Suggestions for our trip to France in May 2023

[suavecarve]

Riverbankannie suggested a good idea with Google maps, so started to do that.

Cracking suggestion.
When you add things you can change the pin to a colour and change the symbol.
When looking of google maps for things of interest try searching "Camping car" or "Belvedere" or "cascade" "Plan d'eau" or if in Germany "Rodenbahl" or "Berg"
Heres one I used last year for the Vercors

The other option, because so many experienced people are telling you it is a piece of wee wee to find places in France, is take the most minutest of risks and believe them, start a thread. "First time France and nervous" and as long as you post photos (you have shed loads of data if youre not streaming) then you will be astounded at the complete lack of planning required as people will follow your thread and offer advice as to the best boulangerie in the town. One update a day with 4 or 5 photos and a couple of paragraphs. You can then transfer the info at a later date to a journal for memory purposes

 

[Smudger55]

For the first year since owning a motorhome we have decided that this year instead of flying off to sunnier climates we will instead travel over to France via the Tunnel and spend 2 weeks travelling around, we are departing end of April and will be coming back 2 week of May so weather may not be great in most places unless venturing to the South of course.

I am looking for some good pointers on some nice destinations within approx 4-5 hours of Calais which probably covers most of France to be honest, i am interested in the War type places but my wife is not so keen so i need to mix it up a little. Also our Motorhome is rather large ie 8.5m tag so we need to be able to get to these places with this as we are unable to take any other form of transport like bicycles (medical issues). we could if we thought it would help take the car trailer with the car but this means that we wont be able to move on regularly so at the moment that's not coming with us.

I have just purchased my Angle morte stickers and i already have the crit air sticker as well.
Thought and suggestions please

Thanks in advance.

Hi Zac,

I found at last this helpful list provided by Fidget last May.

I'm going to put it in a spreadsheet and work through it as i ho along. Hope it might help.

Im hoping to buy travel ins this week and then book ferry, provided I can "nurture" management's thinking along.

Post in thread 'What do I need for trip to France' https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/what-do-i-need-for-trip-to-france.263631/post-5064558
Cheers Smudger55

 

[Branston]

Lots to think about. I like to plan things but many funsters just set off and pitch up as it takes their fancy. We stay only on sites in UK and have never gone "wild". If we set off having landed in France, I know if we left each night's stay to the day of the journey, it could cause a lot of stress if management cannot find a site or aire on route. I doubt we will consider going "wild" for now.

What do you all do, plan day before, take pot luck and hope for best.

Secondly I'm with O2, comes with EU roaming for about 25GB data. What other options do you consider to cater for wi-fi for tablets, phones etc . 25GB might be enough but if we are having to search for sites on route I may need more.

I have Search4Sites app, think someone has mentioned Pitchup. Is there anything better.

Thought would ask these questions on this thread, as it takes time to search the forum for answers.

Cheers. Smudger55

Get a copy of All The Aires France. You will have no trouble what so ever to overnight in France we spend a lot of time in Normandy and Brittany each year, all on Aires.

 

[Branston]

For the first year since owning a motorhome we have decided that this year instead of flying off to sunnier climates we will instead travel over to France via the Tunnel and spend 2 weeks travelling around, we are departing end of April and will be coming back 2 week of May so weather may not be great in most places unless venturing to the South of course.

I am looking for some good pointers on some nice destinations within approx 4-5 hours of Calais which probably covers most of France to be honest, i am interested in the War type places but my wife is not so keen so i need to mix it up a little. Also our Motorhome is rather large ie 8.5m tag so we need to be able to get to these places with this as we are unable to take any other form of transport like bicycles (medical issues). we could if we thought it would help take the car trailer with the car but this means that we wont be able to move on regularly so at the moment that's not coming with us.

I have just purchased my Angle morte stickers and i already have the crit air sticker as well.
Thought and suggestions please

Thanks in advance.

I replied to your thread to someone else by mistake. Get a copy of All The Aires France. We spend a lot of time in Normandy and Brittany all the time on Aires. You will have no trouble what so ever finding overnight stops.

 

[Smudger55]

Copied post from MHome Maps, i will add i have driven in France by car when kids were younger:

I have ound a lot of advice about on line maps for a possible trip to France, Riverbankannie being helpful with Google maps.

