What's so great about motorhoming in France? (1 Viewer)

[Spriddler]

Normandy. Do the WW2 sights

Where would you recommend to be the ideal area for a short trip to dip our toe in the water to get a taste for the country?

Hmm, Normandy WW2 sights don't do it for me. The small harbours on the Cherbourg peninsular are delightful and I'm not demeaning that tragic loss of life, courage and sacrifices but when you've seen one concrete blockhouse and a few museums of tin helmets and trench reconstructions you've seen 'em all. Besides, I think you need something more tempting for the cautious lady.
Brittany is much like your home of Wales. Nice working harbours, attractive coast and fabulous seafood.
However I'm a fan of the Loire Valley. Beautiful rivers, stunning countryside, vinyards, interesting medieval villages and architecture and numerous fresh food markets, plus the brocantes (antique markets) and vides greniers (car boot sales).
Haute (Upper) Normandy itself is good for a short trip. Medieval Rouen is interesting (circa 70 miles from Dieppe) and Bayeux has the tapestry. I've often spent a long weekend based at Dieppe and touring daily from there.

Don't worry about driving on the wrong side of the road. Everyone does it all the time over there.

Oh, and don't worry about the language, the menus are often in French and English. One from my travels..........

 

[David and Sally]

It's easier to avoid Macron surely than to avoid France...BUSBY

I know. But I struggle to spend time and money in a country where Macron is so obviously anti-UK

NOT political. Great thread.

 

[DBK]

A few snapshots but they only give a flavour. You don't need to know the language, shopping in supermarkets is very easy. Driving is no problem but take it slow in villages and don't exceed the speed limits anywhere.

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[Coolcats]

There is so much more to France than D day landings and Normandy!

The Loire Valley is a great place to visit places such as Amboise (Leonardo da Vinci is interned in the Chateau and he had his house just down the road from there, also Chinon is not too far.

The boulangerie can have amazing pastry treats along with the bread which can be absolutely amazing as a Baker you will recognise the quality outlets often you can see the queue outside on a Sunday Morning!

Oh and don't forget to turn right on a roundabout

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

Go on the tunnel and book a flexible ticket, you may want to extend!

Oh and Chris , the more they eat, the less I tread on on a rainy day, I hate that crunching sound.

 

[Chris]

Go on the tunnel and book a flexible ticket, you may want to extend!

Oh and Chris , the more they eat, the less I tread on on a rainy day, I hate that crunching sound.

That’s true. But watch out for those legless frogs

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[two]

Fine food;
Fine wine;
Fine weather;
(and, if that doesn't do the trick, tell her) Fine men.

 

[steve69]

Surprised no-one has mentioned get a SATNAV. It is a must for the first timer.
Also get hold of a book of AIRES around France. Google will help you find one.
Be prepared for an expensive trip. The motorways are great for getting from a to b, but costly.
Using non-motorway routes can test the nerves at times.
Having said all that - my first trip around France was worth every penny spent

 

[busby]

I know. But I struggle to spend time and money in a country where Macron is so obviously anti-UK

NOT political. Great thread.

Not many places left to visit then ,,Scotland,Wales probably agree with Macron ..Spain and Portugal ok..Would not let any politicians opinion stop me visiting a country..BUSBY.

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[busby]

Surprised no-one has mentioned get a SATNAV. It is a must for the first timer.
Also get hold of a book of AIRES around France. Google will help you find one.
Be prepared for an expensive trip. The motorways are great for getting from a to b, but costly.
Using non-motorway routes can test the nerves at times.
Having said all that - my first trip around France was worth every penny spent

You don't need an Aires book,,download Campercontact..BUSBY.

 

[pappajohn]

Thanks Mike, one of the reasons that we bought the Moho was because of my wives phobia. I've flown everywhere I've ever wanted to go to so I'm cool with that. It's almost 20 years since I last was on a plane and it doesn't really bother me.

Did you ever watch 'the A team' on TV.
Remember they used to knock out B A Baracuss to get him on a plane.
There's the seedlings for a plan.

 

[Spawn_e_git]

Only drawback I can think of is campsite and public toilets leave a lot to desire.

Other than that, everything that has been said here is correct.

IMO, Aires can be a but hit & miss but if you are only after a nights stop then most are fine. We have also stayed a couple of days at some great Aires, you takes your chance as they say.

Toll Roads can be expensive but if you are not strapped for time (like I am) then non-toll roads are a great way to see things.

The best thing about France is you can chase the weather, last year we planned to go into Germany but the weather in Northern Europe was forecast as a bit ropey when we went so we just got off the the tunnel and headed South. Three days and we were in St Tropez in the sun.

If the weather is great, stay along the Brittany coast. It's beautiful.

A couple of years ago we went around Holland and had amazing weather and it is a brilliant place. we did campsites there though, not aires (or equivalent).

