Is it worth going to France for 1 week in van? (1 Viewer)

Diane1969

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Hi, I'm just wondering if it's worth going to France for one week, could anyone tell us where we could get to and back in that time with say 3-4 stops? Looking at September .
Thanks
 
Dec 11, 2011
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Pootle down the coast and back - plenty of aires to stop at. Alternatively head for the Mosel (it's not that far) and enjoy the wine festivals that abound in September.
 
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Dec 27, 2014
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From Bedforshire, I think yes absolutely.
Not to far to travel to tunnel/ferry and lots of lovely stops on other side.
Personally we only go for longer as our trip involves a long ferry crossing (18 hrs)

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GeriatricWanderer

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Maybe not if you're counting pennies - the crossing will pump up the cost but, apart from that, absolutely yes.
Loads of places to go within a day or two of Calais/Dunkerque.
I have a book somewhere "What to do within 90 minutes of Calais" - a very good read.
Make the most of your time by timing your crossing to maximise your time on the other side.
September is a great time to go.
You could just potter around locally for the whole time or invest a hard day's driving each end of your trip and have 5 days further afield.
Don't hesitate - just do it.
 
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Don Quixote

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Not long enough, but a little common sense helps..........
Without doubt YES, you will get your money back just on the Eurotunnel alone. Some nice free aires or if you want to pay, some nice sites. The money you would spend in the UK for the same week away will cover the whole week and you will still have change left.
 
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Jan 2, 2015
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If you like mixing with the locals and like car-boots etc, it might be worth saving this site for your visit......
Broken Link Removed

It is a search engine for antique fairs, car-boots, flea markets etc. The French tend to make them social affairs and, certainly in the warmer months, they last all day. Good for practising the language and you are bound to find a bargain that you can't live without!!
Doesn't seem to be an English language version but Google translate will do it for you
 
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sdc77

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Go for it... even better why not leave the evening before you planned to go.. cross on the tunnel and stop on an aire outside calais .. next morning you're already there!
 
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May 7, 2011
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Go For It !!
Just a suggestion. Calais or Dunkirk
to St nicolas de bliquetuit or La Mailleraye 150miles
Then Fougeres nice castle 160 miles
Dinan via mont saint michael 65miles
Erquy 28 miles
return via Honfleur 165 miles
Calais 186 miles
 
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Jul 27, 2010
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Just back from a week in Normandy, intention was to go to Brittany but so much to see near to Ouistreham port.
Well worth it, every night in an Aire or just parked up.

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Diane1969

Diane1969

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Maybe not if you're counting pennies - the crossing will pump up the cost but, apart from that, absolutely yes.
Loads of places to go within a day or two of Calais/Dunkerque.
I have a book somewhere "What to do within 90 minutes of Calais" - a very good read.
Make the most of your time by timing your crossing to maximise your time on the other side.
September is a great time to go.
You could just potter around locally for the whole time or invest a hard day's driving each end of your trip and have 5 days further afield.
Don't hesitate - just do it.
I think that's what I had in mind , do a long drive out then shorter ones inbetween
 
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Jul 27, 2010
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Not a part of France I know too well so tell us more about what held you in and around Ouistreham for a while.
Mostly the D Day landings, loads of mainly French motorhomes about. Wanted to stay in Bayeaux but the Aire has closed. We got as far as a town that has one of only three bell foundry's left in France, I will get the maps out later and get the place name right.

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May 7, 2011
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We stopped at a small aire at Cerisy la foret when wanting to go to Bayeux (about 13 miles )
GPS L'Esque
49.198139, -0.931972
nice aire if a bit remote, free water when we were there, over a hundred sculptures by this abbey
upload_2015-11-15_16-38-57.jpeg

upload_2015-11-15_16-39-51.jpeg
 
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hilldweller

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Hi, I'm just wondering if it's worth going to France for one week, could anyone tell us where we could get to and back in that time with say 3-4 stops? Looking at September .
Thanks

Without doubt. Our first test run in the van was Paris. Bois de Boulogne. Easy non stop drive from Calais. Bus at gate to get you to metro.
 
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Jul 27, 2010
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We stopped at a small aire at Cerisy la foret when wanting to go it otherwiseo Bayeux (about 13 miles )
GPS L'Esque
49.198139, -0.931972
nice aire if a bit remote, free water when we were there, over a hundred sculptures by this abbey

Thank you for the heads up for that one, we spent about four hours wandering around. Probably would have missed it without the tip.

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Jul 29, 2013
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We stopped at a small aire at Cerisy la foret when wanting to go to Bayeux (about 13 miles )
GPS L'Esque
49.198139, -0.931972
nice aire if a bit remote, free water when we were there, over a hundred sculptures by this abbey
View attachment 83104
View attachment 83106
We stopped there a couple of years back a lovely place and the village bakery has very nice Tarte au Fraise to die for!
 
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Mar 26, 2009
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The aire in the centre of Bayeux town (by the bus station) has been closed since January 2015. There are now two alternatives on the outskirts of the town. Details of their location I don't have to hand. The municipal campsite is also very handy for access and at €10 a night including free wifi shouldn't cause too much financial damage;)
 
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Jul 27, 2010
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The aire in the centre of Bayeux town (by the bus station) has been closed since January 2015. There are now two alternatives on the outskirts of the town. Details of their location I don't have to hand. The municipal campsite is also very handy for access and at €10 a night including free wifi shouldn't cause too much financial damage;)

The one by the museum would possibly be ok, the one nearer the town is only suitable for panel vans, very short bays. The campsite closed on the 1st November, serious road works on the ring road and into the town, it would have been impossble to enter the campsite last Wednesday.
The aire in the twn centre is still there, very difficult to access and there are some tight streets for an 8 metere coachbuilt. The main route in is now one way out of town. The dump station has been removed and probably any signage. We had lunch then moved on.

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Mar 26, 2009
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The one by the museum would possibly be ok, the one nearer the town is only suitable for panel vans, very short bays. The campsite closed on the 1st November, serious road works on the ring road and into the town, it would have been impossble to enter the campsite last Wednesday

Closed for good or while the works are being carried out?
 
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andrewjw

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Not worth the expense of the ferry for only a week...

Come down to Devon/Cornwall and enjoy the cost of the ferry and hospitality down West..(y)

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MikeD

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Dec 21, 2011
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Definitely yes. Lovely country and lovely people

What you save on site fees in UK will easily pay for the ferry or train to calais
 
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Diane1969

Diane1969

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Thanks for all the advice, I'm going to look into some of the suggestions. Defiantly want to go, shame it's not longer but we had already booked our holiday before getting the van so not enough holiday left, especially as Steve has to have two weeks at Christmas for work shut down !!!
 
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