This may be a daft question but I have a Garmin sat nav, so if i wanted to follow a route it seems that if I plotted in Google maps my Garmin would become redundant as I would have to use a mobile or laptop, or Management would.

I have downloaded Garmin Basecamp, therefore does that integrate with the Garmin sat nav or are you all suggesting that a second device is needed. It would seem sensible to use the sat nav, powered by the MHome and not using up data but I'm getting the impression that may not work.

I am also getting a feeling, not a criticism, that once across the channel its not all plain sailing. [Ha......it won't be, maybe plain driving.] There does seem a lot of planning rather than just drive on the "open" road and stop off when you want. However I'm not against planning.

Am I being too simple in listing our "destinations" in Garmin sat nav, following previous research and following the Garmin. Cheers Smudger55

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[Smudger55]

May booking Tunnel tickets today, anyone use the Drum pub for overnight stop near Folkestone :

The Drum Inn Stanford Kent

The Drum is a traditional 18th century Inn positioned at the foot of the Kentish Downs

thedruminn.co.uk

 

[Paulypaul]

Head for Honfleur as a starting point then keep following the coast.

 

[suavecarve]

Am I being too simple in listing our "destinations" in Garmin sat nav, following previous research and following the Garmin. Cheers Smudger55

For a first trip you are taking the right approach in my view. Planning, because you dont know. Dont be surprised if your plans change as you see things or hear about things after 3 or 4 days.
We make a list of things to see rather than aires or stellplatzes as we now know they are all available through various apps or maps.

 

[Orion]

At that time of year and for a couple of weeks visit I’d head down to the Loire for the chance of some warmer weather. Maybe start at Nantes for the Les Machines de L’Isle and head upstream from there.
Saumur has the HQ of the French Cavalry and one of the best AFV museums in the world at Musee des Blindes, along with a good medieval centre. Obviously lots of chateaux, vineyards, etc. along the way.

 

[Branston]

May booking Tunnel tickets today, anyone use the Drum pub for overnight stop near Folkestone :

The Drum Inn Stanford Kent

The Drum is a traditional 18th century Inn positioned at the foot of the Kentish Downs

thedruminn.co.uk

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[Branston]

If you are self sufficient for the night park at Farthing Common. Drive past the road to the Drum from M20 towards Canterbury for a few miles. It's on the right at the top of the hill. Lovely views and ideal walking for your pooch before your tunnel journey. Just walk behind where you park, cross a quiet road and follow footpath signs. Going over the water ourselves late May/early June. Have fun!

 

[Diabalo]

https://www.camping-lafleche.com/

zac If you end up going south chasing the weather I can recommend the above site.

 

[LesW]

.

 

[LesW]

May booking Tunnel tickets today, anyone use the Drum pub for overnight stop near Folkestone :

The Drum Inn Stanford Kent

The Drum is a traditional 18th century Inn positioned at the foot of the Kentish Downs

thedruminn.co.uk

We have, an ok place with nice food, stopped using it when they put their prices up, their are free places to be found nearby.

 

[MattR]

Copied post from MHome Maps, i will add i have driven in France by car when kids were younger:

I have ound a lot of advice about on line maps for a possible trip to France, Riverbankannie being helpful with Google maps.

This may be a daft question but I have a Garmin sat nav, so if i wanted to follow a route it seems that if I plotted in Google maps my Garmin would become redundant as I would have to use a mobile or laptop, or Management would.

I have downloaded Garmin Basecamp, therefore does that integrate with the Garmin sat nav or are you all suggesting that a second device is needed. It would seem sensible to use the sat nav, powered by the MHome and not using up data but I'm getting the impression that may not work.

I am also getting a feeling, not a criticism, that once across the channel its not all plain sailing. [Ha......it won't be, maybe plain driving.] There does seem a lot of planning rather than just drive on the "open" road and stop off when you want. However I'm not against planning.

Am I being too simple in listing our "destinations" in Garmin sat nav, following previous research and following the Garmin. Cheers Smudger55

The issue about planning for us is less about having to know where we're going and more about not missing out on things.

We tend to look at having 2 plans which vary according to the weather. We typically want to go to where it is warm enough to be able to sit outside at night but not so hot it stops us from enjoying the daytime. We might have a destination in mind but we're happy to stop earlier if we find the temp is ideal where we are. Similarly, we'll look at alternative options if it looks like our main destination is going to get more rain.

