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Subject Topic: Which Regions is best in France
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04/1/2014 at 10:38am
 Location: West - North Yorkshire
 Outfit: Swift Speedbird 490 Mondeo Estate
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We live in Yorkshire too but always use the short crossings from Dover.  If you want to book the Hull to Zeebrugge crossing, here's a tip:  You can save quite a bit by booking through the Caravan Club and adding on some Camping Cheques This brings down the cost of the 'package' by more than the additional cost of the Camping Cheques.  Weekend crossings often have an offer of caravans go free, too, so check out dates carefully.

Here's a quote from someone mentioning a considerable saving and then if you sell the cheques on for say £10 each you can also add that saving!

It's true Quashquai66.  I priced a ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge and for my dates the ferry alone was going to be £528.14 but adding 7 Camping Cheques (worth over £100) brought the total price down to £428.92!!!!  The savings aren't as big on the shorter crossings but there are still some savings to be made.

 

 



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


04/1/2014 at 1:36pm
 Location: Yorkshire
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Quote: Originally posted by ryandlo on 04/1/2014I like the idea of going straight to the south and then working our way back up.
Any other suggestions or tips ideas keep them coming





We've done that, but found the opposite suits us better; we like to meander our way down south then have a restful longer stay at a site in the south (so that it feels like the main bit of the holiday), before heading back up. It makes the getting there seem like a bonus, somehow.

As others have said, it's about finding out what works for you and it's difficult to know for sure until you try it.

We first went camping to France 23 years ago, with a huddle of kids, in our folding camper. We hadn't a clue where to head and ended up doing a loop down to the south and then back again, ending up at a quiet site in Brittany!

We've grown to love it and, over the years, have taken tents, caravans and a trailer tent, travelling both out of season and in peak times (when are you thinking of going? This can make a considerable difference to cost, availability and planning: if you're going in low season then no need to book sites or make a firm choice on area, just go with what you fancy and make a provisional decision, if it doesn't suit, move on).

We tend not to go to Brittany or the west coast anymore, but head on down past the Loire in search of more dependable sunshine. Then, there really is such a massive choice, not just in area but in campsites themselves, that it becomes an easy and enjoyable task to find somewhere to stay. In 2011, we did 13 sites in 6 weeks, in our trailer tent (but we were travelling as a couple on that trip, so didn't have anyone else to consider).

If I was to give any advice to someone travelling to France for the first time, with a 7 year old, it would be to get an in-car dvd player and take a few movies for the journey, make loads of rest/picnic stops (if travelling by autoroute, there are some great aires) and head for the Dordogne, with a view to spending the best part of a week there and then travelling further south if the weather's a bit iffy, and once you've got your confidence.

There are then a zillion sites to choose from, within any given region. If you like mostly staying on site and relaxing, then Le Moulin de David is a great choice, if yours is the type of family who particularly enjoys going out and about then a more centrally-situated site might suit you better, and I'd recommend Soleil Plage. If a quiet site for young families is something that appeals, then there's something like Domaine des Mathevies (we've never been to this one, but I do fancy taking the grandchildren, sometime this year).

Camping in France is such a different experience to camping in England, it seems to be a national pastime over there and there's so much diversity and choice.

I do hope you love it, as much as we do!


04/1/2014 at 1:38pm
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Horrific prices on the hull ferry if your use to free crossings on Tesco clubcard via eurotunnel.Worth a mention as youre new to this.

Areas in France are so varied,my Fav is the Alps,my wifes Provence/med,kid 1 Massif central,kid 2 canoeing Ardeche kid 3 West coast surfing kid 4 Spain .so best advice read up as much as you can and make a descision based on youre family preferences.

Three locations in two weeks is again personal preference but would be fine for us.We never stay more than a week in one place and often less.

Brit favs are Brittanny,Loire Valley,Dordogne,Provence/med.If you want to converse in youre mother tongue and insure the kids have others to play with these are good areas.Conversely if you want to avoid fellow Brits these areas are worth avoiding.



04/1/2014 at 2:39pm
 Location: Northern Ireland
 Outfit: Sterckeman Alize Concept CP480
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One system we've used, more than once ... find a fairly experienced camper (maybe one with lots of posts ... though not always an indicator!) ... and/or one who seems to make sense and offer good advice, or shares your own values/likes/dislikes/style.
Then look at their reviews page ... most decent reviews are not just about the site, but also include lots of things about the area, and its attractions.
Then you're using what's best about this site ... other people's experience and records.


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


04/1/2014 at 3:28pm
 Location: Ashford Kent
 Outfit: None Entered
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Have a look at Lac d'Orient in the Champagne area for maybe a few nights before heading South- This is a lovely child friendly campsite opposite a huge lake with beach - lovely to walk along or for the children to play.

