France (1 Viewer)

Apr 12, 2011
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Well we hav been back from France now a wk, car"t get back quick enough.
That was our 2nd trip this year and only the 2nd time in our camper.
throughly enjoyed it and we can see why moterhomers rave about hope to get another trip in sept:Cool::thumb:
 

Heyupluv

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Oct 7, 2008
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Well we hav been back from France now a wk, car"t get back quick enough.
That was our 2nd trip this year and only the 2nd time in our camper.
throughly enjoyed it and we can see why moterhomers rave about hope to get another trip in sept:Cool::thumb:

Its a shame it is not hot in the winter (like that dipstick Osborne at no 11 thinks it is) then there would be no better place for motorhoming than France 365 days of the year...:thumb:...glad you had a good time...
 
Apr 27, 2008
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Know what you mean. We came back from France 3 weeks ago (needed to for a wedding etc) and we're off on the tunnel tomorrow :france::party2::france:

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Ridgeway

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Will be back on Friday, a long 27min journey ahead of us to get to the border then a further 60mins to get to Annecy::bigsmile:

Enjoy the country that was built for motorhoming !
 

Jazzbow

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May 13, 2012
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hmmm

We are planning a trip in September but as the date gets closer we are getting more and more anxious, maybe considering jumping on a plane :Eeek:
 

Jazzbow

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May 13, 2012
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Driving!
getting lost, getting stuck, holding other drivers up, choosing rubbish sites.

We love our van, just got back from a week in Wales which we found very relaxing when we were on site ( the adult only site). Getting from place to place was nerve racking (is there any need for so many walls??) which put us off sight- seeing. If the driving in France is that stressful then it's not much of a holiday. Also, we had to move sites coz the kids were a nightmare, we moved to another site that was nearly as bad. :cry: Eventually we found an Adult only site but there doesn't seem to be so many in France. If you only have a couple of weeks leave you have to make the most of it
Any reassurances would be welcome!
 

Easyliving

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Driving!
getting lost, getting stuck, holding other drivers up, choosing rubbish sites.

As has been said before on Fun in response to driving concerns, within 30 minutes of arriving in France you will wonder what on earth you were worrying about.

We rely on our satnav to guide us but just a decent map book will help you if you take a wrong turning. Bear in mind that the roads in France are much quieter than in the UK. Our motorhome is 7.5 metres and we have never had a problem getting stuck, you just have to keep your wits about you, same as at home.

We love the aires system in France, something we don't have in the UK. In case you don't know these are parking spaces, for motorhomes only, provided by the local community to encourage tourism. The aires are one of the reasons France is described at 'motorhome heaven'.

Link Removedby Vicarious Books is what you need.

Have a great trip.

Paul

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Feb 9, 2008
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We find driving in France is much more relaxing than here, better, quieter roads. If you are worried about bad sites, have a look round the site before you decide to stay, we've done that before, and there are so many more to choose from.

Enjoy, relax, we miss our fresh croissants at breakfast, at every village or town the croissants are slightly different along with the bread, just adds to the experience.

Rgds
Bill
 
Feb 16, 2013
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Driving!
getting lost, getting stuck, holding other drivers up, choosing rubbish sites.

We love our van, just got back from a week in Wales which we found very relaxing when we were on site ( the adult only site). Getting from place to place was nerve racking (is there any need for so many walls??) which put us off sight- seeing. If the driving in France is that stressful then it's not much of a holiday. Also, we had to move sites coz the kids were a nightmare, we moved to another site that was nearly as bad. :cry: Eventually we found an Adult only site but there doesn't seem to be so many in France. If you only have a couple of weeks leave you have to make the most of it
Any reassurances would be welcome!


Man , you can not be serious:Eeek:
You are on holiday, chill, France , clear roads , campsites, aires everywhere , friendly people( mostly ) good food , cheap wine, you haven't got to drive far, plenty to see close to the ports.
Once you have done it you won't be able to wait to go back::bigsmile:
Don't worry, just do it
 
May 7, 2011
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Yes must agree France is so motorhome friendly and the road system (with help of a good satnav ,map for back up) is so relaxed except for major cities bit congested, I personally would go over several times a year if I could afford it, but the Lady who must be obeyed prefers this country(shame).
We are going in sept for 2 weeks travelling to brittany using aires. Hopefully bump into any other Funsters over there( not litterally) for a chat and possibly a beverage.
Terry:sin:

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vwalan

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Sep 23, 2008
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forget sat nav. just turn right and hug the coast . half way through turn round and follow the coasr back. .drive slowly .
coming back its a different view of things .you will see things you missed on the way out . but drive slowly . see every thing . following the coast you cant get lost .
 
Feb 16, 2013
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forget sat nav. just turn right and hug the coast . half way through turn round and follow the coasr back. .drive slowly .
coming back its a different view of things .you will see things you missed on the way out . but drive slowly . see every thing . following the coast you cant get lost .

