Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Motorhomes and Campervans 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: 2 weeks in france - no bookings Post Reply Post New Topic
Personmotorhomeguy
07/8/2013 at 1:06pm
 Location: Solihull
 Outfit: Bavaria I740g View motorhomeguy's Profile View Profile   Reply to motorhomeguy Reply   Quote motorhomeguy Quote  
Joined: 27/7/2011

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   625
Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Hi All,

We're just back from 2 weeks in France with no plans and no bookings.
As we arrived in the heat wave there was little point in travelling so we saw parts of northern france we only normally drive through at night - Le - Touquet, Fort Mahon Plage and Le Crotoy - stayed on aires without problem ranging from 5 - 12 Euros (1 with EHU and WIFI). - Then on a cloudy day we drpped down to the Vendee staying a Longeville Sur Mer - 500m2 from a surfing beach for 12 Euros including Wi-fi and EHU then over to the Ile De Re which we expected to be very busy but got a oceanside pitch at Riverdoux Plage Aire with hook-up (16 Euro) and then we stayed on the motorhome Annex at Camping Interlude for 22 Euros with access to pools and showers (other families on pitches were paying nearer 70 Euro's. - then back up for another night and a day surfing at Longeville sur Mer, up to Beaumont Sur Sarthe near Le Mans where we stayed on a fantastic municipal with a riverside pitch and EHU for 23 Euros for five adults and on to Calais for a free night in cite europe carpark before heading home.
In all 16 nights in France for 5 people we spent less than 200 Euros on accommodation - Earlier in the year I nearly booked a pitch that with my 3 teenage children ( all now classed as adults on french sites) that would have cost 70 euros per night and the weather in that part was not as good.

In future I will never book a site again - The aires with wi-fi and hook-up were part of the camping-car-park.com network and were a hit with the kids for facetubing activities and the wifi was even fast enough to allow a skype call back to grandparents.camping-car-park.com

The weather helped but the freedom made this our best holiday in france ever!! and that is going some.

One final point - even on a busy Saturday I had booked a cheap tunnel crossing but rocked up early after cite europe shopping and Flunch and was allocated a spot on a much more expensive crossing 4 hours in advance of our booking for no extra cost - a perfect end to this years trip.



Guy.www.campingcarpark.co.uk

-------------
It's only an expensive hobby when it's parked on your Drive....use it, love it , live it.


Personwilsoncampers!
07/8/2013 at 10:33pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Chausson Flash 03 View wilsoncampers!'s Profile View Profile   Reply to wilsoncampers! Reply   Quote wilsoncampers! Quote  
Joined: 08/10/2005

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   29
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
We are off tomorrow for a big three week trip, having booked nothing but the Chunnel! Thanks for your post.. I feel really encouraged that we are doing the right thing now!!

-------------
Wilsoncampers!!
Life's too short to put things off!!!


Campervan and Motorhome Insurance - Special Discount for UKCampsite.co.uk members
Caravan Guard Special Discount for UKCampsite.co.uk members on Campervan and Motorhome Insurance. Get 5 star rated cover and big savings - for a quote simply click Online Quotation

Personvwalan
07/8/2013 at 11:09pm
 Location: roche cornwall
 Outfit: lynton 5th wheel View vwalan's Profile View Profile   Reply to vwalan Reply   Quote vwalan Quote  
Joined: 28/7/2008

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1075
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
thats the way to do it . we have a plan !!!!
there is no plan .
makes a much better adventure .
no tolls , no motorways . avoid dual carriageways if there is a road running parallel.visi all villages on route . you will find toilets water etc usually .
as well as aires villages have nice sports centers .
thats the game we play . its good fun .

-------------
vwalan


PersonSdc777
07/8/2013 at 11:33pm
 Location: East london
 Outfit: Vw crafter conversion View Sdc777's Profile View Profile   Reply to Sdc777 Reply   Quote Sdc777 Quote  
Joined: 18/5/2013

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   69
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
We just got back from 3 weeks. Didn't book anything in the lake garda area and managed just fine


PersonSGThomas
08/8/2013 at 7:29am
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View SGThomas's Profile View Profile   Reply to SGThomas Reply   Quote SGThomas Quote  
Joined: 16/10/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6707
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 116
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 4  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 15 
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 40
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 98
We never book and that is with a trailed unit, which doesn't have the luxury of the aires.

That is the advantage of camping in France, no booking, minimal expense and cheap wine.


Advertisement



Personsandram9898
08/8/2013 at 10:17am
 Location: sunderland
 Outfit: rollerteam pegaso 181 motorhome View sandram9898's Profile View Profile   Reply to sandram9898 Reply   Quote sandram9898 Quote  
Joined: 12/7/2006

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   254
Site Reviews Total: 41
Site Reviews 2024: 1  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 2
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
We have been to France, Germany and Belgium many times and have never booked a site yet the only thing we book is the tunnel, but we do not even usual turn up at the right time for that either but we always get on a train without any bother. Love Europe so easy and relaxing, unlike UK where if you do not book, especially at busy times, then you end up having to visit a few sites to get a pitch, hate to have our holiday mapped out for us, just like to go where the weather and feeling takes us.


