Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 23/6/2026
Those with caravans with Truma blown air heating (Combi units) have an option that many don't seem to know about! - You can set the heating fan to blow cold air out of the heating vents! It draws air in from beneath the caravan so tends to be a bit cooler as in the shade of the van.
Thanks for that info Monty, we weren't aware of that. Useful if we're not on EHU and can't use the aircon. Much appreciated
------------- Ina
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by badger54 on 01/7/2026
We are south-west of Rennes at the moment on a great municipal site. It is 09.20 and we are eating breakfast outside whilst wearing fleeces!
1:30am in the Dordogne, sat outside the housn after watching the footy finishing off a beer and wearing a T shirt abd shorts, a shade below 19C and a refreshing breeze.
Quote: Originally posted by blueexpo97 on 25/6/2026
New booths, pray tell.
So have they done away with the portacabins in the large car park?
Stamping the AHC must be a new thing.
Not sure if a portacabin is still available as I did not see it and went to one of the booths.
A line of booths, with red/green sign indicating if it was open or not, very easy to use.
I found the AHC was stamped for my previous trips in 2023 and 2024.
The lady who runs the AHC group in Facebook as recommended by bofs and Ina posted a video recently in case you are interested.
DK
So the Pet Reception has now moved back to the right hand side, away from the large car park with portacabins on the left, DK you would have went this way in 2024.
It's amazing what the French can construct in less that a year , although I'm not sure it's just quite right.
Yes it has a shiney new Reception building and all the drive through booths, and my suspicion is they want you to use these booths as opposed to going in Reception, because there is very limited parking.
One guy in a tag axle was creating absolute havoc trying to get into and out of the booth.
At least it was a lot quicker that the human check in 40-50 minutes
------------- 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.
Quote: Originally posted by bofs on 22/6/2026
… and don’t forget May 1st (Labour Day)and May 8th (VE Day).
We were in France this year from late April to early June, so got them all!
Fewer supermarkets close for the full day nowadays, most open for the morning but you can’t take it for granted!
Not going until the second week of May 2027 going forward, as I have an event to attend usually during the first weekend of May.
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$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by blueexpo97 on 06/7/2026
So the Pet Reception has now moved back to the right hand side, away from the large car park with portacabins on the left, DK you would have went this way in 2024.
It's amazing what the French can construct in less that a year , although I'm not sure it's just quite right.
Yes it has a shiney new Reception building and all the drive through booths, and my suspicion is they want you to use these booths as opposed to going in Reception, because there is very limited parking.
One guy in a tag axle was creating absolute havoc trying to get into and out of the booth.
At least it was a lot quicker that the human check in 40-50 minutes
The new booths can be right or left handed, similar to the EES terminals from what I could see to date.
Fine with a sub-6m van at 22:00 when it was quiet, however, there is not a lot of room for a car towing a long van.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by longcol on 07/7/2026
Next few days here in the Dordogne, daytime temperatures forecast again about 40 - 42C.
Big difference over last weeks canicule is night time temperatures down to 14C in contrast to 22C. Also way less humid.
In August 22 when it hit 30degC or so in the UK, I stayed in the van, blinds down, windows closed, doors closed and air con on full blast.
Last year, high 20s in August again in UK, ate out quite a bit at the on-site restaurant as its air con was excellent.
I just don't like it hot.
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!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by longcol on 07/7/2026
Next few days here in the Dordogne, daytime temperatures forecast again about 40 - 42C.
Big difference over last weeks canicule is night time temperatures down to 14C in contrast to 22C. Also way less humid.
In August 22 when it hit 30degC or so in the UK, I stayed in the van, blinds down, windows closed, doors closed and air con on full blast.
Last year, high 20s in August again in UK, ate out quite a bit at the on-site restaurant as its air con was excellent.
I just don't like it hot.
DK
Assuming your 30C was temperature in the shade - in direct sunlight probably nearer 40C which is over 100F.
I think that the news etc quoting temperatures in the shade underestimates the heat in direct sunlight - you can add another 10C or nigh on 20F at the moment for the mid afternoon temperatures.
This year easily the hottest I've ever known it out here. Forecast is temps should return to seasonal norms this time next week although night time temperatures cooler than last month so leaving shutters closed and windows open at night means temps in the house tolerable with the aid of a fan or two.
Top drawer of freezer full of ice creams helps as does the odd cold beer or three.
At long last we've had a day were it didn't much above 25C - however this is mainly because we're downwind of the terrible fires in the Gironde and the sky has been very hazy.Plus we had a couple of brief downpours which saved me watering the plants (only allowed after 8pm) for only the 2nd time since early June.
Couple more days in the high 20's and up to 40 on Wednesday then a week of high/mid 30's (canicule / heatwave number 4) before getting down to low 30's end of the first week in August.
We've become semi nocturnal as it's well nigh impossible to do anything in the heat of the day except sit in front of the fan (except use the car with air con to go to the supermarket with air con twice a week) and use the pool after 7 when the sun is blocked by our trees.
All the best to folk out here on "vacances" - hope there's no-one camping under canvas!
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: Too hot!
