Maiden beginner’s voyage & it’s France, What do I need to know?

PlymBob

PlymBob

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I'm a newbie
I know, I should have a trial run locally, but what with weather and one thing and another it never happened, and here we are off to France for the first time on Thursday. Thankfully, not the first time to France, but it is the first voyage in a campervan apart from one night hooked up at Baltic Wharf a few weeks ago.

It’s a German van with German gas fittings. Do I need an adaptor to fit French gas bottles? If so, does anyone know what I need, or where to get it? And where should I buy bottled gas from, ideally 5kg or 6kg if it’ll fit?

I’ll initially be getting Brittany Ferries to Roscoff. I’ve checked and all the Caravan & Motorhome Club sites in Brittany are closed. Can anyone tell me what I need and how to check to find overnight stops such as Aires or campsites please?

Are there any suggestions for where to buy cassette toilet chemicals?

Do I need to have my actual driving license with me? I sent it for (age 70) renewal of C1 back in November and it hasn’t been returned yet. The van is under 3500kg but I thought it would be sensible to take the medical and hang on to C1 in case I need it for the future. After 3 months waiting for DVLA to return it maybe I shouldn’t have done.

What else have I forgotten?

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
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Quite a few posts on this topic for first-timers if you use the 'Search' facility.
Here's just one of them with around 80 replies from just a few weeks ago:

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Newbies to France - Brainstorm

I'm about to write an in-depth article that will inspire and guide members into crossing the channel. I understand that for some, the idea may seem daunting, and for others, a little nudge is all they need to embark on this fantastic journey. I'm counting on your valuable insights! Share your...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk
 
Upvote 0
Depends how long you are going for, but two full cylinders should comfortably last three weeks. If you need to buy cylinders over there, you will have to bring back the empty here, but also buy and fit a new hose between cylinder and regulator. Probably no time now, but must less faff to have refillables fitted and the little bag of adaptors so you can refill anywhere on the continent.

We don't use chemicals in the loo as we have a SOG.

Beam deflectors and hi-vis immediately accessible for driver and every passenger.

Drive carefully especially on single carriageways and when turning out of a side turning.

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Upvote 1
Beat me to it Jimbohorlicks
However we did our first trip abroad albeit we had done a couple of nights at a rally, to France in January 2010, what a learning curve, but we loved it. Had 2 medium sized gas cylinders with us. First thing we did when we got home was to have refillables fitted. Used aires ACSI campsites, had a ball.
 
Upvote 0
You need to have your new driving license in your hand before you can drive in France- okay in UK ( unless it has been revoked), but not abroad. You need to chase it up immediately, to give you any chance of getting it in time. Go online to check your status, you will need your old driving license reference number and national insurance number. Hopefully it has already gone through but lost in post, but could be lost in their system. You should have had it long before now, or heard from them re some query. With not needing C1 for this trip you could renew on line discarding C1 for now and a new license would be issued straight away and then get C1 later, but all cutting it fine now. You could try ringing DVLA on 03007906801 - I had to chase them last Monday (just over 3 weeks since they received my application) and explained that I needed it for an Easter trip to France. It was still to be processed but young lady escalated it that day and it was with me on Thursday. Get onto it now, but could be a struggle.
 
Upvote 0
meanders said:
Depends how long you are going for, but two full cylinders should comfortably last three weeks. If you need to buy cylinders over there, you will have to bring back the empty here, but also buy and fit a new hose between cylinder and regulator. Probably no time now, but must less faff to have refillables fitted and the little bag of adaptors so you can refill anywhere on the continent.

We don't use chemicals in the loo as we have a SOG.

Beam deflectors and hi-vis immediately accessible for driver and every passenger.

Drive carefully especially on single carriageways and when turning out of a side turning.
Click to expand...
What is "little bag of adaptors" please and where can I get one?
"SOG"??
 
Upvote 0
You buy it when you have refillables such as Gas-IT or Gaslow fitted. They screw into the filler point so foreign LPG pumps at fuel stations can connect. Basildog may be able to help at short notice but they are not exactly cheap.

A SOG is fitted to the toilet cassette to bring air through speeding up the decomposition of the contents and exhausting outside the van.
 
Upvote 0
PlymBob said:
What is "little bag of adaptors" please and where can I get one?
"SOG"??
Click to expand...
OK, I think I get it now, it's for Gaslow type LPG refillable bottles. Don't you have to have a refill point on the side of the van?
I'm going for a month, so will need to top up. Was planning exchangeable bottles though. I already have an 11kg UK propane (with German to UK adaptor), but know I won't be able to exchange it in France, hence was thinking of keeping it in reserve and using exchangeable 5 or 6kg French bottles.

