I am booking campsites for my first ever motorhome trip this summer, (never even slept in one) and I'm planning to spend the majority of my time (6 weeks) in Spain. I have a few sites already booked in Spain but haven't managed to book any for the journey through France yet as I cant decide what route I should take, Left or Right of Paris. I'd like to get through France within 3/4 days. What way would you go? Any recommendations of places to stop over night would also be very helpful.
Go East or Go West? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter BMM
- Start date
I do a different route each time I go, but one aire I always aim for is the one at Montreuil-Bellay ....
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Why rush through France if this is your first trip,it has a lot to offer.
Is that a bit too far down to make it for my 1st night from the ferry? I should be leaving Calais at 10.30am. Am I right thinking that unless you get to the Aires before lunchtime they will usually be full up? Sorry for all the questions just don't fancy getting stranded on my 1st night
I'm meeting up with friends in Barcelona on day 4 of our trip, I may spend a week in France on the way back
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
He did say.....
I use the tunnel when I go and that is usually around the time I arrive. So you should easily make it that far. It is a little bit of a slog but to be honest that is about where I actual feel I am on holiday..
If you have 4 days to make it then.. Montreuil-Bellay 1st day. Bordeaux (Blaye) for the second. Dune du Pilat for the 3rd day. Then you are in Spain easily on the 4th. But you didn't say where in Spain
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Not a bad stop but I do prefer Montreuil-Bellay
Not a bad stop but I do prefer Montreuil-Bellay
Think that may be a bit too far down for my first night as AA rout planner says 5 hours from Calais (probably 6 in an RV), I'll have a 4 year old on board and keeping him entertained for 5 hours wont be fun. Look perfect for my way back
If that is too far for the first day you aren't going to make Spain in 4 days
I drive for 2 hours at a time. So 3 x 2 hours driving stints sound about right to me with a half an hour to 45 minutes breaks each time.
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
It's just a bit too much for day 1 as I'll be driving from Essex to Dover then 90 mins ferry crossing, that will work out roughly 9 hours traveling on day 1, bit too much for the nipper, I plan to do 4-5 hours each dayIf that is too far for the first day you aren't going to make Spain in 4 days
I drive for 2 hours at a time. So 3 x 2 hours driving stints sound about right to me with a half an hour to 45 minutes breaks each time.
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
On one of the Yelloh Village sites just North of Barcelona
Maybe a better bet would be to set off in the evening and stay very close to dover. So you can make some progress on day 1?
it is around (aprox) 1500 miles from UK to southern Spain. If you need to make it that far in 4 days you really need to be getting on a bit. 350 Miles a day is the target I used to use. Good days I did 400 bad days I did 300. It is your call though and it has been a few years since I last went down to be honest.
it is around (aprox) 1500 miles from UK to southern Spain. If you need to make it that far in 4 days you really need to be getting on a bit. 350 Miles a day is the target I used to use. Good days I did 400 bad days I did 300. It is your call though and it has been a few years since I last went down to be honest.
Ah ok. that Barceloa is only around 900 Miles from memory. So you would need to make 250 miles a day... 360 for Montreuil bellay is probably more than you need in day one then
.Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Think that could be a good plan, now all I've got to do is learn how to drive the bloody thing
D
Deleted member 29692
Deleted User
No you aren't right. Other than the popular costal tourist areas in high season you won't have a problem.
Even if you get really unlucky and can't get on your first choice for whatever reason there will be other options within 30 minutes.
The one thing that you absolutely never need to do in France is use campsites.
That's very good to know, I'm probably over planning this trip but I'm just trying to avoid too many nasty surprises
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
D
Deleted member 29692
Deleted User
Because if you have limited time and a destination in mind a grand tour of French roundabouts holds very little attraction.
I keep saying it but a lot of people on this site can't seem to get it through their heads.
Not all of us are retired with unlimited time. A lot of us can only travel for 2 weeks at a time and have to travel during the school holiday. It isn't a choice, we have no other option.
- Oct 30, 2010
- 4,256
- 20,707
- Funster No
- 14,290
- MH
- A Class Carthago Chic
- Exp
- Since 2008
Both France and Spain are very big countries compared to the UK.
Unless you want to thrash down motorways for hour after hour it is far better to take a day or two more and get to your destination in a reasonably relaxed mood.
We don't use toll roads and my very rough guide to traveling across France is 'a river a day'.
Day 1, Channel to the Seine
Day 2, Seine to Loire
Day 3, Loire to Dordogne
Day 4, Dordogne to Spanish border.
We try to arrive at aires in the early afternoon and have a leisurely breakfast of fresh croissants before we leave the next morning.
France is too good to rush through.
Richard.
Unless you want to thrash down motorways for hour after hour it is far better to take a day or two more and get to your destination in a reasonably relaxed mood.
We don't use toll roads and my very rough guide to traveling across France is 'a river a day'.
Day 1, Channel to the Seine
Day 2, Seine to Loire
Day 3, Loire to Dordogne
Day 4, Dordogne to Spanish border.
We try to arrive at aires in the early afternoon and have a leisurely breakfast of fresh croissants before we leave the next morning.
France is too good to rush through.
Richard.
To be honest. on day one I would be looking to cover as much territory as possible. As the days grind on, the miles pass and the tempers fray it will be harder to make progress. Getting a good chunk wellied in on day one then taking it easier on day 2 onwards always helped me. Until I pass the La Rochelle line I never feel as though I am fully in France though...Think that could be a good plan, now all I've got to do is learn how to drive the bloody thing
I always wanted to get into mid/southern France as quickly as possible.
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Very true, I plan to leave the day he breaks up from school and come back the day before he returns,Because if you have limited time and a destination in mind a grand tour of French roundabouts holds very little attraction.
I keep saying it but a lot of people on this site can't seem to get it through their heads.
Not all of us are retired with unlimited time. A lot of us can only travel for 2 weeks at a time and have to travel during the school holiday. It isn't a choice, we have no other option.
Coastal ones it always used to be 3/4pm. For inland ones there was never really any issues. Things may have changed. But to be honest I was always happy enough to find the next one. Other than the Montreuil-Bellay one I never planned. I would roll up, have a nosey and if it was full or I didn't like the look I would drive a bit further. Very rare that I didn't find one and have to park on the road. That said parking at the side of the road in rural France is never any hardship to be honest.
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Didn't know that simply parking up at the side of a road in France was even an option, My motorhome experience consist of: saw it on ebay, liked it, bought it.
I don't plan to see any sights in France just want to get to Spain asap. where do I get a Toll Tag from?
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Join us or log in to post a reply.
To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun
Join MotorhomeFun
Join us, it quick and easy!
Log in
Already a member? Log in here.