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Hi majicaly and TethersEnd.

                                      Thanks both for the heads up on the B&B's never used them before, it has been either backpacking tent, or F1 for overnights, although have done a few Logis hotels, although they can be a challenge to find, but full on ents once you get there, meals to die for and you end up busting any kind of budget plans, I like the rolling gates of F1's helps you sleep better, will be tossing the coin for either using budget Hotels, or municipals + backpacking tent for the overnights.

Quote: Originally posted by cornetjo on 23/1/2009

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Does the F1 in Calais (Coquelles) have parking for car and caravan?

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I cant say I have ever seen a caravan in any french hotel carpark and the F1 in Coquelles is very popular and always full in holiday periods so unless you got there very early I doubt that you would get 2 spaces back to back for a car and van. You may also have manouvering problems as they really only expect cars and maybe cars with a trailer to be using them. There is a big plot of land opposite F1 and I have seen cars and vans parked on there and even people sleeping in their cars but I dont think anything left unattended would be secure. There are some decent sites around Calais so you could overnight in your van on one of them.

Carol

Quote: Originally posted by magicaly on 24/1/2009

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Quote: Originally posted by cornetjo on 23/1/2009

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Does the F1 in Calais (Coquelles) have parking for car and caravan?

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I cant say I have ever seen a caravan in any french hotel carpark and the F1 in Coquelles is very popular and always full in holiday periods so unless you got there very early I doubt that you would get 2 spaces back to back for a car and van. You may also have manouvering problems as they really only expect cars and maybe cars with a trailer to be using them. There is a big plot of land opposite F1 and I have seen cars and vans parked on there and even people sleeping in their cars but I dont think anything left unattended would be secure. There are some decent sites around Calais usede to early and late arrivals and departures so you could overnight in your van on one of them.

Carol

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Carol:  You obviously weren't around the Formule 1 near Beziers when we stayed there one Easter night.  Sounds daft, I know, but we were headed to Spain, it was pouring down with absolutely torrential rain, and had been right through the A75, we had a homesick friend of small son with us who was crying, and saying he didn't think 'Caravanning in France would be like this, in the rain.....', and the two campsites we'd just tried weren't open. 

The friendly Formule 1 near the roundabout looked welcoming, so we tried our luck - we went in looking like drowned rats.  They found us a suitable place to park the car and caravan, we had a meal nearby at the Buffalo Grill, and next morning homesick child was very much happier, the sun was out, and we headed off to Cambrils Park for two weeks of blissful sunshine.

Hi Val Nice to see you back. Hope you are feeling better and more rested after your break. I have never been as far down as Beziers so no chance of seeing your van in the F1 carpark when it should have been basking in the sun on a french campsite. Hope to get down there one day though.

I am looking to budget for our trip as you know so I took a quick look at the F1 site even though we prefer ensuite and I was shocked at the cost of their rooms now. They were under 30 euros last year but this year a room at the Calais F1 is 40 euros and then you have the drop in the £ on top of that. Our hotels will be costing us 170 euros this summer.

I am almost there with persuading OH that a pop up tent is the way to go in future. The municipal at Azay le Rideau is ideal for our first stop over on our return trip and we would be there late lunchtime so the idea of an afternoon in a lovely loire village is swinging the vote my way. I think we will be breaking our journey on campsites this summer. I have already had a sneaky look at pop up tents and pretty much decided on the Vango Dart 300 for a bit of extra space. Staying in hotels is ok but the thought of 4 more nights on campsites is much more exciting.

Carol

I think we paid 14 euros for our room - which was about what it was worth!  The last time we stayed in a Formule 1 it was 19 euros - near Fontainbleau when we'd left my camera in a restaurant, and then went back to pick it up.

Like you I prefer the caravan on a nice campsite somewhere - although on our long weekend breaks we have to stay in hotels.

Feeling much better - been back to GP today as eye problem not completely better, but he thinks it's doing OK, and has just added some more eye ointment, and another set of drops - so all I seem to be doing is putting drops in, or ointment, or both!