It only takes about 3 or 4 hours from Calais and also you avoid Paris.

We have been twice with a 5 year old. It also has a lovely child friendly swimming pool with a small indoor pool as well.


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04/1/2014 at 8:35pm
 Location: Bedfordshire
 Outfit: Gelert Beyond Meridian 6
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Thats a million dollar question which you will probably get a million different answers to on here!

We love the Rhone Alps region Around Annecy offers everything we want in terms of weather,scenery,places to visit etc

-------------
May-Forestside Farm
June-Hurley Riverside Park
August-Camping Les Fontaines Annecy


04/1/2014 at 10:32pm
 Location: Ross on Wye
 Outfit: Cabanon Biscaya 320
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Hi OP,

As you have realised you are receiving an awful lot of good advice from people on here as to places to go so I wont add directly to them but will add a couple of points to consider.

As you have probably already realised whichever way you cross the channel (Hull - Zeebrugge or Dover -Calais) its going to take a day each way from Yorkshire. If you take the Hull route at least you can overnight each way which will seem somewhat attractive except for the cost.

Once over the channel there are a couple of points to note when you are thinking of places to visit. France is a very big country and don't underestimate the time it will take you to reach your chosen destinations. Also although North South is well provided with fast motorways (although expensive) if you choose to go east to west you don't have that luxury unless you go along the North or South Coasts. Motorways across France from the mid area are virtually non existent and journeys will take a lot longer than you think (especially as you are towing).

As others have mentioned, as you have 2 children to keep occupied, you may want to be a little conservative on your first trip in your choice of regions you would like to visit. Much will depend on what you (and the children) want from the holiday and sightseeing rarely comes into it for children unless its Disney or other theme parks. Happy children make for a relaxing and happy holiday for parents as well.

I have spent many dark winter nights on the computer checking out areas, campsites and routes using varying web sites including this one. There are over 11000 sites in France to choose from (check the official France camping website http://www.campingfrance.com and you will see what I mean).

Spend some time checking areas and then come back on here and ask for specific recommendations for sites, routes etc and I am sure you will receive as much specific advice as you have received general advice on this forum post.

Wherever you choose, hope you have a great holiday and that it will be the first of many.

John


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


06/1/2014 at 1:35pm
 Location: Coventry
 Outfit: Trigano Cherverny Laguna 2.2 Tourer
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We always go straight to the south Langudeouc and Rousillion Region(sp?). Usually stopping half way, so this year we drive from the midlands and stay in a b&b just outside calais ( arrive later so b&b instead of camp). Then 6 hrs to Salbris, camp for the night and another 6 hrs the next day to the coast. We stay for 10 days - we're in a trailer tent, takes an hr to fully assemble, so we don't move. For your first time I would recommend going south and not moving, that way uou get the weather/pool/sea and also experience the long distance. The only downside to my idea,alot of sites with full on entertainment/pools with lots of slides etc seem to book up fast. Saying that end of August books up but not as quick. My children are 19months and 5, so younger, we're going to either Aloha camping or Serignan plage this year, we've been to domaine yole and les champs blancs and would recommend them

-------------
Napps - Berrynarbour - When we Can
Serignan Plage - August


24/3/2014 at 1:38pm
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Hi i just wanted to say we've finally booked our trip to France for this summer and now have another question that you fellow caravaners may be able to help with.

Other than what you would take on a normal holiday abroad without the caravan what else is essential when travelling in France. I am thinking out door equipment, maybe air cooler etc thanks


24/3/2014 at 5:29pm
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Over the years we've done Brittany, Dordogne, Grasse, Tolouse, Ardeche as well as Paris, some more than once.

Each area I liked for different reasons.

Someone on here stayed in a beautiful campsite in Beynac with the chateaux above, gorgeous spot.   

We don't tour, prefer to explore one area fully, with three tents in our set up touring isn't practical atm.

I enjoy doing the research for the area where we are going, I like having an idea of what we 're able to do/see, no strict plan though we're on holiday lol

Enjoy xx

Eta, I answered your "essentials" question in the other thread, zappers for killing bugs, also I like my fridge and my fans helps keep the dog cool in the day.


-------------
July 2012 ~ Vallon Pont d


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24/3/2014 at 9:09pm
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Much of France is worth exploring for different reasons.
The further South you go the hotter it gets but the bigger the storms.
Northern France, Normandy and Brittany are green while SW France and the Mediterranean coast are beige.
The Atlantic is rough while Mediterranean is smoother.
You have to decide how far you wish to drive, how hot you want it to be, and do you get sunburn easily.
Even the distance between North and South Brittany makes a difference. The range of some reptiles ends somewhere in Brittany, around Carnac the road gets up and runs away and you realise it is a lizard.

-------------
Enjoy the liveliness of the syntax.


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



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