When to book

[Mr C]

After a really great trip to Normandy and the Loire, we are really looking forward to our next visit, started planning for next year as soon as we got home ! We are looking to going much further south, probably Narbonne area, we just wonder where anyone recommends and when is the best/earliest time to book, and best route, we have used the CC for both trips and found them very very good.
Any advice gratefuly received, thanks.

 

[ValA.]

When are you travelling? The best time to book a ferry is probably September/October - around the time of the Caravan Show at the NEC Norfolkline and other ferry operators sometimes run special offers. The Caravan Club, too, makes good offers on prices around that time.
As far as campsites are concerned, it depends when you want to travel. We go in May and June. We were in and around the Narbonne area this year and didn't book anything - and we're going again this weekend with nothing booked. We've never had a problem, and it does give you the flexibility to choose sites, move on if you don't like them, or if the weather is poor, or the area not what you expected - all things we've done in the past. However, if you're going in peak weeks, have children with you, and MUST HAVE a specific campsite then book as early as you can - some sites take bookings for the following year from people on the site - and can be quite full for peak weeks.
As far as the best route, we always use the Abbeville/Rouen/Chartres route, then the A75 which is free from Clermont Ferrand south - but I've recently read of people having problems with their towcar being underpowered on the A75 as there are some long hills and long descents. These are not steep, but do go on for several kilometres. We tow with a diesel Mondeo estate and have never had problems - but others with more powerful cars have commented on poor performance - someone suggested it may depend on the gearing.
Again, what sort of sites do you like - small and intimate (two vans in an orchard) or large and all singing-all dancing? Do you need entertainment? I never like recommending sites unless I know what peope are looking for, and when they're travelling, as this can make such a difference. The sites we use are quiet during May and June, and again in late August and September - but in mid-July to mid-August may be a different animal entirely! We went back to one site which we loved, having visited a few times in May, and in early August found the same quiet site had piped rock music around the pool and a team of animateurs organising everyone into silly games, and loudspeaker announcements about the programme of activities waking you up at 8.00 in the morning - not our cup of tea at all.

 

[Mr C]

Thanks Val, we do have to go in school holidays and there stands the problem, our son wants noisy fun sites his mum does not ! we like the look of the area around Narbonne Caccasonne, like the history and weather, we are only worried as were told the sites are not as good as the ones we have been to in Normandy and The Loire, my wife really liked the space and cleanliness of the three sites we have been to so far.

 

[Guest]

You have a difficult problem with wife and son. There are many sites along the Med and the majority offer excellent facilities. Of course in the high July season they are busy and occasionally the facilities cannot cope. Everybody wants to go for a shower at 8.30 am etc. The CC and the C&CC list sites that fit both youir family requirements, the one you pick is up to you (after discussion of course) The Yelloh chain of sites is good if you want action packed facilities, goood, clean and very 'entertaining'. Great for kiddies. Also Have alook at Camping Ma Prairie in Canet Plage. It may be a compromise as it has a good separated pool area but is also relatively peaceful in high season. Close to the beach and other attractions. However, in mid July to mid August, book in advance. Do not necessarily use the Clubs, contact the site direct as they often prefer this and give you a better pitch. This applies to many sites as the commision does cost them.

Val has mentioned a good route, an alternative is to stick to the A20 south of Vierzon and just keep going through Toulouse, Carcassonne to the Med at Narbonne.