went camping recently in our new Decathlon 4 man pop up tent and the missus loved it, so much so she wants us to go camping in France in our 2 week break in September (15th onwards)
I've had a look on the sites on this forum and i've now got paralysis by analysis!
Anyone recommend a site to pitch a tent for two adults down on the Med, somewhere central to Monaco/Cannes etc and near a beach.
Any tips or advice on driving down through France, never driven on continent before and want to be prepared.
thanks in advance
Mick
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Can't help with the site recommendation I'm afraid but there is a 'driving abroad' thread up there ^^^ with useful info on what you need to take with you :)
------------- Camping with three kids who have Autism... Never a dull moment!
Well if you are up for a 1000 mile drive each way to and from Wigan, just book the ferries and off you go.
Most people in your shoes would play safe and go to one of the big campsites in and around Frejus - click CampSite search button above to find them - and go along the coast to Cannes ,Monaco etc by train.
PS you do both have up to date passports I hope, as there's a big delay in getting renewals.
You've not picked the cheapest place to go in France but you have picked the furthest. Cannes is about 750 miles from Calais so you will be looking at over 12 hours driving. That will require an overnight stop depending on the time of year ferry and don't forget that is the same coming back. so your fortnights holiday is now down to 10 days on the Med. The quickest option is to use autoroutes, very easy to drive. Unfortunately they involves tolls in France. That could be about another £100 one way and then fuel could be nearly as much again. I'm not trying to put you off, France is great but it's big. For your first time in France I would look at something not as far. The Loire valley is nice, if you want a more coastal area then the Vendee has many options. Brittany is also not too far but weather is like England so can be unpredictable. As you say picking a site is a minefield with all the sites to choose from. You can consider either Camping Cheques or ACSI sites. This are sites that give out of season discounts and are excellent value. Also an upmarket camping chain is Les Castels. Their sites are generally in the grounds of chateaus and are to a high standard. Google all three to find their sites. Be aware that at your time of year a lot of sites are getting ready to close, those that are still open will have reduced facilities.
We used to do Camping de Logis la Brague at Biot near Antibes, cheap for the area and just 500 yards from the pebble beach there.
Train station same distance, so you can visit places like Monaco, Nice, Cannes etc without the hassle of the car.
We now prefer the Frejus area having just returned from Roqubrune-Sur-Argens, loads of campsites in that area, many near the beach, not as busy as the end towards Nice, if you like it a little less busy.
Frejus is a good base for visiting places like St Tropez, catch the ferry from Frejus port, or drive to St Maxine and boat it from there.
We love the Med and this last 4 years have being going more inland to the Southern Ardeche, but it was just soooo good to be back swimming in the sea this year, so much so we have re-booked again for July next year.
For a fortnight's campings so far South, means I have to book 3 weeks of work, we do 3 overnight budget hotel stops on the way down, and 2 on the way back, from home it's a 1000 miles each way and we have to factor in the Dover-Dunkerque ferry crossing.
We visited EZE, Monaco, Sospel and went over the border to Ventimiglia.
It has basic facilities but allows you to see the main sites without paying a fortune.
I am sure there will be some top notch 5* star sites along the Premier corniche, but this enables you to do it on a budget (which we were then).
Remember if you do want to visit the casino in manoaco there is a dress code and you will NEED your passport to get in.
Enjoy
------------- CAT
Favourite site:
Camping Nanzel, Limone, Lake
Garda..perfect for MTB, Kayak, SUP and fell running training.
Favourite areas: Provence, French Alps, Savigny (as a stop over for Southern France: Rhein valley as a stop over for Italy. 78
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Have a look at the Hull Zeebrugge crossing if you are coming from the DRAK SIDE (Lancashire). We'll be down there from the 24th August.
W're staying in Savigny Les Beaune for a night or two then making the remainder of the journeyt on the 24th.
the advvatage of the Hull crossing is that it is so much nearer to get home on te return journey.
