To be honest if I was doing that trip in July/August I would try to avoid driving at the weekends as the roads could be very busy. The French Government has a calendar of expected road conditions throughout the summer here
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Quote: Originally posted by chrisandsandra on 16/5/2024
To be honest if I was doing that trip in July/August I would try to avoid driving at the weekends as the roads could be very busy. The French Government has a calendar of expected road conditions throughout the summer here
Well we all would like you to be honest.
I have done the trip in July and August countless times.
I find the roads generally good, certainly better than the UK.
You literally can tow a caravan for three hours and cover 180 miles.
And then you get to Dover and it takes three hours to do 40 miles.
So have I and we have encountered holdups, some quite severe, at weekends in July and August, especially where the motorway forms a part of the ring road around big cities such as Lyon. Maybe we've just hit them at the wrong time but it has happened.
Quote: Originally posted by chrisandsandra on 16/5/2024
To be honest if I was doing that trip in July/August I would try to avoid driving at the weekends as the roads could be very busy. The French Government has a calendar of expected road conditions throughout the summer here
Well we all would like you to be honest.
I have done the trip in July and August countless times.
I find the roads generally good, certainly better than the UK.
You literally can tow a caravan for three hours and cover 180 miles.
And then you get to Dover and it takes three hours to do 40 miles.
You say the roads 'could' be busy.
I really haven't had any issues on Autoroutes.
In fairness, they did say at weekends and I concur, I never plan to move sites on a Saturday in July/ August as I have been caught up in it a couple of times, yes the French motorway network is better than the UK but it still can get absolutely rammed on a Saturday (Sundays are generally fine though)
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Before retirement we always had to go July/August but tried to avoid weekends for the journey. I agree with Mrs Bonce that the Millau/tarn area is good - river great for dogs. Look on here for search for sites around Millau. Almost all offer their own mobile homes and it will be much cheaper than Eurocamp. We have stayed at Les Rivages, Huttopia site plus further away near Florac at Chantemerle. Also the municipal site at Le Rozier - all lovely sites.
Update time: just visited Mèze, and now at Huttopia Millau. Both were relatively empty, more than I remember for this time of year; though the deputy manager here says their peak season (July/August) is intense and they get booked up. I’m still feeling very Marmite about Mèze, the maintenance isn’t top notch, though cleaning is good. Facilities much the same as I remember from last visit five years ago. The location is still what sells it, but for a price.
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Some great advice from our learned, and well traveled fellow campers. 👍
However, I simply would not go to the south of France in July or August, especially with a dog, for me it just isn’t practical. VERY hot, VERY crowded and usually expensive.
Yes, it is absolutely stunningly beautiful, but if you could go in September it is worlds apart from the peak months, and as already said, it is easily done on a two week trip. But taking a dog in the fiercest of heat, as a dog owner, is just not fair on the animal imho. 👍
Quote: Originally posted by morepints on 18/5/2024
Update time: just visited Mèze, and now at Huttopia Millau. Both were relatively empty, more than I remember for this time of year; though the deputy manager here says their peak season (July/August) is intense and they get booked up. I’m still feeling very Marmite about Mèze, the maintenance isn’t top notch, though cleaning is good. Facilities much the same as I remember from last visit five years ago. The location is still what sells it, but for a price.
The town of Mèze is our favourite along the south coast. Try staying at Loupian just up the road which is far cheaper and linked by wonderful cycle paths.
Quote: Originally posted by morepints on 18/5/2024
Update time: just visited Mèze, and now at Huttopia Millau. Both were relatively empty, more than I remember for this time of year; though the deputy manager here says their peak season (July/August) is intense and they get booked up. I’m still feeling very Marmite about Mèze, the maintenance isn’t top notch, though cleaning is good. Facilities much the same as I remember from last visit five years ago. The location is still what sells it, but for a price.
The town of Mèze is our favourite along the south coast. Try staying at Loupian just up the road which is far cheaper and linked by wonderful cycle paths.
Stuart, We visited the lovely site at Loupian at your recommendation, and had several stays there. We loved the path into Meze, and also the delicious seafood at the somewhat 'quirky' restaurant. Our friends Terry and Margaret have just left Loupian and also liked it very much.
