Hi
Just at the pondering, pre-planning stage. I've had a good search around the site and found the very useful Trekkie first timer abroad thread and the site search which is great. A couple of additional questions remain. A bit of background, I've camped a fair bit but together with OH (always resistant and wouldn't go but due to Covid gave it a go and now loves it) only this last 18 months, all in Scotland. Set up, small hatchback, 4 man tent, all the kit, inflatable kayak, wetsuits. All basic stuff. I've driven abroad before but ages ago. OH will not drive abroad. I'm doing this research so I can present and very straightforward and easy plan so as to meet the least resistance and possible refusal, but I'd love to camp in France. My French is pretty good. 2 adults no pets. Covid jabbed. Got annual travel insurance. Cost isn't really a concern.
I've done the campsite search as well. But;
1. A good up to date book that covers the basics of camping in France. Preferably in English. Despite doing lots of web searches, I still would like a book if possible. Happy to buy a few books.
2. Any site recommendations (I've looked at many not far from the ferries but would like one or two from others experience if possible). Prefer, coastal beach with launch for kayak or nice lake, small/medium with loos/showers/washing up facilities. Nothing more needed. Not really into the large w/bar/restaurant/pool thing. To keep it simple, intend to pitch for 5-7 days. We tend to sleep/eat at the site and then out and about all day. Outdoors stuff, but also love cultural side, museums/galleries/local history all would be pursued if available locally. Historic town nearby would be ace. Think I'm asking a lot here, but happy to compromise when it comes down to it.
3. Thinking next June?
4. Route - Scotland to SE England probably with a stopover at friends, Ferry, and from ferry say a maximum of 4 hours drive to site. I'll be doing all the driving so want to keep it sensible and doable. (can be more adventurous another time if all goes well).
6. Main thing is to keep it simple and doable and pleasant so I can present an 'idea' that we might do ... and hope for the best.
If it was just me I'd be more relaxed, but with someone who isn't very adventurous to convince ...
Sorry for long post and probably leaving lots of bits out.
Cheers.
Post last edited on 16/09/2022 15:21:19
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
The easiest first time visit I can think of is to take a good cabin on the overnight ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo and drive 6 miles to Camping les Etangs at La Richardais. You can launch your kayak on the estuary. The site will cost you about £12 a night plus another £3 if you want to hook up to electricity. You pay with a credit card. You won’t need a reservation in June. How hard is that? You don’t need to read a book about it.
I can't think of a 'How To' book about camping in France.
If you're going in June it may be worth looking at the ACSI guide. Generally 'Le Guide Officiel Camping Caravanning' is a comprehensive a guide to sites as you'll find.
If you're unconcerned about cost it may be worth looking at the Cool Camping guides.
For what you say you want and how long you want to drive I'd look at one of the western crossings and staying in Normandy/Brittany/heading to the Loire.
Some of the sites I've reviewed might suit you.
As above ACSI, but don’t bother booking anything in June, keeping things flexible is the secret. Also, I would rather drive 100 miles in France than 10 in the U.K., it is a doddle compared to here…….You will love it! 👍🍷
Quote: Originally posted by Netherton on 16/9/2022
The easiest first time visit I can think of is to take a good cabin on the overnight ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo and drive 6 miles to Camping les Etangs at La Richardais. You can launch your kayak on the estuary. The site will cost you about £12 a night plus another £3 if you want to hook up to electricity. You pay with a credit card. You won’t need a reservation in June. How hard is that? You don’t need to read a book about it.
Post last edited on 16/09/2022 15:28:47
And you don’t even need an ACSI card for that site I suggested . I was trying to keep it simple. One less thing the OP won’t need. The prices I quoted are low enough already. Just turn up, sign in, stay as long as you like, and pay on the evening before you leave.
It sounds to me as if you would be suited with a municipal in a small town or village near the sea or a lake. They are cheap, usually basic, but with more facilities than UK basic, and are unlikely to be in ACSI. They will almost certainly be cheaper too.
