Hi
We'll be travelling down to Dordogne from Calais and back during mid August. Rather than book in advance, I would prefer to see how far we can drive and then find somewhere to stay on route. Perhaps Tours as I've seen it mentioned here or perhaps somewhere not quite so far if we are tired.
Will we be ok to just turn up at a motel or is this unwise and we'd be better off booking in advance?
Thanks
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We haven't booked the tickets for the tunnel yet so unsure of timings. We are 2.5 hours from the tunnel. I think a midday crossing would be about right so we'd be through at around 1, plus the hour forward would make it about 2pm. So we could aim for Rouen (2 hours away) or Alencon (3.5 hours away). This is if we avoid Paris.
Personally I would prefer to keep the stopover open and see how far we can go but don't want to risk finding them fully booked.
Mid August - out 1st stopover is around midnight in Calais & we always book that. Our next stop is usually around the north of Lyon which we don't book. It's never too late when we get there & we never had a problem getting a room. If we did we're early enough to scout around for other options nearby or even further afield. We're then free to stop early or push on.
We carry this book which covers all the sites in France and has proved more useful than any other guide we have tried (we have tried them all). We have yet to get stuck without finding somewhere. Municipal sites are everywhere and great value and village sites are fab as long as you don't mind early morning church bells.
That said, we don't have kids so can travel with more flexibility, have a motorhome so can use aires and have never travelled in August when we understand things can get a little busy.
Good luck
------------- The mind is like a parachute. If it isn't open it doesn't work!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
There's a B & B Hotel in Alencon we have stayed at last year. We found it excellent value last year and have booked again. I think we paid €48 for our May booking. Same price in July from memory.
We would be looking at a hotel/motel rather than campsite. We've taken Quechua pop up tent in previous years but sadly not this time - I prefer the whole tent thing but no room in car.
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: Do you need to book overnight stop over?
