First Time In France (or anywhere abroad for that matter)

[TheBows]

Hello,

We are planning our first trip over to France. We intend to go via Euro Tunnel. What I am after is recommendations for 2 camp sites no more than a couple of hours drive from Calais. The thought is two nights at each site and then back to Calais. I have heard that Le Touquet is nice? Sites need to be open in the last week of March.

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks

Stephen

 

[Augusta08]

It can be tad cool and wet in that northern department in late March, but hey ho still worth a visit. Why not aim for a point of interest, Normandy Beaches? Monet's Garden? Then look up campsites close to the attraction. ACSI card would give you campsites and discount in March/April..

 

[Nomadrush]

When i travel anywhere including france and spain i use search for sites and if you get behind on your schedule its just a quick gander on your phone. They give you a trial period and then you can pay £5 or £6 per year its always worked for us.
Paul and Ruth

 

[tuscancouple]

Arm yourself with the Campercontact app. Dead easy to use and you get to see camper feedback for most places.

Mick

 

[Grianan]

I like @Augusta08’s suggestion of having a focus for your trip.

We stayed once in Le Touquet (a hotel) with my parents when we took them over to see my great uncles’ war graves. Even in summer it was cool and wet but a nice town. I would also say it can be a bit seasonal.

A generous couple of hours from Calais could see you in Normandy perhaps following the Seine to Les Andelys, Lyons-la-forêt and Giverney. Or following the Normandy coastline via Honfleur etc.

Whatever you do you will have a lovely time. I would use the apps but maybe look at ACSI before you go and see if you like one of their sites for a couple of days.

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[rosalan]

Another one to recommend CamperContact, which is very easy to download onto your phone, tablet or PC. It shows Campsites and Aires (special parking places for Motorhomes) and is free. If you can afford about £4 a year you also get photographs and actual reviews of all the sites with maps. There are other apps. and books galore but I would not wish to be without this App.

 

[mikebeaches]

Camping Sainte Claire at Neufchâtel en Bray, Upper Normandy, can be reached in a couple of hours down the autoroute from Calais. The main site is open from April, but I think the commercial (paid for) aire next door (same ownership) is open all year with all hardstandings for MHs. The campsite offers the ACSI discount.

It is a popular and well organised site in an attractive town. And it is only two or three hundered metres from Lidl, Aldi and a big Leclerc store, which also has cheap fuel.

We often use the campsite as a stopover when heading north or south. It's busy in summer, but we've never failed to get in even though we don't book. Should be quieter off season.

Camping Sainte Claire - Camping*** trois étoiles, aire camping-car - 76

Camping Sainte Claire*** à Neufchâtel-en-Bray, 76 Seine Maritime, Normandie. Location au camping : tente, caravane, camping-car, aire-camping car automatique.

camping-sainteclaire.com

Campsite Sainte Claire - Neufchâtel-en-Bray - France | Find and book with ACSI

The campsite is located in the grounds of a picturesque old farmstead in the shade of apple trees and a few steps from the 'Avenue Verte'. A dream...

www.campingcard.co.uk

 

[Madcaravanner]

When i travel anywhere including france and spain i use search for sites and if you get behind on your schedule its just a quick gander on your phone. They give you a trial period and then you can pay £5 or £6 per year its always worked for us.
Paul and Ruth

The APP is £5.99 and you get 3 days free but the website is free although it is certainly worth it as the app can be used off-line

 

[suavecarve]

I wouldnt bother with a campsite at that time of year in that area. IMHO a complete waste of 20 euros (or less) when you can get great stopovers (on Searchforsite, campercontact or park4nite) for free and spend the excess on even more wine.
I would be tempted by Amiens, Arras and Montruiel (Although Arras aire is nothing to write home about there is a nice place to stop at the swimming pool)

 

[Kirsten]

I second the vote for Aires not campsites; all of France is lovely lots to explore. All the Aires books are very useful and most have pics of the parking. Have a great time.

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[spitfire]

Think the advice re Normandy is excellent advice. Pretty villages and of course lots of war stuff to see as well as the sea lol
Not too far to travel either for a first visit .A bit cold at that time of year but with lots of hot soup and heating you will be fine

 

[Nomadrush]

Search for sites are not necessarily campsites its aires and free places to stay

 

[Scotch mist]

I use Saint Omer for my first stop 40 miles south east of calais , an aire near the Center of a lovely town with bars and restaurant s , €5 , only downside is there is a railway line next to it , never really bothered us

 

[ctc]

Check the weather the day before you leave and head for the best, we choose in the tunnel. But you can,t go wrong starting at Neufchatel en Bray you have Normandy, Brittany and the Loire in easy reach.

 

[PJGWiltshire]

As this is your first trip to France. If you are pursuaded to try Aire stops, which are great ? n the Spring . Please do not be confused with Aire stops on the motorways. These are not recommended to stop over night on. Head off into the small villages and set up at those Aires. If you decide on a particular region in France for your trip. Members on her will recommend a good variety of lovely Aires for you to stop on

Good luck and have fun

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[DL42846]

Just a thought. Have you thought of ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo then drive onto Roscoff. Some nice spots around there.

 

[The Wino]

Just a thought. Have you thought of ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo then drive onto Roscoff. Some nice spots around there.

Whats the likely cost given he's only going for a few nights!!!!. I was going to suggest going for a bit longer if possible to get a chance to get into motorhoming the French way.

 

[DL42846]

Whats the likely cost given he's only going for a few nights!!!!. I was going to suggest going for a bit longer if possible to get a chance to get into motorhoming the French way.

We live in France and are spoiled by the french facilities. Cost? I don't know. Depends on time of year etc and van details. I have never found any good deals on the tunnel. Always works out much more expensive for me. We completed a two week trip around Brest, Roscoff, St Malo etc. We have an app CamperContact and Search for sites. We have both paid up versions which work out around a fiver a year each. They have all the sites both camping and aires. Aires are stop overs, some free some you have to pay usually around 10€ a night. I must warn you though. Once you have done France you won't be so happy with the UK.

 

[The Wino]

I must warn you though. Once you have done France you won't be so happy with the UK.

I think most would agree to that! I always say if you don't like motorhoming in France you may as well sell it

 

[Burstnerite]

Just one patronising comment. Put a note on your dashboard to drive on the right. I know from experience it is very easy to leave petrol stations and aires and immediately set off on the left-hand side of the road until you suddenly realise what you've done.

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