We are considering a camping holiday in France, preferably the northern region.
At the moment we do not have clue where to start.
All of our camping holidays have been UK based and we do really enjoy our main holiday in Cornwall, which would have to go next year to make way for the French holiday.
Could you please offer some advise to help us make up our mind and get some ideas together for potential sites:
1: Cornwall vs France
2: French Weather
3: Any good sites
4: Crossing the channel (seen some alternative crossings/savings on posts East Coast ferries?)
5: Driving in France
Thanks
Kel
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
West of Le Havre, the French coast gets progressively more like Cornwall, without the chips, and the parking charges. Massive area to go at , all the way round to Brittany. Where to go depends much on your needs and preferences. Rest assured everything is catered for.
Weatherwise, 150 miles sth of Cornwall, but similar, the rain is a bit warmer.
Ferries, Dover lo -cost, pain re driving from Yorkshire ( or is it Lancashire at the moment ? ), western channel cost more, but drop you off on the doorstep, 5 hr ish crossing , Portsmouth doable easy in 5 hrs no trailer. Brittany Ferries offer a "nice experience" if you want to pay the price. Hull /Zeebrugge is convenient, o/night, and driving on the otherside down the coast road, is nothing like the UK m/ways, it is actually very pleasant.
Zeebrugge to "where it's at" in your case, probably would be more than a day, but stopover around Honfleur will give you a good feel for northern France.
Re camping in Northern France - The weather is similar to the UK, equally wet/sunny etc. Brittany is very similar to Cornwall and Normandy to Devon/Somerset.
Camping in France - just on the off chance take a foreign electric hook up adaptor. If travelling in school holidays do book in advance. Avoid staying too close to any of the channel ports, this can mean lots of comings and goings at strange times in the day/night. The campsite facilities vary from basic - loo, shower electric - to the all singing all dancing, the prices vary accordingly. This includes the municipal sites too.
You are probably nervous of driving in France - this is understandable for a first time experience, but don't worry! The exit from port or station onto the motorway system is foolproof and you will not suddenly find yoursel facing on-coming traffic! The motor ways in France are generally 2 lanes with the occasional 3 lane thrown in, stick to the right hand lane and all should be well.
Crossing wise - savings to be made - Tesco points will pay for the Euro Tunnel crossing. Ferry crossings tend to be cheaper the earliest you can book and the time of day you want to cross. Dover- Calais/Dunkerque, people speak highly of the Norfolk Line crossing. The Hull crossing can be lovely but expensive - now that the Tesco points have been withdrawn for the crossing! Plus if it is a bit choppy - you're on it a long time!
Don't know if this helps, but it should give some food for thought !!
Like me you have a fair drive to the Ferry port, and that will be the worst bit over, driving in France is a doddle even for the first timer, I was 18 when I first drove to France with my tent and girl friend, for a 3 weeks in the Sun. Northern France has a lot to offer, and I would not hessitate in visiting the area, but if you want the Sun and a Mediterranean climate, you have to head for the South, it is certainley worth it, and of course can involve a couple of overnight stops en-route to your chosen site, after all it's 300 miles to dover for you, so another 700 will put you were the Sun is.
Andy.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
What is the attraction of France? If you want Northern France, let me suggest that you also look at southern Belgium, the Ardennes and Luxembourg. Some very nice sites, great walking and cycling and some of the world's best beers.
You have ages to organise things - don't rush. I won't even think about next year's hols till after Easter.
I live in N.Scotland, and I drive to Dover to use Norfolk likes to Dunkirk. It's cheaper than using an East coast route.
Yes, I thouroughly recommend 'Camping Ypra' in Kemmel, just inside the Belgium border.
Immaculate site and a lovely village with a few shops, bars etc. Nice bar/restaurant on site and about 15km to Ypres.
Excellent walking / cycling area with lots of WW1 history.
You can easily stock up at the huge Auchen Supermarket on the way.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We use the Hull crossing, I know it's about 3 times the price, but driving over there is just so much easier and less stressful than flogging down to Dover or even Portsmouth. Zeebrugge to Calais is only about 80 miles, and you are about 90 miles from the Hull ferry. as opposed to almost 300 miles slog on the most congested roads in England
If you are looking for family sites I suggest you look at Camping Cheques, you can get ferry deals from them and the cheques give good deals at some all singing all dancing sites in Europe, but it has to be out of the main season.
as already said, other countries have much to offer, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Denmark. if you really want to guarantee good weather then you'll have to head south tho
good luck and go for it, you'll never want to camp in the uk again.
Quote: Originally posted by Kel2411 on 31/8/2009
Great Replies, thanks everyone.
Know doubt will be back on seeking more advise, as we look further.
Anyone rccomend a good family site?
Kel
They're all "family sites". Not trying to be clever, but best to give a bit more on what you prefer. Young children, teenies, no kids ? etc, and whether you like no entertainment or loads.of it. Rest assured someone will know exactly what you 're looking for.
We got back from France yesterday, we had a week of lovely sunshine and warm weather just the other side of the channel at Chateau du Gandspette, just 30 minutes or so from Calais. When we left the site at 11.00am the weather was looking like being a nice day, we were welcomed home when we got off the tunnel by rain! What a difference just a small stretch of water made to our weather.
This time I stayed close to Calais as I was on my own with 4 kids and didn't fancy driving too far (although we spent last Tuesday lost in Belgium!) but we have holidayed before in the Loire Valley when my husband was driving, which is far enough for us to travel in one day, setting off from Derbyshire at around 2am and reaching the site in the middle of the afternoon. If you're planning on going any further I'd recommend a stopover. The site we were at last week was used by lots of people for a one nighter on the way to and from their main holiday, although it was also excellent for the week.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Camping in France
