France in December

[busby]

Thanks guys but I’m thinking (yes dangerous I know) but if the German, markets are closed, those over the border in France will be rammed, so probably scrap the Xmas market idea for this year.
Thinking of heading out Quimper/Brest way out, what’s it like out there for a weeks bumble about? Have you been round here Lenny HB

Vannes
and Josselin worth a visit..BUSBY.

 

[Lenny HB]

Anywhere in France is nice if the weather is good but if you want warmth you need to go to the south west. That's too far for a week.
What about following one of the rivers, Muse, Mosell, Loire, Seine etc.

 

[Dutch 68]

Churchyards & cemeteries, popular Aires like Honfluer will have water on as will Camping Car parks Aires.
If you know you might have trouble getting water only have a shower every other day that's what we do, thencan last over a week if needed.

Honfluer Aire is huge penly of room when we were there last week. A lot of the French leave between 9:30 and 11:00 so late morning is a good time if you want to choose your spot.

Thanks Lenny

 

[Lenny HB]

Thanks Lenny

Also sometimes find taps in village centre. Late September we found a lot of Aires with water turned off, I think it was due to Covid, we filled up at a village tap.

 

[WESTY66]

chaser what time at night can I pull up In gravelines
without upsetting anyone? I know it’s usually 10.00pm or so on Aires but as this is used by almost everyone on channel crossings I wondered if it was tolerated that you could turn up a little later?

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[2657]

Well folks, we think we’re heading for Brittany, any tips on places to go and any aires that we shouldn’t miss, as we’ve only got a week we can’t afford to plod aimlessly, come on where should we not miss out?

Thanks Ady

Guerande and the surrounding area, the Presqu'ile de Guerande, is often overlooked by many, lovely area, we had a static caravan near to La Baule for many years.
There is an Aire in the centre of Nantes if you want to visit a city, the southern coast of Brittany has some lovely coast, Golf de Morbihan, Vannes,U boat bases at St Nazaire and Lorient.

 

[chaser]

chaser what time at night can I pull up In gravelines
without upsetting anyone? I know it’s usually 10.00pm or so on Aires but as this is used by almost everyone on channel crossings I wondered if it was tolerated that you could turn up a little later?

Any time you like, no gate or anything, and apart from a recent post I have never seen it when there wasn't loads of room.

 

[Lenny HB]

chaser what time at night can I pull up In gravelines
without upsetting anyone? I know it’s usually 10.00pm or so on Aires but as this is used by almost everyone on channel crossings I wondered if it was tolerated that you could turn up a little later?

It's a town Aire so you shouldn't go in after 10 so as not to disterb local residents. But on any Aire it's disrespectful to other Aire users to come in late.

Nothing worse when you are in bed when some pratt pulls in late messes about parking when you are trying to get some kip. Bear in mind the French are often in bed by 10.
If you can't pull I well before 10 you should plan your journey better.

 

[Lenny HB]

Any time you like, no gate or anything, and apart from a recent post I have never seen it when there wasn't loads of room.

That's very anti social.

 

[Barryh]

chaser what time at night can I pull up In gravelines
without upsetting anyone? I know it’s usually 10.00pm or so on Aires but as this is used by almost everyone on channel crossings I wondered if it was tolerated that you could turn up a little later?

Comings and goings at all hours as folk cross the channel, never an issue as most users expect it.

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[chaser]

That's very anti social.

Why, it's close to the road and normal traffic goes past, and usually plenty of room to just draw in without any manoeuvreing.
In ,stop, done.

 

[Jenben]

Thanks guys but I’m thinking (yes dangerous I know) but if the German, markets are closed, those over the border in France will be rammed, so probably scrap the Xmas market idea for this year.

They may be busy but everyone is wearing masks at outside markets, we were there in October and mask wearing in all the little village markets was routine and was being followed by all.

I did start a thread about our trip to Brittany and where we stayed ( I forgot to finish it !) but we stayed in some lovely spots

The Jenbens Jaunt - Brittany and a Bit Beyond

Well we have been meandering around the top bit of France throughout September. I thought I would capture our trip as we head home and before we forget where we have been ::bigsmile: Avoiding too many people in early September we headed from the ferry at Caen to overnight at Hermanville Sur...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Lenny HB]

Why, it's close to the road and normal traffic goes past, and usually plenty of room to just draw in without any manoeuvreing.
In ,stop, done.

Most people don't do that do they they pratt about slamming doors for ½ hour.
Not supposed to do so why do it.

 

[namwaldog]

Have a look at this website.....

Agenda des vide-greniers, brocantes et marchés aux puces

Agenda des vide-greniers, brocantes, marchés aux puces et salons d'antiquaires. Trouvez les brocantes près des chez vous.

vide-greniers.org

It is (roughly) the French equivalent of Car Boots or Flea Markets.
Just pick the month, then the Department you will be visiting and it will list those that are available.

Probably the local equivalent of Christmas Fairs at this time of year.

 

[chaser]

Most people don't do that do they they pratt about slamming doors for ½ hour.
Not supposed to do so why do it.

Not us mate , handbrake on bed down.
Why would you need to do anything else in the middle of the night?
And I must say we have been on all sorts of Aires in all parts of the country and don't think I have been woken up anywhere.

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[Boringfrog]

How do people get hold of water if the aires close off the supplies please? Is there certain dates when most of them are turned off and back on again?

A tank full and a few 5 ltr bottles should last you a week?

 

[EuroTrotters]

How do people get hold of water if the aires close off the supplies please? Is there certain dates when most of them are turned off and back on again?

We ended up buying those big 5 litre bottles from supermarkets.

They were as cheap as chips . From memory they were a euro or 6 x litre bottles for the same price.

Some service stations may let you have some from an outside tap. Maybe ask at the desk saying if you fill up with fuel, could they let you have some water.

My wife accidentally drained ours en-route to France once. I needed fuel, pulled in at asda. As I was driving up to the booth to pay, I noticed an outside tap. I asked could I fill up with water, explaining the situation. Sure no problem. It did mean me blocking one of the exit lanes for 5 mins. But needs must.

 

[WESTY66]

That's very anti social.

I hear what you’re saying Lenny, and I get that, but as a relative newbie I wouldn’t use an aire like grave lines or any close to a port unless I was parking late/setting off early, by using such an aire for that purpose I would expect comings and goings. It would make any Eurotunnel crossing after 7.30pm or any return crossing before 9.00am impossible.

 

[orridge]

I hear what you’re saying Lenny, and I get that, but as a relative newbie I wouldn’t use an aire like grave lines or any close to a port unless I was parking late/setting off early, by using such an aire for that purpose I would expect comings and goings. It would make any Eurotunnel crossing after 7.30pm or any return crossing before 9.00am impossible.

Gravelines may be close to the tunnel and ferries but the number but the majority of users are unlikely to be using them as it tends to be more french, belgium and dutch rather than UK but not saying some if those wont be using the crossings just unlikely.

there is another aire by the watersports centre that has less traffic so might be more suitable for a late arrival.

 

[Lenny HB]

As orridge says mostly French, even Dieppe where the Aire is a couple of hundred yards from the port it's 99% French on it.

If using the Tunnel I go for the first crossing after 4pm (cheap rate) then I would be at Gavelins by 6pm.

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[DerryW]

Crit air applied for

WESTY66

Being in the same position as you (recently changed MH), I applied for a new Crit air along with Umweltplakette on the 5th Nov, the later arrived on the 9th (German efficiency), the Crit air has not yet arrived,. I checked the Crit air tracker this morning and it's saying "application in process", so not sure of current timescales. However, as I'm sure you're aware, you can travel with a copy of the application as proof.

Enjoy your trip wherever you end up going.

Derry

 

[Imala615]

there is another aire by the watersports centre that has less traffic so might be more suitable for a late arrival.

I prefer it here if late .

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

goo.gl

Aire de Camping-Cars du PAarc du Rives de l'Aa · Rue du Guindal Voie communale 3, 59820 Saint-Georges-sur-l'Aa, France

★★★★☆ · Caravan Park

goo.gl

 

[Lenny HB]

WESTY66

Being in the same position as you (recently changed MH), I applied for a new Crit air along with Umweltplakette on the 5th Nov, the later arrived on the 9th (German efficiency), the Crit air has not yet arrived,. I checked the Crit air tracker this morning and it's saying "application in process", so not sure of current timescales. However, as I'm sure you're aware, you can travel with a copy of the application as proof.

Enjoy your trip wherever you end up going.

Derry

He is unlikely to be going anywhere it's needed, when I applied after a replacement screen the Crit Air arrived in 4 days the German one took a couple of weeks, pot luck me thinks.

 

[WESTY66]

If using the Tunnel I go for the first crossing after 4pm (cheap rate) then I would be at Gavelins by 6pm.

Which is great if you’re retired
If you finish work at 5.00pm then drive 4hrs down it becomes a bit of a problem, other than that you have to go next day

 

[Ingwe]

I’d second the suggestion of Montreuil and Northern France. There is a good free aire at Montreuil and the town is really interesting, with ramparts and full of history. There are some lovely towns in the north of France and if you’re interested in WW1, then almost every town/ville has something of interest.

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[Potty]

I prefer it here if late .

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

goo.gl

Aire de Camping-Cars du PAarc du Rives de l'Aa · Rue du Guindal Voie communale 3, 59820 Saint-Georges-sur-l'Aa, France

★★★★☆ · Caravan Park

goo.gl

Have used that one several times. Very quiet.

 

[599]

hi westy66 . France in the winter can be colder than the uk ( we lived sw/france for 5 years so we know ) . on our winter trip to Spain driving through France in 2012 we got stuck in the snow for 5 day in a village but we had all the services we are members of these https://www.campingcarpark.com/en_GB/search/areas/map because especially in winter you still get all the services . so if you don't mind paying we recommend these . val

 

[WESTY66]

hi westy66 . France in the winter can be colder than the uk ( we lived sw/france for 5 years so we know ) . on our winter trip to Spain driving through France in 2012 we got stuck in the snow for 5 day in a village but we had all the services we are members of these https://www.campingcarpark.com/en_GB/search/areas/map because especially in winter you still get all the services . so if you don't mind paying we recommend these . val

Thanks but I’m going 4-11 Dec, check out the forecast

 

[Imala615]

Bayeux , Mont Saint -Michel, Dinan, and one of my favourite Fougeres all worth a visit if you only have a week. Brest is also worth a visit but maybe a bit to far.

 

[DerryW]

Weary 66. Sods Law my Crit air just arrived in post. So 17 days from application to received.

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