Being near a small town or village will mean that you will have places to eat and drink nearby - probably within walking distance.
By not booking ahead (and you won't need to in June) you can move on if the site doesn't suit, if the weather changes etc.
I can't recommend a specific place as we haven't used sites in Normandy/ Brittany for about 10 years.
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
How about somewhere along the Normandy coast near Bayeux, Caen, WW2 landing beaches etc? You can use the Portsmouth to Caen crossing, and search on here for sites in the area, whether your preference is for a coastal or inland site. The municipal site at Bayeux springs to mind, though you may prefer to be on the coast.
First time visitors to France are often advised to get an ACSI Camping Card for low season discounts- we have used it - but 83% of French campsites are not members of that organisation. And that includes many of the municipal sites, village sites, quiet sites and small sites which can’t afford to pay the annual fee which they would have to pay to ACSI to join.
In answer to your question 1). I'm not sure you will find very much, for the simple reason that there is not much to 'quide' on, therefore write about! French campsites are not so different from UK sites. Perhaps most noticeable difference in my experience is pitches are often more 'defined' with hedges/shrubs between them, and possibly with shade providing trees, rather than an open field as UK. Caravaners/MHs may be more familiar with that in UK than tenters.
As a first venture, bofs suggestion of Normandy is not at all bad, plus with only a short 5-7 day holiday, you won't waste much time travelling (France is a huge country and you can spend a while motoring across it!). I have a fondness for Normandy as we regularly explore it's WW2 'D' Day history amongst other things. It's a rich region for things to see, Bayeax (as in tapestry), St Malo/Mont St Michel, Château de Falaise etc., there's a lot of history, and much of it is tied into our own so already slightly familiar. If you have an interest in the 'D' day landings, the museums and 360 degree cinema at Arromanches are thought provoking (we never fail to come out silent in our own thoughts and a little soggy eyed - and we're a pretty hard nosed bunch of old men!). The local tourist info web sites/offices are brilliant, well worth a visit and planning your trip.
Choose your June dates carefully! Le Mans 24 Hour motor race takes place on w/e of 10-11 June 23, it attracts crowds of 300,000 from across Europe, with around 80,000 Brits going! That means the ferry crossing for the week before and a couple of days after are VERY busy. A great many of those attendees camp, so the camp sites around ports can be unseasonable busy too. It's the 100th anniversary event next year, so it will likely be even more crowded than 'normal' years.
At the end of June, there is also the Le Mans Classic race, which is also a pretty big event (although not as big as the 24 Hour), 29 June TO 2 July.
Around the 6th June is the anniversary of the 'D' Day landings, unless there is a big event planned (I'm not aware of one), any people visiting the region should be modest in numbers, but will be higher than a 'normal' w/e.
We've done Portsmouth-Caen (Ouistreham) ferry countless times, and it seems to be far more trouble free than any of the Dover/Folkestone-Calais crossings. Just outside Ouistreham at Ranville is Capucines Campsite, which we've used a few times now, handy for ferry in and out, not fancy, but perfectly adequate and with good road access to get around. You can walk into town to see the famous 'Pegasus Bridge' and 'Café Gondrée' (don't get too excited, but good to say you've been there!), also the Pegasus Bridge museum if WW2 is of interest.
In the outskirts of Ouistreham town itself is Riva Bella campsite, which is a little more upmarket than Capucines I believe, I've never used it.
Thanks for the insights, much appreciated. It gives me a good start on how/where to look for planning and avoiding busy events (thanks Monty). Still thinking second half June as this will fit in with other plans. If I'm not pushing my luck a few additional points:
1. Would booking the outward journey ferry, but keeping the return open so to speak feasible or foolhardy? We have no specific ties to return as yet so flexible. OH may feel more settled with everything fully booked, but i'd also like to explore the more open ended options to camp and roam. I'll think of both.
