France 2025, is booking usually neccessary?

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Hi Folks and greetings. Myself and the leader of the opposition (Mrs J, aka LOTO) are new to motorhoming and to this website. I retired last year and the LOTO now only works periodically as a carer - not mine (yet) I’m pleased to say. What I’ve read thus far clearly confirms you are a very knowledgeable, experienced and helpful bunch. So here goes with our question(s) and apologies in advance if this is 'basic stuff' and a bit verbose but, as I say, we're new to this lark and we're just trying to find our feet. Notwithstanding our lack of motorhome experience, we do have camping and caravanning experience back in our youth, so we’re not entirely as green as we’re cabbage looking.

We've done a couple of short trips in the UK and now, suitably emboldened, we're off to France, in May, for four weeks. Crossings are booked, and equipment-wise I think we're good to go. What we're unsure of is the need, or not, to book overnight stops in advance. I'm reasonably familiar with travel in Europe having spent many years on annual motorbike tours with my chums and my left hand drive motorbike has helped me acclimatise to riding/driving on the 'wrong' side of the road. Thus, navigating around is not a major issue and I have a modest grasp of schoolboy Franglais to ensure suitable embarrassment with our friends across the Channel.

We're crossing via the Eurotunnel. I'm aware that avoiding Paris is essential and we'll probably travel via Rouen and then head vaguely south, initially intending to meander down to the Dordogne where we'll spend a few days before moving on further south to Caylus in the Tarn-et-Garonne (we know it well from staying there several years in a rented house) where we intend to spend a week or so with our feet up before meandering back to Blighty. We've heard and read lots about using Aires, and apps such as Search for Sites and French Passion. However, we don't have experience of using any of them and don't know whether there is a need to book any stops in advance (I appreciate Aires can't usually be pre-booked) or is it just usual protocol to 'rock-up' and anticipate plenty of availability and a warm welcome. We're happy to try wild camping too, and would probably like to include plenty of this for overnight stops.

Any tips and guidance will be greatly appreciated. Likewise, if you have suggested routes/stop-overs, and must see locations, do please say. I’m aware there is a site in Caylus - Camping De Le Bonnette, and one nearby in Saint-Antonin-Noble Val - Camping Municipal Le Ponget, as I’ve driven past both when previously in the area. However, and predictably, as newbies we've no experience of either! Thanks in advance, Derek and Lorraine.
 
We have never booked but to allay any concerns you may have, get the Camping Carparks app and card.
This is a network of Aires and stopovers throughout France that has the option to book in advance of arriving if you so wish. We use this app and Search for Sites which provides a great choice of places to overnight.
 
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Okay they cost a few quid , but , we bought the Vicarious published books one for North France and one for Southern France , they give you good descriptions and general advice for thousands of Aires in France, we found them invaluable ,as well as apps.
 
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Okay they cost a few quid , but , we bought the Vicarious published books one for North France and one for Southern France , they give you good descriptions and general advice for thousands of Aires in France, we found them invaluable ,as well as apps.
But they are out of date before they're even printed 🙄 apps/web much better. Understand before the Internet but now you get good mobile coverage 99.9% of places and apps give offline data for the odd occasion.
 
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We've been camping in France every year for over 50 years, first on bikes, then in a campervan, now in a motorhome. We tend to stay on campsites, and have never booked a site, ever. The only time I would consider it is in mid-August if you wished to attend a particular event and need a specific campsite. And as others have said, there's always an Aire or MH spot somewhere where you can stay for a night or two, free or for a few euros. Vive la France!

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But they are out of date before they're even printed 🙄 apps/web much better. Understand before the Internet but now you get good mobile coverage 99.9% of places and apps give offline data for the odd occasion.
We have never encountered a problem, all the Aires we have used from the books have been open, even a old Spain one we use has been the same,OK, plus if you have no internet signal, (the books don't need internet 🥴),but ,each to their own.
 
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As others have said, just 'wing it'. It'll all be alright on the night. If you are 'of a certain age (60)' then Newhaven/Dieppe is recommended unless you actually live around Dover. Phoning up gets us wrinklies a discount.
hi cyberyacht which ferry company ,always looking to save a few bob. ta
 
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Hi Folks and greetings. Myself and the leader of the opposition (Mrs J, aka LOTO) are new to motorhoming and to this website. I retired last year and the LOTO now only works periodically as a carer - not mine (yet) I’m pleased to say. What I’ve read thus far clearly confirms you are a very knowledgeable, experienced and helpful bunch. So here goes with our question(s) and apologies in advance if this is 'basic stuff' and a bit verbose but, as I say, we're new to this lark and we're just trying to find our feet. Notwithstanding our lack of motorhome experience, we do have camping and caravanning experience back in our youth, so we’re not entirely as green as we’re cabbage looking.

