Wandering again, this time in France

[Wanders from Glos]

We head off on our travels again tomorrow for three and a half weeks. We tend to like to cross the Channel and then go where the mood and weather takes us, but this time there is quite a bit booked already. So not sure how interesting this trip will be to follow, either way it is a useful record for us. We are heading to Puy du Fou for the evening spectacular show on Saturday, then we have about 10 days free when we will chase the sun (if there is any!). In a couple of weeks we are meeting some friends at a municipal campsite in Conjux on the banks of Lac Du Bourget and from there visiting more friends in a large house on the banks of Lake Annecy.

Not sure where we will go in the period between Puy du Fou and Conjux, it will be weather dependant and the forecast keeps changing, maybe the Gironde and then the Dordogne. First we need to get from Gloucestershire to Canterbury tomorrow where we will overnight at the park and ride before catching a morning shuttle. A first for us will be testing our Fulli tag for the toll roads.

Wandering in Germany https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/wandering-in-germany.291026/page-6#post-5836178

 

[scousebird]

Have a great trip

 

[Riverbankannie]

Happy travels.

 

[Riverbankannie]

The first time we used our Fulli tag, we went through a barriered card payment lane and not the fast lane - just to check it was working. I Think all lanes have the tech to let a vehicle with a tag through.
My reasoning was if it didn’t work, I could at least take a ticket and move on.
Anyway the reassuring bip came and barrier opened.

 

[Barryh]

Puy du Fou is a brilliant experience. Enjoy.

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[Wanders from Glos]

Puy du Fou is a brilliant experience. Enjoy.

We loved it when we went a few years ago despite only understood 50% of it, but the big Cinéscénie with 2,500 actors was not on, it was the normal evening event. So we have always wanted to come back for it. Hoping it stays dry

 

[Jasz]

We were at Puy Du Fou last week, I knew it would be good from everyone's comments, but was still amazed by what we saw. We managed to see most of it in 2 days (seeing some things twice) but our first day was a Thursday and not too busy. If you have time look in some of the park areas, apart from the shows, there are some fun things there too.

 

[Peavy]

Have a good trip! will be watching from here

 

[Wanders from Glos]

The first time we used our Fulli tag, we went through a barriered card payment lane and not the fast lane - just to check it was working. I Think all lanes have the tech to let a vehicle with a tag through.
My reasoning was if it didn’t work, I could at least take a ticket and move on.
Anyway the reassuring bip came and barrier opened.

Great advice thanks.

 

[Barryh]

Cinéscénie is fantastic. There’s so much going on, on such a large scale it’s difficult to take it all in. All in French of course, but the story isn’t that hard to follow. We had a dodgy weather forecast for our night, but apart from a few rogue drops it was fine. Fingers crossed for your weather.

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[davidbaldam]

Just back from France and like you, first time using the Tag. Worked great every time, really liked the 30k lane. Once or twice we played chicken with the barrier, nearly get to the barrier before it opened.

 

[Just smiffy]

Safe trip, keep up with your travels if you have time…

 

[cyberyacht]

Sounds quite a bit to pack into three and a half weeks.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Sounds quite a bit to pack into three and a half weeks.

Yes more than we would have liked tbh.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Smooth drive to Canterbury in light rain and quite chilly. Only small and irritating problem is the flap covering the area with the fuel cap and adblue has broken and no longer clicks shut so had to use gaffer tape to hold it in place. It’s not the end of the world and the first problem of any sort we have had with the van in over three years so I guess shouldn’t grumble when I hear the problems others have had with their new vehicles.

Not as many vans here as last time we stayed, still a few spaces in the main motorhome parking area. Up before 7 tomorrow to head for the shuttle.

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[bellabee]

Hope you have a great trip.
I'm looking for ideas for this year's visit to France, and will be following your exploits .

 

[rob1234]

Hope you have a great trip.
I'm looking for ideas for this year's visit to France, and will be following your exploits .

me too,,,

 

[Wanders from Glos]

It has been a long day but all worked out well in the end. We slept well at the park and ride, and had a simple journey to Le Shuttle. All going well until the train before ours broke down in the tunnel, suddenly we had a 2.5 hour delay. At least we had a toilet and bed to doze on. Eventually we crossed to Coquelles and drove down the toll free road to the huge Auchan at Boulogne Sur Mer. We normally like to have a good browse and buy lots of nice foods, but felt we need to get on with it a bit as we want to be at Puy du Fou tomorrow evening. Still managed to buy some wine though!

After a quick bite to eat we hit the road to face the next hurdle, will the Fulli tag work? As suggested we went into the lane where you could get a ticket if need be, but then the satisfying beep to say it worked. Things were looking up, until the heavens opened and it rained really hard, pretty much all the way. But the beauty of French roads is the lack of traffic, sometimes a completely clear road ahead. Plus of course literally no potholes at all. The last part of the journey was through country lanes and picture postcard villages, all perfectly maintained wood and plaster houses.

