Suggestions for our trip to France in May 2023

[zac]

For the first year since owning a motorhome we have decided that this year instead of flying off to sunnier climates we will instead travel over to France via the Tunnel and spend 2 weeks travelling around, we are departing end of April and will be coming back 2 week of May so weather may not be great in most places unless venturing to the South of course.

I am looking for some good pointers on some nice destinations within approx 4-5 hours of Calais which probably covers most of France to be honest, i am interested in the War type places but my wife is not so keen so i need to mix it up a little. Also our Motorhome is rather large ie 8.5m tag so we need to be able to get to these places with this as we are unable to take any other form of transport like bicycles (medical issues). we could if we thought it would help take the car trailer with the car but this means that we wont be able to move on regularly so at the moment that's not coming with us.

I have just purchased my Angle morte stickers and i already have the crit air sticker as well.
Thought and suggestions please

Thanks in advance.

 

[OutTheOffice]

4 to 5 hours from Calais will not cover anything like most of France. its a good 10 or 11 hour slog down to the south coast, using autoroutes all the way. If I was just limiting my trip to 4 /5 hours I would head out west from Calais keeping to the north and into Normandy , take a look at the invasion beaches, before heading south towards the Loire valley and take in some of the amazing chateaux, ( Samur, Chinon, Villandray, etc then back up to Calais. Taking it nice and steady it will take you at least a couple of weeks with a good variety of coastal and inland france.

 

[suavecarve]

Both Paris and Luxembourg are 4 hours from Calais.
La Loire which is a great shout is 6 and has to be favourite. Alsace is just about 6 and a close 2nd favourite.
Champagne or Ardennes in Belgium would be my choice if keeping it to 4 or 5 hours.

Let us know more about your direction of travel and further pointers can be made.

Would the medical issue have the same prevention for walking as cycling as this might adjust reccommendations

 

[royandsharont]

We’ve had some very nice days out in Rouen and also Boulogne, getting to both from campsites outside using local busses.

Dieppe was a pleasant not planned visit with a good walk into town from the campsite.

Wimereux is a pleasant coastal town, not a lot there apart from a beautiful prom to stroll, a high street and hotel restaurant at the northern end for menu du jour. The campsite in the town makes it walkable.

In a different direction Laon is also a fantastic medieval town to visit but it’s a hard walk up to the top of the mound from the campsite at its base.

 

[zac]

Both Paris and Luxembourg are 4 hours from Calais.
La Loire which is a great shout is 6 and has to be favourite. Alsace is just about 6 and a close 2nd favourite.
Champagne or Ardennes in Belgium would be my choice if keeping it to 4 or 5 hours.

Let us know more about your direction of travel and further pointers can be made.

Would the medical issue have the same prevention for walking as cycling as this might adjust reccommendations

It's not a deal breaker if we venture further as it just means more time to get back but if it's worth it then for sure we can go further, not sure on the direction to be honest as i have only ever driven as fast as possible through France to get to Spain as its always cold when we usually travel (Dec). Walking is ok but def not cycling i am afraid.

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[zac]

4 to 5 hours from Calais will not cover anything like most of France. its a good 10 or 11 hour slog down to the south coast, using autoroutes all the way. If I was just limiting my trip to 4 /5 hours I would head out west from Calais keeping to the north and into Normandy , take a look at the invasion beaches, before heading south towards the Loire valley and take in some of the amazing chateaux, ( Samur, Chinon, Villandray, etc then back up to Calais. Taking it nice and steady it will take you at least a couple of weeks with a good variety of coastal and inland france.

I was being a little bit optimistic with the 4-5 hours as i know it was just over 6 hours from Bordeaux to Calais as i drove that a few weeks ago after my Santander boat was delayed, that was all tolls though.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Why don't you have a meander along the Normandy coast, lots of interesting sites, the war graves etc. You can go over to St Micheal which is woth a look at. Lots of Aires to stay on some free others a small charge..
Lots of interesting places along the coast

 

[suavecarve]

It almost comes down to which way you want go past Paris.

 

[zac]

It almost comes down to which way you want go past Paris.

Ah i see sorry it will most likely be the West side, we did meet a couple when we were in Spain who has a place a couple of hours from St Malo so that may be an option as they invited us over.