We've done a couple of short trips in the UK and now, suitably emboldened, we're off to France, in May, for four weeks. Crossings are booked, and equipment-wise I think we're good to go. What we're unsure of is the need, or not, to book overnight stops in advance. I'm reasonably familiar with travel in Europe having spent many years on annual motorbike tours with my chums and my left hand drive motorbike has helped me acclimatise to riding/driving on the 'wrong' side of the road. Thus, navigating around is not a major issue and I have a modest grasp of schoolboy Franglais to ensure suitable embarrassment with our friends across the Channel.

We're crossing via the Eurotunnel. I'm aware that avoiding Paris is essential and we'll probably travel via Rouen and then head vaguely south, initially intending to meander down to the Dordogne where we'll spend a few days before moving on further south to Caylus in the Tarn-et-Garonne (we know it well from staying there several years in a rented house) where we intend to spend a week or so with our feet up before meandering back to Blighty. We've heard and read lots about using Aires, and apps such as Search for Sites and French Passion. However, we don't have experience of using any of them and don't know whether there is a need to book any stops in advance (I appreciate Aires can't usually be pre-booked) or is it just usual protocol to 'rock-up' and anticipate plenty of availability and a warm welcome. We're happy to try wild camping too, and would probably like to include plenty of this for overnight stops.

Any tips and guidance will be greatly appreciated. Likewise, if you have suggested routes/stop-overs, and must see locations, do please say. I’m aware there is a site in Caylus - Camping De Le Bonnette, and one nearby in Saint-Antonin-Noble Val - Camping Municipal Le Ponget, as I’ve driven past both when previously in the area. However, and n experience of either! Thanks in advance, Derek and Lorraine.
Being retired for many years, I've always taken advantage of the
Hi Folks and greetings. Myself and the leader of the opposition (Mrs J, aka LOTO) are new to motorhoming and to this website. I retired last year and the LOTO now only works periodically as a carer - not mine (yet) I’m pleased to say. What I’ve read thus far clearly confirms you are a very knowledgeable, experienced and helpful bunch. So here goes with our question(s) and apologies in advance if this is 'basic stuff' and a bit verbose but, as I say, we're new to this lark and we're just trying to find our feet. Notwithstanding our lack of motorhome experience, we do have camping and caravanning experience back in our youth, so we’re not entirely as green as we’re cabbage looking.

We've done a couple of short trips in the UK and now, suitably emboldened, we're off to France, in May, for four weeks. Crossings are booked, and equipment-wise I think we're good to go. What we're unsure of is the need, or not, to book overnight stops in advance. I'm reasonably familiar with travel in Europe having spent many years on annual motorbike tours with my chums and my left hand drive motorbike has helped me acclimatise to riding/driving on the 'wrong' side of the road. Thus, navigating around is not a major issue and I have a modest grasp of schoolboy Franglais to ensure suitable embarrassment with our friends across the Channel.

We're crossing via the Eurotunnel. I'm aware that avoiding Paris is essential and we'll probably travel via Rouen and then head vaguely south, initially intending to meander down to the Dordogne where we'll spend a few days before moving on further south to Caylus in the Tarn-et-Garonne (we know it well from staying there several years in a rented house) where we intend to spend a week or so with our feet up before meandering back to Blighty. We've heard and read lots about using Aires, and apps such as Search for Sites and French Passion. However, we don't have experience of using any of them and don't know whether there is a need to book any stops in advance (I appreciate Aires can't usually be pre-booked) or is it just usual protocol to 'rock-up' and anticipate plenty of availability and a warm welcome. We're happy to try wild camping too, and would probably like to include plenty of this for overnight stops.

Any tips and guidance will be greatly appreciated. Likewise, if you have suggested routes/stop-overs, and must see locations, do please say. I’m aware there is a site in Caylus - Camping De Le Bonnette, and one nearby in Saint-Antonin-Noble Val - Camping Municipal Le Ponget, as I’ve driven past both when previously in the area. However, and predictably, as newbies we've no experience of either! Thanks in advance, Derek and Lorraine.
Being retired many years, I've always taken advantage of the winter months to get away spending the rest of the year in a static van in Wales, visiting my bungalow, infrequently to pick up the mail, I could have rented it out but chose not to. My first trip, travelling through France, was a coastal tour of northern Spain, Portugal, southern Spain and back in the UK for Christmas set off in October 2007, 5000 miles overall. The following January 2008, travelled to Benidorm for 3 months, for a rest. The weather in Spain as certainly changed over the years culminating in the severe, that we see every where today. Always used the Rouen route down to Biarritz a magical place, never used the tolls, only when sat nav took advantage on and off, the national roads are brilliant anyway and you see more.
Sat navs are great used with common sense, I found driving abroad much better than UK, the Aires in France are brilliant. Enjoy the best expect the worst, plan ahead, all the best happy travels 😀 Ronboyracer
 
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Hi there.
Please be aware that Rouen is famous (infamous) for having a few very low tunnels that your satnav MAY try to direct you through. Many a traveller has had a few inches or more shaved off the top of their vans by these tunnels.