2. The areas around Caen, Nantes, St Malo seem feasible and interesting for a first time. And that simplest option is great to have at hand Netherton, thanks. But I have gone slightly off piste - predictable? - and looked as far down as the Bordeaux area and sites en-route. The appeal of more warmth and beaches is a factor, and may convince OH. But will bring things eventually to more focused. Still I'll enjoy looking at various options.
3. Yes the smaller, less commercial sites, appeal most. The ACSI website seems to offer a lot of larger more developed sites with pool/restaurant etc., I'm supposing this caters to the French market demand. Still plenty of smaller more basic options.
4. The Caen/St Malo crossings seem appealing, in that it gets you 'further' away and may be less popular/hectic.
5. Does the ACSI 2022 book pretty much reflect what is on the ACSI Eurocampings website?
Thanks all, much to mull over and a nice early winter planning project.
Cbeers
If using Brittany Ferries, there’s nothing to be gained financially by booking a return crossing rather than an outward and return separately, (booking at the same time), so you could book your outward crossing and then your return crossing when you’re ready to return. May be more expensive the closer you get to returning though.
We too prefer smaller, less commercialised sites in the U.K., but out of season in France (ie July and August) don’t discount the bigger sites. You can often enjoy slimmed down facilities (eg. a pool, bread service, snack bar) but without the full on entertainment programme, kids clubs etc. We’re currently on a 4 star site with probably less than half its 120 pitches occupied, and those mostly by older couples - not a place we’d go to in high season, but really nice out of season - and only 16 euros a night ACSI price, plus tourist tax. So if a site’s in the right area, don’t discount it, just because it’s bigger and with more facilities than you’d normally go for.
As has been said, you don't need to book for June. As has also been said, the ACSI card is worth having (you get it in the book, check it out at Vicarious Books if you don't want to take out a subscription). There's no common standard for ACSI sites; they come in all shapes and sizes, so don't write it off. Indeed, the app is really handy because you can check out sites in your vicinity when travelling then follow directions. We travel and camp in France a lot and wouldn't be without it in low season.
You will find that France is very much more geared up to camping than the UK, so things are much easier and more relaxed. There's a much wider choice and availability of campsites so flexible plans really can work well. We always book our return crossing just a day or two in advance (and sometimes have been known to do s so on the day when Eurotunnel Frequent Traveller accounts were available). Be aware that nowadays it might be a more cost-effective option to book a flexible ticket rather than simply attempting to book a crossing the day before return as it's usually more expensive the closer you get to proposed departure.
We always cross to Calais then ususlly make tracks south on the autoroute, for more dependable weather.
If you fancy heading to the area around Bordeaux where you can launch a kayak, you might enjoy Le Teday. It didn't work so well for us when we went - see reviews - but others rate it highly and it's an area we'll try again next year, without the dog.
My advice would be to treat the journey as part of the holiday; aim to stop at around 4pm, find a campsite close by (using ACSI app or heading for a municipal) and check out the area you're in. France is a huge and varied country so you'll never be bored. We absolutely love touring there.
Finally, you don't need to read-up on how to camp in France. I realise you want to be prepared but, seriously, campsites are everywhere and it's a way of life over there. It's the lack of necessity for planning which attracts us!
Just get over there, check your Meteo France weather app, and off you go...
If you are camping outside of the busy school holiday times, then buying the ACSI book and discount card is always useful. All the listed sites are different but fixed prices depending on the facilities on offer and have different discount periods, so worth taking a look. And if you choose one of them, you know what the price will be before you arrive.
Quote: Originally posted by bofs on 17/9/2022
... out of season in France (ie July and August) don’t discount the bigger sites. You can often enjoy slimmed down facilities (eg. a pool, bread service, snack bar) but without the full on entertainment programme, kids clubs etc. We’re currently on a 4 star site with probably less than half its 120 pitches occupied, and those mostly by older couples - not a place we’d go to in high season, but really nice out of season - and only 16 euros a night ACSI price, plus tourist tax. So if a site’s in the right area, don’t discount it, just because it’s bigger and with more facilities than you’d normally go for.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: France first timer
via mobile 16/9/2022 at 5:59pm