The planning comes in so we can make the most of the things to see in the areas we're in. We've missed out on some apparently amazing places because we didn't know they were there or we arrived on the wrong day and the attraction was closed. A few mins looking at details such a opening times, busy times, market days etc is well worth it in our opinions as is checking how likely Aires are to fill up early. We've had few problems finding somewhere to stay in West France but struggled to find places to stay near the Pont du Gard in the east because we hadn't arrived at campsites etc before mid day and there were few places to stay in the area. This was during August but it surprised us as we had not had problems elsewhere previously.

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[SteveandSueJ]

May booking Tunnel tickets today, anyone use the Drum pub for overnight stop near Folkestone :

The Drum Inn Stanford Kent

The Drum is a traditional 18th century Inn positioned at the foot of the Kentish Downs

thedruminn.co.uk

Yep... there right now.... perfect for the tunnel. Lots of space... Good beer and they are cooking tonight... recommended..

 

[huck999]

Dont make any plans other than ferry dates. Get a CampingCar Parks card and just go from one site to another. You can see most of France this way and for about £10 a night with water and electric. Whatever you decide, have a goid trip.

 

[Deadloss]

Stayed there last year. Friendly welcome and good food in the pub. Tunnel is literally a few mins away.

The Drum Inn that is…

 

[Smudger55]

Our plans for April trip are progressing but hey.... its costing a fortune to get there, that's including our dog:

Travel insurance (not been required for a few years)
Tunnel tickets
Return diesel to Folkestone
Overnight near Folkestone
Vet bills, rabies, EHC, front line type treatments, tateworm on return
EHU euro plugs/polarity test kit
Bits and pieces, ie: Angles Mort/ triangle etc

Best part of £800 above then we have our normal travel costs, diesel, sites/Aires etc.

Approx £57 per night above before the trip, that's more than even CMC sites per night


Ha.......... where's the, its doesn't cost a lot abroad

Ha..... you funsters have tricked me

Anyway still looking forward to it, provided there are no strikes.

We might get to LIVE THE DREAM in our 4th year of our MHome. Cheers Smudger55

 

[Smudger55]

Talking of reverse polarity, ewhat do you do if site is "reversed"?

Just been speaking to someone, electrician who sold me the kit and he really advises that if this the case, its not correct and safe. Officially, he advises me that they don't make/ sell EU reverse polarity lead although i believe some people make them up.

Management won't let me do that and i doubt its safe.

So do you MOVE ON.

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[Reallyretired]

Question was a long time back but don't worry about a ramp to get on the train, there isn't one it's all flat. The only ramp is up and down to the platform and I've never seen anyone have a problem with that.
Reversed polarity is no problem as long as your RCD is double pole. It's not really a problem if it isn't as long as you're not repairing things without unplugging first. A crossover lead is easily made if you feel the need I have never bothered.
There are many previous threads on reversed polarity.

 

[Imala615]

Heres a link for an adaptor

All New Caravan Hook-Up Polarity Reverse Adapter - Wiring to BS7671 - PAT Tested | eBay

All New 230v 16A Hook-Up Polarity Reverse Adapter. WHY WOULD YOU NEED A POLARITY REVERSE ADAPTER ?. Our Polarity Reverse Adapter corrects this problem by having its 'Live' and 'Neutral' wiring reversed internally.

tinyurl.com

you could have a look at https://www.caramaps.com/ the map lists most aires and campsites with reviews , i used it last year as well as google maps ,search for sites etc ,best advice is don't plan but try to park up just after lunch and you wont go far wrong.

Caramaps - Annuaire de Campings, Aires de service, Accueil à la ferme.

Découvrez le premier outil destiné au voyage en camping-car. Profitez des bonnes adresses des accueillants CaraMaps : particulier, agriculteur, fermier...

www.caramaps.com

 

[Parrot Face]

If you want peace and quiet even in the peak season try the Morvan region and in particular Lake Settons. Loads of sites that are never full.

 

[Rosy_apple]

For the first year since owning a motorhome we have decided that this year instead of flying off to sunnier climates we will instead travel over to France via the Tunnel and spend 2 weeks travelling around, we are departing end of April and will be coming back 2 week of May so weather may not be great in most places unless venturing to the South of course.

