Hi Folks and greetings. Myself and the leader of the opposition (Mrs J, aka LOTO) are new to motorhoming and to this website. I retired last year and the LOTO now only works periodically as a carer - not mine (yet) I’m pleased to say. What I’ve read thus far clearly confirms you are a very knowledgeable, experienced and helpful bunch. So here goes with our question(s) and apologies in advance if this is 'basic stuff' and a bit verbose but, as I say, we're new to this lark and we're just trying to find our feet. Notwithstanding our lack of motorhome experience, we do have camping and caravanning experience back in our youth, so we’re not entirely as green as we’re cabbage looking.
We've done a couple of short trips in the UK and now, suitably emboldened, we're off to France, in May, for four weeks. Crossings are booked, and equipment-wise I think we're good to go. What we're unsure of is the need, or not, to book overnight stops in advance. I'm reasonably familiar with travel in Europe having spent many years on annual motorbike tours with my chums and my left hand drive motorbike has helped me acclimatise to riding/driving on the 'wrong' side of the road. Thus, navigating around is not a major issue and I have a modest grasp of schoolboy Franglais to ensure suitable embarrassment with our friends across the Channel.
We're crossing via the Eurotunnel. I'm aware that avoiding Paris is essential and we'll probably travel via Rouen and then head vaguely south, initially intending to meander down to the Dordogne where we'll spend a few days before moving on further south to Caylus in the Tarn-et-Garonne (we know it well from staying there several years in a rented house) where we intend to spend a week or so with our feet up before meandering back to Blighty. We've heard and read lots about using Aires, and apps such as Search for Sites and French Passion. However, we don't have experience of using any of them and don't know whether there is a need to book any stops in advance (I appreciate Aires can't usually be pre-booked) or is it just usual protocol to 'rock-up' and anticipate plenty of availability and a warm welcome. We're happy to try wild camping too, and would probably like to include plenty of this for overnight stops.
Any tips and guidance will be greatly appreciated. Likewise, if you have suggested routes/stop-overs, and must see locations, do please say. I’m aware there is a site in Caylus - Camping De Le Bonnette, and one nearby in Saint-Antonin-Noble Val - Camping Municipal Le Ponget, as I’ve driven past both when previously in the area. However, and predictably, as newbies we've no experience of either! Thanks in advance, Derek and Lorraine.
We've done a couple of short trips in the UK and now, suitably emboldened, we're off to France, in May, for four weeks. Crossings are booked, and equipment-wise I think we're good to go. What we're unsure of is the need, or not, to book overnight stops in advance. I'm reasonably familiar with travel in Europe having spent many years on annual motorbike tours with my chums and my left hand drive motorbike has helped me acclimatise to riding/driving on the 'wrong' side of the road. Thus, navigating around is not a major issue and I have a modest grasp of schoolboy Franglais to ensure suitable embarrassment with our friends across the Channel.
We're crossing via the Eurotunnel. I'm aware that avoiding Paris is essential and we'll probably travel via Rouen and then head vaguely south, initially intending to meander down to the Dordogne where we'll spend a few days before moving on further south to Caylus in the Tarn-et-Garonne (we know it well from staying there several years in a rented house) where we intend to spend a week or so with our feet up before meandering back to Blighty. We've heard and read lots about using Aires, and apps such as Search for Sites and French Passion. However, we don't have experience of using any of them and don't know whether there is a need to book any stops in advance (I appreciate Aires can't usually be pre-booked) or is it just usual protocol to 'rock-up' and anticipate plenty of availability and a warm welcome. We're happy to try wild camping too, and would probably like to include plenty of this for overnight stops.
Any tips and guidance will be greatly appreciated. Likewise, if you have suggested routes/stop-overs, and must see locations, do please say. I’m aware there is a site in Caylus - Camping De Le Bonnette, and one nearby in Saint-Antonin-Noble Val - Camping Municipal Le Ponget, as I’ve driven past both when previously in the area. However, and predictably, as newbies we've no experience of either! Thanks in advance, Derek and Lorraine.
