Any recommendations/general advice for me and my girlfriend camping abroad this summer?
We are looking to do France mainly, but want nice rural locations centred around local culture, good food and drink and activities.
Ideally could do with adult only camp sites.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
France is a big country, it takes about 3 hours to drive to Paris from Calais, so you need to have some idea of where you want to go. There is plenty of 'rural' to find. Or like a lot of us, treat it as an adventure and just set off and stop when you like.
If you just have a tent and don't need electric (EHU), then you should be able to find a campsite with a space. Just bear in mind that August is France holidays so popular/seaside places may be booked up by families.
What sort of activities do you have in mind? Cycling, swimming, walking etc?
Looking at your other post it’s tent camping, but will you need electric hook up?
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Get a 'Le Guide Officiel Camping Caravanning' - available from Amazon, Vicarious Books, and most French supermarkets of any size. It's a guide to all the (around) 9,000 campsites in France. There are lots of smaller sites (look for Camping Municipal) in the title, but bear in mind that France is more 'family friendly' so there are very few adult only sites - and those which are will probably not suit you.
France the first time is an adventure, so treat it as such, don't over plan, follow the weather and whatever the holiday throws at you. Stop when you see a sign for a 'Fete' or a Marche de Producteurs', move on when the weather deteriorates, you've run out of things to do in the area, or your neighbours on site are too noisy.
If you're young then what else do you want to do - you say local activities, but does that mean active things like canoeing, canyoning, rock climbing - or guided tours of the local museums and chateaux? Just a bit more information might lead to some good site recommendations. My sons, when younger, loved 'wild places' but a close friend of theirs preferred touring the Chateaux of the Loire. We can help, but just a bit more information might lead to some good site recommendations.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by franbee on 22/6/2023
Welcome to the forums.
France is a big country, it takes about 3 hours to drive to Paris from Calais, so you need to have some idea of where you want to go. There is plenty of 'rural' to find. Or like a lot of us, treat it as an adventure and just set off and stop when you like.
If you just have a tent and don't need electric (EHU), then you should be able to find a campsite with a space. Just bear in mind that August is France holidays so popular/seaside places may be booked up by families.
What sort of activities do you have in mind? Cycling, swimming, walking etc?
Ideally I would like an electric pitch for some appliances, inflatable bed etc but in ways not mega essential as that could be worked around with my car inverter for charging etc.
Activities outside of camping... wine tasting, food, local markets, exploring nearby small towns etc.
Activities inside of camping, swimming 100%, bike hire, general sightseeing.
Always open to activities that don't require previous experience, i.e. beginners.
Area wise probably northern France and down no further than Loire Valley as I wan't to see how I get on camping abroad first time before going any more south. I would be visiting Thiepval as thats an important part of the trip to visit a memorial.
I you like beer stay in Northern France, If you like wine head South.
The further South you go the warmer it will get.
Avoid Paris unless you go by train and stay in a hotel, but then it's not a camping trip.
Saintes claims to be the most beautiful city in France and it is breathtaking. The campsite is within walking distance of the town center.
To get to Saintes you'll need a couple of overnight stops on the way. I like Alencon (Camping Municipal) it's quiet and by the river. Angers has a great campsite where you may see red squirrels.
Your trip is now turning from a standing camp to an expedition with a base camp at the end of it. While on the move you will need to put your tent up each evening and take it down the next morning unless you cheat and stay in a Hotel or B&B. For this style of camping you'll need to know your tent and how to load and unload your car.
You don't need to book campsites in advance, nearly all of them have space when you arrive, I've never used an electric hook up although I do have solar panels for charging small devices.
------------- Enjoy the liveliness of the syntax.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by tarantula123 on 23/6/2023
Quote: Originally posted by franbee on 22/6/2023
Welcome to the forums.
France is a big country, it takes about 3 hours to drive to Paris from Calais, so you need to have some idea of where you want to go. There is plenty of 'rural' to find. Or like a lot of us, treat it as an adventure and just set off and stop when you like.
If you just have a tent and don't need electric (EHU), then you should be able to find a campsite with a space. Just bear in mind that August is France holidays so popular/seaside places may be booked up by families.
What sort of activities do you have in mind? Cycling, swimming, walking etc?
Ideally I would like an electric pitch for some appliances, inflatable bed etc but in ways not mega essential as that could be worked around with my car inverter for charging etc.
Activities outside of camping... wine tasting, food, local markets, exploring nearby small towns etc.
Activities inside of camping, swimming 100%, bike hire, general sightseeing.
Always open to activities that don't require previous experience, i.e. beginners.
Area wise probably northern France and down no further than Loire Valley as I wan't to see how I get on camping abroad first time before going any more south. I would be visiting Thiepval as thats an important part of the trip to visit a memorial.
In northern France there are few vineyards to do sserious wine tasting, but amongst them is 'the best' - those in the Champagne region - so you could do Thiepval on your way, or your way home. Here's a map of the vineyards of France, and you can see that you really have to be in the Loire to have options on wine tasting. However, it's a great area for visiting for a first time visit, with plenty of campsites, small villages, large towns, and cities, chateaux.
Have a look at the ACSI Card website (www.campingcard.co.uk) for somewhere to see pictures and details of lots of sites at the same time. If you're going outside peak season then you can get the card, and get the discounted prices, but it makes a useful way of seeing sites even for those not able to use the card.
For local markets, and there are plenty, they often have a list at campsite reception or pinned up on a notice board. You'll find there's a market not far away most days.
That size of tent doesn't sound like the sort of thing you'll want to be putting up and down much.
Get a guidebook, decide which part of France you want to visit, then we can suggest which towns, villages and campsites there. But leave the Thiepval area as soon as you have seen the memorials - it isn’t holiday country.
Generally, the further south you go, the warmer it is. We love the Loire Valley and enjoyed visiting the Chateaux and historic towns. We stayed near Saumur at a site called Domaine de la Breche however, in August it will be full of families and very busy. We went in June and it was peaceful then but as soon as the schools in France break up for the summer it will quickly get busy. It will then quieten down again by the last week in August
Wherever you end up, enjoy your first camping trip to France, it is a great place to camp.
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: First time camping abroad
via mobile 22/6/2023 at 4:41pm