 

[Ridgeway]

Dordogneshire is a tad further but worth a visit, also a bit quieter at that time of year.

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[suavecarve]

Ah i see sorry it will most likely be the West side, we did meet a couple when we were in Spain who has a place a couple of hours from St Malo so that may be an option as they invited us over.

Even narrowing it down even more, there are a lot of places within a couple of hours of St Malo.

The sea (for any normal person) will still be too cold (in my view) up there for early May.

St Malo has some lovely places near to it and en route, Dinan, Canacale, anything that begins with a P on the coast (we went to about 5 of them !) St Malo itself is surprisingly beautiful for what I considered a Port town.

En route you have Mont St Michel, Avranches, Bayeux, Caen, Honfleur, Fecamp, Rouen, all the landing beaches, Montreuil sur mer. Theres shed loads for a fortnight tottering up and back

 

[Barryh]

In a different direction Laon is also a fantastic medieval town to visit but it’s a hard walk up to the top of the mound from the campsite at its base.

Laon is a nice place to visit and there is an aire at the top which is excellent for getting into the town.

 

[Smudger55]

For the first year since owning a motorhome we have decided that this year instead of flying off to sunnier climates we will instead travel over to France via the Tunnel and spend 2 weeks travelling around, we are departing end of April and will be coming back 2 week of May so weather may not be great in most places unless venturing to the South of course.

I am looking for some good pointers on some nice destinations within approx 4-5 hours of Calais which probably covers most of France to be honest, i am interested in the War type places but my wife is not so keen so i need to mix it up a little. Also our Motorhome is rather large ie 8.5m tag so we need to be able to get to these places with this as we are unable to take any other form of transport like bicycles (medical issues). we could if we thought it would help take the car trailer with the car but this means that we wont be able to move on regularly so at the moment that's not coming with us.

I have just purchased my Angle morte stickers and i already have the crit air sticker as well.
Thought and suggestions please

Thanks in advance.

Hello Zac
How are your plans taking shape. We may be doing a similar thing, we have an elderly dog so tunnel is best option, it will be our first time, 7.8m MHome looking to go after Easter. Tunnel seems to be costing £370 ish inc dog, might find 10% discount code.

Slightly worried about rear overhang of MHome and getting on the train carriage.

We will need overnight stay near tunnel then perhaps a stop for first night in France.

Normandy and war graves seems sensible idea. Are you pre booking sites or doing the MHome thing and stopping off when you see fit.

I'll be interested to hear how you are getting on. Cheers Smudger55

 

[zac]

Hello Zac
How are your plans taking shape. We may be doing a similar thing, we have an elderly dog so tunnel is best option, it will be our first time, 7.8m MHome looking to go after Easter. Tunnel seems to be costing £370 ish inc dog, might find 10% discount code.

Slightly worried about rear overhang of MHome and getting on the train carriage.

We will need overnight stay near tunnel then perhaps a stop for first night in France.

Normandy and war graves seems sensible idea. Are you pre booking sites or doing the MHome thing and stopping off when you see fit.

I'll be interested to hear how you are getting on. Cheers Smudger55

Hi

I am compiling a list from the assistance from here, we will be going over on the tunnel which i have used a long time ago with my previous motorhome which was an Autotrail Delaware which was 7.9m. Never had any issues with this so i think you will be ok and the one we have now is 8.5m and a tag and i dont think i will have any issues as i know coaches get on an off. We dont plan on pre booking sites but this does depend on where we are going to go, I still cannot decide if we need to take the car trailer as if we do then this changes everything as a lot more planning needs to happen. At present we are not taking it so the current plan is just see how we go and if we need to stop over on a campsite we should be ok as its not peak times.
If you find a code for the tunnel let me know as currently last time i checked it was £365 for us return with the standard ticket, I've not booked the tunnel as of yet but i hope to soon.

Keep in touch anyway.

