This August/Sept, my wife and I are planning to visit France for the first time in a number of years. We are leaving the caravan at home to have an adventure under canvas. At 67 and 70 years respectively our daughter thinks we are slightly bonkers. We plan to take the ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo and drive down the west of France crossing into Spain and returning via Santander the following month. from one municipal site to another but it would be silly to discount the knowledge and experiences of others.Looking forward to getting lots of recommendations. Are there any UK Campsite contributors who have done something similar recently and could they recommend campsites on route that not only welcome tents but are mature adult friendly i.e. EHU, clean toilets and within walking distance of a small town? We had thought of jumping from one municipal site to another but it would be silly to discount the knowledge and experiences of others. Looking forward to getting lots of recommendations.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
To be fair, once we have got the Tent and all the kit set up, that's us done, and we use the campsite as a base to explore, being wage slaves still in our mid 50's only gives us 15 nights on the campsite at most.
We have a fair bit of kit, and it takes us a good 6 hours to create our home from home, breaking camp on the last day, takes a lot less time, maybe just 3 hours, depending on the July heat.
This last couple of years we have returned to Frejus, having found a lovely no animations campsite, thanks to Stuart on here, review posted.
We do Dover-Dunkerque, which even with the trailer is a cheap crosding, around £100 These days, then 750 miles drive to the campsite with 3 overnight stops in Premiere Classe hotels along the way.
I am sure the West coast of France is just as lovely, as is Spain, but for us it has to be the Cote d Azur, or the Southern Ardeche at a push.
It sounds wonderful. And since you're keeping to municipals the cost will be low - coastal commercial sites tend to be quite expensive nowadays.
Most of our camping ahs been done on larger family sites recently so can't really help with specific sites. Decades ago when we travelled via municipal we found very few that weren't at a decent standard.
It might be an idea though to pick up a B&B hotel brochure/map - you never know when you might want some "comfort" once in a while.
Firstly, in September you really won't need to worry about 'adult only' sites! You may find yourselves on a site with very few occupied pitches, and it's very unlikely that there will be any children around at all!
Secondly, in September you can take advantage of an ACSI card to use on lots of sites - at prices from just 11 euros per night for a pitch, two adults, car and tent, or caravan, or motorhome, an awning, and electricity. See www.campingcard.co.uk for details. Read the reviews for each site, then if there are sites you like the look of check out the site's own website to see how much you will save. Bear in mind that sites will look very different in low season, pools may be completely empty, and playgrounds deserted! We've had a beautiful pool to ourselves for a week and you can't get much better than that!
Thirdly all sites in France accept tents (apart from those residential parcs for mobile homes). There are none of the restrictions which there are in this country.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Hi Linds, it sounds a great plan. You can be re-assured that all sites welcome tents, all are adult friendly and all have EHU and good, clean facilities. It''s France after all.
I would say don't start by choosing sites - just choose the places you want to visit - there will be decent campsites within a mile or two - just take a couple of good site guides to help you on your way. Good luck with your great adventure. And why not take the caravan?
Have a look at www.campingfrance.com which lists over 9000 sites in France. As Berriow says choose the places you want and then check out the sites in that area. You will get everything from municipal to 5* sites and everything in between. It also will give you dates when they are open which a lot in France start to close in September. Enjoy your trip.
John
We're going the other way in the last two weeks of August. We're planning on staying here in the Pyrenees.
If we decide to visit Nantes again we'll use this site. Its location looks a bit unpromising as you drive up to it but the site is impeccably clean and quiet. It's a 10 minute walk to get the tram into the city and there's a hypermarket reasonably close by.
Have a great trip.
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: Camping in France. Any recommendations?
