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We are looking for campsite in France for one week in May; we would like to travel towards the better weather however we have 18 month old daughter who may get restless if we try to travel too far. We have our ferry booked to Dunkirk, so will be travelling down from there. Ideally we are looking for somewhere that we can park up, set up and leave the unit there as we are in a campervan with awning, due to this we are looking for somewhere that has nice walks around and shops or supermarket close by, I know it sounds a lot to ask however I am sure there is such a sites.

Andrew

Welcome to UKCS - you've chosen the best Forum to get friendly and hopefully helpful advice.

There are 11,000 plus campsites in France - have a look at http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/ www.campingfrance.com for full details of all sites, including those smaller sites, such a 'Camping a la Ferme' etc.

In May it's an ideal time for camping - and there are lots of organisations offering 'discounts' on normal campsite tariffs in May, which is 'low season' in France.  Have a look at www.campingcheque.co.uk, www.touringcheque.co.uk, www.campingcard.com (ACSI card),  and www.vacancesoleil.co.uk, for details of these.  Camping Cheques and Touring Cheques and Vacancesoleil Cheques are vouchers which you buy in advance - and use them to pay for a night on site (£13.40 per night for two people, pitch, and EHU), similar with Touring Cheques (£11.90 per night, same deal), Vacancesoleil (£9.00 per night, same deal) and ACSI you buy a guide and a card which entitles you to the ACSI rate (11, 13, or 15 euros).

However, if you want sites which are in the middle of shops, supermarkets, etc., then you may be better off looking for a municipal site.  These are sites run by the local 'Town Council' or Mairie, usually situated fairly centrally in the town or village, so that campers can use the shops and restaurants of the town.  They are also usually adjacent to the municipal swimming pool (but these tend to have a very short opening season in France - sometimes from 1st July to 31st August!!!)  There are some lovely sites around France.  It really all depends upon how far you want to travel - to some a journey of fifty miles is far enough, where others consider 500 miles is OK. 

For a week I wouldn't want to be travelling too far.  It's different for a two week holiday where you can plan in an overnight stop in each direction.   The problem is that the weather in Northern France is just about the same as in England.  The usual advice for better weather is to travel 'south of the Loire' - which is about 500 kilometres from Dunkerque. 

This is general advice, without any specific site recommendations, but perhaps someone else will come along with your ideal site, shortly!

Have a great trip, anyway.  My sons both had their first trips to France when they were about six months old - and we're still going 28 years later!

Sorry, didn't see that you've already been to France, so forgive me if this is not the sort of advice you were looking for.

What about La Citadelle, at Loches, in the Loire - centrally situated, walking distance to town, pool, restaurant, supermarket and shops nearby - and takes Camping Cheques?  

In May you are taking pot luck with weather anywhere in France. It could be hot or it could be wet. Certainly dont book anywhere(you wont need to in May)& check the weather forecast before you leave so you can change your plans.

Theres little point in going south if the weather is rubbish unless you want to go all the way to the Med(doable in a day & a half paying tolls approx £80 each way) 1 option could be go to Holland, only 4hrs & they have all weather campsites with indoor pools etc.