trip to france

[Steve_5090070]

Hi,

I am thinking of takig the family over to France next Summer, this is my first year caravaning, looking for advice or tips as to where to catch ferries, campsites, regions etc. I live in Hull which has the North Sea ferry crossing. Is it adviseable to sail from there or drive down south?

cheers Steve

 

[chrissie2]

Steve, which ferry to use is probably the trickiest decision you will have to make in this whole enterprise. As you live in Hull, obviously that must be a tempting choice. On the other hand, it will be a more expensive option than some, although savings in fuel costs may offset that to some extent. Depending upon which part of France you hope to visit, it may also leave you with a longish drive at the other end: as a novice, you may prefer a longer drive in the UK and less driving on the continent.

As for which region, I would suggest getting hold of a decent guidebook, perhaps sending off for brochures from the likes of Eurocamp, Select Sites etc. If you are a member of either of the clubs, they will also have overseas travel brochures which will help in planning. Once you've got a feel for the different regions, you can begin to make better plans about sites, routes etc.

Many people (ourselves among them) began their French camping/caravanning in Britanny or the Vend

 

[Bryan_5064490]

Hi Steve

Just come back from our holiday's on the Vandee France via Hull ferry, it took 9hours travel time from zeebrugge to our destination, but the main thing at 70 pence a liter for derv ment getting back to Hull with a full tank of derv for almost half the price. Booked our holiday with Carefree Camping and Caravan Club they did the lot.

Bryan.

 

[Moley1]

Hi Steve

We did our first trip last year. We live in Lincoln. Leave on Friday night. Stop on a lovely CL near Cambridge, then sail next day from Dover. We stayed in Normandy at the following site

http://www.camping-lecolombier.comwith is part of the Castels group http://www.les-castels.com

I chose Normandy because it is not too far. I was pleasantly surprised. It is a lovely area. Next week we are off to http://www.etang-breche.com but will stop at le Columbier on the way.

Enjoy.

Dave

 

[cooky1]

We do the Hull Zeebrugge crosing most years and find it a great way to start the holiday. Get to the port early evening, board and put things in cabin. Watch all vehicles being boarded by the brilliant artic drivers. Get some food and spend the night with a couple of beers either listening to someone play the piano or in the entertainment room. Go to bed and have a good nights sleep, get up and have a huge breakfast which should last for most of the day. Set of at about 0900hrs in Belgum and have a leisurely drive to your destination.

We have travelled to Alsace on a couple of occasions from Zeebrugge with no problems. Most of the area around Paris is easily reachable from this port.

We have done Dover/Calais and Portsmouth to wherever but still prefer Hull.

It also depends where in the country you live, but if you live in Hull you have no travelling in the UK.

 

[PC_5119929]

Having done a few business trips to Hull from south east England without a caravan on tow, unless there was a very huge saving on a Dover crossing compared to a Hull crossing I would be avoiding the Dover or any other crossings and hopping on the Hull ferry.

 

[lee2]

We use the Hull crossing and prefer the autoroutes to the A1 or M1. We usually make the crossing on a Saturday - very few heavy vehicles on the roads in France on a Sunday makes driving even easier.

 

[Steve_5090070]

thanks for all your comments they will help in making my choice of ferry crossing. If anyone knows of good sites ideal for young children it would also be apprciated

Steve