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Upvote 0
PlymBob said:
What else have I forgotten?
Click to expand...
My mobile number! If any problem you can text me (no calls as babies might be sleeping...or yelling which is just the same, I can't hear nor answer!) and I'll do my best to help you 0033682050584 ... The whole world must know it by now... so I don't really care!
IMAG0167.jpg
 
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Upvote 0
meanders said:
Depends how long you are going for, but two full cylinders should comfortably last three weeks. If you need to buy cylinders over there, you will have to bring back the empty here, but also buy and fit a new hose between cylinder and regulator. Probably no time now, but must less faff to have refillables fitted and the little bag of adaptors so you can refill anywhere on the continent.

We don't use chemicals in the loo as we have a SOG.

Beam deflectors and hi-vis immediately accessible for driver and every passenger.

Drive carefully especially on single carriageways and when turning out of a side turning.
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0
PlymBob said:
I know, I should have a trial run locally, but what with weather and one thing and another it never happened, and here we are off to France for the first time on Thursday. Thankfully, not the first time to France, but it is the first voyage in a campervan apart from one night hooked up at Baltic Wharf a few weeks ago.

It’s a German van with German gas fittings. Do I need an adaptor to fit French gas bottles? If so, does anyone know what I need, or where to get it? And where should I buy bottled gas from, ideally 5kg or 6kg if it’ll fit?

I’ll initially be getting Brittany Ferries to Roscoff. I’ve checked and all the Caravan & Motorhome Club sites in Brittany are closed. Can anyone tell me what I need and how to check to find overnight stops such as Aires or campsites please?

Are there any suggestions for where to buy cassette toilet chemicals?

Do I need to have my actual driving license with me? I sent it for (age 70) renewal of C1 back in November and it hasn’t been returned yet. The van is under 3500kg but I thought it would be sensible to take the medical and hang on to C1 in case I need it for the future. After 3 months waiting for DVLA to return it maybe I shouldn’t have done.

What else have I forgotten?

Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...

Here is a really big helpful suggestion, until you have your Driving Licence, checked out your gas replacement situation, learned to live on Battery power, got winter sleeping bags, and read up on what you need. Delay your departure.
If you go to the Erwin HYMER Centre site and read their blog, there’s a link to ‘wandering bird’, it costs nothing, but there’s a check list for you to down load free, plus a lot of info on wild camping.
Do use the Aires, check on the internet for all year camping sites in France. ‘If’ you survive, do write your experiences on this site. We all love a dramatic story!
 
Upvote 1
We use 'Camping Car Parks' a lot. Usually it's an aire with an entrance barrier. There is a 'bourne' - a post with a fresh water point and black waste disposal, and a drive-over grey waste disposal. Most aires have electric, 6A, included. There's no-one actually from CCP at the aire, it's all automatic.

If it's your first time, there is a machine that dispenses a card, cost 5 euros. That's a one-off cost. Once you have the card, you can use the machine to put some credit on it. Then you can touch it at the entrance barrier and it will lift to allow you in. Cost about 10 euro per night (24 hours). Sometimes more, often less.

It's a bit of a faff the first time, but the card then works on any of the aires. I found the helpline (number on the machine) was very helpful, English spoken, and they even got the machine to dispense me a replacement card when I lost my card.

They have an app, which shows all their aires, how many places, and how many places are currently taken, so you can see if there's space or look for the next one.

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Upvote 0
autorouter said:
If it's your first time, there is a machine that dispenses a card, cost 5 euros. That's a one-off cost. Once you have the card, you can use the machine to put some credit on it. Then you can touch it at the entrance barrier and it will lift to allow you in. Cost about 10 euro per night (24 hours). Sometimes more, often less.
Click to expand...
In spite of touring France for 20+ years I've not used the relatively new Camping Car Parks and in spite of searching I can't find the info on their website.........
I don't have (or want) a smartphone, (only a 'dumb' calls and texts only phone) but I assume I can register at the first site and pay for that stop and subsequent ones by just using my card.
I realise that I won't be able to reserve a pitch in advance without having a smartphone.
 
Upvote 0
Spriddler said:
In spite of touring France for 20+ years I've not used the relatively new Camping Car Parks and in spite of searching I can't find the info on their website.........
I don't have (or want) a smartphone, (only a 'dumb' calls and texts only phone) but I assume I can register at the first site and pay for that stop and subsequent ones by just using my card.
I realise that I won't be able to reserve a pitch in advance without having a smartphone.
Click to expand...
You purchase a Camping CarPark Card at your first stop. At that purchase, you load that card with euros from your bank card. The CCP card then lets you in and when you leave, deducts the amount due from the CCP card. The app is useful but not necessary. You will have to keep a pen and paper check of how much is left on the card. What I cannot remember is if the machine tells you how much is left but you can go back to the payment machine and insert it and top it up.
The payment machine is to one side and is separate to the barriers. If you have enough euros on the CCP card you can just tap and go in and tap and go out.
There is a minimum top up which might be more than the CCP you wish to use.
 
