Hi sorry for the simple question but when we camped in France last year we were unable to find bags of ice despite looking in all the supermarkets....around Alsace and then Burgundy. It may sound silly but it really makes a difference to our meal/drinks planning and what type of coolbox to take....has anyone found a supermarket on the island that sells it? Or a campsite we could go to that has? Ours doesn't sell it.
Thanks for your advice!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
EDIT:
Looks like the "Box Ice" (The one without the penguin on the packaging!) is also available at the other Intermarché on the island.
*We had a similar problem a few years back elsewhere in France... before we got an electric camping fridge... and we ended up buying frozen Tip-Tops (Suckers/Jublees, whatever you call them wherever you are from! LOL).
They thawed quicker than ice-cubes, but better than nothing... and we had plenty to drink, even if it was full of E Numbers!
Every supermarket I’ve been to has bagged ice or ice in a plastic container and a lot of campsite shops have it too.
The plastic box of ice was from intermarche
On occasion, as well as a 2kg bag of ice cubes, I've also spotted a 2kg single block of ice!
I was tempted, but decided it would be too bulky for our Coleman Xtreme cool box, and chose the ice cubes!
I know it’s a bit ‘soft’ but all of the campsites in the vendee I have been to offer a fridge hire service by prior arrangement. So when you check in a guy on a golf cart or whatever brings a fridge and an electric hookup lead to your pitch. When you leave the fridge gets left for collection by the campsite guy. Seems a bit of a hassle to buy so much ice? I have a fridge in my caravan but I also have a small fridge (compressor type, like in any kitchen) that I take in the boot of the car this is for our ice lollies and drinks I keep it in the awning.
------------- First van bailey ranger 550/6
Now the proud owner of a coachman amara
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by Baileyjake on 11/7/2019
I know it’s a bit ‘soft’ but all of the campsites in the vendee I have been to offer a fridge hire service by prior arrangement. So when you check in a guy on a golf cart or whatever brings a fridge and an electric hookup lead to your pitch. When you leave the fridge gets left for collection by the campsite guy. Seems a bit of a hassle to buy so much ice? I have a fridge in my caravan but I also have a small fridge (compressor type, like in any kitchen) that I take in the boot of the car this is for our ice lollies and drinks I keep it in the awning.
Must admit, we coped perfectly well with our pre-cooled passive cool-box (Coleman X-Treme), (for 3/4 years or so?) with the ice-cube top-up every third day or so, but I can't deny that having since got a decent electric camping fridge, things are so much easier. Particularly so, as we use our tent for un-booked overnighters (as opposed to hotels) en-route, as well as the main destination.
Our trip last month ("mini-tour") involved 3 separate sites in a fortnight (was "planning" 4, but fell in love with Bruges, so stayed a full 7 nights!). None of the sites had fridge-hire, and all were "turn-up-on spec" (no-pre-booking).
Our "problem" with on-site fridge rental (before we got our camping fridge) was that they weren't so readily available on the sites we stayed at, but I'd agree with your theory at least. If they have hire fridges, and particularly if you pre-book the site, it seems a good option, to me.
There’s a huge e leclerc just off the island as you go into La Rochelle and they had bagged ice last summer. We also saw block ice (1kg blocks I think) at leclerc in Pleuven last week, so it’s clearly a line they do.
Quote: Originally posted by Ironned on 12/7/2019
There’s a huge e leclerc just off the island as you go into La Rochelle and they had bagged ice last summer. We also saw block ice (1kg blocks I think) at leclerc in Pleuven last week, so it’s clearly a line they do.
There’s a huge E’leclerc in tranch-sur-mer which can’t be far from the end of the bridge. We are in longeville-sur-mer for 2 weeks in August so will hopefully get to see the il de re this time.
------------- First van bailey ranger 550/6
Now the proud owner of a coachman amara
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 12/7/2019
Quote: Originally posted by Baileyjake on 11/7/2019
I know it’s a bit ‘soft’ but all of the campsites in the vendee I have been to offer a fridge hire service by prior arrangement. So when you check in a guy on a golf cart or whatever brings a fridge and an electric hookup lead to your pitch. When you leave the fridge gets left for collection by the campsite guy. Seems a bit of a hassle to buy so much ice? I have a fridge in my caravan but I also have a small fridge (compressor type, like in any kitchen) that I take in the boot of the car this is for our ice lollies and drinks I keep it in the awning.
Must admit, we coped perfectly well with our pre-cooled passive cool-box (Coleman X-Treme), (for 3/4 years or so?) with the ice-cube top-up every third day or so, but I can't deny that having since got a decent electric camping fridge, things are so much easier. Particularly so, as we use our tent for un-booked overnighters (as opposed to hotels) en-route, as well as the main destination.
Our trip last month ("mini-tour") involved 3 separate sites in a fortnight (was "planning" 4, but fell in love with Bruges, so stayed a full 7 nights!). None of the sites had fridge-hire, and all were "turn-up-on spec" (no-pre-booking).
Our "problem" with on-site fridge rental (before we got our camping fridge) was that they weren't so readily available on the sites we stayed at, but I'd agree with your theory at least. If they have hire fridges, and particularly if you pre-book the site, it seems a good option, to me.
I guess if you are touring then hiring a fridge is not an option. , my little fridge (47 L sia TT01sv) which isn’t specificity desired for camping is not much bigger than a cool box but if you were touring then you could take ice packs, keep them in the freezer compartment then when moving sites place them amongst the food. Mine stayed cool moving between the vendee and Brittany last year without ice packs. When we are on the overnight ferry we also move ice packs from the freezer compartment of the caravan fridge to the main section.
There are plenty of lidle and Aldi in the Vendee do they sell ice? It’s not something I looked for in France but in Spain all the supermarkets sell it.
------------- First van bailey ranger 550/6
Now the proud owner of a coachman amara
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
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 on Ile de Re - bagged ice
via mobile 11/7/2019 at 3:54am
