suavecarve
LIFE MEMBER
i did take some sort of time to plan our trip but kept changing my mind. I have learnt an awful lot and in no particular order they are:
The Dordogne is special.
The book "Wild Swimming in France" is worth purchasing
The Aires book and a Michelin map are essential. I would suggest a satnav for location of Aires as some can be difficult.
Internet is rubbish. Have to find a way round it. Mcdonalds is free and so are some tourist Boards.
Toursit Boards are essential when getting into a town.
If canoeing and you are carrying your waterproof camera put it on a strap when going through rapids.
Rocamadour is delightful
Lacave is well worth a visit.
Hiring a canoe from Souillac catch the provided bus up river to how far you fancy going then finish at Souillac because you get free entry into Quercyland.
If going in the height of Summer Dont try eating til 2200 as nothing starts til then.
Make sure you know where you can go for a free dip in a river or lake.
Dont pay anything for water (or electric if you have a solar panel)
There are numerous lakes which are lifeguarded which are free and clean and free parking.
You need a gas converter if you have LPG tanks (14 euros) at most dual carriageway stops.
Dont pfaff about with the North of France it has absolutely nothing on the South. Get the journey down there done in one day then spend your time enjoying it rather than trying to split it up into 3 days (if you have the ability)
If you see a load of people cooking in the town square and there are table in the middle DONT EAT your own food buy it from them ready cooked and enjoy the atmosphere.
E Leclerc is not an Electricity hypermarket it is like J Sainsburys and can be very cheap on the meat though LIDLS is cheapest for fruit and veg.
France is definitely more expensive than UK apart from wine.
Buy your wine in 3 or 5 litre containers. Taken an Antonoi (or a funnel) pour into a bottle with either screwtop of stopper and place in fridge. Dont try keeping red in the van in the summer. It becomes mulled without the spices or fruit and is in fact bloody horrible.
Look out for free dual carriageways.
Consider going through Belgium Germany Switzerland (£20 tax) and then Italy on motorways if heading to Provence or Alps.
It is not necessary to buy a croissant from teh boulangerie every day. For the same price you can get delicious cakes from leclerc.
Horsemeat is a lot cheaper than steak and tastes the same !
Dont buy a beret for 27 euros from teh market.
Diesel can be bought for 1 euro 30 which in a decent currency is about £1.17.
You cant fill up your motorhome at cite d europe
There are very few english people to meet on your travels but broken english is spoken more or less throughout.
The french are actually courteous drivers as long as you dont go through a major town which can be stressful. (Rouen)
We booked our ferry up in January and got it for £94 return. Choose the cheaper option then turn up early.
Dont be tempted with full english on DFDS. 18 euros wasted. (still she cant say she didnt have a meal out
I m sure i ll think of some more but in short definitely going back. Nearly made the med on £360 of diesel, £94 crossing fee, £15 of gas and i did actually pay to go into a lido for 2 of us (Fiver) The rest was all on food and beaucoup de vin.
The Dordogne is special.
The book "Wild Swimming in France" is worth purchasing
The Aires book and a Michelin map are essential. I would suggest a satnav for location of Aires as some can be difficult.
Internet is rubbish. Have to find a way round it. Mcdonalds is free and so are some tourist Boards.
Toursit Boards are essential when getting into a town.
If canoeing and you are carrying your waterproof camera put it on a strap when going through rapids.
Rocamadour is delightful
Lacave is well worth a visit.
Hiring a canoe from Souillac catch the provided bus up river to how far you fancy going then finish at Souillac because you get free entry into Quercyland.
If going in the height of Summer Dont try eating til 2200 as nothing starts til then.
Make sure you know where you can go for a free dip in a river or lake.
Dont pay anything for water (or electric if you have a solar panel)
There are numerous lakes which are lifeguarded which are free and clean and free parking.
You need a gas converter if you have LPG tanks (14 euros) at most dual carriageway stops.
Dont pfaff about with the North of France it has absolutely nothing on the South. Get the journey down there done in one day then spend your time enjoying it rather than trying to split it up into 3 days (if you have the ability)
If you see a load of people cooking in the town square and there are table in the middle DONT EAT your own food buy it from them ready cooked and enjoy the atmosphere.
E Leclerc is not an Electricity hypermarket it is like J Sainsburys and can be very cheap on the meat though LIDLS is cheapest for fruit and veg.
France is definitely more expensive than UK apart from wine.
Buy your wine in 3 or 5 litre containers. Taken an Antonoi (or a funnel) pour into a bottle with either screwtop of stopper and place in fridge. Dont try keeping red in the van in the summer. It becomes mulled without the spices or fruit and is in fact bloody horrible.
Look out for free dual carriageways.
Consider going through Belgium Germany Switzerland (£20 tax) and then Italy on motorways if heading to Provence or Alps.
It is not necessary to buy a croissant from teh boulangerie every day. For the same price you can get delicious cakes from leclerc.
Horsemeat is a lot cheaper than steak and tastes the same !
Dont buy a beret for 27 euros from teh market.
Diesel can be bought for 1 euro 30 which in a decent currency is about £1.17.
You cant fill up your motorhome at cite d europe
There are very few english people to meet on your travels but broken english is spoken more or less throughout.
The french are actually courteous drivers as long as you dont go through a major town which can be stressful. (Rouen)
We booked our ferry up in January and got it for £94 return. Choose the cheaper option then turn up early.
Dont be tempted with full english on DFDS. 18 euros wasted. (still she cant say she didnt have a meal out
I m sure i ll think of some more but in short definitely going back. Nearly made the med on £360 of diesel, £94 crossing fee, £15 of gas and i did actually pay to go into a lido for 2 of us (Fiver) The rest was all on food and beaucoup de vin.