I haven't used Brittany Ferries for many years but a few times in the past when catching the early morning ferry from Ouistreham (Caen) to Portsmouth I have arrived at Ouistreham just as the night ferry is leaving. then parked and spent the night in the waiting lanes along with many other caravanners.
I just want to know if this is still possible?
Thanks.
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Hi, we use this Brittany Ferries crossing regularly. We returned from Ouistrehem last weekend on the early ferry think it leaves at 08-30. Arrived at the port around 2am & spent the night there in our camper, along with other campervans,no problems.
Just as a matter of interest Camping Cheques are doing a special deal on the afternoon out and early morning trip home on this trip whereby the caravan goes free.Because it's Camping Cheques could be only out of high season but anyone interested ring Camping Cheques as the deal is not advertised on their website. Assume Caravan Club will have a similar offer when they get their act together and get their BF offers up and running.
------------- Mother Nature always wins in the end.
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Quote: Originally posted by Suzac on 18/10/2010Just as a matter of interest Camping Cheques are doing a special deal on the afternoon out and early morning trip home on this trip whereby the caravan goes free.Because it's Camping Cheques could be only out of high season but anyone interested ring Camping Cheques as the deal is not advertised on their website. Assume Caravan Club will have a similar offer when they get their act together and get their BF offers up and running.
Camping Cheques are not the only ones to offer this.
Select Sites do as well.
If you're not happy to stay dockside in this day and age and personally I wouldn't, there's a very good little site called Les Hautes Couture on the right of the dual carriageway just before you enter Ouistreham. Up until mid - July each year, they will let you stay for one night either upon arrival on the afternoon sailing from Portsmouth or the early morning one back. They stay open late to let you in and open up ealy to let you out and they're very nice people to boot!
Quote: Originally posted by Vic Wildish on 18/10/2010
Quote: Camping Cheques are not the only ones to offer this.
Select Sites do as well.
Vic
Post last edited on 18/10/2010 17:23:07
The offer with CC's saves £200 (providing you also buy a minimum of 3 Cheques) - May 31st out and 30th June back was £264 (exc. cheques).The normal BF price is £470. Do you know if the offer excludes high season?
------------- Mother Nature always wins in the end.
Quote: Originally posted by jg73 on 24/10/2010
I was under the impression that Les Hautes Coutures had stopped taking one night stays at any time. I would be interested to know if this is not true.
I ascertained from Select Sites in the last few weeks that this facility only stops during the high season. This year it was from July 9th until the end of August.
Even then, because we were in a bit of a pickle on July 11th this year, we called in there and they let us stay for one night.
My personal reading of the situation is that they won't take any advanced bookings for one night during this period, but if you turn up on spec. and they have pitches available, they will let you stay.
According to Les Hautes Couture 2010 price list, between 1st April & 15th June and 15th Sept & 31st Oct.they charge 23 Euros per night.Presumably this won't be any cheaper next year so is quite expensive for an overnight stop.
------------- Mother Nature always wins in the end.
None whatsoever. Only one ferry at a time can dock there so the only bit of congestion sometimes arises if French immigration decide to check everyone's passport.
St Malo is even easier but of course more expensive to get to.
Ouistreham really is a lovely little port to arrive at and depart from. As usual the French have got the roads sorted so that you cannot go wrong getting on to the road to Caen and the terminal itself is literally walking distance from all the restaurants and brasseries etc. so if you arrive early going home, you can park up and have yourself a last French meal.
Vic
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Quote: Originally posted by Suzac on 24/10/2010According to Les Hautes Couture 2010 price list, between 1st April & 15th June and 15th Sept & 31st Oct.they charge 23 Euros per night.Presumably this won't be any cheaper next year so is quite expensive for an overnight stop.
Oh REALLY Suzac!!!!!! You're spending hundreds, possibly thousands on a foreign holiday and you're baulking at spending an extra £18.00 or so on a secure overnight stop? I think that's bizarre!!!!!
Considering the convenience of the site I think €23.00 is small beer. In July 2010 the price was €32.00 for the night and considering the circumstances we found ourselves in, we were very happy to pay.
If anyone wants to run the risk of being gassed and robbed blind while asleep in their beds by overnighting in public areas, that's their choice but it would never, ever be mine. I don't even sleep over at service areas in the UK so I sure as hell wouldn't do it on the Continent.
Quote: Originally posted by Vic Wildish on 25/10/2010
Quote: Originally posted by Suzac on 24/10/2010According to Les Hautes Couture 2010 price list, between 1st April & 15th June and 15th Sept & 31st Oct.they charge 23 Euros per night.Presumably this won't be any cheaper next year so is quite expensive for an overnight stop.
Oh REALLY Suzac!!!!!! Vic
Whoops - got out of bed the wrong side?
Just making a point for the benefit of like minded travellers who are retired, are on restricted income, travel out of the main season and have to be careful with their expenses to be able to continue the pleasures of touring in France. To do this they are lucky to be able to have the benefit of selecting sites in the Camping Cheques and Acsi handbooks at a maximum of 15 Euros or less. There are cheaper options in Ouistreham than Hautes Coutures.
On the way home we shall be staying at La Vallee in Houlgate the night before catching the ferry. It is a Camping Cheques site at 15 Euros.
Could you please also tell me where you can get 23 euros for £18 - I'll have some.
------------- Mother Nature always wins in the end.
Quote: Originally posted by Vic Wildish on 27/10/2010
Could you please also tell me where you can get 23 euros for £18 - I'll have some.
No I didn't get out of bed the wrong side as you can see from the little icon I inserted in my original message.
My calculation was based on a round figure of 1€ = 80p. I think I was actually paying about 83p when I was in France last June.
As for your lecture about retired folk, I am one of those and have been for the last 7.5 years so I understand completely about the constraints that we have to handle our finances within.
IMHO if you can only go to France by penny pinching over a tenner here and there, perhaps you shouldn't be going...............
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: Ouistreham - Caen staying overnight
