I've been asked a question and I really don't know the answer so I thought I'd turn to you.
If arriving in France on Ascencion Day (29th May in this case), would it be wise to book a site in advance? Although that date is a Thursday I know a lot of French would take un jour de pont or bridge day on the Friday to make a long weekend of it.
Would this mean a massive influx of French holidaymakers at French campsites/aires etc?
I was also asked about shopping on a public holiday (jour férié), my experience is that the big supermarkets at least would be open until lunchtime e.g. observing Sunday trading hours, does this match others experience?
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We are very cautious about Ascension Day and weekend, having been caught out a few years back. We try to be established on a site by that Thursday if it is a popular place, and tend to stay put until Sunday. However I expect that inland/less popular sites might be ok. Or municipal sites if there are any left....
Re the shopping, I wouldn't assume that all supermarkets are open, the only thing you can rely on is a bread shop in the morning. We would normally have emergency rations just in case.
We have been in France in our MH in early/mid May for the past 12 years and have never booked and never come across full sites. Last year however Ascension day was right next to the holiday for the end of WW11. As this was wednesday and thursday the site we arrived at, Cormatin in Burgundy, was actually full but we just drove to a different site about 20 miles away and there was lots of room. I would not worry too much.
If arriving inFrance late in the day on a public holiday then book a site for first night. Too late for a supermarket that day.
If arriving in France early in the day on public holiday drive inland to a site or an Aire without booking as Badger has said. , Check supermarket hours on line if you don’t have supplies with you.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We were in France a couple of years ago at the time of Ascension Day and also the Whitsun weekend. Being aware of it I rang the site we had intended going to a couple of days beforehand, and they were indeed full, so we rang our next choice of site, which had space.
Bear in mind, that Ascension day is 10 days before Whitsun weekend, which could also potentially mean full sites. This year Ascension Day is Thursday 29 May, and Whitsun weekend is Sunday 8 and Monday 9 June.
Definitely advisable to book ahead for that weekend and other public holidays in France in May based on my own experience.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 28/4/2025
Definitely advisable to book ahead for that weekend and other public holidays in France in May based on my own experience.
DK
Most Motorhome aires don’t take bookings
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by Netherton on 28/4/2025
Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 28/4/2025
Definitely advisable to book ahead for that weekend and other public holidays in France in May based on my own experience.
DK
Most Motorhome aires don’t take bookings
I don't stay at aires so I would not know.
I was referring to camp sites where I had stayed during public holidays in May and they were swarmed with weekenders!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
been in France for the last two years at that time and also May 8th - had to search quite a bit for a site in the right area for us - one inland around le Mans the other was on the coast near Vannes. I'd book if you know where you're heading.
The last time we were in France for Acension day we didn't even know it was a public holiday until we called at a supermarket only to find them closing early for the holiday. We didn't have any trouble finding acommodation then but it was earlier in the season and I seem to recall it being mid-week so not really viable for taking a bridge day. Laso being motorhomers we had a lot more choices available to us than just campsites.
I'll pass your views on, the problem is, like us, they're very much inclined to follow the weather and really (normally), wouldn't decide where to go until the day before they arrived.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by Ina on 28/4/2025
We were in France a couple of years ago at the time of Ascension Day and also the Whitsun weekend. Being aware of it I rang the site we had intended going to a couple of days beforehand, and they were indeed full, so we rang our next choice of site, which had space.
Bear in mind, that Ascension day is 10 days before Whitsun weekend, which could also potentially mean full sites. This year Ascension Day is Thursday 29 May, and Whitsun weekend is Sunday 8 and Monday 9 June.
Not school holidays though (apart from the two bank holidays) so unlikely to be many French families.
When our kids were young (ok a good 20 years ago) our main holiday was always last week in May / first week in June and never encountered a full site.
Now living in the Dordogne, would class this as low to middle seaeson down this part of Francw - and a good time to visit given the length of daylight, although wall to wall sun not guarenteed.
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: Ascencion Day - site booking need?
via mobile 28/4/2025 at 9:00am
