Nervous/exited - France here we come! (1 Viewer)

Dai Howells

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Feb 16, 2013
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I'm a newbie
Hi, we're off to Southern Brittany for a fortnight, on Sat. 1st time taking our MH abroad. Think we have everything covered - anything anyone can think of that a 1st timer might forget? Thanks:france::wine:
 

Ridgeway

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Mar 10, 2012
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2 x breathalyzers ?

Enjoy and good luck.

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Aug 30, 2012
4,270
11,303
Home of the war horse
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22,676
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burstnar T640
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2010
Money
Cash card
Credit card
Travellers cheques
More money
Bottle opener
Cork screw
O and wife
Map
Aires book
Plus all you forgot but don't fret you won't want them till you get of boat at Calais

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Carol

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Oct 2, 2007
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18 years s Motorhome (33years caravans)
Enjoy your trip, a few things that are handy


Baby wipes
Sun Cream
Can Fly Killer
Citerella Candles
Some long life milk

Just a few idea's take it you have all the normal things in.
 

Parcverger

Funster - Campsite Owner
Aug 13, 2007
459
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2 x breathalyzers ?

Enjoy and good luck.

I thought they dropped that rule

It is actually a classic French situation - the law says you have to carry breathelysers (approved "NF" type) but they have dropped the penalty if you have not got them! :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
However, random breath tests are usual here, and with the lower limit (50 compared with 80 in the UK) it is worth being careful. Morning breath tests are customary - in one village we went through early am the gendarmes were pulling in speeders (not us, thankfully) and breathalysing all who were pulled in.

Bob
www.parcverger.com
 

Chris

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May 5, 2010
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Passports, tickets and money.

Anything else is available over there.

Headlight deflectors also a good idea.

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Jun 22, 2012
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As my husband says"dont worry, they do have shops", mind you this is swiftly followed by a good slap from me as I like everything planned! Hope you have a lovely time.
 
Aug 18, 2011
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since 2007.Tugger before since 1970
Money
Cash card
Credit card
Travellers cheques
More money
Bottle opener
Cork screw
O and wife
Map
Aires book
Plus all you forgot but don't fret you won't want them till you get of boat at Calais

Where do you cash Travellers Cheques now days?:Smile:

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Armytwowheels

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Aug 10, 2012
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Hi, we're off to Southern Brittany for a fortnight, on Sat. 1st time taking our MH abroad. Think we have everything covered - anything anyone can think of that a 1st timer might forget? Thanks:france::wine:

How fabulous! That is going to be our destination of choice for our first trip abroad with the van too, but not until late September.

I hope you have a great time and would love to hear how you get on.
Bon Voyage

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mike mcglynn

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Deceased RIP
Jan 6, 2008
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A long time now
France trip

Hi, Dont want to be a killjoy but make sure that you have good cover on your breakdown insurance (I speak from experience :cry:) Have a safe journey and try to speak a little french when you are there it is such good fun and I found the people were so helpful I may go back next year hopefully :roflmto:

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the stig

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Oct 10, 2009
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We came back a couple of weeks ago for our first time abroad in RV, was something real different. Fabulous time.

IMHO Euro coins very useful if you staying on Aires, the ones we stopped at did not take notes and some didn't take cards either. If you go on EHU then male sure you got your EHU converters!
E111 no longer in use, you need a EHIC, can do it online and only takes a few days to come back

oh and Sun glasses

but most of all Your French language book and your camera!!! enjoy...
 
Apr 25, 2012
794
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Off to France

When I took my parents over to the Somme for the first time in 1996, my mum took potatoes, on the grounds that "they may not have them over there."

Mind you, she also insisted on keeping the car windows shut when we were in the tunnel carriage, in case the water got in!:Nowink::Nowink:
 
Jun 17, 2012
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It was my 1st trip in MH last year to France. Twelve days as a fact-finding trip.
Will gas last, how easy to get dog seen at vets, where shall we stay at night, how will I get on with 7.4 metre MH, what about water, how many times will I be gassed, etc?
Gas lasted, walked into vets, easy peasy, paid twice to overnight in 12 days.
Parked almost anywhere. [HI]WHAT YELLOW LINES ? [/HI]

Tell bank to expect rapid use of a/c and Credit cards as you are abroad. Don't want account frozen in case of suspected cloning.
Grab water whenever available.

JUST FORGET THE UK AND ENJOY. There is no hurry, you are on holiday.


This time next week I'll be leaving for 4 weeks, no set plans, will just meander.

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Aug 23, 2011
204
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A thing to enable you to carry a baguette on your bike when you cycle to the bakers each morning.

My wife thought it very funny when I arrived back at the bus each morning with a droopy, limp, sorry looking stick whilst our French neighbours enjoyed a pristine baton!
 
May 7, 2011
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motorhoming since 1979
Hi, Let us know how you get on when you get back , as we ore off to Brittany in sept so I will be interested in your findings.
Terry:sin::sin:
 
Jan 4, 2012
2,240
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somerset
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19,320
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Fiat Ducato
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A few years now
We came back a couple of weeks ago for our first time abroad in RV, was something real different. Fabulous time.

IMHO Euro coins very useful if you staying on Aires, the ones we stopped at did not take notes and some didn't take cards either. If you go on EHU then male sure you got your EHU converters!
E111 no longer in use,[HI] you need a EHIC[/HI], can do it online and only takes a few days to come back

oh and Sun glasses

but most of all Your French language book and your camera!!! enjoy...

Just checked our cards ,they are EHIC not the older type e111.

If the worst does happen when there ,are owning the cards the equivalent as having free NHS care?

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BobT

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Jun 15, 2010
305
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Requirements

A high-vis jacket for each van occupant, to be stored in the front of the van.

Enjoy.



Bob
 
Jun 22, 2012
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EHIC

This entitles you to the state provided health care of the country you are in so it will not be free in France. Most costs are reimbursable, keep your receipts. They are quite transparent about costs and the care is excellent. It is not as clear in Spain because there have been recent cases of the State Hospitals refusing to honour the EHIC or people go to private hospitals without realizing and then you are only covered if you have standalone travel .
 

wivvy's dad

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Jun 22, 2010
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Just a reminder....................they have SHOPS in France, where you can buy things.....



:winky:

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Jan 28, 2008
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Dovercourt, Harwich, UK
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7 years campers before that
our first time in france was 18 months ago and weve been back twice since im trying to recall what was most confusing or amazing
petrol dont buy it on the motorways try and find supermarkets the pay system is different to here if its manned you fill up and then your funneled towards the pay booth note the pump number you filled from
if unmanned they will take major credit cards in the pump we found they didnt take our pre pay cards so try and have a selection
most of france away from main tourist spots will appear closed you have to push the door sounds silly but we didnt realise
france is vast and their not a lot of people there
aires book is a must if your travelling without booking, sat nav is worth its weight in gold
france is made for wandering we bought bread mornings and evening most days
carrefour was our favorite supermarket followed by super u
didnt like spar much
look out for market days
resturants ,we found best at lunch time they tend to be on the cross rds at the center of villages often they dont look anything special ,we gauged them by the cars parked around them they are not cheap recon a good lunch will cost 40 euros but it will be good, most days we stopped at bars for coffes and rolls or pastries more tourist places theres plenty of options of varying quality
most of all relax nothing you need cant be bought there its only the first of many trips im sure
 
Last edited:
Feb 9, 2008
4,086
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LP Coachbuilt
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Since 2008 after caravanning for 20 years
As above, we like to stop for our morning coffee at the little cafes in the larger villages and towns. Also do lunch rather than dinner. Fresh, local croissants and bread are a must. Auchan is our favorite supermarket but they are a little scarce in the south. Local markets are great for fish even in the middle of the country.

Enjoy France, it's a really nice experience though we find it takes a few days to settle into 'french' mode.

Rgds
Bill
 
Jun 17, 2012
2,919
9,815
North Essex
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21,517
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Autotrail Delaware
Exp
>12 but <13
It was my 1st trip in MH last year to France. Twelve days as a fact-finding trip.
Will gas last, how easy to get dog seen at vets, where shall we stay at night, how will I get on with 7.4 metre MH, what about water, how many times will I be gassed, etc?
Gas lasted, walked into vets, easy peasy, paid twice to overnight in 12 days.
Parked almost anywhere. [HI]WHAT YELLOW LINES ? [/HI]

Tell bank to expect rapid use of a/c and Credit cards as you are abroad. Don't want account frozen in case of suspected cloning.
Grab water whenever available.

JUST FORGET THE UK AND ENJOY. There is no hurry, you are on holiday.


This time next week I'll be leaving for 4 weeks, no set plans, will just meander.


Oh yes, if you must take a laptop don't forget charger and get signed on to McDonalds for your FREE internet connection before you go.
Works in UK and France I'm told.

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