I like to turn left,for a quick break, gravelines first stop dunkerque next cheap fags Belgium (not for me) down to Ieper back round again 2or 3 day run shopping at cite Europe wine £1 a bottle load up, back on tunnel , great.just a pity we are so far from Dover or I'd be off every month::bigsmile:
 

vwalan

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hi. yes have done that a few times myself .calling at veurne. there is loads to stop and see. lovely beaches . we used to use dunkerque port , go into the town and you could sneak back along the coast to opposite the port .
that was when it was sally line from folkstone .
must say for me brittany is the place . but there is so much to see anywhere .its all a big adventure .
always worth a look at the normandy beaches . fits in with history and there is something to think about there . what a waste of lives .

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tuathail

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Jul 31, 2013
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Courage mon brave

Worry not. You soon get to relax into it. Just back from 2500 miles and 15 different stopovers, mostly single nights. Includes Aber Wrac in Finisterre and Le Puy en Velay in the Massif Central. Used aires, sites and France Passion farms. Really doing it the hard way in terms of navigations and setting up duties. Enjoyed pretty much every minute of every day with stunning roads and wonderful places. There are challenges ( avoiding navigation disputes mostly ) but the rewards are stunning. It probably helps to light candles in churches visited, and they are well worth the effort,
Things too avoid
Peage Motorways - aggressive and just two lanes. Do you need to travel over 60mpg and ruin your mpg?
City centres ( except early Sunday mornings when there is always lots of space and FREE parking - find THAT in UK)
Dodgy Aires - if it feels uncomfortable - move on, but always leave yourself time to find alternatives.
 

june123

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Jul 12, 2012
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Agree with all the replies - except possibly the turning left and heading north - haven't done that yet.

Look forward to your grovelling apology when you get back (or while you're there if you find wifi) for thinking things were going to be so difficult.

Have fun. I know you will.
 

Jazzbow

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Thanks everybody, I do think that we'll go for it- lots of posts saying that it's not as bad as you think can't be wrong... can they? ::bigsmile:

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Heyupluv

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Oct 7, 2008
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We are planning a trip in September but as the date gets closer we are getting more and more anxious, maybe considering jumping on a plane :Eeek:

WHAT!!!!!!
...Did I hear you correct :Doh:
 
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Armytwowheels

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We are planning a trip in September but as the date gets closer we are getting more and more anxious, maybe considering jumping on a plane :Eeek:

We are going on our maiden trip over the water in September too. Going to do a 3 or 4 centre tour of Britanny. Can't wait but understand your apprehension. Loads of info available on here, it's from posts on here that I have picked out my 'must visit' places.

Draft itinerary for France
Quiberon
Pointe de la Torche
Cote du Granite Rose
Tragastel

Having said that, it could change depending on the weather. Nothing will be booked ahead, except the tunnel, so we can be as flexible as possible. We have had some great help and advise from Funsters and don't forget, if something goes wrong or you come across something you are not sure off, get ye to some wifi and post on here asking for help, it will be responded to. :thumb:
Above all relax and enjoy.
 
May 7, 2011
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We are planning a trip in September but as the date gets closer we are getting more and more anxious, maybe considering jumping on a plane :Eeek:
Hi Jazzbow, when are you actually travelling and which route , we are going over sun 1st from dover / dunkirk PM for 15 days coming back on 16th AM off thru normandy to brittany and back via loire approx, if you are that way might see you.
Terry:sin:

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Jazzbow

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May 13, 2012
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Hi Jazzbow, when are you actually travelling and which route , we are going over sun 1st from dover / dunkirk PM for 15 days coming back on 16th AM off thru normandy to brittany and back via loire approx, if you are that way might see you.
Terry:sin:
Hi Terry, we are hoping to leave here on the 5th to go to Folkestone. We would really like to go to Brugge for a couple of nights and then head south to Auvergne region coming back up via Le Mans. How practical this is going to be is still at the discussion stages! Hubby thinks it's too far but I want some sunshine :thumb:
Be happy for any thoughts on this mateys.
Dawn
 
Jul 29, 2013
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Don't worry about driving we have just returned from our first trip in the motorhome to France it was great driving is easy just take you time and look left then right lots of times,we found all the aires a great help and did our travels for four weeks without costing a penny in site fees,go on take the van and enjoy!!:thumb:
 
Aug 30, 2012
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Totally agree with turn left plan
We had no plans and ended up in Dordogne
Great time I have driven in Europe for 35 years though work and leisure
And if I had to give one piece of advice be extra carefully first thing in mornings as its easy to forget which side of road you should be on especially if its quite
And I still do it now :Doh:

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sedge

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And don't worry about kids on campsites !

French main holiday period and the school summer hols is mid July (Bastille Day) to mid August (feast of St John) and that's more or less it until Toussaints - 31 Oct, ie same as our Autumn half-term. OK you may get folk with toddlers but in any case even in the main holiday weeks, French and other European kids just don't seem half as badly behaved or NOISY ! as (a lot of) British kids.
 

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