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Subject Topic: 1st trip to France 🇫🇷 Thursday Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonNcb1
via mobile 26/7/2022 at 5:54am
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Portsmouth to Saint Malo ferry crossing on Thursday evening with the caravan. This will be our first time, will be driving around three hours when we arrive to our first destination for two nights then the same again as we head to The west coast near Bordeaux. Obviously beginning to panic a little now, think we have everything sorted, breakdown cover, insurance etc, can you think of anything essential we may have forgot?


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Personmgbgtv8
26/7/2022 at 7:06am
 Location: Neuvic_Entier France
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Make sure you have the original documentation with you for the car, not copies, this includes driving license. make sure gas is turned of before you board the ferry. you have not set yourself big targets driving wise which is good. just take it steady when leaving the port to acclimatize yourself. most people find driving in France better than UK enjoy.


PersonSGThomas
26/7/2022 at 8:29am
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One essential you haven't covered. Have a toilet roll or have a wadge of toilet paper in your back pocket. Provision of paper in public toilets should never be presumed. ( Bitter experience talking here!)

Don't worry about driving on French roads, they are so much clearer than those in the UK. Take it easy and just enjoy the ride. Treat it as part of the holiday and have fun.


Personfranbee
26/7/2022 at 8:31am
 Location: Lancashire
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You'll love it, have a great holiday.


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PersonMrs. Bonce
via mobile 26/7/2022 at 8:36am
 Location: Luton (no jokes plea
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3 hours driving is too much imo. Have you checked that you can get on the site?


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PersonNcb1
via mobile 26/7/2022 at 8:52am
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Yes all booked.


Person664DaveS
via mobile 26/7/2022 at 8:53am
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3 hours is fine just stop for a break half way. We both drive so do an hour and a half or so stop for a break then swap.

Don't forget your hi viz vests and headlamp deflectors if you need them.
They had headlight stick on defectors in Wilko cheaper than other places!

You may be able to change the head light pattern in the settings menu depending on your car. Our Santa Fe can.
You need a UK sticker now as our govt decided to change from GB.
Have a great trip

-------------
DS-There's more to life than football!!!


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PersonDevonatheart
via mobile 26/7/2022 at 9:15am
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You will love it, I would, genuinely, rather drive/tow 100 miles in France than 10 miles here……It’s easy peasy!

Three hours driving is no where near too much, and is very doable, you will be fine. There are plenty of Aires to stop at.

Have a great time…….I know you will, and get into Bordeaux old town, it’s lovely. 👍👍


Personmgbgtv8
26/7/2022 at 9:26am
 Location: Neuvic_Entier France
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Quote: Originally posted by Mrs. Bonce on 26/7/2022
3 hours driving is too much imo. Have you checked that you can get on the site?


agree check whet time you can arrive on site, but most are flexible apart from lunchtime

3 hours driving I would say is sensible, in my mind an easy drive


Personfirthster
via mobile 26/7/2022 at 10:55am
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We are travelling this week also my first time, totally overlooked my license.
Do I need to print Traffic sights off are they self explanatory ?


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dont let your mind wander its far to small to be out on its own


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Person664DaveS
via mobile 26/7/2022 at 11:36am
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A common sign is a yellow one " deviation" it's diversion.
" Route Baree" Road closed.Yellow sign again.
At roundabouts " vous n' avez pas priorite" you don't have priority so give way!



-------------
DS-There's more to life than football!!!


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


PersonIronned
26/7/2022 at 5:30pm
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Quote: Originally posted by SGThomas on 26/7/2022
One essential you haven't covered. Have a toilet roll or have a wadge of toilet paper in your back pocket. Provision of paper in public toilets should never be presumed. ( Bitter experience talking here!)

Don't worry about driving on French roads, they are so much clearer than those in the UK. Take it easy and just enjoy the ride. Treat it as part of the holiday and have fun.


I would add to this hand sanitiser or a small amount of handwash decanted into one of those mini sanitiser bottles. Many of the smaller rest 'aires' do not have soap in the loo facilities !
On the other hand if you come across one of the larger services with a 'Paul' boulangerie (can't remember whether it's Poitiers or Nantes on that route) - indulge in the cakes or baguettes to get you fully into French mode :)

-------------
Seeking luxury in unexpected places


PersonMucker1884
27/7/2022 at 7:06am
 Location: Derby.
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The only roadsign that I can recall catching me out was "Rappel", commonly under a speed limit sign. I had to look it up (Possible horse/bolt/stable door moment!)
It simply means it's a reminder (of the speed limit shown above it), so no big deal in itself.
The vast majority of road signs are self explanatory as they should be!

Speed limits reduce rapidly, in short stretches, to most exit ramps/slip roads from Autoroutes, often careering into a full on helter skelter! Slow down in good time, and take it easy on exits.

-------------
Campervan:
Give us chance!

Tent:
July 2012-Dec 2024: 456 nights.


PersonNcb1
via mobile 27/7/2022 at 7:28am
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Thanks folks. Last few checks on the van today and all being well heading off tomorrow around 11. Cars full of snacks, water and the Nintendo switch is fully charged.


Person664DaveS
via mobile 27/7/2022 at 10:19am
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When I was stationed in Germany in the cold war days we used to wind up newcomers saying that "Umleitung" is a famous town in Germany! It means diversion!
Bonne vacances Ncb1

-------------
DS-There's more to life than football!!!


PersonBobCat10
via mobile 18/8/2022 at 6:52am
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We do a 3hr stop (from Rotterdam), usually around Arlon, grab a coffee and stretch of legs and fuel. Then its 3hrs to Eguisheim nr Colmar for an overnight stop (in a hotel....too much of a faff pitching a tent)....up early to visit the village bakery to enjoy with a coffee in the orchard of the hotel.....and chocs away.
Another 3 hr stop a service area, ETA Limone Sul Garda 4pm ish. 15mins to pitch the airtent and cool beer overlooking the lake.....sorted.

We NEVER eat fast food in service areas. I have a wicker basket and we eat food foraged from a local town market on route or Carrefour. The idea of queuing and sitting in a noisy crowded services is not the way to start a holiday.
I use the WC facilities armed with 1€ of course...you generally have to pay to pee!

I don't like queues....which is why we always go in the restaurant on board the ferry. Plus if you have a slotted time for breakfast you can have your breakfast and return to your comfortable airy cabin without queuing on stairwells with everyone. Its a tried and tested formula Club Class is worth every hard earned penny.

-------------
CAT

Favourite site:
Camping Nanzel, Limone, Lake
Garda..perfect for MTB, Kayak, SUP and fell running training.
Favourite areas: Provence, French Alps, Savigny (as a stop over for Southern France: Rhein valley as a stop over for Italy.   78



     



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