Personbigtoe
10/8/2013 at 3:49am
 Location: Chateau du Wirral
 Outfit: VW T4 and quechua base second View bigtoe's Profile View Profile   Reply to bigtoe Reply   Quote bigtoe Quote  
Joined: 30/4/2009

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1422
Site Reviews Total: 10
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
It's only the second time we've used a euro tunnel as we tend to get the ferry. We arrived early and were given a slot two hours before our due time. From now on we're sticking with the tunnel.

In all the years we've been going to France the only time we've found sites full is peak season at coastal areas and some particularly popular family sites.. The pound being worth so much less than a few years ago has certainly reduced the number of Brits in France so its much easier to camp on the hoof.

We don't use aires but don't like all singing sites either. The municipals are fantastic and there are well ran smallish privately owned sites everywhere. Its so much less hassle than in the UK.


-------------
John

May/June.....France
Aug.......somewhere else in France


PersonBarb2602
21/8/2013 at 4:38pm
 Location: Milton Keynes
 Outfit: Chausson Motorhome View Barb2602's Profile View Profile   Reply to Barb2602 Reply   Quote Barb2602 Quote  
Joined: 04/6/2012

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   13
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Had 4 months in (mainly) France and Spain - Only used camp sites when we wanted to do some washing rather than search for a launderette. Travelled some 6000 miles and enjoyed every minute of it.
Mostly we stayed on Motorhome Aires (Aire du Camping Car), but also some municipal, private and commercial sites. Another recommendation would be 'France Passion' - Vineyards, Farms, etc. Free of charge, but we usually bought some produce.
Met many like minded people mainly on the Aires and looking forward to doing it again!
Vicarious Books are a good place to get the various directories from - and no, I don't work for them! :) Just offering the information as we made good use of he books we bought.


Personstevewin999
23/8/2013 at 2:22pm
 Location: North East England
 Outfit: Coachman Mirada 300QB View stevewin999's Profile View Profile   Reply to stevewin999 Reply   Quote stevewin999 Quote  
Joined: 03/3/2013

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5
Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
We went to Le Mans this year for 24hr race. It was our first visit in our American motorhome. 31ft of home from home and we both loved it. France caters for motorhomes like the UK don't. We can't wait to get on that ferry and go again for a lot longer through France and on to who knows where. Never tried the tunnel yet, but ferry Dover/Calais and Caen / Portsmouth a piece of cake.


Personsquirrelchops
23/8/2013 at 7:26pm
 Location: Cotswolds
 Outfit: T25 1989 VW Westfalia campervan View squirrelchops's Profile View Profile   Reply to squirrelchops Reply   Quote squirrelchops Quote  
Joined: 03/8/2008

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   368
Site Reviews Total: 17
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
We went on 1 August for 16 nights and didn't book anywhere either. We use a French campsite book and know if it is busy in one area we move on to another village.

The only sticky time we had was when 1 site was full in the Loire (at gone 6pm) and the next 2 villages that were listed as having sites in the book, well we couldn't see them! 1 was definitely closed down and the other seemed to have vanished!

I came up with plans D,E,F and G but luckily plan D came up trumps and we stayed at a lovely site!


Advertisement



Personwilsoncampers!
27/8/2013 at 11:07pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Chausson Flash 03 View wilsoncampers!'s Profile View Profile   Reply to wilsoncampers! Reply   Quote wilsoncampers! Quote  
Joined: 08/10/2005

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   29
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
we've just got back from a 3 week trip, been to France, down to Italy, lido de Jesolo, Venice, Pisa, Florence, Lake Garda, Lake Constance, then back up through Annecy. Had a mishap on way, power steering packed up, but AA were fab, sorted within 2 days, and have only spent on campsites under £200. Agree that aires are fab!! we found a lovely site though near chunnel last night, and treated ourselves with a pool etc. Recommend going with a vague plan and being flexible!! worked with 2 teenagers a treat!!!


-------------
Wilsoncampers!!
Life's too short to put things off!!!


Persongazmister123
31/8/2013 at 10:43am
 Location: Redditch Worcestershire
 Outfit: Mooveo Motorhome F camper & Static View gazmister123's Profile View Profile   Reply to gazmister123 Reply   Quote gazmister123 Quote  
Joined: 30/5/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2587
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 32
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 1  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 1
We have used aires in our most recent holiday travelling to and from the south, have all been fantastic and definitely would use them again.

-------------
Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.


PersonMick S.
31/8/2013 at 5:43pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View Mick S.'s Profile View Profile   Reply to Mick S. Reply   Quote Mick S. Quote  
Joined: 18/8/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3499
Site Reviews Total: 37
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
Site Reviews 2021: 4  
Site Reviews 2020: 4  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 3
Site Nights 2022: 6
Site Nights 2021: 16
Site Nights 2020: 17
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
We just travelled on the ACSI book last year (pre high season), and never paid more than 16 euros - often it was 12/14. Had to go in high sesaon this year, and paid double. Still didnt pre-book though - just rocked up and got in anywhere we fancied.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Motorhomes and Campervans - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

9880 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder