You can use google maps to find sites if you put in the town name and camping ie "Montrichard camping" then you can check it out on the map...something to do next time you're in McD's. You might be able to find wifi hotspots that way too. You can use mappy.com or viamichelin for wifi hotspots too.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
At one time, Google maps was unreliable in finding exact locations of campsites (or hotels) as we found to our cost when trying to find a hotel in Girona. We actually printed off great directions from Google maps and followed them to the letter, to end up in a back street (correct name, so we were in the correct place we'd been directed to park) but at least a km. and a half from the hotel!!!
You'll notice something similar with the campsite map on this website, where it relies on postcode details, and sometimes the site can acually be quite a way from the marker on the map. According to the webmaster campsite owners can move the markers if they're not in the right position. At one time the flag for Val de Cantobre was right in the middle of the military firing range across the Larzac (at least three kilometres as the crow flies from the site, though I notice it has been moved now!)
I think it's all to do with postcode areas in most of Europe being less specific and covering a much bigger area than here in Britain, and the marker goes in the middle of the postcode area rather than exactly where the location is. It may have changed, now, with the advent of Street View, however, which is much more accurate in finding places.
Quote: Originally posted by Floydfan on 23/7/2010
Ina, it isn't harsh at all. It's a fact.
It also wasn't aimed at you. Nor was I tarring all motorhomers with the same brush. But, sadly, it's a fact that we rarely see motorhomes on site here, they'd rather stay for free and use/abuse the facilities provided by the various communes in the hope that some money will be spent locally. It used to be like that too. But, when times are hard, everyone tightens their belts. Motorhomers are no different. That said, how many times have I read, here & elsewhere of camping caristes telling one another how they never pay for a site?
I didn't realise the extent to which camping caristes parked anywhere and everywhere and the resentment it has created among local communes.
As I said earlier, we do sometimes use an Aire de Camping Cars, whether it is free or not, but that decision is based purely on location, nothing else. Saying that, I wouldn't stay on Aires which are nothing more than car parks, as I don't see what enjoyment you get from being parked so close to the next Camping Car that you can barely open doors and windows.
Our criteria for using Aires is obviously different from a lot of others. Location and safety are the main ones for us. Being able to stay for free certainly isn't, and I can't understand people who only use free Aires, no matter what the Aire is like.
We use campsites mainly and this last time used a few muncipals, which are hard to beat for value for money and will continue to use them where we can.
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: Empty sites in France
