France 1st timer (1 Viewer)

[du162]

Hi Guys
We're heading to France in the summer for the first time by tunnel I'm looking for any advice on really good camp sites for dog and kids or good publications for info?
Many thanks
David

 

[Riverbankannie]

we find ACSI rated sites are usually of good standard, search on the web. Not worth you buying the discount card as the discounts only apply out of school holiday season but a good way to search for sites.
You could also use the websites of the ready erected tent holiday people, they are geared up to use sites suitable for families.

 

[Mousy]

France is a huge country. Where abouts are you heading?

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[du162]

Thanks just down the west coast to cut our teeth

 

[du162]

Downloaded the ACSI app really good cheers

 

[Reallyretired]

Campercontact is good and only £5.99 per year if you sign up which gives you offline use. Can't help about the West coast as it is an area we tend to avoid, no mountains and full of the British. Stayed at one site, afraid I can't remember the name, North of Biarritz, which was just like a CC site, you had to park to the marker, even their golf buggy had GB plates, reception full of CC pennants, definitely one night only.

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[KeithChesterfield]

I might be wrong, be gentle, but most campsites on the west coast in July and August will probably need booking well in advance.

We've never had problems with Aires but campsites are another kettle of fish - the good ones get very busy at that time of year and just turning up and hoping to get on them is not the best idea - plan B may be needed.

 

[GAVLAD]

We're heading for the west coast in August and staying on a mix of campsites and aires to keep everyone happy.
Some of the campsites I contacted back in October/November were fully booked when I came to make reservations in February.
A lot of sites can often be sixty percent mobile homes and may look large venues on their website but only offer a small number of touring pitches.
Like others have suggested, I'd have a back up plan ready in case they've no room at the inn when you turn up without a booking.

 

[du162]

Thanks for all the replies so far

I might be late but would definitely look at booking before I go Nothing's set in stone so we're pretty flexible just looking for advice on where to go, pros and cons of France for the firsit time

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[f6c]

Keep the steering wheel to the curb

 

[sedge]

I don't know what to tell you!

Off the motorways, most main roads now skirt round the small towns and villages along the way these days - but you can miss such a lot. If you use a sat nav try setting it to either quickest or shortest route occasionally - this way it often takes you straight through the middle of places, or down interesting country lanes instead of around them - cos it saves 100 metres. This can be tedious when you just want to get from A to B by X o'clock - but if you want to visit the local butchers, bakers and candlestick makers, we highly recommend it!

Otherwise - all the large supermarket chains have slightly out of town superstores around all major towns so you can do all your shopping without actually visiting the centre of wherever. So you can have an entire holiday in France and hardly ever need to have a few words of school French, if you really want to!

Just go - and go with the flow - it's a lot more civilised still off the motorways and away from major cities - but the kids will need some French if they ever want to get fed in McDonalds LOL - they do usually have staff who speak English but you needn't tell them that, need you? Oh - and they usually serve excellent coffee in there, for mum and dad !

Oh - and we always found the Alan Rogers guides useful and truthful - look - https://alanrogers.com/camping/france - and the very first campsite on the page is where you are heading! what a coincidence !

 

[GeriatricWanderer]

Not sure how good your French is but it's really good to learn a few courteous words and phrases, you don't have to be fluent.

The usual bon jour stuff and deux baguettes svp.

Most times when you pay for goods at a supermarket check-out you'll received a "bon journee" and it's polite to respond with something like "vous aussi" .

Have a great trip and, as others have said, ALWAYS have a Plan B for the night.

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[filopastry]

Hadley's French medical phrase book is a real life saver. When we first arrived in France with but 3 words of french this book was invaluable. When in times of need and stress, even today with a "fair knowledge" of French you resort to mother tongue and a book like this is worth its weight in gold. Find the phrase, show it to the doctor and let them read the French version.
Amazon product ASIN 187273913X

 

[yodeli]

Not sure how good your French is but it's really good to learn a few courteous words and phrases, you don't have to be fluent.

The usual bon jour stuff and deux baguettes svp.

Most times when you pay for goods at a supermarket check-out you'll received a "bon journee" and it's polite to respond with something like "vous aussi" .

Have a great trip and, as others have said, ALWAYS have a Plan B for the night.

Hadley's French medical phrase book is a real life saver. When we first arrived in France with but 3 words of french this book was invaluable. When in times of need and stress, even today with a "fair knowledge" of French you resort to mother tongue and a book like this is worth its weight in gold. Find the phrase, show it to the doctor and let them read the French version.
Amazon product ASIN 187273913X

OR ..... get my mobile phone number at reach (just ask me via PM ) and send a text message to tell me you need help ....sorted! lol

Amicalement

Frankie