I always bypass Rouen, via Yvetot, and use the Pont de Brotonne bridge over the river Seine, toll-free nowadays.

If you are going to use campsites and their facilities, the 2025 ACSI card and handbook (£21.50) soon pays for itself with fixed price low season discounts. Lots of choice of ACSI registered campsites. No need to book in advance before July/August unless you want to stay at a popular seaside resort during school hols.

w2f
 
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hi cyberyacht which ferry company ,always looking to save a few bob. ta
It is DFDS but to get the over sixties discount you need to phone rather than book online

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Hi Folks and greetings. Myself and the leader of the opposition (Mrs J, aka LOTO) are new to motorhoming and to this website. I retired last year and the LOTO now only works periodically as a carer - not mine (yet) I’m pleased to say. What I’ve read thus far clearly confirms you are a very knowledgeable, experienced and helpful bunch. So here goes with our question(s) and apologies in advance if this is 'basic stuff' and a bit verbose but, as I say, we're new to this lark and we're just trying to find our feet. Notwithstanding our lack of motorhome experience, we do have camping and caravanning experience back in our youth, so we’re not entirely as green as we’re cabbage looking.

We've done a couple of short trips in the UK and now, suitably emboldened, we're off to France, in May, for four weeks. Crossings are booked, and equipment-wise I think we're good to go. What we're unsure of is the need, or not, to book overnight stops in advance. I'm reasonably familiar with travel in Europe having spent many years on annual motorbike tours with my chums and my left hand drive motorbike has helped me acclimatise to riding/driving on the 'wrong' side of the road. Thus, navigating around is not a major issue and I have a modest grasp of schoolboy Franglais to ensure suitable embarrassment with our friends across the Channel.

We're crossing via the Eurotunnel. I'm aware that avoiding Paris is essential and we'll probably travel via Rouen and then head vaguely south, initially intending to meander down to the Dordogne where we'll spend a few days before moving on further south to Caylus in the Tarn-et-Garonne (we know it well from staying there several years in a rented house) where we intend to spend a week or so with our feet up before meandering back to Blighty. We've heard and read lots about using Aires, and apps such as Search for Sites and French Passion. However, we don't have experience of using any of them and don't know whether there is a need to book any stops in advance (I appreciate Aires can't usually be pre-booked) or is it just usual protocol to 'rock-up' and anticipate plenty of availability and a warm welcome. We're happy to try wild camping too, and would probably like to include plenty of this for overnight stops.

Any tips and guidance will be greatly appreciated. Likewise, if you have suggested routes/stop-overs, and must see locations, do please say. I’m aware there is a site in Caylus - Camping De Le Bonnette, and one nearby in Saint-Antonin-Noble Val - Camping Municipal Le Ponget, as I’ve driven past both when previously in the area. However, and predictably, as newbies we've no experience of either! Thanks in advance, Derek and Lorraine.
Away from the Cote d'Azur you will have no trouble just turning up (or perhaps contact the day before) to get onto a decent site. We go into the areas of France that you mentioned and never have any problems. In late July and into August might be different but we never go away that time. There's so many Sites in the areas you are considering. My advice is to get this year's ACSI book and Card.
 
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Bit late to this - but we've just spent January and a bit of Feb on our first proper trip out (Courcheval, Rouen, south of Spain etc) and never had to book a thing in advance.

The only caveat was some sites in Spain required a card being purchased and they had to reboot the terminal (running Windows!) remotely to get it to work, once.
 
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Forgot to say - if it's your first jaunt make sure to get a euro adapter for your EHU and a double-male hozelock adapter for the fresh water. We gave the latter one to a couple who had spent 5 months building their van, were on their first day (with 2 toddlers) and didn't realise that parts of the continent have different connectors.

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First time at isle du re, turned up at a site, no problem, later that day, site full and every day for the two weeks we stayed, another time in Dole, we got one of the last pitches, when we moved on we booked the next planned stop, only to find just 3 of us on a 50ish pitch site. So if you want a particular site book, if you like to go with the flow you will always find something nearby.
 
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Travelling in May, don’t get caught out by Bank Holidays
1st May Labour day, shops will be closed, Ascension day Thursday May 29th, turns into a long 4 day ( bank holiday) including the weekend ) everywhere very busy, and shops etc limited opening . Aires and Campsites very busy/ full.
 
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Folks. Thanks you for so many extremely usueful comments, tips etc. This will make life so much easier for the Leader of the Opposition who will be assuming the full time role of 'chief route planner'. Sincere thanks. Derek and Lorraine.
 
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