Hi all after 2 years of my life lost due to Covid. We bit the bullet and booked a CAMC escorted break to Aveyron for 17 days + 3 days travelling to the site and 3 on return. I have never done this before and my wife and I are somewhat apprehensive. I have booked P&O Dover Calais, however I have plumbed the route into satnav and is taking me around the outskirts of Paris which I think would be stressful. I have allowed 3 days each way for traveling but have not booked any stopover site.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Chris
------------- if your car could travel at the speed of light and you turned on your lights what would happen?
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You don't say when you arrive in Calais. The route using the A1 around Paris is not too stressful as it is all motorway style roads. You just need tobe aware of the signs.
Once passed Paris there is always a sigh of relief. On the A71, we tend to stop at Olivet or Nouan le furzilier. The latter has several nice restaurants just within walking distance if you don't want to cook.
A pity you booked from Dover - going via Portsmouth from your Staffs address would have been shorter, quicker and easier. But never mind - starting from Calais you can avoid the Paris area by travelling viaRouen and Le Mans. I suggest a good road maps book will help you. I hope it all goes well.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Google maps shows going via the centre of Paris as the most direct route at 600miles/10.25hrs driving.
The alternative route it's showing is A16 to Abbeville, A28 to Rouen
N154 to Orleans then A10/E5,A71, A75 to Aveyron which they reckon is 605 miles/10.5 hrs driving.
Personally I would take the alternative route as we avoid the roads round Paris if we can. There can be snarl ups and it can take longer in the long run.
3 nights should be enough but it depends on what time you arrive in France as to where you would be looking to stop.
There are lots of suggestions for sites in the Campsite Search on UKCampsite or look up the area you are likely to stop at in Google maps to see where campsites are in relation to the roads you are on to avoid too much extra driving. There should be the plenty of availablity in June so no need to book unless you want to for peace of mind.
How lovely! It looks like a really nice trip for a first time. Remember the journey is part of the holiday - driving the autoroutes is so much more pleasant than in the UK; comparatively empty, with rest areas every 10km. I’d be inclined to take the Chartres route too; put Nonancourt into the satnav (there’s a useful ELeclerc card op filling station there, about a tank full from Calais). Useful to get a toll tag too, much less stressful. For stopovers, it’s worth getting the ACSI card if you’re in June. Anywhere that scores 8.0 or thereabouts is usually a nice stopover.
If this is is all new, there’s plenty of threads on here to research about these topics - nice to do during the dark cold days of winter.
Quote: Originally posted by Netherton on 25/1/2022
A pity you booked from Dover - going via Portsmouth from your Staffs address would have been shorter, quicker and easier. But never mind - starting from Calais you can avoid the Paris area by travelling viaRouen and Le Mans. I suggest a good road maps book will help you. I hope it all goes well.
Isn`t that route a bit out of the way if they are heading for Aveyron? I would second the suggestion for the Rouen/Chartres/Orleans/Vierzon route.
Sorry just got home. We are catching the ferry and arrive in Calais about 08.30 the 30th May. Then I have to arrive on site on the 2nd of June so no pressure. We then have 17 days at the site Le Genets and is an escorted 17 days organised by CAMC. Every other day is a rest day the rest are organised trips.
We are so looking forward to it but apprehensive of the route down.
I have several months to organise however, I could do with help though.
Chris
------------- if your car could travel at the speed of light and you turned on your lights what would happen?
Quote: Originally posted by SGThomas on 25/1/2022
You don't say when you arrive in Calais. The route using the A1 around Paris is not too stressful as it is all motorway style roads. You just need tobe aware of the signs.
Once passed Paris there is always a sigh of relief. On the A71, we tend to stop at Olivet or Nouan le furzilier. The latter has several nice restaurants just within walking distance if you don't want to cook.
I agree - in June as long as you're not hitting Paris in rush hour or in the dark then from the A1 it's fairly straightforward (all motorway) - just past Charles de Gaulle airport pick up the A3 signed Bordeaux - Nantes and follow Bordeaux - Nantes until after Orly Airport then follow A10 Orleans. Have done this a couple of times around midday in June without any problems (nb I don't tow a van).
South of Orleans at Vierzon, depending which side of the Aveyron you're going to it's either A20 for W Aveyron or A71 / A75 for Rodez and E Aveyron.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We also looked at the escorted tour for our first venture to the continent, but decided price was eye watering so had a go on our own with our three dogs.
It was a total breeze but that was before Brexit. If we go again we will make sure that we have everything in place. You are worrying about nothing because if we can do it, then anyone can do it. Just get on with enjoying yourself.
Quote: Originally posted by Chalkie0456 on 25/1/2022
Sorry just got home. We are catching the ferry and arrive in Calais about 08.30 the 30th May. Then I have to arrive on site on the 2nd of June so no pressure. We then have 17 days at the site Le Genets and is an escorted 17 days organised by CAMC. Every other day is a rest day the rest are organised trips.
We are so looking forward to it but apprehensive of the route down.
I have several months to organise however, I could do with help though.
Chris
For the 830 arrival in Calais which you mention , your timetable looks to me like this.
Getup 3.30 am.
Depart UK Campsite 4 a.m - perhaps Black Horse Farm
Check in at port 4.50 a.m one hour in advance
Ferry departs 5.50 a.m UK time.
Calais arrives 8.20 a.m French time
Then drive 200 miles.
You will find you can avoid that brutally early start by crossing to France on your first evening and overnight in a Calais campsite instead of the UK site.
^^^ yep that’s what we do…. Stop overnight at Aire Baie de Somme, about an hour down the motorway. Used to use Bien Assise, but way too expensive for just a transit stopover imo.
I agree with Berriow except we used to stay at Hawthorn Farm which is only 15 mins from port.
Going the preferred Rouen route you have a problem of a dearth of sites between Rouen and Orleans. There is Chartres which is not recommended as your first, or even 100th, visit to France
Orleans is about 260 miles from Calais but the roads are good and generally clear
Bien Assise at Guines is 20 euro per night until 30th June with the ACSI card, and is very convenient for Calais. There are many ACSI discounted sites on your route, and as you are looking for up to 6 nights, you could easily save the cost of the book and card. Get the book and card either from ACSI or Vicarious Books.
No need to book any sites, just plan where you intend to stay (and have a backup site in the remote chance that your first choice is unavailable), and try to arrive at an unbooked site by 5pm.
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: South France - in June. Help please
via mobile 25/1/2022 at 2:44pm
