We plan to go to France late August/early September and as we did 3k driving in May/June through France, Italy, Austria etc I am thinking perhaps we would enjoy a trip with less driving. (Providing weather is ok). anyway, can anyone suggest any places they have come across? We have visited Honfleur, Etretat, Bayeaux before but happy to incorporate them again. Just want some more ideas! We like beaches, pretty villages/towns etc. We visited Lyon La Forest last year on our way through France and loved it - one of the forum members (perhaps Franbee?) said they often visit there and it was delightful.
------------- lizzie
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How far do you want to drive and how long are you going for, what port are you sailing into, do you want one end destination for the whole holiday, a few or lots
One trip that we did that was varied, interesting and relatively close to the ports was along the Loire as far as the coast. So say starting at Gien (which would mean you pass close by Fontainebleau which is worth a visit) and then follow the river Loire stopping off wherever you like, lots of towns, villages, gardens and chateaux to see. At Nantes the Loire reaches the coast, and there are quite a few seaside resorts to stop there eg Piriac sur Mer, Le Croisic, La Baule or on the South side of the river at St Brevin les Pins or ic. Round trip from Calais (depending on route obviously) about 1600km or 1000 miles.
Yes, we always visit Lyon la Foret when we go down that way.
Latterly, as we haven't been doing long drives every time, we've been lingering on the Channel coast if the weather has been good. We love the Somme estuary, Le Crotoy, St Valerie. The best campsite we've settled on is just north of Cayeux sur Mer, which is a nice little seaside town too. We potter around there on the bikes.
After lockdown we managed to snatch a couple of weeks in that area, and found a site at Equihan Plage, which is an unspoilt beach, but steep going down the road. That is now on our list of faves.
From Lyon la F we usually go to Chartres, the campsite there has been tidied up recently. If you've never been there, you can cycle or walk into the city along the river, and the Son et Lumiere is on every night from April to Sept or so.
Have a look at my list of reviews, you might find somewhere else you fancy.
Thank you Franbee, I will take a look at your reviews for ideas. Never been to Chartres so that could be an idea for a visit.
We will probably use Dover/Calais or possibly Newhaven Dieppe. We have always used Eurotunnel but it just seems too expensive without the Frequent Traveller. We have no set time to be away, it will depend on the weather and how we feel but maybe a month. And just really looking for ideas, not an end destination as such. We may end up going further along the coast to Northern Brittany. So ideas as far as Brittany and inland too would be great.
------------- lizzie
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I suggest a ferry into Calais and a homeward one from Cherbourg or St Malo to Portsmouth, depending how far you want to drive. Book a single ticket going out and book the return on line when you see where you get to. As for places to visit a few days in the old part of Rouen is always worthwhile .
Good idea Netherton. We could always take a return ferry to Portsmouth and that’s only an hour from home and saves driving back the way we have come. Not been to Rouen either. Somewhere we drive through on our way to other places but looks worthy of a stop.
Yes we have ACSI. Didn’t get to use it much earlier this year on our travels for various reasons - we were in Italy during German school holidays etc. Hoping to use it in September!
How about Giverny? Apart from Monet's house there's an American museum next door with beautiful gardens. And it's not far from Rouen with all the Joan of Arc connections (most people drive around or through it). Fecamp on the north coast, not far from Etretat has a Chartreuse 'factory' (can't think of the appropriate word) which if I recall was once a monastery.There's a famous impressionist painting of the beach I believe (can't recall the artist). Close to Calais/Boulogne (the latter is worth a visit for the old town and castle for an afternoon and the wonderful cheese shop in the main town which I hope is still there, ditto the aquariaum), are Wissant and Wimereux. The first has a lovely soft sandy beach and more of a village if I recall, whereas the other is more Belle Epoque. Near Honfleur are Deauville, Cabourg and Holgate - similar Belle Epoque villas and seaside.
And if you're lucky, a view of the south coast of England .
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Great ideas Bridgywidge! I’ll add them to the list. We may well end up going as far as Ile de Re as I would prefer reasonable weather! Very hard to predict so will plan for all eventualities …
------------- lizzie
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
For a good stop off or a bit longer there are some beautiful villages and great campsites on the Sarthe river. We’ve stayed in Fresnay sur Sarthe but Beaumont sur Sarthe is also nice; both have very good municipal campsites. Also a good base if you want to visit Le Mans. If you are venturing into the Loire one of the most easily accessed chateau towns is Lude, again there’s a fabulous municipal (free access to the neighbouring swimming pool complex).
Quote: Originally posted by bridgeywidge on 29/7/2023
How about Giverny? Apart from Monet's house there's an American museum next door with beautiful gardens. And it's not far from Rouen with all the Joan of Arc connections (most people drive around or through it).
Don't forget if you venture into Rouen centre you'll need a Crit Air Sticker.
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: Interesting/nice places to visit N France
via mobile 28/7/2023 at 1:47pm
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