Head for Haute Vienne, one over nighter on way down from Calais, we have great campsites, lakes for swimming with campsites within walking distance. We live here and still love the scenery.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
To find the best combination of beach/weather, you might look at the Vendee/southern Brittany ... probably a little more secure sunshine hours, though nowadays climatic conditions seem to be making forecasting less secure than it used to be!
It might be better to consider a ferry crossing from Portsmouth or Newhaven, so as to cut down the mileage in France ... though of course, the crossing will be more expensive than Dover/Calais.
We took our Pennine all over Europe (when we had it), and towing was never a problem ... or driving on the right ... the first couple of roundabouts you meet will be 'odd', but then you'll quickly acclimatise.
As others have said ... use Via Michelin to calculate rough distances and times (don't forget to tick the 'caravan' box in the left hand options pane, to provide more accuracy for towing times) ... and explore sites with the search facility on uk campsite ... and look for reviews that reflect young families, to, probably, be nearer what you will be seeking.
Guarantee you'll never camp in UK again ... well, for longer than a weekend break! We ended up storing our FC in France so as to avoid the ferry costs and towing fuel figures ...
I agree with everything Kelper says above, but (sorry Kelper), bear in mind that if you use the 'caravan' option on Via Michelin, it will quote you the higher tolls that you pay on height. With a FC you pay the standard car tolls. For example, its around 70 euros for a car from Calais to Montpellier, but with a caravan you'll be paying around £110 euros.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Viamichelin seems to adjust speeds for caravan, and will add about 15% time for caravan - mind you, with a FC I used to get a good wiggle on. If the OP is the same, then don't check the caravan box.
Quote: Originally posted by susperella on 04/3/2019
We would only be going for 9 nights- so ideally don’t want to do any major stops. Like the sound of Brittany.
About 100 miles to Portsmouth from where you live, the overnight but expensive ferry to St Malo, and there are good campsites within 25 miles of going ashore in Brittany.
Have a look at Camping Le Lac d'Orient, nice site, nice lake with beach. about 245 miles from Calais, easy run down autoroute. Plenty of reviews on here, we enjoyed our jaunt there.
------------- 74,going on 25
Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder
To clarify ... I only ticked the caravan box for the closer time estimate ... not for costs ... which I have always ignored ... after all, if you're going, you're going ... whatever the cost!
One of the big advantages of the FC/TT over a caravan is the Class 1 toll charge ... as well as reduced wind resistance ... so much cheaper to tow than a caravan.
And ... "caravans obey the same speed limits as cars"?? In theory, sometimes, maybe ... but I'd never tow at the car limit on a motorway!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
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: New to travelling abroad
via mobile 04/3/2019 at 10:22am
