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: First time France campers - Help! Post Reply Post New Topic
20/9/2012 at 9:09pm
 Location: Cheshire
 Outfit: Swift caravan
View Lbn26's Profile View Profile   Reply to Lbn26 Reply   Quote Lbn26 Quote  
Joined: 30/4/2012

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   8

Site Reviews Total: 4
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

Hello all,

We have only been caravanning for a year and have decided we would like to go to France at the beginning of October. We have a 3 year old and a dog, we plan to get the ferry to Calais but that is as far as we have got. We would love to see some sun but have no idea what the weather will be like in the different areas. Any advice, site recommendations, tips on keeping kids happy in the car etc would be hugely appreciated! Also any info on how expensive it is for food over there whether to cook in the van or restaurants wouldn't go amiss, similar to here or more expensive?

Thank you very much in advance!

Lynsey



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


20/9/2012 at 9:51pm
 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

Supermarket food prices in France are probably now cheaper than UK due to falling €. Resturant food generally a bit dearer than UK pub type meals but not by much. Diesel now well over 20p/litre cheaper. For warm weather early Oct you may have to drive 700miles south or 300 to 500miles south west might do it. Otherwise hope for reasonable weather down the north coast if you don't want to drive that far.

You will have to do some research on campsites as many in France will be closed for the season by then but you won't need to book anywhere as those that are open shouldn't be crowded.


20/9/2012 at 10:58pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Sunncamp Shadow 800
View Cat T's Profile View Profile   Reply to Cat T Reply   Quote Cat T Quote  
Joined: 24/7/2008

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   193
Tent Reviews:   2

Site Reviews Total: 6
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 take lots of audio books to keep the kids entertained - may not be your first choice of listening material but it works for us! We borrow them from our local library. Enjoy your trip.


21/9/2012 at 8:49am
 Location: sunny south east!
 Outfit: Coachman
View sunshinetours's Profile View Profile   Reply to sunshinetours Reply   Quote sunshinetours Quote  
Joined: 08/5/2011

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2946

Site Reviews Total: 18
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

If you are near a decent size town you will probably find a Lidl that will provide you with cheapest overall shop. In general supermarket prices are dearer for most things (apart from wine and some seafood of course) even with better rate IMO

Find the local market for some fresh fruit and veg and your fish and meat - generally good local quality stuff but again not necessarily cheap

France isn't cheap IMO like years of old, and if watching teh pennies you do need to be careful where and what you buy

Diesel as Tentz says is noticeably cheaper off the autoroutes

One of our first french trips was to northern France for 5 days inland from Le Touquet in a British owned gite in october. Weather was pretty cold, similar to southern England.

Nightime temps could be very cold in certain places In October, although daytimes still get wamer than UK in general south of say the Loire



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


21/9/2012 at 10:38am
 Location: West country
 Outfit: VW camper
View minicamper2001's Profile View Profile   Reply to minicamper2001 Reply   Quote minicamper2001 Quote  
Joined: 13/11/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2515
Tent Reviews:   1

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

Many people swear by a portable DVD player, but they weren't around when our kids were small!
The west coast around Royan would be my choice, but certainly go as far as the Loire Valley. Keep an eye on the weather at www.lachainemeteo.fr and head for the best area for the sunshine. The sites are more likely to be open where the sun shines!
You could try Le Chant d'Oiseau in the Loire ( loads of reviews on here) for a fantastic welcome and a family friendly campsite, Stu and Syb will make everything easy for you!


Advertisement



21/9/2012 at 12:19pm
 Location: South Wales
 Outfit: Lunar Delta FB & Kia Sedona
View Bossynix's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bossynix Reply   Quote Bossynix Quote  
Joined: 30/3/2009

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   583

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

Lots of the Kawan Villages are open - we're going to Brittiany over October half term to Camping Haliotis.

You should look at Camping Cheques website too as many Sites that are open who are part of the scheme will be accepting them.

