we are supposed to be going down to Annecy in 10 days time but having looked into the final cost of tolls/fuel I was really shocked at the price
I'm now wondering about going somewhere half way down France instead - any suggestions - 5 of us incl 3 children, we don't want to do too much really a couple of nice days out with pretty scenery but nothing major - just looking forward to some nice family time
many thanks
------------- Burnham Deepdale - April 2011
Rendlesham - June 2011
snuck a night in at the White Horse Edwardstone end of July 2011
France - August 2011
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Some suggestions - Lac de Panthier at Vandenesse en Auxois in Burgundy - by the side of a man-made lake, with a sandy-type beach, nice pitches over the lake, good restaurant and pizzeria take-away. Bar, and shop. You're near to Beaune (wine and lovely old buildings), Dijon (better than you might think), there's a nice little Chateau at Chateauneuf a couple of miles away, and a bigger one at Commarin. You can cycle along the Canal du Bourgogne. It has an outdoor pool and an indoor pool. We prefer the area nearer to the reception/indoor pool/overlooking the lake.
It also takes Camping Cheques from the 16th August (still time to get some) which will save you about 9 euros per night. You'll still have to pay supplements for the children. This price includes pitch, two adults, car and caravan (or tent or motorhome), awning, and electric hook-up.
Another, Camping Bois de Bardelet at Gien on the Loire - again indoor and outdoor pools, an indoor paddling pool with fountains, etc., for the very little ones, a small lake, little shop on site, bar and restaurant, take-away and bread shop, activities for the children, and the possibility to get a coach to Disney from the site. Takes Camping Cheques from the 15th August (a saving of 10 euros per night). Good sized pitches, some open on lovely grass, some more shaded on the edges of woodland.
Third Camping Lac d'Orient near Troyes - an easy drive from the ports, possibly toll-free, plenty of activities, indoor and outdoor pool and the most up to date sanitary facilities you could want. Also almost on the edge of a lake, with a beach. There are some pictures on other threads, posted by someone who has been there. Takes Camping Cheques from the 20th August - saving almost 18 euros per night.
Both can be done from the ports in a day, and we've been to both without paying anything much in tolls (but we have all the time in the world to get there).
Another suggestion, it's perfectly possible to do almost anywhere in France without paying tolls. Go back on to Viamichelin and ask for 'without tolls' and compare the length of the journey, mileage, etc., before making a final decision. The saving you make on these campsites might more than compensate for the cost of the tolls, should you choose to pay them.
thanks for the suggestions - I'm now looking at the route without tolls - though it means a LOT longer in the car with 3 children (yuck)
then again the idea of finding somewhere else at this late stage fills me with an equal amount of dread
------------- Burnham Deepdale - April 2011
Rendlesham - June 2011
snuck a night in at the White Horse Edwardstone end of July 2011
France - August 2011
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Don't worry about it - if you do decide on any of the Camping Cheque sites then you won't need to book - they only offer pitches with Camping Cheques when they know they're not going to be full!
I agree, the non-toll route to Annecy does take a lot longer, and with children that can be difficult - and I suppose to add in an extra overnight stop wouldn't save anything overall. Don't stress too much and spoil the holiday, though! Just enjoy it. We've been to the sites I've recommended, and had short or longer stays, and enjoyed them all. It depends what you want from a site.......!
We never used to book and at one time I did get worried that we wouldn't get a pitch, but we've never had problems. We have friends who are away at the moment, and they say that campsites are quieter than they were last year.
I dont know where you live, but the cost of driving to Cornwall would be high. So too for Scotland. But in France diesel is 10% cheaper than in UK. Traffic is less. Driving is quicker and easier.
You either choose toll roads or you don't. We went from Roscoff to Carcassonne without them. And we went from here in Cornwall to Sheffield without them. I know which I prefer.