------------- CAT
Favourite site:
Camping Nanzel, Limone, Lake
Garda..perfect for MTB, Kayak, SUP and fell running training.
Favourite areas: Provence, French Alps, Savigny (as a stop over for Southern France: Rhein valley as a stop over for Italy. 78
If it is sun and beaches you are after It might be worth considering The Vendee area (sort of halfway down the west coast) - It is said to enjoy a micro climate on par with the med coast but only a 5.1/2 - 6 hour drive from Calais.
Use viamichelin.com to plan your routes - you can select an option to avoid tolls if required. I find the suggested driving times and cost accurate enough.
Enjoy your trip!
Guy.
------------- It's only an expensive hobby when it's parked on your Drive....use it, love it , live it.
OR if you want a more back to nature experinec with a beach by a BIG lac, consider Le Tedey......beautiful. This is more for people into their sport, cycling, kyak, wnd surf.
the Aquitaine region is further along/ down the Atalntic coats thatn the Vendee, tends to be a bit quieter in September.
Le Tedey is one of our favourite site anywhere...the pitches are among mature opine trees, the coast is an uninterupted 200k run of white sand, not a hotel or pool in sight, just nature.
It is a bit further to go but worththat extra effort.
------------- CAT
Favourite site:
Camping Nanzel, Limone, Lake
Garda..perfect for MTB, Kayak, SUP and fell running training.
Favourite areas: Provence, French Alps, Savigny (as a stop over for Southern France: Rhein valley as a stop over for Italy. 78
You and her are up for a good time! As with others, we've enjoyed many parts of France (though never the Cote d'Azur - not great fans of crowds, or of bling for that matter). The key is research - have a look at the guide books, and search out the out-of-way places. The Rough Guide Itineraries are useful for a quick overview of France; plus makes the idea of touring another possible. You've got a pop-up - makes it easy!
Unlike the UK, it's possible to enjoy driving over there, taking in the scenery; though the main drag down the Rhone valley can get busy. If you're set on the glamour strip, have a look at the Route Napoleon through the pre-Alps.
First time driving, watch out for coming out of filling stations on to two-way roads; similarly roundabouts (traffic comes from left). A sticker on the windscreen to remind you to drive on the gutter side is one way to get it. Also dots on the speedo at 30,56,70 and 80mph to remind you of the main speed limits.
It is some time sionce we have camped in the UK, so things may have changed, but one of the major differences is the actual sites...HUGE pitches, the one we are going on this this year has 90m pitches. the facilities in France seem bettr somehow to. Yes, the drving is much better...its a big country and less populated.
Generally we have found that the sites near to the popular resorts have smaller pitces.i.e Le Solitairem, St Jorioz Annecy. the pitches were quite small.
I hope you enjoy your trip and explore a few sites while you are there.
Some sites look great on the internet , but we can all be clever/ selective with a camera. You certainly came to the right forum for experience, sound advice, we've had some great experineces as a result of this website forum.
------------- CAT
Favourite site:
Camping Nanzel, Limone, Lake
Garda..perfect for MTB, Kayak, SUP and fell running training.
Favourite areas: Provence, French Alps, Savigny (as a stop over for Southern France: Rhein valley as a stop over for Italy. 78
Most of the pitches we use are in the 80 - 120 sq metre range.
It is not uncommon to have them in excess of this in the less "touristy" area.
Just looking back at my own three gallery images here, we must have had about 2000 square metres at those three sites, though they weren't in the far south.
Not as far East as Cannes is Presqu'ile de Giens. The village of Giens is at the end of a long spit (ie nearly an island) which has quite a few campsites. We stayed at http://www.international-giens.com/ after looking around 2 others. Both the beach and the centre of Giens which has a few restaurants, bars and shops are within walking distance. The only problem with this area is the traffic. If you are not set on going so far south try the Ardeche and highly recommend http://www.ardechois-camping.com/en/. We visited the Ardeche in September and the weather was gorgeous.
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: camping in France for newbie - help!
