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
  Caravanning and Camping Abroad
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: overnight sleepover nr s France Post Reply Post New Topic
12/12/2010 at 11:22pm
 Location: Northamptonshire
 Outfit: None Entered
View paula123's Profile View Profile   Reply to paula123 Reply   Quote paula123 Quote  
Joined: 29/7/2007

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

Hoorayyy! Have finally booked the hubbys' surprise holiday to Ardeche staying at Le Ranc Davaine.

Next steps I'm thinking off is best place to have a sleep? with the journey not being to un-pleasant and considering not far to travel the next day. We will be towing our caravan with a 7yr old and 8yr old.

Also the Tesco vouchers for Eurotunnel does that inc both ways or just one way?

Thank you in advance for your comments.


Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!


13/12/2010 at 7:51am
 Location: west country
 Outfit: None Entered
View millermicm's Profile View Profile   Reply to millermicm Reply   Quote millermicm Quote  
Joined: 29/3/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4665

Site Reviews Total: 15
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

I think its a bit much to expect a 7year old and an 8 year old to tow the caravan all that way but if you must

http://users.telenet.be/leo.huybrechts/00frame.htm

I find this site very useful for finding stopovers if you are using motorways.

Don't know about Tesco vouchers though.



-------------
Steve




13/12/2010 at 8:02am
 Location: Wirral
 Outfit: Nothing but we are caravan hunting
View magicaly's Profile View Profile   Reply to magicaly Reply   Quote magicaly Quote  
Joined: 02/6/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4107
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 5
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

You can use Tesco vouchers for return trips or for single trips from UK TO France but not for single trips from France to UK. For some reason your journey must start in this country. Cant help with stopovers but I'm with Steve in that I think the south of France in one go is a heck of a journey for 2 little ones and if you get to your campsite too early you may not get on anyway as most of them have set times for checking in during high season. Why not stop half way at a site with a pool for your kids and somewhere to eat and make it part of your holiday.


13/12/2010 at 8:19am
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Opensauce's Profile View Profile   Reply to Opensauce Reply   Quote Opensauce Quote  
Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4530

Site Reviews Total: 13
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

There will be campsites in most towns on the way. You want a cheap camping municipal, no need to book. Decide how long you want to drive & locate one in that area as near to your route as poss.

You need to be realistic. If you leave home at say, 5am & keep going for about 12hrs allowing for crossing & stops you will be lucky to be about halfway to where you are going. If you are going on a Saturday in July you could well encounter standing traffic anywhere along the route.


Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!


13/12/2010 at 8:35pm
 Location: Northamptonshire
 Outfit: None Entered
View paula123's Profile View Profile   Reply to paula123 Reply   Quote paula123 Quote  
Joined: 29/7/2007

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

Thx for all your comments.

The journey will be very much considered and priortised firsly about my children. We are extremly fortunate to have two children that like car journeys and we play endless games on our way (they enjoy the mummy time) and they especiallly look forward for me sitting in the back with them (yep! very tight squeeze).

I am intending to get half way or if do-able three quarters of the way. Alowing for plenty of stops before are final sleep. We are a relaxed family and a Holiday journey in our lives is one that we make relaxed, adventures and educational. Journeys are how we teach our children to be patient.

I have skimmed some of the motoways stopovers, do I need to pay to stay on them? if so, how much do they cost?

Thank you for the input of the vouchers that helped me alot.

Kind regards to all.


Advertisement



13/12/2010 at 8:44pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Opensauce's Profile View Profile   Reply to Opensauce Reply   Quote Opensauce Quote  
Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4530

Site Reviews Total: 13
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 is probabley a better idea to go off the motorway to a campsite as suggested earlier, this will cost you about 12-18€ per night at a cheap camping municipal.

You could stop overnight on a motorway services for no cost, but many are crowded, noisy & you risk your caravan being scraped by a truck.

Work out the approx area you want to stop & google for campsites. ie 'Dijon camping municipal' & do a campsite search on here as well.


13/12/2010 at 8:48pm
 Location: West - North Yorkshire
 Outfit: Swift Speedbird 490 Mondeo Estate
View Val A's Profile View Profile   Reply to Val A Reply   Quote Val A Quote  
Joined: 19/10/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   18741

Site Reviews Total: 30
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 1  
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: 4
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

If by 'motorway stopovers' you mean the service stations, or Aires, then they are free to stay overnight BUT I personally wouldn't stay on any down the Rhone Valley.  We do stay on some service areas, but only those that we know and have visited during the day to assess how suitable and how safe they are - and only ever on our first night when we can't get into a suitable campsite because of the timing of our ferry. 

For a first time holiday in France I would advise a campsite.  There are sites in most of the large towns near the autoroutes, and some (such as the site in Macon or Tournus) are really near to the motorway exits.  Some are very cheap - but all are set up for overnight stops so you don't need to book at most - but you will need to arrive mid to late afternoon, which may not suit your planned journey timings.  Fees are likely to be between 15 and 25 euros per night because on most French sites you pay extra for children.

If you do decide on a motorway service area then there may be people on here who have stayed on some on your planned route who can help. 



Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!


14/12/2010 at 2:04pm
 Location: Essex
 Outfit: None Entered
View CaravanSkier's Profile View Profile   Reply to CaravanSkier Reply   Quote CaravanSkier Quote  
Joined: 28/12/2005

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1004

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

I think I would disagree with Val for once, normally I`d second everything she says, but I find staying overnight on an autoroute aire considerably easier than coming off to go to a site. The 24 hour facilities on many aires are great for kids (mine were absolutely fine too on very long journeys at the age yours are now) and great as you don`t have to stop driving early if you don`t want to in order to reach a site at a reasonable time. Nor do you have to wait for a barrier/safety gate to be opened if you want an early start. We have been trapped on sites a couple of times by this!

Its a while since we did that route so hopefully someone will come along soon with some recommendations about suitable aires. I would just say, apply common sense! If the aire is easily accessible from off the autoroute, ie there is another road nearby or housing, then be wary, always park up close to several other overnighting vehicles, again certain judgements required, and park close to the 24 hour services in a lit up area.

Over the years we have generally just arrived at an aire late nightish had a look round and stayed put. Only a couple of times have we decided to move on as we just felt uneasy! However it is easy to move on to the next aire and it is not so easy to move on if you`ve booked into a site and then feel uneasy. That too has happened to us!

As always there are pros and cons for both options.

-------------


19/12/2010 at 10:07am
 Location: Northamptonshire
 Outfit: None Entered
View paula123's Profile View Profile   Reply to paula123 Reply   Quote paula123 Quote  
Joined: 29/7/2007

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

Thank you all for your advice.



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 - Caravanning and Camping Abroad - Top of Page

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


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














6165 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