Like others on this thread I really wouldn't recommend the Cote d'Azur in July and August as traffic can make a fifteen minute journey to the supermarket in to an all morning slog. I would go inland, especially with a dog, to one of the many beautiful riverside sites along the Tarn, or the Ardeche, the Dourbie, or the Ceze, or I would spend time in the wild hills of the Cathar country in the Languedoc where on the hottest days you will find cooler spots by a river, or a wild swimming place.
Quote: Originally posted by morepints on 18/5/2024
Update time: just visited Mèze, and now at Huttopia Millau. Both were relatively empty, more than I remember for this time of year; though the deputy manager here says their peak season (July/August) is intense and they get booked up. I’m still feeling very Marmite about Mèze, the maintenance isn’t top notch, though cleaning is good. Facilities much the same as I remember from last visit five years ago. The location is still what sells it, but for a price.
The town of Mèze is our favourite along the south coast. Try staying at Loupian just up the road which is far cheaper and linked by wonderful cycle paths.
Stuart, We visited the lovely site at Loupian at your recommendation, and had several stays there. We loved the path into Meze, and also the delicious seafood at the somewhat 'quirky' restaurant. Our friends Terry and Margaret have just left Loupian and also liked it very much.
Like others on this thread I really wouldn't recommend the Cote d'Azur in July and August as traffic can make a fifteen minute journey to the supermarket in to an all morning slog. I would go inland, especially with a dog, to one of the many beautiful riverside sites along the Tarn, or the Ardeche, the Dourbie, or the Ceze, or I would spend time in the wild hills of the Cathar country in the Languedoc where on the hottest days you will find cooler spots by a river, or a wild swimming place.
Stuart, I think I agree. My original plan was to stop at Loupian, but couldn’t bring my bike ( back trouble); and it’s just that bit too far to walk into town. I remember staying there, and the quirky restaurant that Val mentions (who recommended a great local vineyard) and also the Hoopoe walking the pitch next door. I’m sure I heard a Golden Oriole too! It was the Mèze site, not the town, I had trouble with.
ValA’s recommendation is spot on. I’m at Huttopia Millau, and it’s pretty much perfect. There’s even a beach onto the Dourbie but the water is high and it’s covered just now. Saw my first Griffon Vulture - site manager is an expert. And a walk across the meadows to the archeology site gives a wonderful view of the Viaduct.
Post last edited on 19/05/2024 12:00:25
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We went to the site at Meze and thought it was rather scruffy, and then we tried the site at Loupian which others enthuse about- but the absence of a pool soon saw us move away.
And frankly there isn’t that much of interest in that area and so we were never tempted back. The Avignon /Arles /Apt triangle in Provence always had much more appeal - better scenery, better markets, better restaurants, better campsites, - and lavender in full bloom on the hills if you go at the right time.
Did you not see any of the intertown jousting matches? Not watch a game of tambourin? Try the specialty tielle, which tastes like Kit-e-Kat? Wander up the road to Pinet to buy a crate or two of Picpoul? This is apart from gorging yourself on seafood
Quote: Originally posted by SGThomas on 20/5/2024
Did you not see any of the intertown jousting matches? Not watch a game of tambourin? Try the specialty tielle, which tastes like Kit-e-Kat? Wander up the road to Pinet to buy a crate or two of Picpoul? This is apart from gorging yourself on seafood
Or Valmagne Abbey, with its giant barrels in the nave? Balaruc Les Bains, and the Brassens/Dali mural? The Noilly Prat distillery at Marseilles? Brasucade, better than tielles! Even a trip to Montpellier, with all the culture you could want? That being said, it’s a town for chilling out, walking the market or the beach, eating ice cream, or watching the yachts in the harbour. Like you, Stuart, it’s a town with happy memories. Just a shame about the campsite; and I loved the seafood shack at Loupian.
Still, I’m not condemning anyone’s choices, only too often the ‘feel’ of a site can affect one’s outlook on the area, I know it’s true for me. In my search for an adequate replacement, so many recommendations for Le Neptune at Agde, I know used to be a regular favourite of Val’s. Might give it a try!
I can't keep away. Even though we are now caravan-less, we have just booked an Airbnb in Meze for a week in September. A leisurely drive down with the bikes on the backseat and the boot empty. Coincidently it is time for the Foire aux vins.
This will definitely be our last trip so it will be done in style (but cheaply)
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: Camping South of France
via mobile 16/5/2024 at 6:49pm
