Heading off early July for 1st time in M/H

[RichardandKaren]

Hi, we're planning to take M/H to France for 1st time on or around July 8th. Intend to get tunnel crossing around 10:00 am from Folkestone. Want to drive no more than 2 hours on other side first day and probably aiming for Saumur region ( although not totally decided on that yet). Don't want to take toll roads really as we are not in a hurry and quite happy to just pootle along at a leisurely pace. We're planning to go for 2 to 3 weeks and just go where we fancy and the weather is nice. Happy inland by lakes/rivers or seaside. Can anyone recommend a nice stop for first night? Would prefer EHU but not essential. Happy to pay a little so doesn't need to be free. Any other general recommendations for later in the trip also much appreciated. Thanks Richard & Karen

 

[FIDGET]

Bouchemaine
Aire de Camping-car Rue de Chevriere, 49080 Bouchemaine, Pays de la Loire [44-49-53-72-85] / France
Former campsite on the Maine , a bit further west than Saumur
Tel.: +33241222000 |
GPS: N 47.41927, W 0.61148 N 47°25'09", W 0°36'41"
Overnight price (2 persons incl. VAT)
01 Jan - 31 Dec EUR 15.00
Waste water discharge Free
Chemical toilet discharge Free
Water Free
Electricity Free

 

[Two on Tour]

Bouchemaine
Aire de Camping-car Rue de Chevriere, 49080 Bouchemaine, Pays de la Loire [44-49-53-72-85] / France
Former campsite on the Maine , a bit further west than Saumur
Tel.: +33241222000 |
GPS: N 47.41927, W 0.61148 N 47°25'09", W 0°36'41"
Overnight price (2 persons incl. VAT)
01 Jan - 31 Dec EUR 15.00
Waste water discharge Free
Chemical toilet discharge Free
Water Free
Electricity Free

I think you will struggle to get there within 2 hour as Google map reckons it will take 5 hours plus.

 

[FIDGET]

I think you will struggle to get there within 2 hour as Google map reckons it will take 5 hours plus.

Yes agree , sorry thought they wanted somewhere near Saumur

 

[hilldweller]

Don't want to take toll roads really as we are not in a hurry

You are, of course, free to change your mind at any time.

We just did.

Non toll is now The Pits in France, in our opinion. 50 mph is not so bad, BUT, just about every town has 30kps speed limits and numerous speed bumps that means 10mph for a MH. A real pain in the bum.

But so are their toll roads, at a toll booth I commented to 'er indoors, just a quarter of a tank used, €40, and the toll came to €40. I've said this for years, on some French motorways the tolls equal the fuel costs.

France is not our favourite country for doing miles.

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[Eddie H]

I know you were asking about the stop in France, but I see you have a crossing on a Monday morning at 10am, we travel from south Leicestershire so about the same travel time as you give and take.

I always stop at the Drum inn, it’s about 5 mins from the tunnel. They have around 20 pitches. So I drive down late afternoon the night before, hook up for the night and have a nice bar meal, so not a really early start the next day and a nice start to the holiday.

 

[RichardandKaren]

Thanks for the suggestion about the Drumm Inn - I'll take a look at that.

 

[LesW]

Thanks for the suggestion about the Drumm Inn - I'll take a look at that.

You might also like to check out 'The Master Brewer' about 10mins from Euro tunnel, but unlike the Drum Inn, its free.

 

[Larby]

We love Mailleraye sur Seine west of Rouen for 1st night. Free bridge south of Yvetot over Seine, €5 per 24hrs.
Head South to Le Man and free aire alongside La Loir at La Fleche.
No electric at either but free water at La Fleche.
Nice aire with electric at La Suze sur Sarthe south of Le Man.
Then onto Saumer and several aires to choose from. No tolls and straight forward although Le Man and Alençon focus the mind.
Enjoy and remember you are in France and single roads are 80km speed limits.
Towns and villages 50km or lower which begin at town name board.
Some may be 30km (18mph!) Speed limits change constantly so watch the signs.

 

[Lenny HB]

Non toll is now The Pits in France, in our opinion. 50 mph is not so bad, BUT, just about every town has 30kps speed limits and numerous speed bumps that means 10mph for a MH. A real pain in the bum.

Done 250 miles today & 220 yesterday in France without tolls. Don't have any problems with it, some villages can be a pain to get through but it's all part of the fun.

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[lindylou]

We love Mailleraye sur Seine west of Rouen for 1st night. Free bridge south of Yvetot over Seine, €5 per 24hrs.
Head South to Le Man and free aire alongside La Loir at La Fleche.
No electric at either but free water at La Fleche.
Nice aire with electric at La Suze sur Sarthe south of Le Man.
Then onto Saumer and several aires to choose from. No tolls and straight forward although Le Man and Alençon focus the mind.
Enjoy and remember you are in France and single roads are 80km speed limits.
Towns and villages 50km or lower which begin at town name board.
Some may be 30km (18mph!) Speed limits change constantly so watch the signs.

 

[lindylou]

I second La Suze sur Sarthe

 

[RichardandKaren]

Thanks Larby that's really useful info.

 

[peterc10]

I would second La Mailleraye sur Seine. Aire is on the banks of the river and you get a front row seat of the shipping going up and down the river. Lovely village with a nice restaurant 50 yds from the Aire, 2 patisseries within a couple of minutes walk and a small supermarket that has everything you need.

First time we went there we were only planning to stay one night. Then the sun came out and we ended up staying 3 nights

 

[keithchesterfield2]

Have look at some of my videos - they might give you some idea of what is available - link to YouTube below

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[Nirvanauk]

Honfleur municipal. Don't stop at the Aires as it is just a dump.

 

[cliffanger]

Probably not far enough, but we usually stop in the Aires in Le Crotoy for our first night.

Wherever you wander - have fun.