We havent been to France for some years, but when we did we never used toll motorways. Motorways are quicker if you can travel at 70/80 mph but with a caravan you are more likely to be doing 50/60 max. There are many dual carriageways where you can travel at a reasonable speed without using toll motorways, traffic volume is much much lower than the uk.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We've coming back from Annecy at the end of August, towing a caravan so I looked at this the other day. If you are happy doing some toll and some not how about:
Calais to Reims on peage; then from Reims to Chalons on N44, continuing on N44 /N4 to St Dizier; south to Chaumont and then Langres before picking up motorway (A31 jun 5)north of Dijon; motorway to Chalon sur saone then N6 to Tournus and D975 to Bourg on Bresse; then motorway to Annecy.
If that is still too much in tolls you can come of the motorway at St Quentin 100 miles south of Calais and stay off till Bourg on Bresse. For much of the journey the motorway isn't far away so you can change your mind as you go depending on how you feel.
We've done the loop from Reims via St Dizier to Chaumont and back to the motorway several times in the caravan; because it is fewer miles and fairly fast roads in takes about 20 mins longer than the motorway but represents a good saving per minute.
I guess the main difference is that we have a caravan and even on french motorway tend not to do more than 60mph so the time penalty for not using the motorway is less.
Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 05/8/2011
and I suppose to add in an extra overnight stop wouldn't save anything overall.
Wouldn't it? An overnight stop at a decent municipal can easily cost just 10 euros - If the tolls cost 150 euros to the South of France and back, you could have 2 or 3 nights stops each way and still spend less, no?
OK, you have to put the tent up each time - that would be knackering, true (but still cheaper)...
------------- 'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain
Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 05/8/2011 and I suppose to add in an extra overnight stop wouldn't save anything overall.
Wouldn't it? An overnight stop at a decent municipal can easily cost just 10 euros - If the tolls cost 150 euros to the South of France and back, you could have 2 or 3 nights stops each way and still spend less, no?
OK, you have to put the tent up each time - that would be knackering, true (but still cheaper)...
I'm not sure if it would be as cheap when you factor in the supplements for children. We found municipals cheap last year but not as cheap as some people were quoting on here. I can only assume that's because they were quoting for one or two people without electricity. When you're a family of four or five everything becomes a lot pricier (except the crossing or tolls).
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Lac D'Orient has beaches, scenery, cycling and is half way to Annecy. We found France expensive this year although it's possibly the exchange rate that's the problem, we're back home early as we ran out of money. Doing part tolls and part non toll seems the way to go. The costs do mount up for campsites, even double when there are more than 2 of you, there are 6 of us and the cheapest site we found this year was Nevers at 29 euro with electricity, although I know there are a few municipals and camping a la ferme which could be cheaper. Happy holidays.
Would second recommendation Lac d'Orient - 4 half hours from Calais, easy drive using toll roads. It cost us £30 each way but you can do it also very easily using non toll roads. Think Val has said most about it but would like to add it is a fab campsite for young children, dont know how old yours are, but our grandson aged 5 absolutely loved it. Its also feels a very safe campsite.
Also lake opposite has a lovely beach and swimming area and if you want to venture out Nigloland theme park is only a few miles away
Last month we drove in our mobile home from Calais to Cahors and back over a 2 week period on single carriageway roads all the way. They were great - almost empty and straight and vbery scenic. We took 3 days to get there and averaged 3-4 hours travelling per day. We just planned our route on a good road atlas of France. Stopped overnight in some great sites as well. It was a real joy. With diesel at about €1.30 per litre on average it was cheaper than the UK as well.
The euro/pound exchange rate this year is pretty similar to last year. I think it's the rise in the price of food and drinks in France that is catching people out, they seem more expensive though they weren't cheap last year either.
I think I am the one Val was referring to as having posted pictures of Lac d'Orient in previous threads but to save you the trouble I will post a couple more (slightly different ones this time).
Agree with what others have said about the site. Really nice plus free wifi at the bar which I dont think anyone else mentioned. Last year the tolls were about 26€ from Troyes to St Omer as we stayed at Gandspette on the way back so allowing for this years increase in tolls as Iyanabint says if you allow £30 each way you wont be far out. Notice you have a tent so if you are not towing 4 and a half hours from either Calais or Dunkirk is a reasonable estimate (shortens the journey for the children).
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: good grief - cost of traveling through fr
