France First Time (1 Viewer)

[Leggit]

Hi fellow Funsters, off to France on Tuesday for 3 weeks. Going to head South West to La Rochelle and Bordeaux area from Calais. Any stopovers worth considering or advice for a first timer, please?

 

[f6c]

Advice go with the flow. It's an adventure Enjoy

 

[Phill D]

How are you crossing?

Plan your route around Rouen

How far you want to travel eaxch day

 

[bigtree]

You’ve been on here for 3 1/2 years and posted 3 times.

 

[Jo662]

If you crossing late and need a free aire to stay on here are a couple of good ones.
The second one is a Carrefour carpark that has parking for about 10 or more motorhome. And good for grocery shopping in morning.

Aire de camping car

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zK3GPuEUq27nZNxZA?g_st=ic

Carrefour
+33 3 91 89 11 79

https://maps.app.goo.gl/7nn6EZExz4qHaLka9?g_st=ic

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[WillH]

Just take it easy and if you do go near Rouen be careful. Enjoy France, the sites are just starting to open.

 

[Leggit]

@ bigtree, Crikey, 3 ½ years and 3 posts. TBH I can’t remember my first post, will try to post more often, hope to have a lot of catch up, including trips.

 

[SeanF1]

Visit Ile de Re. Beautiful

 

[Leggit]

Thanks Guys, early / ish crossing via euro-tunnel. Hope to pick up supplies at Maquise and then to Le Crotoy for lunch. Either stay or move on for an overnight somewhere. Idea is then to head South from then on.

 

[Leggit]

Ile de Re and the other "island" below on my list.

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[suavecarve]

Thanks Guys, early / ish crossing via euro-tunnel. Hope to pick up supplies at Maquise and then to Le Crotoy for lunch. Either stay or move on for an overnight somewhere. Idea is then to head South from then on.

Check weather forecast to be able to move on during rainy periods if your first stop is Le Crotoy for lunch.
As a guess I would like to be past Rouen before having a break if going down to Bordeaux for 3 weeks.
Getting past La Loire would be a must for me on a first day on a time limited South of France holiday

Enjoy

 

[Leggit]

This is my first France motor-home trip, my toe in the water, I have Camping Card, Camping-car Park, Search for sites, and of course this channel for inspiration and guidance. Someone said go with the flow and that is my intention. See what happens.

 

[bigtree]

Ile de Re and the other "island" below on my list.

Why ask as you seem to know where to go, first time we went all we had was a map and a destination. Been pretty well deciding our own routes since, don’t see the point on following someone else’s holiday destinations.
It’s so easy now with all the apps that are available.

 

[suavecarve]

This is my first France motor-home trip, my toe in the water, I have Camping Card, Camping-car Park, Search for sites, and of course this channel for inspiration and guidance. Someone said go with the flow and that is my intention. See what happens.

Camping car park card will be very useful on the west coast north of La Rochelle island (which will cost you to go over) but Ile de L'orean is more interesting in our view (though St Martin is lovely) and Noirmoutier has some lovely beaches though few nice places to stay.

With only 3 weeks, stopping at Le Crotoy for lunch might mean taking 3-4 days to get to your area, and there is nothign wrong with that

GIve us a clue how many days you reckon you want to travel and the route you think you might want to take and then some overnight freebies should be incoming

 

[Leggit]

Hi Bigtree, good point but this is our first France trip - it's all new and we are a little unsure. Yep I've looked at these places but don't really know what they are like because I've never been there, they seem nice on google earth or image search, whatever but you don't see the crime rate, the smell from the fish canning works or even the local weather this time of year. It really helps when someone says an area is beautiful or this is a good place to stop - of course it's all subjective, but better than a few lines in a guide book by an unknown who may or may not have visited. As yet I have no planned route down South West other than set the satnav to avoid tolls. It is nice to have some recommends / advice from fellow travellers - avoid Rouen seems to be consistent advice that I will heed if possible.

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[suavecarve]

Hi Bigtree, good point but this is our first France trip - it's all new and we are a little unsure. Yep I've looked at these places but don't really know what they are like because I've never been there, they seem nice on google earth or image search, whatever but you don't see the crime rate, the smell from the fish canning works or even the local weather this time of year. It really helps when someone says an area is beautiful or this is a good place to stop - of course it's all subjective, but better than a few lines in a guide book by an unknown who may or may not have visited. As yet I have no planned route down South West other than set the satnav to avoid tolls. It is nice to have some recommends / advice from fellow travellers - avoid Rouen seems to be consistent advice that I will heed if possible.

These instructions will get you through Rouen from Calais direction. Read, inwardly digest then read again and have them ready as you approach then it isnt an issue.
In terms of crime rate for France, avoid Paris and Marseilles like the plague.
Over many years we have not found a sensible alternative to bypass Rouen. The motorway becomes Dual carriageway at the city's edge and drops down through a tunnel. Exit this in the inside lane and in 1.5km take the 3rd exit signed to Vernon. The slip road ends in traffic lights - go in the centre lane to turn left across a dual carriageway. You should now be in the right hand lane for the next set of lights. Go straight on then bear right onto the D6015 signed for Vernon. In a little while the Seine appears on your right and you are clear of the City

 

[March Hare]

What about staying at the Aire at Honfleur for your first night. It's about 185km from Le Crotoy, and it's a fabulous place, lots of places to eat and drink and generally sightsee. The Aire (huge) is really close to the centre of town and the beautiful harbour. It was still pay and display (€12/24hrs I think) when we were there a fortnight ago, but they're in the process of installing a barrier system and pay machines at the entrance.