 



21/9/2012 at 4:48pm
 Location: Otley W. Yorks N Yorks border
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 584 and Volvo XC60
View paul+julie's Profile View Profile   Reply to paul+julie Reply   Quote paul+julie Quote  
Joined: 06/5/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1697

Site Reviews Total: 58
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 5  
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: 17
Site Nights 2018: 1

Either look at camping cheque or ACSI so you can get your pitch with hook up for about 15 euros or cheaper if you go on the french camping cheque website, you may have to pay for your dog though, check the dates as most of the french sites close end of Sept, the best weather will be down on the med but its a long drive with a small child. you could get lucky Royan, la rochelle area but you will need to just keep looking at the weather, theres no need to book a site, just turn up if you know it will be open and there will be plenty of space,  All the supermarkets are about the same as uk, hyper and super u, carrefour, intermarche, leclerc etc and have everything you could possibly want and more. We took small kids to Spain and it was a 3 day drive, we gave them lap tables and a basket with books, crayons, lego etc which kept them amused and they also slept a lot. Hope you have a great time. J x  Dont forget about doggy passport/vaccination etc


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


21/9/2012 at 4:54pm
 Location: Welsh in the Cotswolds
 Outfit: None Entered
View TethersEnd's Profile View Profile   Reply to TethersEnd Reply   Quote TethersEnd Quote  
Joined: 09/11/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2859

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

It's a big ask to know what the weather will be but you can see what it has been like in previous years.   Here is La Rochelle last October - you can change the year and the location to see other months elsewhere.

-------------
Huw



21/9/2012 at 6:21pm
 Location: Cheshire
 Outfit: Swift caravan
View Lbn26's Profile View Profile   Reply to Lbn26 Reply   Quote Lbn26 Quote  
Joined: 30/4/2012

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   8

Site Reviews Total: 4
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 so much for your responses, you've given us some really useful info, particularly the part about not booking the sites in advance, that seems sensible since we won't know until we get going how well our little boy will travel therefore how much we can do in a day. We have bought him an in car DVD player and a Leappad computer so hopefully between those and sleep he will get through a few hours a day. I think we'll try the site in Loire and then go from there if he is coping with the journeys!

Does anyone know of cheap ferry websites?

Thanks again!


21/9/2012 at 6:43pm
 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

You can get a return ferry crossing with DFDS for around £100 for car and trailer.  I tried 29th September outwards, and return two weeks later, with two adults, car and trailer, and there are a variety of times available at £49.00 each way.

The Caravan Club did have an offer of Sunday outwards and Friday home, so if you're members it might be worth trying them.  I think they offered crossings for £39.00 each way, but limited to those days.

Camping Cheques did have a summer offer, but I'm not sure if that still applies.

It's always worth trying the ferry operators themselves, and getting some prices, and then comparing them with what is available as a 'package' or through one of the Clubs.  'CheapFerriesForU' and similar sites are sometimes OK for solo cars, but rarely for those who are towing.

The longer, western channel, or North Sea crossings will cost considerably more but may involve a shorter drive to some destinations.



Advertisement



21/9/2012 at 6:52pm
 Location: Goosnargh
 Outfit: Compass castaway M H
View roverslass's Profile View Profile   Reply to roverslass Reply   Quote roverslass Quote  
Joined: 30/4/2007

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   217

Site Reviews Total: 8
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

If you're a member of CC or CCC, they tend to have the best ferry prices I've found.

We've been back from Loire Atlantique area a week and found it very warm indeed...30deg+ most days but each week makes a difference. You'll probably find the evenings go cooler and can be quite chilly. Make sure you've a fleece blanket to throw over the duvet if necessary!

Above all, you'll adapt and enjoy!

-------------
Life's not a rehearsal..don't put it off DO IT NOW!


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


21/9/2012 at 8:29pm
 Location: Birmingham
 Outfit: Pennine Pullman
View dubs1978's Profile View Profile   Reply to dubs1978 Reply   Quote dubs1978 Quote  
Joined: 03/8/2009

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   349
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 4
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

If you save Tesco clubcard points you can use them towards the cost of a eurotunnel crossing. Every little helps as they say. We only had to pay about £8 for our crossing in August as we had a good stash of points.


22/9/2012 at 1:57pm
 Location: Cheshire
 Outfit: Swift caravan
View Lbn26's Profile View Profile   Reply to Lbn26 Reply   Quote Lbn26 Quote  
Joined: 30/4/2012

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   8

Site Reviews Total: 4
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

Thanks for the tips re caravan club ferry crossings and tescos club card vouchers, £10 turns into £30 on the ferry! Brilliant!!



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...














8027 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