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Hi Everyone

This summer we are planning to camp in France in August. We have never done this before and so are looking for some friendly advice.

The plan is to land at Boulogne at tea-time and then drive for about an hour before bedding down for the night.

Do we need to book somewhere? will we find somewhere no problem? Can any one recomend a good one nighter?

Final resting place will be somewhere in Brittany not on the coast but within easy reach- again any advice on sites or do's and don'ts.

How do we go on with gas and electricity?, is there any laws to consider with gas bottles and is there anything different about their electric hookups?

Any one with any ideas on travel times as I would like to go further south but don't want to spend all holiday driving

Hopefully some of you guys out there can help.......

Quote: Originally posted by cathrobjay on 19/04/2005

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Hi Everyone

 

This summer we are planning to camp in France in August. We have never done this before and so are looking for some friendly advice.

The plan is to land at Boulogne at tea-time and then drive for about an hour before bedding down for the night.

Do we need to book somewhere? will we find somewhere no problem? Can any one recomend a good one nighter?

Final resting place will be somewhere in Brittany not on the coast but within easy reach- again any advice on sites or do's and don'ts.

How do we go on with gas and electricity?, is there any laws to consider with gas bottles and is there anything different about their electric hookups?

Any one with any ideas on travel times as I would like to go further south but don't want to spend all holiday driving

 

Hopefully some of you guys out there can help.......

 

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at that time of year at that sort of time (tea-time) it may not be so easy to just turn up at a site especially near the port, alot of people have a similar idea.

there are loads of sites however so its a gamble , you wil get in somewhere.

you will need an adaptor plug for your electric hook up , 2 pin usually in France and usually with the polarity reversed , get a mains tester to be on the safe side.a few sites may have a 3 pin hook up as we do but we found them to be rare last year and ALL were reversed polarity.

Boulogne to Brittany is a fair drive in itself to be not guaranteed good weather.its probably only about 250 miles more to get well down south and be virtually assured of great weather.French roads are good , very good in fact , but having never driven there in August , cant comment on how busy or congested they might be then.

good luck , you WILL love it whatever you decide.

We always cheat and stay at the etap in Abbeville as its onle a short drive from the short crossing ports and still on all the main routes south. Its also very cheap at 36 euros for an ensuite room. There is a good grill restaurant just a short walk away as well

Carol

THANKS FOR YOUR ADVICE GIVEN US LOT'S TO THINK ABOUT LIKE THE SOUND OF THE ETAP. ON A GOOD RUN DOWN TO THE SOUTH OF FRANCE CAN ANY ONE GIVE US ETA IF WE LEFT ABBEVILLE AT 10AM CHEERS THANKS AGAIN

ROB&CATH

I've stayed here, it's quite close to Boulogne and is fine for an overnight.

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/..manoirdesenlecques/

Phil.

We have stayed at the Manoir de Senlecques and I am sure that you would never be turned away from there even if they were quite full.  In March (with snow on the ground) we were sited next to the house for shelter from the wind and to have hard standing and a long lead across the yard for our electric hook-up.  Monsieur could not have been more helpful and he speaks excellent english.

W & J

Just a thought, but on seeing your outfit - it reminded me that the first journey to France - we paused at an Aire - one with restaurant etc. and someone had opened their  Fiesta FC in the car park for an overnight stop.  We would rather not stop in a hotel, leaving the camper out in the car park.  We had friends who 'bobbed' into a restaurant while on a cycling trip in France - they locked everything up as securely as possible and when they came out both bikes and belongings had gone.  These Aires are as secure as anywhere - the local gendarmes use them for their breaks etc and there are showers etc for use.  Also they are off the beaten track i.e. away from towns.