Hi all,
I'm a new member so I apologize if this has been asked before.
I'm looking at going to France for a week, camping, on the 16th of august with my partner. We're not entirely sure where to go but i'm thinking of either Normandy for the D day museums etc, or the Loire valley for the flat cycle paths and scenery. I don't really want to drive any further than Loire valley. Maybe try and do both.
But do i need to book a site before travelling, or can I just turn up and find plenty of sites with reasonably priced pitches.
Also, as were using a coolbox, do most sites have a freezer to use for re freezing ice packs.
Any other tips and advice you seasoned campers can pass on is most welcome.
Nigel
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I don't think you'll need to book unless you want to stay on the largest all-singing/all-dancing type sites. There are thousands of smaller sites, and at that time of the year, large numbers of French holidaymakers are on their way home, leaving available pitches. Have a look at the website for municipal campsites (usually sites on the periphery of towns and villages, walking distance to shops etc) and often reasonably priced. You'll almost always find a pitch on these sites, especially if you look in mid afternoon. If you don't like the look of a site then there will almost always be another not far away. We've just stayed on one such site, for eight euros per night, including hook-up, two adults, car and caravan.
Some sites have a freezer for icepacks, and others may hire you a fridge. When we had just a cool box we used to freeze litre packs of orange juice - which could be consumed when they thawed out, saving space which an icepack would take up!
We're coming home on 16th Will wave as we go through Dover. We don't tend to book campsites, just turn up & see what looks nice. Houlgate in Normandy is pretty, Pegasus Bridge is well worth a visit too. Bonnes Vacances!
As Val says there is never a need to book.
The other important difference from UK camping is that it is normal to pay when you leave not when you arrive. If you want to move on just go and pay your bill the night before and you can get off early next morning.
Daves1
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
welcome ukhornet....we also travelling that weekend and have not booked anything (and never do...not in 20yrs !)what we tend to do is look at the area we want to go, research to our hearts content, involving picking the brains on this forum, make a short list of 2 or 3 sites per area then on the off chance one is booked you have back up. You will love it I'm sure
If you are a new member here (welcome, by the way), here is the best piece of advice you will receive - - read and take heed of anything that Val says.
we book, just so we know we have a pitch for the night, and dont waste our time driving around, then having late setups etc. but we travel with a young child. i suppose in a motorhome or caravan its not so much of a problem.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We dont book even in high season. Use this book
https://www.vicarious-shop.com/Le-Guide-Officiel-Camping-Caravaning-2014-ISBN9782358390316.html
If you cant find a pitch in one place then move on to the next. We had to do this in Loire Valley once - took 3 attempts before we found a site but we always have at least a plan a and b.....this took to d but was ok in the end!!!
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: advice on whether to book or not
Will wave as we go through Dover. We don't tend to book campsites, just turn up & see what looks nice. Houlgate in Normandy is pretty, Pegasus Bridge is well worth a visit too. Bonnes Vacances!
