with wonderful drives between them.

I do have experience of Southern France at that time of year. And you will be hard pushed to find any campsites open !
My advice is to head for Southern Spain and save France for warmer months.
I shall be down there with the caravan for 3 weeks next February but via 1 week in Seville.