Any advice for our 1st trip to France. (1 Viewer)

[Steve101uk]

Camping Municipal de Saint Martin de Ré

We stayed at Camping Municipal de Saint Martin de Ré last year, good location, lovely town, decent campsite, on site restaurant was good and reasonable prices. Good access to cycle paths and supermarkets.

Oyster bars along the sea front

if you like seafood, we found this place on a cycle path...and stayed most of the afternoon!
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Resta...e_Re_Ile_de_Re_Charente_Maritime_Poitou_.html

and this one is good to

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Resta...de_Re_Charente_Maritime_Poitou_Charentes.html

 

[FIDGET]

We stayed at the municipal c/site at St martin de Re
as well, bit basic & very reasonable but right on the beach, our pitch was on hard sand,with a gate to the beach ( very rough n rugged sort of beach , rocks some sand but campers were collecting moules each low tide by the dozen. c/site a bit hard to find but recommended to us by local tourist info. then able tour island at leisure on bikes or using the moho,

 

[MR. FUSION]

Avoid July and August if at all possible

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lynne Steele]

Another vote for Saint Martin municipal, purely for location, even if you don't want to cycle with the dogs you van walk to La flotte and a couple of other villages too, you can walk to leclerc supermarket too. There is an aire outside the campsite but it was always full

Have fun

Lynne

 

[Humsafer]

Lots of advice all good so I will give one little warning. I booked tunnel for two with two large dogs through CC and paid £135 one way as we didn't now when we were returning. On the way back circumstances meant that we had to book and Pay at the tunnel. The receptionist at doggy reception pursed her lips like a true blue car mechanic and asked us for £253 yes £s . The sequel to that is that we are going back in May and the RETURN tickets from the CC were £262. Book your return trip, you can always change the date and time with CC for £20-00 We now always use the tunnel for the sake of the dogs. It is also very very convenient and easy, if a bit more expensive.

 

[PeteH]

The sign says "France". IMV avoid at all costs. They like garlik and all sorts of Snaily thingys. they wont speek english and have funny loos. No I would say definitly go to Skeggy!.

Pete

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[The Wino]

Make sure you try at least 3 aires theres nothing like them here!!!

 

[DanielFord]

Remember when approaching villages that the village name sign is indicating the speed limit change ( it's not numerical just namel)down to 50kph or about 30 mph, when you leave village name sign with line thru it is end of limit, Def stick to speed restrictions instant road side fines !!

A couple of peeps have raised this, and they are correct. 50 kph is actually 31mph, so aim for 30 and you will be fine. When you pass the town name with the line through it, that generally means 90 kph or 55 mph, unless otherwise stated by road signs. On the motorways, there are extended sections where over 3.5t an 80kph (50 mph) limit applies, be aware of that.
In general, I have driven in France a lot, and it is very stress free, not like driving here at all! Also, just thought, if you are over 3.5t you can't do 80 on the motorway, forget what it is now, but it is much lower.

 

[denisejoe]

Make sure you try at least 3 aires theres nothing like them here!!!

Can't agree with that! Canterbury P&R is very much like an aire. Costs £3 per night and that includes the bus into the city centre for up to 6 people as often as you like during the 24 hours. We've used it loads of time and have travelled to loads of different places around the Kent coast (using our OAP bus passes) from the city centre. There are also buses from just round the corner if you don't want to go into the city centre first.

Denise

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[DanielFord]

I was going to edit, but decided to do a new post. On a lot of the hilly sections of road there is often a "crawler" lane, the other drivers will get very cross if you don't use it. pull over behind the HGV's if you can't maintain a decent speed!

 

[PORKSTER]

A few years ago I was dubious of traveling through France I also thought I hated France. How wrong was I the driving is easier and far more rewarding than here. I had no plan and just picked places I fancied on map and set sat nav on no tolls. Used Aires books and also stumbled upon a few all way to benidorm.
We was away sept also on way home we traveled after tea so we could enjoy tea towards the end and to save time we used tolls.
Best advice I was given on here was just do it and I think it's pretty good advice
Crossing the water for me the tunnel winds no contest

Enjoy your trip

 

[Steve101uk]

so who can explain what this sign means (yes I do know the answer)

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[DanielFord]

so who can explain what this sign means (yes I do know the answer)

Snigger, a sign that all the French do not agree with, since they believe the opposite of what this sign means

 

[Larby]

They have lots of STOP signs where we tend to have Give Way. The Police are hot on these even in quiet areas, so make sure you STOP!
YES-STOP!! If you are not sure go slow or wait, they MAY hoot but so what, better than Le Crunch!