Just as we got to the CCP we had identified, the app said no spaces, but as we were there we thought we would check. Curiously, there were four or five spaces, so lesson learned - don't trust the app. It is situated by a stream (first picture below). we had a cup of tea and then walked into the town. Lyons la Foret was a favourite of Camile Pissarro and his son, and features in some of their work. We could see why, it is a fabulous old town. Decided not to eat out and head back for a G&T and pork crepinettes from Auchan (whatever they are).

 

[Grianan]

Looks lovely! Have a wonderful time. We will live vicariously through your blog

 

[scousebird]

Just as we got to the CCP we had identified, the app said no spaces, but as we were there we thought we would check. Curiously, there were four or five spaces, so lesson learned - don't trust the app. It is situated by a stream (first picture below). we had a cup of tea and then walked into the town. Lyons la Foret was a favourite of Camile Pissarro and his son, and features in some of their work. We could see why, it is a fabulous old town. Decided not to eat out and head back for a G&T and pork crepinettes from Auchan (whatever they are).

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We stayed there last year, lovely place.

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[Wanders from Glos]

We stayed there last year, lovely place.

Definitely on the list as a stop over for the future.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Lovely sunny morning yesterday, so we walked into Lyons La Foret to buy bread and pastries. It’s such a pretty little town. We had a coffee and then it was time to hit the road.

Puy du Fou was about 260 miles nearly all of it toll road. We even got brave enough to try the 30km gate, although probably only at 10km. Only one minor incident enroute when we stopped to read the map and Claire forget to put the handbrake on. We were rolling towards a parked car (ironically English) so I dived across the footwell to push the brake pedal. Fortunately Claire then realised and put the handbrake on, disaster averted about a foot from the other car. Strangely the owners didn’t seem to see the funny side of it. I think they just thought we had parked very close in an almost deserted car park. Oh well.

Parked up at Puy du Fou. Apparently there is space for 800 vans with electric for all of them. I’d guess about 50% full. The show was spectacular and well worth the journey despite the showers. As a student of history it was a bit questionable but lots of films and shows fall into that category. Crawled into bed around 1.30am

 

[Wanders from Glos]

The pitch last night cost £9.20, which we thought was pretty good as it included electric and the use of toilets if you want them. Plus there is fresh water and three drive over grey waste drains. Black waste disposal too.

A bit of a slow start this morning with decisions to make about where to go. The weather is very wet in the Vendée so decided to head towards the Dordogne where it should be warmer today, although still showers nice and warm over the next few days. We didn't want a long drive today so stopped at a CCP in Rouillac. This one is €14 but includes toilets and showers. It is an old municipal site with hardstanding, a grass area and bounded by slightly unkempt hedges. It really does make the UK seem very expensive. Much warmer here too, although still only about 20C.

Rouillac itself is a typical sleepy Charentes town, but it has a boulangerie for bread and pastries that I am sure we will test! Think the plan tomorrow will be to head towards a campsite with a pool for a few days R&R, hopefully in the sun. Maybe find a nice lunchtime restaurant or two as well.

 

[Peavy]

Doesn't look that bad Nice pictures.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Doesn't look that bad Nice pictures.

They probably flatter it a bit, but it’s Sunday evening so very quiet is to be expected. It’s a good stop over I’d say.

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[Wanders from Glos]

Yesterday we stuck with the plan and drove to the Dordogne, about 120 miles. For those who haven't driven into the Dordogne before, the roads are very pretty taking you through lovely honey coloured towns, but it is not fast and sometimes a little tight, but all quite passable. I always give way to everyone, that way we are stationary if anything happens. We avoided Sarlat which can be very busy and got to our site just outside Domme on the banks of the River Dordogne. What a difference, blue skies and 30 degree temperatures. We slept with all the windows open, and sat outside until 11pm.

By pure coincidence we bumped into a colleague of Claire's from an organisation she volunteers for, so headed to the bar for a couple of beers. Today cycle out to get some supplies and maybe a lunch. Pictures are of the site, €19 per night using ACSI.

Le Perpetuum ****

Details for Le Perpetuum **** a Independent Campsite Domme, Dordogne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, 24250

www.searchforsites.co.uk

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Today we cycled into Cénac for supplies at the market and the Carefour. Fully replenished we cycled up to Domme. This is a delightful Bastide town, with a few tourist shops and restaurants plus sunny views and pretty houses surround by fortifications. It had a nice relaxed feel about it, not tacky or especially busy. It helps that it was nice and warm.

We had a good meal at a restaurant overlooking the river. The courses were quite large, fois gras and gizzards for starters.

Followed by duck breast and une piece de boef. For dessert fresh strawberries then an espresso.

Then we cycled back to the van and lazed around the pool. A perfect day!

 

[Peavy]

What a view

 

[Wanders from Glos]

It’s definitely worth a visit. I don’t think it’s possible to drive a motorhome up there though.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

I forgot the most well known view of Domme, the main entrance gate at the top of a fairly steep hill.

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