 

[ChrisL]

Another way of avoiding Rouen is to visit the D day beaches then move across to Mont St Michelle and then down to La Rochelle, Il de ré etc. Last year I stayed at St Martin where there is a municipal campsite and also an Aire next door. If you like seafood Le Tout Du Cru by St Martin harbour is pretty good.

 

[bigtree]

These instructions will get you through Rouen from Calais direction. Read, inwardly digest then read again and have them ready as you approach then it isnt an issue.
In terms of crime rate for France, avoid Paris and Marseilles like the plague.
Over many years we have not found a sensible alternative to bypass Rouen. The motorway becomes Dual carriageway at the city's edge and drops down through a tunnel. Exit this in the inside lane and in 1.5km take the 3rd exit signed to Vernon. The slip road ends in traffic lights - go in the centre lane to turn left across a dual carriageway. You should now be in the right hand lane for the next set of lights. Go straight on then bear right onto the D6015 signed for Vernon. In a little while the Seine appears on your right and you are clear of the City

Then turn left at the next roundabout heading for Igoville, after that it’s Pont de l’Arche and hey presto France is your oyster.

 

[Parrot Face]

We always use the free and fast |N10 and stop at Verteuil sur Charente an excellent free aire in a park with toilets. There's a phone you ring to get attached to 16 amps of electricity or you can pop into the town hall and they'll send someone out, used be 2 euros. A beautiful town with bars and restaurants and a lovely Chateau. A riverside location thats really peaceful and safe.

Verteuil-sur-Charente ​

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[MisterB]

If youre looking for recommendations then you will be inundated with suggestions, Here are a couple from me that we use or have used in the past.

En route between Caen and Rennes is a town called Fougeres. There are a couple if free Aures there, one is VERY close to the castle and well worth a few hours looking round the next day

I personally would not stop at La Rochelle, use Lac Du Frace instead (search on here for info) it's a great free Aire in a fantastic setting. You can then travel into La Rochelle for the day and park up for free around the yacht basin area, though you will need bikes to get into the town itself from there.

From there head to Blaye, again search on here, you can stay for free at the Château if you spend €15 on wine or pay for the municipal Aire right opposite.

If you then head South you are not far from Bordeaux or head back north and visit the two islands, Oleron and de Rai. You might be better off on paying sites on the islands but there are are still a couple of free Aires in each island.

PS Rouen isn't as bad as people suggest, in fact it's very easy. Just stay on the A28 and whatever it turns into .... You will go through a large tunnel (which isn't the underpass some people have had issues with) as you through the tunnel stay in the right hand lane. Do not move out of that lane. It will become three lanes and even four lanes but stay in that lane, even if traffic is slow. Eventually that lane will turn right, just stay in it and it will take you down and around and under the road you have been on and become a dual carriageway, which then runs alongside the railway tracks. Just follow the signs for Caen from there.
It sounds complicated but it isn't, just stay in the lane!!

PPS great recommendation from Parrot Face !! Well worth considering!

 

[Shrimp]

Leggit
When are you crossing.

 

[MichaelT]

Camping car park card will be very useful on the west coast north of La Rochelle island (which will cost you to go over) but Ile de L'orean is more interesting in our view (though St Martin is lovely) and Noirmoutier has some lovely beaches though few nice places to stay.

With only 3 weeks, stopping at Le Crotoy for lunch might mean taking 3-4 days to get to your area, and there is nothign wrong with that

GIve us a clue how many days you reckon you want to travel and the route you think you might want to take and then some overnight freebies should be incoming

The CCP Aire on Nourmoutier is one of the best they have and its a lovely island free to get on and great cycling. Ille de Rey also nice island but costs to cross to.

Aire in Le Crotoy is good but can get very puddle ridden.

Honfleur is a nice town with big Aire.

Don't worry about Rouen just follow the seine or set sat nav to go on motorway and pay the small amount to go round.

 

[lunarman]

These instructions will get you through Rouen from Calais direction. Read, inwardly digest then read again and have them ready as you approach then it isnt an issue.
In terms of crime rate for France, avoid Paris and Marseilles like the plague.
Over many years we have not found a sensible alternative to bypass Rouen. The motorway becomes Dual carriageway at the city's edge and drops down through a tunnel. Exit this in the inside lane and in 1.5km take the 3rd exit signed to Vernon. The slip road ends in traffic lights - go in the centre lane to turn left across a dual carriageway. You should now be in the right hand lane for the next set of lights. Go straight on then bear right onto the D6015 signed for Vernon. In a little while the Seine appears on your right and you are clear of the City

If you take this route make sure you have a crit-air sticker that is class 3 or less as this route takes you into the clean air zone. There is a recognised through route for non compliant vehicles via the d18e.

 

[suavecarve]

If you take this route make sure you have a crit-air sticker that is class 3 or less as this route takes you into the clean air zone. There is a recognised through route for non compliant vehicles via the d18e.

Well noted.
I was blissfully unaware of this new legislation for Rouen

Rouen

In Rouen, France there is an LEZ, low emission zone in operation from January 2021 on.

urbanaccessregulations.eu

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[15edward]

LennyBs route for Rouen is an easy route
A29, A150, A151 down across the river N138

 

[15edward]

We like Sanguinet south of Bordeaux
couple of aires

 

[Suenliam]

Remember France is much bigger than most realise - particularly if you don't do toll roads. My suggestion is have a general aim of where to go e.g. La Rochelle but if somewhere en route takes your fancy then just stop and explore - unless of course you want a holiday mostly driving. La Rochelle and the Isles will still be there next year for you to explore.
Sue

 

[ChrisL]

Ille de Rey also nice island but costs to cross to.

€8 to get on to the island, free to leave.

 

[MichaelT]

€8 to get on to the island, free to leave.

€16 in summer and more if you are classe 3.

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