This will be our first trip abroad with our little van (a Turtle 1200 http://www.teardroptrailerssouthwest.co.uk/ do have a look - they are cute)
Were are travelling last 2 weeks in June + 1st week in July. We have booked a site 'La Chaumiere' (Owners wife works at local vets) for our start and finish nights but don't know if we should book ahead or 'busk it'.
How busy are inland sites late June? It will only be 2 of us without kids so no need of pool or play areas but we do have a chihuahua (if you look up the van you'll see why!)
We'd like to travel south to find some warmth.
Thanks to all the great posts a great help to a newbie.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We never book anything at those times, usually we're away from the end of May until about the 7th of July, or thereabouts. We've always got in at the sites we wanted, and if you're not too fussed anyway, there's always another site not far away.....
That's the beauty of touring in France, enjoy!!
Also, look at Camping Cheques and ACSI, they can save you a lot of money, in case you are new to the schemes, the websites are here:
They are only valid in low season, BUT, a lot of sites still accept them into July, it's a matter of checking dates for the sites you are interested in.
------------- Ina
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Also try Touring Cheques, www.touringcheque.co.uk - at £12.95 per night for two people, pitch, car and caravan, awning, and electricity, they are quite a good deal.
We didn't need to book during May, June and early July.
One caveat though : if you plan to change to another site at the weekend, it may be busy with locals, so it might be best to either move mid-week, or book ahead.
Some places within a few hour's drive from Holland for example, get extremely busy on a Friday evening!
Thanks for the info so far - what you are all saying is June / early July no need to book ahead - good because there are so many sites - where to begin?!
Next question - Camping Cheques - with only 600 odd sites across all of France are they worth it? I'd hate to cough up for a batch and be left with them at the end because we didn't go to the right sites. I gather they are not transferrable.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by Lakeotter on 24/2/2010
Next question - Camping Cheques - with only 600 odd sites across all of France are they worth it? I'd hate to cough up for a batch and be left with them at the end because we didn't go to the right sites. I gather they are not transferrable.
ONLY 600 sites?!? I'd have thought that was quite a lot to pick from. They are valid for 2 years though, so any you buy now, will also be valid for 2011. And whilst they are not supposed to be transferable, there is always a very healthy trade in them, on here as well as on other sites
In case you are worried about them, ACSI would be your better bet then, it's £11.50 to buy the book plus card, nothing more. You then pay the going rate at whatever campsite you stay on, either 11, 13 or 15 Euros.
Or just go and see what you think, and don't take any of the above. The only reason I mentioned them was that they do have the potential of saving quite a lot of money on sitefees, as in addition to the daily rate, some sites also offer 7 nights for the price of 6, 11 for 10, or 14 for 11 or 12, so quite a few savings to be made.
Municipal sites are usually very reasonably priced, so for your first time, perhaps worthwhile buying the ACSI book, with very little outlay up front, and see how you go.
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: To Book or not to book
