We are in France now (since 24th August) and have had difficulty getting into sites without a booking. It is only the third September we have been able to go away now I’ve retired - last two Covid years we had no trouble. I know we like areas that are popular such as Ile de Ré, st Remy de Provence and South of France but we realise we will need to book these sort of places in future. No trouble in Loire and Millau. Got into sites in Dordogne but only because we were there before noon!
------------- lizzie
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We went to France on 23rd Aug heading south and found the following.
Arcis sur Aube - busy but not full. Langres - full by 5pm, Macon - not full, Tain l'Hermitage -full by 12.30pm, Tournon - full by 5pm. Crest - amazingly empty, Nyons - not full, Apt - amazingly empty, Cavaillon - not full, Tournon - probably full by 5pm, Tournus - probably full by 5pm, Langres - full again by 5pm, Guignicourt - not full, Brighton les Pins - not full, Guines - not full.
This was an earlier trip than normal for us, and we found a lot fewer Dutch than usual. We try to be on site no later than 3pm so seldom fail to find a pitch.
We were at most sites before they closed for lunch. Also phoned ahead to site in Cavalaire sir mer who said they had pitches but by noon on our arrival, they had none (wouldn’t let us book on phone). Monplaisir had a pitch for one night only in St Remy and then we moved to Pegomas which was almost full. Makes touring a bit stressful.
We’ve been in France since 26th August. We always book the first site we intend to stay at (in this case, the wonderful municipal site at Argentan), and since then have just sent emails a day or so in advance to check whether they have availability (Blere in the Loire, Les Roussilles north of Limoges, Les 2 Vallees at Vezac in the Dordogne, and Brantôme-en- Perigord). All fine so far, and on our way back up the country now. We’re finding there are a lot more Dutch than earlier in the year or this time last year, otherwise about the same mix of nationalities.
Quote: Originally posted by lizzie on 20/9/2022
We were at most sites before they closed for lunch. Also phoned ahead to site in Cavalaire sir mer who said they had pitches but by noon on our arrival, they had none (wouldn’t let us book on phone). Monplaisir had a pitch for one night only in St Remy and then we moved to Pegomas which was almost full. Makes touring a bit stressful.
StRemy de Provence has become an over popular honeypot - next time try sites a few miles away - at Graveson, Montfrin or Vallaubregues . We found them far less busy. And you can avoid the crowds of Dutch pensioners in that area by steering clear of sites on their ACSI Camping Card list. They go nowhere else.
We wanted to be within a walk of Remy to go out for evening drinks etc. The two sites Monplaisir and Pegomas are not in the Acsi scheme and still full of Dutch pensioners though Pegomas has perhaps a better mix. On the coast we specifically tried sites not in Acsi but that didn’t help. We will look at some of your suggestions though Netherton for another trip.
------------- lizzie
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Just to update, we went to Les Lucs at Tain L’Hermitage yesterday and got in no trouble at 12.15 but was full by about 2pm. Receptionist said it is like this every day and better to book. The site on the other side of the river was pretty full at lunchtime and most empty pitches had reserved signs.
Today at Beaune (yes we are travelling very slowly home!) we got here at 12.30 and site full before 1 pm. Some in the queue behind us didn’t get in. Lots of pitches had been reserved.
I do wonder if we were travelling this way in early October as we had planned, it might be different as people seem to come for a month from late/end August hence we’re all travelling at the same time creating another peak for overnight sites.
The last couple of seasons have gone on well into September here in our bit of the Dordogne (Montfort to Beynac). Most sites that are on the river were pretty full until the around the 10th. The Dutch and Germans have switched from caravans to motorhomes in a big way in the last few years - as have the French.
It's causing a few blockages on some of the country roads as farmers are starting to get the late crops in (usually maize for cattle food) and so tractors with trailers are out and about in force - plus the bridge at Grolejac is closed to HGV's so anything towards the Lot is being routed through our village.
We have been caravanning in France for over 20 years now and, apart from the very early years, we have never booked ahead. This year was an exception with one site, as we needed to be in a specific place, but we regretted it as the site wasn't "our style" and the weather iffy.
I am seeing (both here and on the dreaded FB) more and more people clearly booking ahead for next year and not all in high season. With the comments above, we are wondering whether the nature of camping in France is changing and we will need to plan more. It will be a shame as much of the attraction is in being able to wander at will.
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
We always booked when we had a tent and had to do school holidays but didn’t find we wanted or needed to even in July August unless we wanted a coastal site in a popular area. This September has been a surprise to us. Chatting to Dutch and German campers, they say caravanning and motor homing has become much more popular since covid. Perhaps it will all settle down or maybe we will have to plan - a great shame. That said, inland sites away from main routes have been quiet. We particularly enjoyed Confolens.
------------- lizzie
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by lizzie on 24/9/2022
Chatting to Dutch and German campers, they say caravanning and motor homing has become much more popular since covid. Perhaps it will all settle down or maybe we will have to plan - a great shame. That said, inland sites away from main routes have been quiet.
Interesting thread.
Situation re need to book, sites being full & increased numbers of caravans & Motorhomes seems to be similar to parts of the UK. Like you, I’m hoping it will revert but with the soaring cost of self catering & hotels, I don’t see people selling their mobile holiday homes too soon.
I’ve been seeking out lesser known places away from the tourist areas & that seems to be the safest option in France at the moment too.
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: Difficulty getting into sites September
via mobile 20/9/2022 at 5:41pm
