Wondering if somebody would be able to give us some advice/tips on camping in France. This will be our 1st time camping abroad so we need all the info campsites for families, close to beach, ferry crossings, travel tips, what to take, we would like to travel down south in Aug 2012 with our 2 children ages 3 + 8. Looking to try and spend as little as we can. We think it would be a great adventure and different from the norm!
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To start off, book your return ferry by about March before prices rise or before that if you want peak weekend crossings. DFDS Dover-Dunkirk will probably be cheapest but check P&O Dover prices as well. The longer western channel crossings will be dearer.
It is not uncommon for campsites to ban charcoal BBQs in the summer for risk of fire.
Allegedly, even Cobbs could be banned.
Therefore, it is advisable to have suitable cooking stove(s) and sufficient fuel for your trip, unless the fuel is widely available.
It is definitely a good idea to book your Channel crossing well-ahead to get the best price.
If you have time, try driving on national roads instead of toll roads to save toll charges. N roads are more scenic and more fun to drive, IMHO.
You may need to check into a hotel/motel overnight en-route, again, it would be advisable to book your rooms in advance to get the best prices.
Have fun planning your trip.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
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Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Look at going for the last 2 weeks of the children's school holiday, and you will find it much quieter, and cheaper for site fees. Look at the ACSI card scheme www.campingcard.com
Remember France is a big country, 5 times bigger than the UK, so distances on the map can be deceptive. I favour the west coast around Royan for family beach holidays. There are long sandy beaches with sites on the coast, and plenty of free parking if you want to take the car to the beach. Really, that's not a wind up!!
It's also worth looking at pre-erected tents. I found that they need not cost much more than taking your own and are a lot less hassle - plus you have a full sized fridge
Read all of the posts on this site; we did back in 2007 and got all the info we needed! Consider joining the Camping and Caravanning Club or Caravan Club to get discounts on ferry prices, insurance, campsites etc. Driving is easy, roads are very good. Food is great, french supermarkets have everything you need so you won't need to pack loads of food at all. Municipal (town council run) campsites are cheaper than private ones and we also use ACSI discount card which works up until end June and after end August. It is £12 from Vicarious Books online and worth every penny. One tip we have found invaluable - a lot of service stations on motorways and on Sundays in towns are unmanned. Make sure you have a debit or credit card that will work on the pumps. Our old Halifax ones wouldn't - now we have Nationwide and they are fine. Most major credit cards are ok.
Pam
------------- Sometimes You're the windscreen; sometimes the fly
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
You can use your Tesco tokens to get Channel Tunnel tickets, which really helps cost-wise. I think you can book a whole package with Siblu (Haven Europe) with them too.
To get to the Med from the Channel is a loong way, and will probably involve 2 overnight stops. Perhaps as it's your first trip you might want to be less adventurous. Around Royan, as mincamper said, is nice and probably far enough south to get noticeably better weather.
France has campsites that aren't by the coast too. They have many inland holiday destinations. They also have campsites at al kinds of prices. You can pay £40 a night for somewhere with a decent pool or as little as £10 or £15 for a simple campsite.
To save a bit of money while you're there take staples, pasta, baked beans etc with you and try and shop in a French way. If you try to buy e.g. baked beans in France they'll be a couple of quid a tin and in the "funny foreign food" section.
Thank you everyone! So much to take in! I think we have to do it what a fantastic adventure for us :) 1st thing..book ferry crossings!! Great help, thank you all again :)
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: 1st time camping in France...please help!