 

[kip]

Give it a few miles up the road & you'll start to relax,then a big smile will come across your face & than your be thinking about the next adventure Enjoy !!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[EX51SSS]

I was quite surprised that nobody suggested Eastern France. We tried Normandy, Brittany and the Atlantic coast and I totally agree its utterly charming and I daresay had it not been a panic situation on finding Me Bourget aire closed then we may have not discovered the sheer delights that Eastern France has to offer. The champagne region is what it is and has spectacular views. Quaff quality champagne in Eperney (look at Moet et Chandon, Bollinger etc). Probably one of our favourite stops is Pont de Mousson and on the Moselle. Travelling towards the German border and crossing over through Baden Baden and onto Lake Titisee in the black forest. Its a less commercialised area of France and tremendously scenic. Aires seem less crowded and plentiful. Lac du der is idyllic especially sipping a nice cold Rose as the sun goes down lakeside.
OK, the downside is you're not at the seaside so if you want sea, its not for you but we travel on June 25th (after the Exsistravigansa ) via the tunnel (we've got a 6 month old Cavashon (chipped, fully compliant, passport and spoilt)) and this time doing 3 weeks. Return crossing with Eurotunnel £202.00 including £36.00 for Pepper (the little one).
I would probably suggest the Northern France for the first few trips (don't underestimate The Somme and places like Fort Mahon and towns like Dieppe and Le Crotoy for the sea. France is so vast and so different, you'll find places you like, some you'll hate and some you'll wonder how you can bear to leave.
Plan anything but totally enjoy the stress free driving. Its all experience and you'll find your own, not others.

 

[EX51SSS]

so who can explain what this sign means (yes I do know the answer)

As far as I am aware its a minor road that has priority over the road you are on. Found a few that are directly out of a farmers gate onto the road. Generally no problem but if a crunch, then they had priority. I do believe they are getting less and less but just be aware.

 

[The Wino]

Can't agree with that! Canterbury P&R is very much like an aire. Costs £3 per night and that includes the bus into the city centre for up to 6 people as often as you like during the 24 hours. We've used it loads of time and have travelled to loads of different places around the Kent coast (using our OAP bus passes) from the city centre. There are also buses from just round the corner if you don't want to go into the city centre first.

Denise

Ok there might be the odd one we like the freedom to look at whats nearby and choose where to go ok to be more accurate there is nothing like the network of aires over here!! or the flot bleu service points at service stations with drive over grey water drains or the washing machines in supermarket car parks etc. I just think France is motorhome heaven compared to the UK

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[StitchesnFluff]

I was quite surprised that nobody suggested Eastern France. We tried Normandy, Brittany and the Atlantic coast and I totally agree its utterly charming and I daresay had it not been a panic situation on finding Me Bourget aire closed then we may have not discovered the sheer delights that Eastern France has to offer. The champagne region is what it is and has spectacular views. Quaff quality champagne in Eperney (look at Moet et Chandon, Bollinger etc). Probably one of our favourite stops is Pont de Mousson and on the Moselle. Travelling towards the German border and crossing over through Baden Baden and onto Lake Titisee in the black forest. Its a less commercialised area of France and tremendously scenic. Aires seem less crowded and plentiful. Lac du der is idyllic especially sipping a nice cold Rose as the sun goes down lakeside.
OK, the downside is you're not at the seaside so if you want sea, its not for you but we travel on June 25th (after the Exsistravigansa ) via the tunnel (we've got a 6 month old Cavashon (chipped, fully compliant, passport and spoilt)) and this time doing 3 weeks. Return crossing with Eurotunnel £202.00 including £36.00 for Pepper (the little one).
I would probably suggest the Northern France for the first few trips (don't underestimate The Somme and places like Fort Mahon and towns like Dieppe and Le Crotoy for the sea. France is so vast and so different, you'll find places you like, some you'll hate and some you'll wonder how you can bear to leave.
Plan anything but totally enjoy the stress free driving. Its all experience and you'll find your own, not others.

