First Trip Abroad

[andyelbac]

Hi Funsters,
We've had our MH (first one) coming uo for a year now. We've had four or five trips to campsites in the UK and have pretty much figured out how everything works (mostly thanks to this site). Our Q. is, we want to go to France next year, probably in September once the kids are back in school, and likely to be travelling down to the Dordogne area for a couple of weeks. How much in advance do you think we we need to book campsites? Not sure we would need EHU as we have a solar panel and recently spent a week camping in Withybush Hospital car park (don't ask....but thank God hospital car parks in Wales are free!) in the MH without EHU and it was fine. We will be running with 20kg of gas on board. I figure the most important thing will be replenishing water and emptying the toilet, in terms of site conveniences.

 

[IRHP]

I wouldn't book anything it can spoil a good trip. We are on our 5th week in Spain and Portugal, haven't booked a thing. Have not been able to not get in anywhere. I Dare say that will be different in a few weeks time but for now it's perfect.

 

[Two on Tour]

We have never booked anything in our years of touring France.
Use the aire that most French towns and villages have, you will find that France is very motorhome friendly and most aire have facilities for you to empty your loo and grey waste and take on water.

 

[JockandRita]

Aires de Service Camping Car is a great way to stop and visit towns and locations along the way.
Some are free, some are payable, some but not many are bookable, but all provide the need to empty waste and take on fresh water.

There are guide books with Aire locations, or downloadable POIs for your Sat Nav. Camping car Parks is another stopover source.

I prefer tu use the two Apps on devices, as per the last two links below.

All The Aires France North and South 4th Editions Vicarious Books Media

Have all 3,945 Aires in France at your fingertips. Using these books is quicker and easier than any app of motorhome Aires in France. Use the map of French Aires to see all of the nearby camping aires whilst you tour France in your motorhome or campervan. Buy All the Aires North and south 2022...

www.vicarious-shop.com

CAMPING-CAR PARK - The 1st European network of stopover sites and services areas

CAMPING-CAR PARK is the 1st European network of stopover sites and services areas for parking motorhomes in complete peace of mind, 24 hours a day.

www.campingcarpark.com

searchforsites mobile

Motorhome stopovers and campsites in Europe

www.searchforsites.co.uk

Campercontact | All the best motorhome sites at your fingertips

All motorhome sites worldwide on one platform for motorhomers. Includes up-to-date reviews, photos and an overview of beautiful motorhome stopovers.

www.campercontact.com

Good luck.

Jock.

 

[ANDKEZLULA]

We did a very similar thing to you in 2021, new van and a few UK sites. Last year in June we went abroad for the first time in the van.We got to Lake Como before heading homewards. We spent 4 weeks without booking anything. It was a great learning experience , then in September went again for 5 weeks and now can’t wait to get back,
Go for it and explore

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[Shrimp]

Aires (Aire de Camping Car) are the way to go.
If you’re happy with using your on board facilities-shower & loo-then don’t bother with campsites in France.
As Two on Tour has said France is very easy with a Motorhome, you can arrive when you fancy, park up, follow the lead of others already there, most are on the edge of villages, some very old & interesting.
If you don’t like the Aire you’ve chosen just move on to another.
We use the ‘All the Aires‘ books and some apps.
Some Aires (watch what the French do) do have some space for a chair or two in the sun but some will be part of a car park. ‘Camping’ ie, chairs, tables, awnings are not allowed, basically to be strict-nothing on the ground. But not many listen to that.
Because we don’t have bikes with us we just make sure we food shop when moving to a new Aire. Washing machines and dryer live outside, under shelter, in most Supermarché car parks, card operated.
Some Aires will let you stay indefinitely others may only be 24 hours.
Have fun, it’s a good adventure and eye opener motorhoming in France.

 

[VXman]

As others have said - if you are pretty much self sufficient in terms of power then no need to book campsites. There are plenty of free or cheap Aires with water and waste facilities. The 'park4night' app is good for locating them.

You could get a camping carpark card if you want more organised spaces. You can order in advance or just buy one at the machine when you arrive. No need to book. They are not expensive but do provide EHU so if you don't need that then it seems a bit pointless.

CAMPING-CAR PARK - The 1st European network of stopover sites and services areas

CAMPING-CAR PARK is the 1st European network of stopover sites and services areas for parking motorhomes in complete peace of mind, 24 hours a day.

www.campingcarpark.com

If you really want proper campsites have a look at getting an ACSI card as you will get good discounts with this in September. Need to order it in advance as it is sent to you by post.

CampingCard ACSI | Inexpensive camping in the low season

Cheap camping at more than +3000 campsites in Europe inspected by ACSI. Stay from €13 a night with 2 people with your tent, caravan or camper van!

www.campingcard.co.uk

 

[Riverbankannie]

Dordogne in autumn is fabulous. As others have said no need to book. We overnighted in the Carrefour carpark (designated space for MH) at Sarlat-la-Canéda for 2 nights. One day for the market (saturday) and then going off other day to visit nearby gardens and chateau.

The riverside aire at La Roque Gageac is a beautiful location.

You can also overnight in the carpark at Rocamadour and experience it at night.

 

[brynric]

Booking can be expensive.
We have come to Scandinavia this year and booked a Denmark-Norway ferry. It was cheaper to book in advance. Unfortunately we had ignition problem that needed a Fiat garage, they fixed it quickly and (relatively) cheaply but had to wait a day for parts so ferry missed. The ticket was inflexible so we found another route through Sweden. Fortunately no campsites booked.
As others have said there are lots of apps which will advise on the many Aires. We have not needed EHU theres plenty of solar even on a grey day. One of the joys each day is looking at the weather and the maps and thinking where we’ll go tomorrow and being flexible as Motorhomes can.