France in December (1 Viewer)

[WESTY66]

Ok, so my plans for German Xmas markets are descending into rats##t, so I've turned my attention to possibly a weeks bumble round France. I have snow chains, I have snow tyres, I KNOW the water may be off on most aires, I KNOW it may be cold, where can I go that’s interesting? I’ve done a bit of France on the Harley (WW1&2 stuff) I’m looking for nice aires in nice villages to spend a day or so and move on. We’re triple jabbed, and not stupid, so if you’re gonna tell me how I should be spending my leave, and don’t travel, don’t bother, keep your covid opinions to yourself.
Should I be sending for my crit air now?

 

[Barryh]

If it’s Christmas markets you’re after I’d go to the Alsace. We did it a few years ago, plenty of small towns and villages with markets if you want to avoid the more famous ones. That’s if they are still on of course.

 

[orridge]

Assuming you are coming into Northern France Gravelines then onto Brugge or Iper.

Heading south Strasbourg, Colmar and the Alsace regions are good ie equisheim, ricqweiller, obernai.

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[OwnedbyCollies]

I've not been myself (yet ), but I have always fancied the Amiens Christmas Market and would love to see the light show on the cathedral.

 

[WESTY66]

Thanks guys but I’m thinking (yes dangerous I know) but if the German, markets are closed, those over the border in France will be rammed, so probably scrap the Xmas market idea for this year.
Thinking of heading out Quimper/Brest way out, what’s it like out there for a weeks bumble about? Have you been round here Lenny HB

 

[Howard H]

Thanks guys but I’m thinking (yes dangerous I know) but if the German, markets are closed, those over the border in France will be rammed, so probably scrap the Xmas market idea for this year.
Thinking of heading out Quimper/Brest way out, what’s it like out there for a weeks bumble about? Have you been round here Lenny HB

Quimper is nice for a day or two(it’s pronounced camper or so I was told by the locals) not sure how much will be open in December St.Malo is ok for a day also.

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[Dutch 68]

Ok, so my plans for German Xmas markets are descending into rats##t, so I've turned my attention to possibly a weeks bumble round France. I have snow chains, I have snow tyres, I KNOW the water may be off on most aires, I KNOW it may be cold, where can I go that’s interesting? I’ve done a bit of France on the Harley (WW1&2 stuff) I’m looking for nice aires in nice villages to spend a day or so and move on. We’re triple jabbed, and not stupid, so if you’re gonna tell me how I should be spending my leave, and don’t travel, don’t bother, keep your covid opinions to yourself.
Should I be sending for my crit air now?

How do people get hold of water if the aires close off the supplies please? Is there certain dates when most of them are turned off and back on again?

 

[WESTY66]

Quimper is nice for a day or two(it’s pronounced camper or so I was told by the locals) not sure how much will be open in December St.Malo is ok for a day also.

Thanks H, I was planning on a day in each place and moving on

 

[Lucky]

Honfleur (near Le Havre) and Dinan (near St Malo) are both worthy stopovers for a day or two.

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[Howard H]

Thanks H, I was planning on a day in each place and moving on

A day will be enough

 

[Howard H]

If you like military things about half a days drive away from quimper is saumur and the tank museum . I thought it was great, the wife not so much so

 

[WESTY66]

Honfleur (near Le Havre) and Dinan (near St Malo) are both worthy stopovers for a day or two.

whats the chances of getting on the aire at honfleur sat 4th Dec and what’s the best time to try and get on the aire?

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[WESTY66]

Crit air applied for

 

[jongood]

I would check the forecast the day before and then decide. Lots of beautiful towns and vilages. If you are into military no need to go any further than Normandy, weather permitting. I doubt you will need chains unlesd you go alps.

 

[jongood]

whats the chances of getting on the aire at honfleur sat 4th Dec and what’s the best time to try and get on the aire?

I doubt you will have problem s getting in. Might have hassle getting water.

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[John Barrett]

whats the chances of getting on the aire at honfleur sat 4th Dec and what’s the best time to try and get on the aire?

Good, but get there before 11.00!

 

[John Barrett]

Good, but get there before 11.00! There's a LIDL just down the road where you can get big bottles of water...

 

[Chrisvh]

whats the chances of getting on the aire at honfleur sat 4th Dec and what’s the best time to try and get on the aire?

The great unknown. We tried to get on last week and it was full. Apparently it has been packed for weeks.

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[Chrisvh]

If near Arras on a Saturday the market is brilliant. One of the biggest and best in France. So they say. The two squares are very picturesque. Not sure how much Christmas content there is.

 

[jongood]

Good, but get there before 11.00!

In December? Is there something going on in honfleur?

 

[John Barrett]

In December? Is there something going on in honfleur?

Nothing, but see post #18!

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[Grianan]

If you only have a week then staying north of Loire seems a good idea. Countryside not at its most beautiful this time of year so I’d head for attractive towns. Montreuil is worth visiting especially for Saturday market. It may also be worth googling for any towns doing anything special for Christmas.

 

[Barryh]

What about the Champagne/Auxerre region? Nice champagne towns, nice river and canal side villages. Auxerre is good for a visit with overnight across the river. Lots of nice places to overnight.

 

[orridge]

If near Arras on a Saturday the market is brilliant. One of the biggest and best in France. So they say. The two squares are very picturesque. Not sure how much Christmas content there is.

Arras has a great christmas market in the main square.

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[deleted79651]

Ok, so my plans for German Xmas markets are descending into rats##t, so I've turned my attention to possibly a weeks bumble round France. I have snow chains, I have snow tyres, I KNOW the water may be off on most aires, I KNOW it may be cold, where can I go that’s interesting? I’ve done a bit of France on the Harley (WW1&2 stuff) I’m looking for nice aires in nice villages to spend a day or so and move on. We’re triple jabbed, and not stupid, so if you’re gonna tell me how I should be spending my leave, and don’t travel, don’t bother, keep your covid opinions to yourself.
Should I be sending for my crit air now?

Crit Air issue can take 20 working days. Ours was processed in about 11 working days

Steve

 

[WESTY66]

Tunnel booked and off we go……hopefully

 

[Barti Ddu]

We stayed at the Aire in Honfleur about 6 weeks ago - early October. It's massive, so although it was busy, there were still plenty of spaces. I'd be surprised if it was full in December. However these are strange times. The aires in southern Spain are suddenly filling up. Failed to get into one earlier today, and my second choice only had a couple of spaces. Seems like the whole of northern Europe has moved south for some winter sun (and low covid rates).

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[WESTY66]

Well folks, we think we’re heading for Brittany, any tips on places to go and any aires that we shouldn’t miss, as we’ve only got a week we can’t afford to plod aimlessly, come on where should we not miss out?

Thanks Ady

 

[Charente16]

Bayeaux for the Tapistry. Great Municipal Camp site with in walking distance, along the river path.

Robert

 

[Lenny HB]

How do people get hold of water if the aires close off the supplies please? Is there certain dates when most of them are turned off and back on again?

Churchyards & cemeteries, popular Aires like Honfluer will have water on as will Camping Car parks Aires.
If you know you might have trouble getting water only have a shower every other day that's what we do, thencan last over a week if needed.

whats the chances of getting on the aire at honfleur sat 4th Dec and what’s the best time to try and get on the aire?

Honfluer Aire is huge penly of room when we were there last week. A lot of the French leave between 9:30 and 11:00 so late morning is a good time if you want to choose your spot.

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