Ours were that age the first time we did it, but we only went from my mother's in Kent to the Vendee via Caen. I seem to remember story tapes borrowed from the library and personal cassette players. Technology has moved on, but the same principals probably still work!
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
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Years ago we sailed Portsmouth - Cherbourg, after driving down from North Wales; and then drove on down to the Pyrenees, via Le Mans, Tours, Poitiers, avoiding the motorways. The advantage of sailing from Portsmouth is that you avoid London, and the route south through the western half of France is so much nicer than the grim NE.
No need to do all the way to the Pyrenees (although they are absolutely stunning); we passed through some beautiful rural country SE of Poitiers and spent an afternoon and night at a beautiful campsite; can't remember exactly where, sadly; it was decades ago.
I agree with Val, do it. You don't have to travel hundreds and hundreds of kilometres to find the sun and everything is so different the travelling time passes quickly.
As a resident in the "grim NE" not sure I agree with richardh1905 as to it's lack of attractions and beauty. The Haute Marne has much to offer, lakes, forests, ancient historical towns, vineyards and not that far from the channel ports.
Where ever you choose in France you have the opportunity to see so many more different things, foods, wines, cultures, even a supermarket can take a morning to explore because it's so different.
Go for it.
Perhaps I am not doing the area justice, Anglais, for which I apologise, but the area to the south of Calais has always just been somewhere to get through on my way to what I regard as better things (the Alps).
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richardh1905, accepted, not a criticsm, just an observation and maybe me being too sensitive. I agree the area immediately south of Calais is best crossed with your eyes (metaphorically) shut.The huge chemical installation as you approach the autoroute does very little for the area. However, as you get further south there is an improvement and, again, the Haute Marne is an area much neglected by tourists probably because the autoroutes bypass it as everyone heads south and then rushes homeward.
A bientôt, maybe ?
My parents used to take us as far as the loire on holiday from the midlands via dover and newhaven. They had a mini estate. I dint remember any gadgets, books or toys but was in complete awe of the undertaking. This would have been around 1979 to the early 80s. There were few motorways as i remember the A40 and the A406 around london. This is perhaps why i still love going to france with my children now 6 and 9. We have been caravanning since they were 4 and 7. We dont drive more than 6 hours planned but a leg from the vendee to roscoff took us 9 once. This year we are using the overnight ferry from portsmouth to caen as an overnight stop. In the past we have stayed near roscoff one night on the way and way back. You dont need to travel all the way in one hit thats the beauty of camping and caravanning.
------------- First van bailey ranger 550/6
Now the proud owner of a coachman amara
Quote: Originally posted by Anglais on 24/4/2018
richardh1905, accepted, not a criticsm, just an observation and maybe me being too sensitive. I agree the area immediately south of Calais is best crossed with your eyes (metaphorically) shut.The huge chemical installation as you approach the autoroute does very little for the area. However, as you get further south there is an improvement and, again, the Haute Marne is an area much neglected by tourists probably because the autoroutes bypass it as everyone heads south and then rushes homeward.
A bientôt, maybe ?
I do recall the countryside being very pleasant around Chaumont and Besancon. In my student mountaineering club days money was tight so my friends and I avoided the toll roads on our way to the Alps - so much nicer to travel along 'normal' roads in any case - you see so much more of the country than you do flogging along a motorway.
Post last edited on 25/04/2018 15:25:53
Post last edited on 25/04/2018 15:26:52
------------- wildaboutwalking on wordpress
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Mate of mine takes his family to the Loire area every year, but now does the Portsmouth to Caen crossing, and prefers it to Dover Calais crossing.
We camped at the municipal just outside Blois and it had a pool, (reduced prices for camp site guests), and a restaurant. There are plenty of other sites along the Loire, or its tributaries.
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: First Timers... camping abroad!