I am looking for some good pointers on some nice destinations within approx 4-5 hours of Calais which probably covers most of France to be honest, i am interested in the War type places but my wife is not so keen so i need to mix it up a little. Also our Motorhome is rather large ie 8.5m tag so we need to be able to get to these places with this as we are unable to take any other form of transport like bicycles (medical issues). we could if we thought it would help take the car trailer with the car but this means that we wont be able to move on regularly so at the moment that's not coming with us.

I have just purchased my Angle morte stickers and i already have the crit air sticker as well.
Thought and suggestions please

Thanks in advance.

Hi there,
My sister and I are off to France in May via the tunnel. First time for us too! I will be doing all the driving so I need to take it steady. So far have booked first night at Saint Louis in Autingues, then moving on to Peronne for two nights. Might move on to Laon after that. We will be taking a small dog with us as well. I am excited and nervous all at the same time. Our aim is to maybe end up with sister who lives in Switzerland but nothing definite yet.
We haven't booked the tunnel back as we will amble back through the Loire. Monet's garden and the Mosaic house are very high on the 'to see' list.
We have far to travel from home to tunnel so have arranged a night at The Inn on the Pond, Redhill, staying on their carpark, to be able to get a good start for midday tunnel.

So I will be following you with interest.

 

[Smudger55]

Heres a link for an adaptor

All New Caravan Hook-Up Polarity Reverse Adapter - Wiring to BS7671 - PAT Tested | eBay

All New 230v 16A Hook-Up Polarity Reverse Adapter. WHY WOULD YOU NEED A POLARITY REVERSE ADAPTER ?. Our Polarity Reverse Adapter corrects this problem by having its 'Live' and 'Neutral' wiring reversed internally.

tinyurl.com

you could have a look at https://www.caramaps.com/ the map lists most aires and campsites with reviews , i used it last year as well as google maps ,search for sites etc ,best advice is don't plan but try to park up just after lunch and you wont go far wrong.

Caramaps - Annuaire de Campings, Aires de service, Accueil à la ferme.

Découvrez le premier outil destiné au voyage en camping-car. Profitez des bonnes adresses des accueillants CaraMaps : particulier, agriculteur, fermier...

www.caramaps.com

Polarity lead arrived today. Cheers Smudger55

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[zac]

The tunnel is booked we leave 29 April. Not booked any sites yet as not sure where we will be but I have brought the France passion and camping carpark card and off course the other apps like park4night and camper contact. We are likely to use paid sites but will look at them nearer the time or the day before. Looking forward to it now

 

[Smudger55]

Just plotted first 2 days journey into Garmin, day we leave and then 2nd travelling to first site. Ha........ let's hope if plotted correctly or some one will be sharing her advice

 

[Smudger55]

Well we're in France, Bonjour Funsters. Thought I would update here re our journey rather than a journal, not sure i could keep journal up to date.

Journey to Folkestone good, Drum Inn ok, great food and pint, but showers not up to much.

Early start for Tunnel, 0750 trsin.... 2 bl@@@@dy hrs later we set off.

My trip plan worked a treat from Calais, no tolls, annd arrived 10 miles north west of Reims sbout 1630,, WOULD been 2hrs earlier if not for Tunnel.,

After motorway, didn't see one Aire in 2hrs driving.... You've all been having me on

We at current site for two days, over £30 pn, need your own toilet paper, no heating in shower block.... CMC, where are you??

Bought some bread from village shop and tomorrow decide where to go next.
LIVING THE DREAM. SMUDGER55

Ps, has Jim been here before

 

[Branston]

Haven't you got All the Aires France books, it was suggested to you I'm sure. Paying out like that you will be bankrupt before you know if. Calm down, take a breath. If you search on line for the area you are in for 'camping car Aires in your area you will be surprised with the results!

 

[suavecarve]

Haven't you got All the Aires France books, it was suggested to you I'm sure. Paying out like that you will be bankrupt before you know if. Calm down, take a breath. If you search on line for the area you are in for 'camping car Aires in your area you will be surprised with the results!

And probably a minimum of 40 euros better off for 2 nights.

Enjoy whatever you decide.

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