And visit Metz & Kayserberg

 

[EX51SSS]

And visit Metz & Kayserberg

Yes, absolutely

 

[suavecarve]

In answer to your questions:

1. Road miles are always cheaper than ferry miles, if cost is your main consideration. Our personal preference has always been the Dover-Calais ferry, which is about 270 miles from home. When driving through France to our destination we use aires overnight, which are either cheap or free. If time is of the essence you might want to go for Portsmouth - St Malo or Plymouth -Roscoff.

2. There's a perfectly understandable tendency for first-timers in France to stay fairly close to the arrival point, so a lot of first trips end up in Normandy or maybe Brittany. It's important however not to be over-apprehensive about driving on the right, as you adapt very quickly and the French main roads and autoroutes are much better quality than ours, and rarely as busy. The 270 mile drive to Dover often wears us out more than a 400 mile drive through France! Couple that with the very English-style weather you encounter in northern France, and I'd say head a bit further south than your instincts are maybe telling you, especially if you want sunshine. For sea and sand I'd definitely say go for the Atlantic coast - head in the direction of Nantes, try touring the coast between between Quiberon and Royan and you won't be disappointed by the variety I promise you. Below the Gironde Estuary (near Bordeaux) there's no shortage of sea and sand backed by large dunes and pine forests but that's pretty much it all the way down to Biarritz, and most of the seaside resorts are just that - resorts as opposed to quaint fishing villages.

3. September - fewer people about, sites cheaper, and weather still good, especially further south. Only my opinion mind. Plus it's generally sunny in England in June, whereas September can be a bit varied, so September sunshine abroad always feels like a bonus.

4. For touring, if you don't mind not having a grassy pitch with a neat privet hedge around you I'd say aires every time. Also handy when en route. If you want to go to one place as a base and stay for a while in comfort with showers, laundry and other such luxuries then probably a campsite. Some aires are time restricted so you can't park there forever but it varies a lot from place to place. Our default choice is aires as we tend to move around a lot.

For more aire info check the links in the signature below. Only other advice would be to take a good SatNav with you, preferably one that accepts third-party POI files so you can put aire, campsite and supermarket (Carrefour, Leclerc, Super-U, Intermarche, Auchan) details into it. Fuel is always cheaper at supermarkets - sometimes by a fair margin.

Bon Voyage!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[colyboy]

Buy "Camperstop" aires book, that's only one you will need. Only 35 mins via the Chunnel !
colyboy

 

[roadster55]

Travelling tunnel/ferry this June might be a bit busier than usual due to the footie Euros but once you arrive you'll soon lose yourself in the size of the country. June can be hot in the South but perfect for Brittany or Normandy. September is nice and everywhere is less busy as the kids are back at school.
If you've just got 12 days I would recommend June in Brittany and travelling high speed ferry from Portsmouth to Cherbourg (3 hours), you're then in Normandy and have very little driving to reach Brittany which is basically the next peninsular along. You pass Mont St. Micheal on the way.
I'd say do the South of France in September/October if you have a dog, and go for a bit longer too.
All the Aires France is a MUST buy from Vicarious Books, you'll never need to spend a penny on camp-sites, I never do, and the book will pay for itself in no time.

 

[WynandJean]

We find it better to NOT book your return ferry. That way you do not have to rush back for the crossing at a particular time. Also you don't have to worry about how far to go before turning back. We tend to pootle towards the chanel when we feel ready then stay nearby (Gravelines is very popular). We go online there and book the crossing for some time in the next day or two. It is expensive to book at the ferry port on the day!

Avoid refueling at petrol stations. Supermarket forecourts are much cheaper. They also supply gas refils. Not Calor! France Spain etc. Have their own suppliers which need different connectors.

Driving is definitely not something to worry about. Nor aires.

Wyn

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}