first trip to europe.. DLP-Paris then normandy (1 Viewer)

[mick qc]

I was originally going to do a short trip at easter time to DLP for our first trip overseas.
Im now looking to do it all in summer over 18days.
going via calais to DLP for about 3 days then over to the Versailles area to take in paris for about 3-4 days days then head up to Normandy for the remainder.
i would love members views on the best routes or any other suggestions taking into account ive never driven abroad.
i havent looked at any sites or places to stop over yet.
thanks in advance.

 

[Dorwyn]

Don't bother looking for sites, there's plenty of choice, unless it's July.

 

[suavecarve]

DLP = Disney Land Paris for others trying to work it out. (took me 30 seconds !)

Anyway, if travelling from DLP to Versailles, check and double check your route, try not to do it on a friday night and makes sure you dont go past the arc de triomphe, it gets a bit hairy in narrow tunnels. Trust me !
Versailles possible to park up. You dont have to pay to go in the gardens.
I would head to the Champagne region in preference to Nromandy in the Summer if it were my first trip, unless there is something specific you want to see

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[mick qc]

DLP = Disney Land Paris for others trying to work it out. (took me 30 seconds !)

Anyway, if travelling from DLP to Versailles, check and double check your route, try not to do it on a friday night and makes sure you dont go past the arc de triomphe, it gets a bit hairy in narrow tunnels. Trust me !
Versailles possible to park up. You dont have to pay to go in the gardens.
I would head to the Champagne region in preference to Nromandy in the Summer if it were my first trip, unless there is something specific you want to see

sorry couldnt be arsed typing it fully.

thanks for the tips

 

[meanders]

We did it the other way round many years ago. Plenty of Aires once you are outside the greater Paris area. While at Disney you can pay to stay overnight in the motorhome, but you cannot 'camp' so unless you are Italian, nothing outside the motorhome.

In Normandy Arromanche Aire is tight so get there early. Otherwise loads of stopping points. Get yourself a copy of 'All the Aires'.

Paris ring road to DLP is interesting driving! Take your time and as per suavecarve, avoid rush hours!

 

[Tombola]

DLP = Disney Land Paris for others trying to work it out. (took me 30 seconds !)

Anyway, if travelling from DLP to Versailles, check and double check your route, try not to do it on a friday night and makes sure you dont go past the arc de triomphe, it gets a bit hairy in narrow tunnels. Trust me !
Versailles possible to park up. You dont have to pay to go in the gardens.
I would head to the Champagne region in preference to Nromandy in the Summer if it were my first trip, unless there is something specific you want to see

Thanks...I thought Dieppe...Lyon..Paris..duh

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[suavecarve]

Thanks...I thought Dieppe...Lyon..Paris..duh

I was initially on Department of Loire and Provence !

 

[mick qc]

We did it the other way round many years ago. Plenty of Aires once you are outside the greater Paris area. While at Disney you can pay to stay overnight in the motorhome, but you cannot 'camp' so unless you are Italian, nothing outside the motorhome.

In Normandy Arromanche Aire is tight so get there early. Otherwise loads of stopping points. Get yourself a copy of 'All the Aires'.

Paris ring road to DLP is interesting driving! Take your time and as per suavecarve, avoid rush hours!

would i be better going via reims then even though its a bit longer

 

[meanders]

If you are happy to pay tolls, then straight down from Calais. Reims is OK provided you stay out of the centre. Lovely cathedral though.

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[GAVLAD]

If you're doing Normandy for the WW2 sites, I would strongly recommend Major & Mrs Holt's pocket guide to Normandy. It's fantastic and gives you a list of all the sites, plus a little history and even has driving itinerary routes for you to cram in as much as possible.
Can't help you with DLP as never been, although will be interested to watching replies as I'm under pressure to add it to our list.
Paris - I got stuck in Paris last year and it put 20 years on me!
Our satnav didn't say that the Paris to Calais road was closed due to building the new stadium until we saw the closure sign at the slip road so spent about 3hrs covering 2 miles.
Be prepared for all of the traffic lights operating against one another within a few hundred metres of each junction to maximise everyones stress levels and make sure you go to Specsavers beforehand to test your eyes in the back of your head for the d!ck heads on mopeds who put the paperazzi to shame with their lack of driving eqtiquette. Other than that just smile and say Je Suis Anglais!