Upvote 0
PlymBob said:
OK, I think I get it now, it's for Gaslow type LPG refillable bottles. Don't you have to have a refill point on the side of the van?
I'm going for a month, so will need to top up. Was planning exchangeable bottles though. I already have an 11kg UK propane (with German to UK adaptor), but know I won't be able to exchange it in France, hence was thinking of keeping it in reserve and using exchangeable 5 or 6kg French bottles.
Click to expand...
The 13kgs French Propane bottles have an exit point that accepts a UK Butane female pigtail.
I'm assuming you have a Baulkhead Reg.
The bottle rental is very small ie 1€.

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Upvote 0
Spriddler, do you take your laptop or tablet away with you? If so you can just use your browser to login on the CCP website, search for their aires and check your balance etc.

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 www.campingcarpark.com

P. S. The machines to purchase and top up the cards have an English setting
 
Upvote 0
Another vote for the Camping-Car Parks (CCP) organisation. We use Plymouth-Roscoff regularly and our first stop is usually at the CCP site on the coast near Cléder which is a little west of Roscoff. There's nothing to do there other than walking on the coast path but that suits us perfectly. The Intermarché supermarket in Cléder is where we do our first shop on arriving in France.

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 www.campingcarpark.com
 
Upvote 0
Riverbankannie said:
You purchase a Camping CarPark Card at your first stop. At that purchase, you load that card with euros from your bank card. The CCP card then lets you in and when you leave, deducts the amount due from the CCP card. The app is useful but not necessary. You will have to keep a pen and paper check of how much is left on the card. What I cannot remember is if the machine tells you how much is left but you can go back to the payment machine and insert it and top it up.
The payment machine is to one side and is separate to the barriers. If you have enough euros on the CCP card you can just tap and go in and tap and go out.
There is a minimum top up which might be more than the CCP you wish to use.
Click to expand...
Not quite correct, we don't keep any money on our card it still allows entry and when we leave we top up with the exact amount required.
 
Upvote 0
Lenny HB said:
Not quite correct, we don't keep any money on our card it still allows entry and when we leave we top up with the exact amount required.
Click to expand...
I remember having to start off with a balance when I got the card the first time.
 
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Upvote 0
Spriddler said:
In spite of touring France for 20+ years I've not used the relatively new Camping Car Parks and in spite of searching I can't find the info on their website.........
Click to expand...
What information do you want? Here's all the sites, for example:

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 www.campingcarpark.com
There's pages explaining how it works, but that is already explained by me and also Riverbankannie and Lenny HB
They call their card the Pass'Etapes card.

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Upvote 0
Apply for a Crit'Air sticker (anti pollution), even if you don't plan on going into any of the major cities. You may find you need to; if you get detoured, if you need a repair, if you need a hospital etc. It's really cheap, €3.77 per vehicle, and you'll get a confirmation immediately by email, in case the real sticker doesn't arrive before you leave.

Go here for details of Crit'Air stickers https://www.france.fr/en/holiday-prep/crit-air-anti-pollution-vehicle-sticker

And go here to buy one online. It's very quick and you can change the language to English if you need to.
DON'T BUY FROM ANY OTHER WEBSITE. There are plenty of rip-off sites, so stick to this official one :) https://certificat-air.gouv.fr/

When you receive it, stick it on the lower right of your windscreen, looking from inside the vehicle :)

Have fun! :)
 
Upvote 0
autorouter said:
What information do you want? Here's all the sites, for example:

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 www.campingcarpark.com
There's pages explaining how it works, but that is already explained by me and also Riverbankannie and Lenny HB
They call their card the Pass'Etapes card.
Click to expand...

Yes, I have looked at the site and understand all that info but my question was specifically about paying which is why I wrote: 'I don't have (or want) a smartphone, (only a 'dumb' calls and texts only phone) but I assume I can register at the first site and pay for that stop and subsequent ones by just using (i.e by inserting) my debit card'.
Riverbankannie said:
Spriddler, do you take your laptop or tablet away with you? If so you can just use your browser to login on the CCP website, search for their aires and check your balance etc.

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 www.campingcarpark.com

P. S. The machines to purchase and top up the cards have an English setting
Click to expand...
Nope, I'm a bit of a minimalist when travelling and have never taken any internet access kit with me but I guess I could take my tablet and log on at a cafe (in spite of never having been inside a MacDonalds ;)) .
Thanks, but not concerned about the English option as I grew up mostly in a tri-lingual home, then worked in France for 9 years and lived in Paris for 4 of them.
 
Upvote 0
Spriddler said:
Yes, I have looked at the site and understand all that info but my question was specifically about paying which is why I wrote: 'I don't have (or want) a smartphone, (only a 'dumb' calls and texts only phone) but I assume I can register at the first site and pay for that stop and subsequent ones by just using (i.e by inserting) my debit card'.
Click to expand...
Yes that's correct, you can turn up at your first CCP aire, buy a Pass'Etapes Card and pay by card. I believe that (using the web site at home) you can also get the card by paying online and having it sent to your home address - if that's what you prefer.
 
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