I know I am going to be inundated, but the advise you lot seem to give seems spot-on.
We are looking to go camping (tent) in France have very little ideas of where to go and how to go about organising such a trip. All very basic I hear you cry, som all the little tips you can offer would be much appreciated.
Cheers
------------- suggs
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We are off to France this summer for the first time with 2 kids - 6 & 3. From asking around, Brittany seems popular with families so we have decided to go there. However you need to factor in travel time/ease vs cost. For example Brittany is easy by ferry from Plymouth but v expensive while the Dover area crossings are cheap but at the wrong end of the country if you live in the south west of the UK and want to get to the west of France. It's all trade off. Do some research - try: http://www.alanrogers.com/ar2005/NavPages/Home.shtml
Loads of good advice and resources and for ferries I have found this useful:
For the first time, go outside peak season if you can. Get a Green Michelin Campsite Guide, and an Allan Rogers Guide to sites in France. Outside 14 July to 14 August you can virtually go anywhere without pre-booking. If you're not sure then book your first few nights near to your chosen ferry port, and get used to driving without the van. Roads are no problem, there is less traffic, and you actually feel that the 'wrong' side of the road is actually better!!! Sites are generally high quality - there are a huge variety of sites. Each small town tends to have a municipal - run by the town to bring in tourists. These are usually fairly central and have acceptable facilities, then there are bigger more commercial sites, and these have a star rating (not based on quality, but on quantity of facilities - so can be misleading).
Book your ferry crossing through the Caravan Club, or through Allan Rogers, or from Camping Cheque. They all have websites. They will get you the best deal on whatever route you choose. They can also book sites but see above advice. If you're going outside of peak season, and like larger sites, then Camping Cheque have a booklet giving details of their sites. The Camping Cheque costs £9.95 and pays for a pitch, two people, car, caravan, and electricity for one night. These are usually low season - but some sites take cheques up until about 12 July, and from 14th August. Visit the NEC where there are a variety of site and tour operator to get more details (Camping Cheque have a stand there, as do Caravan Club). You'll enjoy France - it's fantastically caravan friendly!!!!
> then there are bigger more commercial sites, and these have a star rating <
The star rating also applies to the municipals. In general they rate lower than their actual quality. Due to the criteria you mentioned (quantity of facilities). They usually don't have a camping shop, the gate is officially not locked (in fact it is for cars, but not for pedestrians) but this does not pose a safety problem at all, at some very simple sites office hours are very limited (pay the evening before departure to leave very early). These things cost stars, while in fact they usually are well situated, well maintained, clean etc. some of them look lovely. And as they are very near or in the town/village a campshop it totally superfluous as grocery, bakery and butcher usually are very nearby, often on strolling distance or otherwise on 5 mns driving. Their prices are very moderate, just as cheap or even cheaper than with camping check.
Even during peak season usually booking is not neede as long as one does not arrive later than 17.00. Otherwise a quick reservation call by GSM is easily made thus extending your arrivaltime till in the evening. Telephone numbers are in the Michelin guide.
> have very little ideas of where to go <
As a touristic guide I tend to use the Michelin Touristic guides. they give a good realistic impression of what to visit, some nice tours etc., organised per region and municipality.
Beautiful regions: Auvergne (Perigord, Massif Central), Jura, Alps and Pre Alps, Vercors, Pyrennees, Alsace-Lorraine, Bretagne (Brittany), Some cities like Reims, Provins, Carcassone etc etc. Other regions often visited by others than me: Provence, Drôme, river areas like the Tarn, Ard~eche, Allier. Loire region, Rhone valley. War history in Normandy etc. Choose first whether you want rivers, sea, flat or hillside country, or mountainous areas. Than start choosing possible regions and check the internet. All regions have their regional and municipal wbsites, loads of information as a matter of policy by french municipalities, Regions, Tourist boards etc.
------------- WL
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
fyi I have found Alan Rogers to be more expensive on the ferry element of a camping package (own kit) than booking the ferry independantly. It's worth shopping around.
We borrowed a Caravan Club european camp site guide book from a friend who is a member, got a map of France, and pin pointed the areas we were interested in. Using the book (any of the ones listed above are good as well) and the map make a list of what camp sites have the facilities you are looking for in the area you want to go. If they have a website, brilliant, have a look at it. Have a look on this website to see if there's any info about them. If they're not on the internet, then send a letter asking for a brochure and tariff. We were pleasantly surprised that having sent a letter in English with a 'merci' at the end of it that we received all our requested brochures.
I'd just like to concur with what was said above re municipal campsites. We rarely use anything else - they're cheap (typically £5 - £7) often of high quality and tend to be within small towns / villages giving easy pedestrian access to shops restaurants etc. We also use the Caravan Club Europe site guides which are excellent, giving members' views of the sites. I would recommend the guide whether using a tent or caravan. And best of luck to the originator of this thread - you'll have a great time!!!
Just like you ... we too are going over the water for the first time (+ 2 children 6&4)... done loads of reserach .. Alan rogers were great for advise on sites ... but as we are taking our own still worked out much cheaper to book ferries direct and camp site. Ended up going for the cheapest option but with a long drive (through the night) to S.Brittany - speedferries £50 return Dover/Boulonge and campsite works out about £300 for 14 nights applying direct (and yes the site is in the Alan rogers guide).... couldn't find a 2 week holiday anywhere in a brochure for that!
Good luck ...n ow just got fingers crossed for good weather in Brittany - I hear its not always predictabe!
Nicky
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: First time France