 

[mick qc]

If you're doing Normandy for the WW2 sites, I would strongly recommend Major & Mrs Holt's pocket guide to Normandy. It's fantastic and gives you a list of all the sites, plus a little history and even has driving itinerary routes for you to cram in as much as possible.
Can't help you with DLP as never been, although will be interested to watching replies as I'm under pressure to add it to our list.
Paris - I got stuck in Paris last year and it put 20 years on me!
Our satnav didn't say that the Paris to Calais road was closed due to building the new stadium until we saw the closure sign at the slip road so spent about 3hrs covering 2 miles.
Be prepared for all of the traffic lights operating against one another within a few hundred metres of each junction to maximise everyones stress levels and make sure you go to Specsavers beforehand to test your eyes in the back of your head for the d!ck heads on mopeds who put the paperazzi to shame with their lack of driving eqtiquette. Other than that just smile and say Je Suis Anglais!

ha ha will do

 

[mick qc]

I’ve been looking at all the aires book, is it worth getting for £30

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[GAVLAD]

I’ve been looking at all the aires book, is it worth getting for £30

I bought them and use them as a paper/physical reference but most of my aire planning is done using the various Apps - Campercontact/Park4nite/searchforsites etc.

 

[suavecarve]

I’ve been looking at all the aires book, is it worth getting for £30

If you do buy it, you LL only buy it once.

 

[Brody]

We stayed at DLP last October, they have covered the whole parking area to accommodate solar panels and a barrier has been installed (although it wasn't in operation when we were there, builders were still on site).

It's €45 (was?) to park in a MH whether you are parking for the day or staying overnight. It is also the furthest parking bay from the entrance so about a 10 - 15 minute walk to the gates.

No water/electric in the MH bay but you can drive around to the coach part to dump off and fill with water. There was a shower and toilet block when we stayed over years ago but that seems to have disappeared.

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[chesterfield hooligan]

I type in Aires in Google maps roughly we I'm heading for then use street view to have a look around

 

[maison]

Seeing the mention of Paris and the Arc de Triumph reminded me of the time, about 40 years ago, when I turned the wrong way onto the round-a-bout while towing a caravan.

An experience not to be repeated!

 

[mick qc]

looking to stop here for the 3 days at DLP they have an easy bus route to DLP.

Camping Paris | Camping proche Disney | ᐃ International de Jablines ***

Camping près de Paris et de Disneyland Resort © en Seine et Marne, le CAMPING INTERNATIONAL DE JABLINES *** à Jablines (77) base de loisirs en Ile de France, propose location mobil-homes et emplacements au bord du lac avec base nautique et équitation.

www.camping-jablines.com

unsure where to stop for easy train or bus access to paris central

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[orridge]

Easy trip from Calais onto DLP motorhome parking onsite €45 a night unless you have an annual pass then it’s €15.

Short drive to Versailles but a little hairy traffic wise around the edge of Paris. Huttopia in Versailles is nice and short 30 minute RER train to the Eiffel Tower.

Honfleur and Normandy a couple of hours away and then back to Calais.

Have done it a few times and usually stop at Le Crotoy or St Valéry in the Somme valley on the way back.

 

[mick qc]

thanks for the info, ill check out huttopia

 

[Riverbankannie]

looking to stop here for the 3 days at DLP they have an easy bus route to DLP.

Camping Paris | Camping proche Disney | ᐃ International de Jablines ***

Camping près de Paris et de Disneyland Resort © en Seine et Marne, le CAMPING INTERNATIONAL DE JABLINES *** à Jablines (77) base de loisirs en Ile de France, propose location mobil-homes et emplacements au bord du lac avec base nautique et équitation.

www.camping-jablines.com

unsure where to stop for easy train or bus access to paris central

It says on that campsite website to get the RER from DLP, that might be the easiest, the RER at DLP is right by where the bus will drop you off.

Il est aussi possible de se rendre à Paris en RER A à la gare de Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy (Disneyland® Paris). Cela vous prendra entre 1h et 1h20.

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[L' Hobo]

Seeing the mention of Paris and the Arc de Triumph reminded me of the time, about 40 years ago, when I turned the wrong way onto the round-a-bout while towing a caravan.

An experience not to be repeated!

Did it not give you a clue with ALL the other traffic driving in the opposite direction?

 

[maison]

Did it not give you a clue with ALL the other traffic driving in the opposite direction?

Yes, but too late to reverse.

A very brave (idiotic) French driver, on the round-a-bout, stopped his car, looked at me and shrugged then opened doors on both sides in order to stop the traffic while I made a U-turn across three lanes.

He deserved a medal considering the way people drive around Paris.