Hi. I have a Coleman xtreme cooler and took it to France last year assuming I could buy ice there but couldn't. I am going again this summer and don't want to buy an electric one or struggle with no way of keeping food cold.
Was I just unlucky not finding ice or is it hard to come by?
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They sell it in all the big supermarkets. We've never had a problem getting it. You ask for 'des glaçons' (pronounced glass ons), which means ice cubes. You'll find the larger sites very often rent out fridges, which might work out easier for you.
Thanks. I am staying at same campsite as last time and they don't sell ice. Thanks for telling me how to say it. Every time I tried to explain I was directed to ice cream.
Quote: Originally posted by hercules on 06/7/2013
Thanks. I am staying at same campsite as last time and they don't sell ice. Thanks for telling me how to say it. Every time I tried to explain I was directed to ice cream.
I think the comment was to hire a fridge from the site youre staying on, many sites offer this - just ask? or you might get lucky and pick up a second hand one on le bon coin for a reasonable price, equivalent to hiring one?
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by Dave Beverley on 07/7/2013
Quote: Originally posted by hercules on 06/7/2013
Thanks. I am staying at same campsite as last time and they don't sell ice. Thanks for telling me how to say it. Every time I tried to explain I was directed to ice cream.
I think the comment was to hire a fridge from the site youre staying on, many sites offer this - just ask? or you might get lucky and pick up a second hand one on le bon coin for a reasonable price, equivalent to hiring one?
Great idea: There are currently fridges for sale on Le Bon Coin from just 35 euros if you're anywhere in the Les Salles du Gardon area. Of course what's available and price does depend on where you're staying, and if anyone nearby is selling one at the right time!
In those supermarkets where ice cubes are not sold (quite a lot in my experience), I have found the staff on the fresh fish counter are usually more than happy to supply a bag of their ice (used to display the fish) free of charge - all you need to do is ask.
While I haven't had to use them, I have noticed most campsites have a freezer and will freeze camper's ice packs rather than sell ice. I have also seen folks using 2 litre bottles of frozen water as their ice pack.
------------- Ollie
2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup
Lots of sites will sell 'bloc de glaces' or even better water filled old plastic bottles frozen in their freezer, we used to buy them when we were tenters.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We have always been fine finding ice except, strangely when in the Dordogne! Some supermarket chains are better than others at having it in stock.
We have a Coleman too and find the key is all in the prep - getting the box cold before you put things in it and not letting the box get warm again. We use frozen bottles of water as well as ice cubes.