we are thinking about going to france camping for the 1st time we have two young children who love the beach and we are after any advice possible regarding ferry crosses to campsites
Regards
Paul
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Paul - when do you want to go, and how far are you willing drive when you get to France - also what sort of site do you prefer - somewhere with a kid's club, pools and slides, or just a pitch in the quiet corner of an orchard somewhere???
Peak season in France is very short - about four weeks from mid-July to mid-August, then the following two weeks of August become quieter, and if you can go outside that peak period you probably don't need to book - you can just book your ferry and drive as far, or as little as you want before finding a site. You can even find ACSI card sites, which offer a pitch for a family with young children from just 10 euros per night! (www.campingcard.co.uk for details - I have a list of the 10 euro sites and dates). There are lots of small sites in France where booking isn't necessary, or even possible, too, so if you want quiet and out of the way, then you'll easily find somewhere without booking in most parts of France.
There are lots of ferry options - the short routes from Dover to Calais or Dunkerque are the cheapest, Eurotunnel is more expensive, and then the crossings become more expensive as you go west. Many people choose the cheaper crossings and then a drive, but others prefer a longer crossing and shorter drive.
There's a good general post - Advice for Continental First-Timers - which was written some time ago but contains a lot of useful information and is 'pinned' at the top of this thread.
Firstly decide on what part of France you'd like to camp in ... presuming two weeks?
Britanny is a favourite for many, though we prefer further south. The Med beaches are excellent ... but a longer drive.
You might think about many of the excellent riverside sites ... good bathing, and mucking about with rocks, plus boats and things ... or lakes.
Which ferry route you take will be governed by, at least, three considerations:
1 Your departure point within the UK
2 Your destination in France
3 Cost
The cheapest crossings are all from Dover/Folkstone, but that deposits you in Calais/Dunkerque, which is almost as long a drive to Britanny as heading down south.
On the other hand, a crossing to St Malo, Cherbourg etc, puts you much closesr to the western coastline.
Then there are those who love the Atlantic beaches south of Bordeaux ...
I'd recommend you do some preliminary research as to the region you want to target ... then look at possible routes (Michelin Route Planner ... online) is a very useful tool to give you an idea of how long a trip will take.
With young kids I'd certainly consider using the tunnel (especially if you've got the Tesco points) as it does save carting them up and down several flights of busy stairs, finding seats, standing in queues etc.
we love the vendee area too and before we got the folding camper used to get an early tunnel crossing and then straight down to the vendee. Its quite a long drive but with plenty of short stops and a dvd player in the car to entertain the child, its perfectly doable.
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I would agree with a few on here but would add with two young children 7 & 4 this year... use the ferry not the tunnel,it gives them a break...we set off for Spain from Cheshire early morning 4 am ish I'm at the ferry port for mid morning crossing ...kids asleep in car most of way...but then when they wake excitement, the ferry gives a natural break for them and you driver. We do a few hundred on other side then stop over .. I have a caravan on tow so its easier than a tent...so you may need an overnight somewhere...if on other hand you do an early 4 am from Brum say a Sunday morning gets you france by 11 12 midday there time you could make the Vendee (using tolls by 5 6 7 pm if howevr you were setting off 10am Thursday morning 10ish say from home you'd be lucky to be at Dover for 6.30 - 8pm
You have to decide where you want as said the Vendee is good.
Post last edited on 28/04/2013 10:23:47
------------- Mark
Uttoxeter (Race days)
Le Serignan Plage (clothed one) August and Scheveningen on way back
I wonder if you helpful folk could add some more info? I am thinking of going over for a week end of July - just me and my Voyager lol, and just fancy driving as far as I can that it's not to far to come back, and getting off the beaten track. I realise it'll be high season but just generally, will I find remote farm sites etc which you can just turn up at? And does anyone here have any recommendations? I camp in the UK a wee bit, wild and on sites up the Lakes, Wales etc., so I only need the basics, but I guess I just need to know that "ye'll always find somewhere" ?? And if anyone does read this if you could even just point me in the right direction of good info? Many thanks in advance.
You'll find municipal sites, which are generally small, and in villages, nearby shops and bars - so perhaps not what you're looking for. I know there are some on here who holiday in July and manage to find smaller farm sites and Aire Naturelles, but you'll need a good campsite guide such as Le Guide Official Camping Caravavanning which is available from Vicarious Books in Folkestone
There's also Campingo or Eurocampings (websites) and both those contain many details of all different types of sites.
The Vendee is very nice and has some great beaches.... however with young children I think that the Med is hard to beat. Firstly the weather is much better close to the Med (although it can be windy close to Perpignan). The water in the Med is significantly warmer than the Atlantic - I can windsurf in the Med all day without a wetsuit, even 1 mile off shore, finally the Med is much calmer than the Atlantic.
I prefer the Northern Med coast in Spain, 30 minutes accross the French boarder. The Bay of Rosas is fantastic, with a wonderful uncrowded sandy beach, and sea which is very shallow for approx 50m from the shore, mean that it is ideal for young kids.
There are several campsites located right on the beach, all superb quality, some bigger with more facilities, some smaller and more young family friendly
Clearly the downside is the drive down. It is a 12 hour drive, excluding breaks and traffic from Le Harvre, add an extra 2 hours from Calais. I tow a Trailer tent, so could be a little faster not towing. It is a comfortable drive with one overnight stop in Clermot Ferrand - even with younger children
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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: First Time to France
