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Hi Everyone

Would like to go to France camping next year, but never done anything like it.  Don't even know where to start looking e.g area, campsites, towns even.  Would be grateful for any advice on this.  We will have a 5 and 7 year old and two adults, were not rich so cost is a cosideration and we prefer simply things like walking, bikes, swimming etc rather that full on entertainment.  Thing is started looking on internet and go over 1480,000 sites where do I start!

Jo

Hi

Have a read of this, which we put together especially for peeps in your position. Post back again with as many questions as you like afterwards.

My kids are the same age as yours, and we too like the simple things. Its actually not at all difficult to find ideal sits / places.

TT.

We all started somewhere and to be honest I took the 'easy' way.  I ordered the Select Sites brochure and decided that as first timers, we wanted something not too far from the coast, main towns and a fairly easy route from the ferry port. 

The cheapest way to cross the channel, unless you're using Tesco points, is a Dover -Calais crossing if you're towing and Speed ferries if you're not.  However if you're wary of driving, you might be advised to look at sailing into somewhere like Caen, which takes you closer to the Normandy/Brittany areas.

Then find a site which suits your needs - then ring Select Sites - get them to cost it out, if the price is acceptable just let them take the strain.  They are excellent with advice and suggestions and they know the sites they recommend.  They sedn a pack with maps and information on the area and checklists etc.

Have to agree with PP. Let Select Sites (or others) do all the work for you on the first trip, but after that - France is yours for the taking. It's easy to make bookings, the driving's a joy. So many wonderful areas to explore with very few cars on the roads compared to the UK. Plenty of choice of types of campsite, from the Camping a la Ferme, to the municipals and the smaller commercial sites (like us) to the big boys like the Castel sites.

One thing's for sure, once you've been over here, you'll be back!

We had never been before either so we packed the car up and booked a ferry with P and O Dover to Calais and just went for it!  We used the net to research areas and settled on the Auvergne, then narrowed it down to a site and I then pulled off the via michelin maps and bought a French road atlas (didn't have sat nav 2 years ago). 

Had a fab time, you'd love the Auvergne if you like simple and uncrowded.  It is full of extinct volcanoes, gorges, rivers, canoeing, cycling and there are hardly any Brits nor indeed natives - the roads are dead.

I am the lady of the house, OH had only just passed his driving test, so muggins here did the bulk of the driving.  It was very very easy, the motorways are a dream and the N roads equivalent to our A roads picturesque.

So don't hesitate, jump on the ferry and go.  We did Norfolkline last year btw, lovely lovely company to sail with with brand new and clean boats that don't carry coaches so no hoards of swarming schoolkids and Dunkerque is so easy to get out of and straight onto the motorway.

Ali

Quote: so no hoards of swarming schoolkids and Dunkerque is so easy to get out of and straight onto the motorway.

Ali

Hi

We did our First trip to France last year - have a 1 + 6 year old. We though optioned for a good entertainment site and worked well for us in Loire Valley. I would consider first picking a area - based on how far you want to drive in one day, and then using this site to search for sites. Most of the site shave reviews anyway.

We book last 2 weeks in August, most sites then have spaces and it does not seem as crowded. Now - to save money, do you use tescos? If not, start  - tesco vouchers can be used for euro tunnel and what a saving that is.

Scott

Quote: Originally posted by TethersEnd on 20/5/2007

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Quote: so no hoards of swarming schoolkids and Dunkerque is so easy to get out of and straight onto the motorway.

Ali

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they have 5 and 7 year olds - kids love to see other kids - and when kids are happy mum and dad can relax

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Yes but I was referring purely to the ferry.  They aren't going to let a 5 and 7 year old roam around a ferry with other kids, unsupervised, are they?  You get families with kids on there but just not packs of 50.

Ali

Quote: Originally posted by snowy747 on 20/5/2007

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Quote: Originally posted by TethersEnd on 20/5/2007

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Quote: so no hoards of swarming schoolkids and Dunkerque is so easy to get out of and straight onto the motorway.

Ali

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they have 5 and 7 year olds - kids love to see other kids - and when kids are happy mum and dad can relax

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Yes but I was referring purely to the ferry. They aren't going to let a 5 and 7 year old roam around a ferry with other kids, unsupervised, are they? You get families with kids on there but just not packs of 50.

Ali

Norfolk Lines are exactly the same, in fact they have a fantastic PS2 room where kids can play on consoles etc.  They are not kid free and are just like any other ferry company except you don't get coachloads of people on them.  That is one part of ferries I personally hate as they tend to stick together and swarm around clogging up passageways, shops, restaurants, seating areas etc.

You do get plenty of families with children which is cool, the restaurants are usually queue free and they are altogether a nicer experience for anybody with little experience of crossing the channel.  I am unsure why you seem to think you'd only want to try it if you don't have kids?

Ali

Perhaps I read too much into your phrase

Yep!  Same goes for pensioners off on a booze cruise, coachloads of stag night hooligans you name it.  You really must try them, once the motorway splits on your way home and you lose the Calais traffic it is bliss!  Very quiet in Dunkerque and so easy to find your feet without being hassled.  I love it, would use them every time if possible.

Ali