Drive on and drive off! No ferries make you reverse with a caravan these days! There are some smaller ships where you have to do a fairly tight turn within the deck, but it's always possible, and no reversing is necessary!
Good luck with your first trip to France. We did our first trip thirty-five years ago, and have been going back every year since!
I think the only ferry where you would have to reverse with a caravan is probably a greek one. I have had to reverse just with var on the Brittany Ferries economie crossings, but don't think you would ever have to do it with a caravan. Don't worry about it and just do the ferry.
Do not worry about a thing, it is totally painless. Towing a van in France is far easier than here, I would rather do a 1000 miles in France than 100 here, and the ferry is so easy.
As others have said ... drive on and drive off, no reversing needed.
I don't tow but have done that crossing loads of times ... IMHO it is the nicest crossing to France and the boat is great. Roscoff and surrounding area is really nice too.
The marshalling of cars on and off the ferry is excellent. When you are parked onboard you will be given a card with the deck no. on it by one of the young BF hostesses. It makes it simple finding your way back to the car when you dock. From the time you are allowed back on the car deck its often only a few minutes before you're on your way.
------------- Mother Nature always wins in the end.
When are you going? If you're going outside the period of peak occupancy (mid July to mid-August) then it may be worth looking at the ACSI Card sites available in Brittany? There are sites from as little as 10 euros for a pitch, two adults, car and caravan, awning and electricity. Dates aren't yet available for next year, but generally they are similar from year to year.
See www.campingcard.co.uk for details.
I don't know if you're a member of the Caravan Club, but if so then it may be worth checking prices on the Plymouth/Roscoff route. Sometimes the Caravan Club offer really good deals on this route, and it may be worth doing a price comparison with Brittany Ferries direct. With the Caravan Club check out the price with and without Camping Cheques, as sometimes buying some cheques bring the overall cost down by more than the extra cost of the cheques, giving you a greater saving on the ferry alone!
Quote: Originally posted by probe15 on 04/11/2015
Thanks all for your advice, it certainly will reduce the stress levels!!!!
I've been looking at sites in South Brittany no more than 2 hours from Roscoff. I quite fancy a yelloh village site at L'Ocean Breton.
My daughter, with her young family, stayed at that site in July and had a lovely time. She was in a static. There are many cracking sites along the south Brittany coast though.
------------- Mart
(°\=/°)
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
If you want a really nice site close to Roscoff for when you arrive, or before you return, then Camping Ar Kleguer at St. Pol de Leon is just a couple of miles away and is excellent - - they are also an ACSI site, I paid 14 euros there this year.
Driving onto and off of the ferry is a piece of cake, the ramp automatically adjusts to the hight of the tide so is always pretty flat. Operatives guide you all the way to your final position, usually along with other caravans and motorhomes, there is no reversing needed whatsoever.
I can second the Camping Ar Kleguer at St. Pol de Leon site, we stayed there on our way back home so that we could catch the early ferry.
Dave
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Mark Twain.
St Pol de Leon is also a nice town for a stroll, nice bars and restaurants and very reasonable. Will be there in six weeks time, but not with the van. Cheap fuel in the Super U as well!
As others have said, depending on how flexible you are, you do not have to go far from the ferry port. If the weather is good, the north coast is as good as anywhere. But Southern Brittany is lovely, you will love it and keep going back extending your journey and become very adventurous as your confidence grows.
BUT BE WARNED.........France is VERY addictive. You will not go just once, believe me.
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: Plymouth to Roscoff Ferry