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[Just smiffy]

Think I'll try and learn a bit, I'm sure making an effort would be appreciated, saying that they have trouble here in Wales with my Glasgow accent, they say they understand the Polish better

All you need is bonjour and merci... (hello & thank you) they will know you are English and will want to speak to you in English for them to practice... I must stress though that bonjour is always the first word you say wherever you are and whenever you greet someone, some will ignore you if you just say “hello”... once the bonjour is out of the way then your best “Inspector Clouseau” impression will suffice but if you learn some french then you will make some friends...

Once I’d been to France i did not want to tour England... you can virtually park up anywhere and be welcomed, park4night and Campercontact, search4sites is all you need...

MotorhomeFun’s favourite frenchie yodeli lives there so what more can you ask for..

Good luck and enjoy..

 

[pappajohn]

Drove all the way through France to the Med coast then down to Castillon and only used one toll...... The Millau viaduct.
I know 'door' 'hello' 'thank you' in French and still managed.
That's three more words than I know in Spanish.

 

[steve69]

You don't need an Aires book,,download Campercontact..BUSBY.

Thanks for that - hadn't heard of it before.

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[ShaKen]

I’m a Scot that loves France (and don’t tell the English, but the French love the Scots too).

There is so much to see and do there, just choose your desired weather or landscape and you mostly can find it. Be that mountains, lakes, beaches, hot, temperate or cold.

And of course the food is typically great.

My wife doesn’t like flying either, but loves our multiple trips per year to France for summer or winter holidays (pre-COVID).

And now we have our MoHo we can take our home with us too!

Some hate it, but I love the experience of going to some more off the beaten track places where you have to speak French. It truly feels that you are getting away from it (even if you don’t speak the language).

In summary, stop prevaricating, and go and have a life changing experience.

 

[Clipgate]

Shsss keep the joy freedom culture, food, facilities. Quiet please

 

[David and Sally]

Not many places left to visit then ,,Scotland,Wales probably agree with Macron ..Spain and Portugal ok..Would not let any politicians opinion stop me visiting a country..BUSBY.

I know. I know. But it does stick in my craw with his attitude.

Maybe in 2021 I might go back.

Still prefer Germany.

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[LesW]

As you may have gathered France is (to many) motorhome heaven, indeed as are the surrounding countries.

Just remember that France is closed on Sundays and Mondays, and between the hours of 12:00-14:00.

We love it.

 

[denisejoe]

As you may have gathered France is (to many) motorhome heaven, indeed as are the surrounding countries.

Just remember that France is closed on Sundays and Mondays, and between the hours of 12:00-14:00.

We love it.

But most of France is open Christmas day

 

[gus-lopez]

and between the hours of 12:00-14:00.

You missed out " & after 8 at night"

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[Wee Bold Davy]

I’m a Scot that loves France (and don’t tell the English, but the French love the Scots too).

There is so much to see and do there, just choose your desired weather or landscape and you mostly can find it. Be that mountains, lakes, beaches, hot, temperate or cold.

And of course the food is typically great.

My wife doesn’t like flying either, but loves our multiple trips per year to France for summer or winter holidays (pre-COVID).

And now we have our MoHo we can take our home with us too!

Some hate it, but I love the experience of going to some more off the beaten track places where you have to speak French. It truly feels that you are getting away from it (even if you don’t speak the language).

In summary, stop prevaricating, and go and have a life changing experience.

I suppose historically they love the Scots. Will need to look out my 'see you Jimmy hat' not worn that since I was at Hampden watching Dalglish, Bremner and Co strutting their stuff

 

[John Barrett]

You're first answer, the bakeries intrigued me as I'm a baker by trade and always check out bakers shops no matter where I go!

You will get on well then. Just shout 'Bonjour' as you go in the door!

 

[Chris]

I admit I do like Brittany and the people there.

They are a bloody miserable lot up North though.

A bit like the UK

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[Wee Bold Davy]

Where would the best area or time of year to avoid excessive heat. As a Jock I don't do hot!!!

 

[David and Sally]

Where would the best area or time of year to avoid excessive heat. As a Jock I don't do hot!!!

The freezer in Leclerc.?

 

[David and Sally]

Whatever I have said. I love France and it's scenery, bakeries, breweries etc. Just go there and soak it up.

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[emjaiuk]

As a first trip, you would probably be better off making sure you avoid French holiday times. some places, particularly near the coast can get quite crowded. the Bisin-Fute website gives details of holiday times/hotspots

 

[Pete5996]

I'd tell you - but I'm biased.....

 

[denisejoe]

Where would the best area or time of year to avoid excessive heat. As a Jock I don't do hot!!!

The further south you go the warmer it's likely to be. We avoid July and August as it's usually too hot for us and we like it quite warm.
We usually go May/June and September.

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