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Subject Topic: Overnight stop in France
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PersonDaniB141
07/3/2022 at 4:14pm
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We are taking the caravan down to France for the first time this year (driven through France many times but always travelled directly South, and w/o caravan). This time we are staying just south of La Rochelle and would would like to travel half way ish between Calais and La Rochelle before stopping overnight to break the journey up. (We'll be travelling mainly motorways for ease: A16, A28, A11, A87).
We'd like to stay somewhere that is interesting (ie. Castle, architecture, scenery, French village, anything really!) and where we can really show the children another part of France, albeit briefly!
Any recommendations please?


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Personjaiash
07/3/2022 at 4:45pm
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Lots of municipal sites in villages alongside the A28 north of Le Mans if that's far enough for you. We usually stay at Beaumont sur Sarthe. Site by the river, nice size pitches and good showers and very cheap. Easy short walk into the village with a couple of places to eat and a supermarket. Le Mans has a pleasant old quarter and isn't far away.

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Grahame


PersonMrWez
07/3/2022 at 5:12pm
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You could try the municipal at Nantes, it's a really nice and well kept site with friedly staff, there is also a restaurant which does takeaway on site. The best bit about it though is that you can visit Les Machines de l'Īle

The kids will love it, you'll love it I'm sure!


PersonNetherton
07/3/2022 at 5:41pm
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DaniB, Is this to be your first night after leaving your address in Essex? Or are you planning an overnight in Calais and an early start from there?


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PersonDaniB141
07/3/2022 at 10:00pm
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Netherton, we have an event near Folkstone the day before (perfect timing) so have a campsite booked there the night before. So no travelling as such until we get to Calais luckily.


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Personfranbee
07/3/2022 at 10:09pm
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The road south from Saumur to Parthenay has a number of interesting old towns on it. There's a good campsite at Montreuil-Bellay, if that's not too far south, a historic town with a town trail. Or Saumur itself of course. Fontevraud-l'Abbaye has interesting historical connections with English monarchy, but is a bit touristy. Parthenay is worth a visit too, and has a good campsite.


PersonPixie_Hez
07/3/2022 at 11:02pm
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If you go down the A10 there is Camping Les Saules near the Chateau at Cheverny, not far from Blois. We haven’t been but we were supposed to be going there the year that covid first hit and we haven’t been back to France yet. It’s on our list! That route is probably not the best though as it takes you via Paris which you probably want to avoid.

We have also stayed a number of times around the Saumur area and really like it there. Saumur itself is an interesting town and worth a look around. We stayed at Domaine de la Breche which is about 10 minutes drive along the river from Saumur. It is a very busy, lively site in peak season and very peaceful and relaxing the rest of the time and has absolutely massive pitches.

However, wherever you choose to stop, you need to be aware that distances in France are much greater than they appear when you are towing and the estimated travel time of Google maps etc will be massively out. Calais to around halfway to La Rochelle would be around 6 hours for us with our caravan and then when you factor in comfort breaks you are talking the guts of a full day. By the time you arrive on site most of the day will be over and you will just want to relax and recover from the journey so a conveniently situated site close to your route might be the best thing to look for and not worry too much about what there is in the area unless you plan to stay for a couple of nights (which I would heartily recommend if you stop in the Loire as we love the area so much).

-------------
Pixie


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Personlongcol
07/3/2022 at 11:07pm
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Le Sabot at Azay Le Rideau was always our favourite overnight stop on the way to the Ile de Re.(A10 is as direct as A11/A87). No need to book.

Next door to chateau with a "son et lumiere" after sundown - short walk into town, two minutes drive to supermarket.


PersonIronned
08/3/2022 at 6:34pm
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Lots of good suggestions- another one to throw into the Le Mans pot is is Camping Sans Souci at Fresnaye sur Sarthe. A typical municipal like the one nearby at Beaumont, welcoming, relaxing, lovely view, rooms for the kids to run about and great value for money..

Also a huge fan on Nantes but as others have said, even with an early crossing, that’s a serious drive from Calais

-------------
Seeking luxury in unexpected places


Personarthurdent
via mobile 08/3/2022 at 9:16pm
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Another vote for Beaumont sur Sarthe.
Also about an hour before there is another municipal at Vimoutiers https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=20882 in Normandy, a sleepy country town with a camembert museum, a different slice of French life.

Post last edited on 08/03/2022 21:20:56


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PersonNetherton
09/3/2022 at 7:55am
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Quote: Originally posted by DaniB141 on 07/3/2022
Netherton, we have an event near Folkstone the day before (perfect timing) so have a campsite booked there the night before. So no travelling as such until we get to Calais luckily.


Get across the Channel as soon as you can and get well past Rouen. Then as Jaiash said earlier there are sites all the way down the A28 - Bernay, Orbec, Gace, Sees, Alencon, Beaumont and Le Mans itself. All are fine for an overnight - just pull in mid afternoon.



Post last edited on 09/03/2022 08:00:08


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PersonDaniB141
09/3/2022 at 9:13am
 Location: Essex
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Thank you so much for all your really helpful replies, much appreciated. I'm having a look at all your suggestions/recommendations.
I've also had some feedback that getting through Rouen can be tricky/slow, and it's been suggested that the Paris peripherique route might actually be an easier route (although well aware how slow that can be!) and lot's of places to stay around Blois area, any thoughts?


PersonSGThomas
09/3/2022 at 9:48am
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Near Blois
Camping Les Saules


PersonNetherton
09/3/2022 at 10:29am
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DaniB, Traversing Rouen is easy on the route you originally described - A 28 in and A28 out. Just follow motorway signs towards Le Mans.

But with respect I suggest you get a site guide or app which lists all the overnight sites on whichever route you choose.



Post last edited on 09/03/2022 10:34:42


PersonDaniB141
09/3/2022 at 11:17am
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Thank you for advice Netherton. Absolutely, we will of course do that, we already have some literature that we have used for previous journeys. We are frequent travellers with and without the caravan so always prepared. However, there is nothing better than recommendations so support that information :-)


PersonPinkiemm
07/7/2024 at 11:36am
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Why not stop at Piace, just north of Beaumont sur Sarthe--halfway between Calais & south coast of France---a farm with shelter outside or inside for storage or night stopovers, 10 euros



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