Hi all I’m off on Monday for my first ever MH trip to Europe

Further to previous comments , Remember the town name sign in towns and villages at the entrance to village is the speed restriction notification ( they don't do 30 kph signs ) and village name sign on the way out is end of speed restriction
 
Lots of 30kph through small towns and villiages too. Gives you a good chance to have a look. Speed bumps I hate though.
 
Not quite sure what to expect, but hopefully it will be an adventure. The intention is to travel down west coast Franc, cross into Spain, and run along the Pyrenees towards the Mediterranean coast. The plan then is to travel along the south coast of France towards the Italian border, then turn inland to visit old friends who live in Briancon. Am I being too ambitious? Hopefully will meet some of you along the route, so please say hello if you see an Auto Explore, Peugeot based campervan ( don’t think I will see another one as only just released) roll on Monday,
We where a bit worried the first time but it is so much easier to travel and find Aires on the way, we find it more difficult in the UK as we have been grounded for a couple of years here but hope to get away later in the year, Good luck.
 
Currently at a basic, but enjoyable camsite near Flugent in pays du loire. V hot, but beers are cold, overlooking the lake. Diesel equivalent £1 55! Happy days of towards bordeaux tomorrow

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If you are staying off the motorways as has been suggested then be mindful of the local speed limits. They change quickly have little logic to their application and there appears to be little tolerance over the limits.
So while you are enjoying the scenery keep one eye on the speedo.
Also - when off the motorways, be extremely wary of the french village speed bumps, which you will find in almost every village and hamlet just after a village or hamlet name sign (which itself means 50kph limit) and then a sometimes invisible 30kph sign and/or a sign that looks like an side-on image of a fried egg. This is often the only warning you get for some seriously savage speed bumps, often just 100-150m after an open 90kph zone. If you hit one of those bumps at anything over 20mph you risk damaging van. If you miss the signs, maybe in the dark, and hit one at over 35mph you will almost certainly damage the van (when it lands).
 
Further to previous comments , Remember the town name sign in towns and villages at the entrance to village is the speed restriction notification ( they don't do 30 kph signs ) and village name sign on the way out is end of speed restriction
correcting the above :

the village sign means 50kph. You will then, if it reduces further to 30kph, see the 30 sign, which will usually be followed by speed bumps.
 
Also, in some areas of France, cars from the right may have priority. Confusingly, this is not universal in France but, where it is, it can catch one unawares. You may feel you have right of way and suddenly find a car coming at you from the right hand side. Often the towns where this applies have the following signs at the entry to the town:
1686758947615.jpeg

But generally, I find driving in France altogether easier and more pleasurable than driving in the UK. Have fun!
 
We have to wait till the last week of August for our Shengan days to regenerate, then we are off again 😊😊
MOT needed too before we go.
 
Also, in some areas of France, cars from the right may have priority. Confusingly, this is not universal in France but, where it is, it can catch one unawares. You may feel you have right of way and suddenly find a car coming at you from the right hand side. Often the towns where this applies have the following signs at the entry to the town:
View attachment 769198
But generally, I find driving in France altogether easier and more pleasurable than driving in the UK. Have fun!
Ha - The good old ‘prioritie a droite’ - it had died away, but it is making a comeback.

Look out for a solid white line across the road, often in towns and villages. It means stop (as elsewhere). You just might not expect to see it on an A-road (you wouldn’t in the UK) where you must stop to let people out of a tiny side road.
 
I’m a slow typer!
Ah didn’t see that. I have a thing with the savage speed bumps in france. got proper caught one time in the dark. Went airborne. I always try to warn others.
 
Not quite sure what to expect, but hopefully it will be an adventure. The intention is to travel down west coast Franc, cross into Spain, and run along the Pyrenees towards the Mediterranean coast. The plan then is to travel along the south coast of France towards the Italian border, then turn inland to visit old friends who live in Briancon. Am I being too ambitious? Hopefully will meet some of you along the route, so please say hello if you see an Auto Explore, Peugeot based campervan ( don’t think I will see another one as only just released) roll on Monday,
Have the most amazing adventures. Just take each day as it comes & if you don't complete it all this time, it will give you the excuse to do another trip.
 
Already been said but just a heads up for continuing posters - this is an old thread. I imagine the OP is home now!

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Did our first trip through France and Spain May/June. With a bit of planning managed to avoid most tolls (paid 2 about €6 each). Had refillable gas cylinders, a couple of site apps and an app for fuel and gas. Was a bit apprehensive setting off but loved the whole experience. Out for 6 weeks, spent 10 nights using 4 sites( had to do laundry, although there are plenty of supermarkets where you can do that) and the rest of the time used Aires. Use your noggin, if it don’t feel right move on, and I’m sure you’ll love it too.
 
i sometimes feel i am in a time warp ..... :LOL: :LOL: (although a well intentioned one)
 
Not quite sure what to expect, but hopefully it will be an adventure. The intention is to travel down west coast Franc, cross into Spain, and run along the Pyrenees towards the Mediterranean coast. The plan then is to travel along the south coast of France towards the Italian border, then turn inland to visit old friends who live in Briancon. Am I being too ambitious? Hopefully will meet some of you along the route, so please say hello if you see an Auto Explore, Peugeot based campervan ( don’t think I will see another one as only just released) roll on Monday,
We found All the Aires and Acsi books useful and can save you lots of money! You will also find other motorhomers are very friendly and helpful and will happily give you good tips about routes Aires, and places to visit. Dont be afraid to ask. A refillable gas system is essential. Hope you have a wonderful time, France is magic for motorhomers, and Brittany is gorgeous. Beware though,we had a plan but kept getting sidetracked all the time as we kept accidentely finding lovely places :cool: so allow yourselves wiggle room. If you have the time I would be interested in your route as we are thinking of a similar trip to Spain in September and this would be a first time for us to Spain too.
 
Not quite sure what to expect, but hopefully it will be an adventure. The intention is to travel down west coast Franc, cross into Spain, and run along the Pyrenees towards the Mediterranean coast. The plan then is to travel along the south coast of France towards the Italian border, then turn inland to visit old friends who live in Briancon. Am I being too ambitious? Hopefully will meet some of you along the route, so please say hello if you see an Auto Explore, Peugeot based campervan ( don’t think I will see another one as only just released) roll on Monday,
As everyone has said Enjoy and take your time, my One piece of advise if you have haven’t got a Tracker fitted get one , that way your family will see exactly where you are ,, I don’t want to put off journey but if anything bad was to happen it could save your life
 
You will love it. Driving in France is so much easier and enjoyable. Literally thousands of parking sites. If you haven’t already get the Sesrch4Sites app or France Passion, camping Card. I joined them all for my first time over. Well worth it in my opinion.
You have an ambitious trip so take plenty of time as it’s very easy to get distracted from your initial plan. That’s the fun of motoroming. Don’t plan to drive any great distance in one day unless necessary.
Above all enjoy. Have a great trip

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Also if you intend using any toll roads I would recommend joining Fulli telepeage. Used to be called Mango. Makes getting through toll booths a dawdle. For an occasional user it’s cheap with no setup or monthly charges. Only charged for month you use and it’s a pittance.
 
If it’s your first time abroad remember to carry sufficient gas for your trip , as you cannot exchange U.K. cylinders anywhere in Europe
Alternatively consider a refillable lpg system which allows you to top up at many service stations
Or, for emergency use carry a butane pigtail that can be fitted to Campingas 907 cylinders that are easily obtainable everywhere in France.
 
Perhaps they are still there
it goes to show how many folk like to respond to the threads highlighted by Jim in his weekly roundup

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it goes to show how many folk like to respond to the threads highlighted by Jim in his weekly roundup
What weekly round up never seen it ? I don't read the daily morning post either
 
What weekly round up never seen it ? I don't read the daily morning post either
It comes in my mail but never read as I usually know what's going on, but just why it was highlighted this morning I don't know as there were only a couple of new posts on it then.
 
Apparently she did get back as just found this what she put on another thread..........

Bought 1st camper van as an 80th self birthday surprise. Had 5 1/2 weeks touring round France and northern Spain. Lost a n/s wing mirror to an obliging builders lorry in San Sebastián, which put a bit of a damper on things till a friend in France managed to find a peugeot dealer who could replace it. I tried various dealers in Spain, but delivery of part was weeks due to summer break. Apart from that hiccup, had a great time and planning on returning in the next few weeks. As a solo traveller, find emovis tag for motorway tolls a must, though try and avoid motorways if possible. Even though height of holiday season only once not got on a site, but they suggested a fellow site close by. Found the driving very easy, on last day drove 500 miles non stop ( not intentionalay, but got to Rouen saw sign for Calais, and carried on!
 
fair play. proves that age is just a number
 
Not quite sure what to expect, but hopefully it will be an adventure. The intention is to travel down west coast Franc, cross into Spain, and run along the Pyrenees towards the Mediterranean coast. The plan then is to travel along the south coast of France towards the Italian border, then turn inland to visit old friends who live in Briancon. Am I being too ambitious? Hopefully will meet some of you along the route, so please say hello if you see an Auto Explore, Peugeot based campervan ( don’t think I will see another one as only just released) roll on Monday,
May I just remind you that UK is part of Europe

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