Calais to Arcachon (1 Viewer)

[Rob]

Hi all

Planning our first ever trip to France in MH this July and have chosen to stay at a campsite at Arcachon for around a week. Plan on taking it slow on the way down from Calais so was after any recommendations on where to stay on the way there and back again?

Also any advice on the best route options would be appreciated. How much would the tolls be , or is there a decent toll free route ?

Thanks in advance

Rob

 

[Don Quixote]

Rob, if you read through the link below you will find loads of recommendations for place to stop and about toll roads.

http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/search/5921118/?q=Calais+to+spain&o=relevance&c[node]=5

Enjoy

 

[Rob]

Cheers John

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[Drexxer]

Would that be the campsite in the pine forest?, if so stayed there about 5 years ago, great place and a nice walk up a bloody great sand dune on your door step,

Andy

 

[icantremember]

A couple of years ago we stayed at a campsite called La Cigale in Aras in Arcachon and was very impressed.
We always set our satnav to avoid toll routes and just take our time so we see more of the country and just stop on aires when ready.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[Munchie]

Would that be the campsite in the pine forest?, if so stayed there about 5 years ago, great place and a nice walk up a bloody great sand dune on your door step,


View attachment 53574


Andy

Us too! And we agree!!!

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[Drexxer]

Oh and the other side of the Dune

And from the Cap Ferret side

Andy

 

[Hollyberry]

You can paraglide off Pyla Dune too.

 

[Granjan]

Sorry cant help with directions and tolls as we went up from the south but in case you don't know buses are really cheap from outside the dune campsites into Arcachon and the cycling paths are fantastic too. Meal at the market cafe. Have a great time.

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[sedge]

Beware the ferry from Royan across the estuary to where you want to be. If you think crossing the Channel is expensive bearing in mind the distance across it - you ain't seen nothing yet! LOL

 

[FIDGET]

Hi Rob,
You don't say how long your trip is, or how long you are staying at the campsite.
Are you OK to use aires on the way there & back, are you thinking of 3 or 4 days done and back.
What sort of mileage do you want to do each day. journey is somewhere between 550-- 600 miles.
I (personally) only like driving about 200 max a day( but then I'm in my late 60's & tire easily) driving over there is very easy, we dont use peage roads (toll)
what time do you arrive in Calais & how far do you want travel first day.
as Carol say's avoid royan ferry expensive.
heres a couple of ideas of what I'd do.
3 night St Nicolas de Bliquetuit (avoiding Rouen),Saumur, Angouleme ( la couronne), Arcachon.
2 night Gace, Couhe, Arcachon
hope this helps Terry
ps when you are down there you must visit La dune de Pyla 100 metre high sand dune , as posted by drexxer

 

[StephandJohn]

I went there years ago and can't remember which campsite it was although it was in the pine forest but I found the sand dune intimidating Wouldn't stop me going there again though.

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[PORKSTER]

To think I drove right past that wonderful site and didn't stop

 

[Chockswahay]

It's a big dune!

 

[FIDGET]

Dune du Pyla I believe there is an aire actually there at the dune in the car park ( not free)

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[MikeD]

If you drive down via Limousin pop in the Parc Verger. Bob and Di run a lovely peaceful site and there are usually always a Funster or two there.

http://www.parcverger.com/

 

[Judge Mental]

It's a big dune!
View attachment 53663

now where have i seen that pose before?.....

 

[FIDGET]

Bit of a trek up the dune, but the slide back running down is fun!!

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[Hollyberry]

You can drive south from Calais, avoiding Paris and the tolls down to Limoges are less than half the price of going via Le Mans.
Turn right at Limoges, you could stop over at Parc Verger, then continue via Brantome. There's an autoroute to Bordeaux or you can go on the smaller roads which are all fine for Motorhomes and pick up the autoroute on the toll free part. South at Bordeaux ( Arcachon signposted from the motorway) It's an easy drive., though Calais to Parc Verger would be a long day. Plenty of Aires on the way though.
Arcachon is a lovely area, very popular with the French who live inland

 

[Chockswahay]

now where have i seen that pose before?.....

A 'Dune Phoon' ! LOL

 

[Parcverger]

As Hollyberry says, the route via Limoges is low cost as the A20 autoroute south towards Limoges is toll-free. You could overnight here, where we are delighted to meet Funsters (subscribing Funsters get a discount), and then there are easy routes from here to Bordeaux and Arcachon that avoid the tolls on the A89.
Bob
www.parcverger.com

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[Stephen & Jeannie]

Beware the ferry from Royan across the estuary to where you want to be. If you think crossing the Channel is expensive bearing in mind the distance across it - you ain't seen nothing yet! LOL

Indeed !!!! But I still use it as it knocks off a large mileage along stressful roads full of lorries !
And a few miles along the road is a great municipal camp site at Le Gurp right on the beach . Google Le Gurp for the campsite.

And, Mrs. Sedge, I am sure you know all about Euronat just along the beach ! Excellent rates in the off season ! Roll on September!

 

[sedge]

I do indeed know about Euronat young Sir. However like Montalivet - it just looks FAR too big to us and always has.

We like a site (if we ever go on a site) where all the facilities are a shortish wander way - not a place where you need a bike to fetch your bread or go for a swim in the pool, etc. And we've heard plenty of people say that you do for both of those.

Likewise the aire at Cabanes de Fleury is nearer to the partic beach you and we want, than the Grand Cosse, plus less mozzies. And much nearer the local facilities. OK so you don't have access to a swimming pool - but for €8 a night in comparison to camping prices - you won't see us complain !

Not been to Le Gurp. Will have to remember that if we go that way in future. Thanks.

 

[cpease]

Been to le Gurp, years ago brilliant site going again this year