 

[Smudger55]

Hi

I am compiling a list from the assistance from here, we will be going over on the tunnel which i have used a long time ago with my previous motorhome which was an Autotrail Delaware which was 7.9m. Never had any issues with this so i think you will be ok and the one we have now is 8.5m and a tag and i dont think i will have any issues as i know coaches get on an off. We dont plan on pre booking sites but this does depend on where we are going to go, I still cannot decide if we need to take the car trailer as if we do then this changes everything as a lot more planning needs to happen. At present we are not taking it so the current plan is just see how we go and if we need to stop over on a campsite we should be ok as its not peak times.
If you find a code for the tunnel let me know as currently last time i checked it was £365 for us return with the standard ticket, I've not booked the tunnel as of yet but i hope to soon.

Keep in touch anyway.

Hi Zac

Just checked CMC site for tunnel and it reduced cost by neary £60 to £277, might need to add dog but definitely cheaper if you are a member. Cheers Smudger55

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[Chris]

Brittany?

It‘s a lovely part of France with nice French people. They are related to the Welsh which explains that.

Other than that as suggested Normandy is good with the landing beaches and Bayeux if you want to see the tapestry ( although be careful we we’re stuck behind a couple of pain in the arse yanks who studied ( and commented upon) every bloody scene

 

[Smudger55]

Hi

I am compiling a list from the assistance from here, we will be going over on the tunnel which i have used a long time ago with my previous motorhome which was an Autotrail Delaware which was 7.9m. Never had any issues with this so i think you will be ok and the one we have now is 8.5m and a tag and i dont think i will have any issues as i know coaches get on an off. We dont plan on pre booking sites but this does depend on where we are going to go, I still cannot decide if we need to take the car trailer as if we do then this changes everything as a lot more planning needs to happen. At present we are not taking it so the current plan is just see how we go and if we need to stop over on a campsite we should be ok as its not peak times.
If you find a code for the tunnel let me know as currently last time i checked it was £365 for us return with the standard ticket, I've not booked the tunnel as of yet but i hope to soon.

Keep in touch anyway.

I am also wondering whether to head north, think there are war graves and could head towards Dunkirk and Bruges?

 

[cyberyacht]

You can overtake in Bayeux. My wife and I lingered over it and were passed by people who barely glanced at it. Municipal Camping site is a pleasant walk along a river into the town. Pegasus Bridge is worth a visit too. Couple of aires within a mile or two.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Compiègne forest
Reims
Laon
Château-Thierry
Le Touquet

Belgium ?

Ypres
Brugge
Ghent

The Netherlands ?

Bad Arcen
Klein Vink
Kinderdijk

Germany ?

Aachen
Koln

 

[Landy Andy]

Slightly worried about rear overhang of MHome and getting on the train carriage.

Don’t be. The entrance to the train is all practically flat, one little lip, that is all. Much bigger vehicles use it without problem.

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[MattR]

I'd make plans for a couple of routes depending on the weather. My main one would be to visit Dunkirk and merge into WW1 sites as you meander around Flanders. Brugge is nice too plus into the Netherlands for the tulips (or go straight to the tulips and then come back through WW1 sites to get the better time of the year in the tulip fields.

 

[Smudger55]

Lots to think about. I like to plan things but many funsters just set off and pitch up as it takes their fancy. We stay only on sites in UK and have never gone "wild". If we set off having landed in France, I know if we left each night's stay to the day of the journey, it could cause a lot of stress if management cannot find a site or aire on route. I doubt we will consider going "wild" for now.

What do you all do, plan day before, take pot luck and hope for best.

Secondly I'm with O2, comes with EU roaming for about 25GB data. What other options do you consider to cater for wi-fi for tablets, phones etc . 25GB might be enough but if we are having to search for sites on route I may need more.

I have Search4Sites app, think someone has mentioned Pitchup. Is there anything better.

Thought would ask these questions on this thread, as it takes time to search the forum for answers.

Cheers. Smudger55

 

[Riverbankannie]

I am also wondering whether to head north, think there are war graves and could head towards Dunkirk and Bruges?

There is so much of interest in that area. If you use the search tool putting in various likely keywords, Ypres, Bruges WW1 sites etc., you will find suggestions for places to stop, campsites and aires. Plot these on a google map (when plotted, press Save, give the new map a name such as Belgium 2023, and keep adding). You can select this map of plotted places by selecting the 3bar menu at top left and then “Your Places”
Then you will have a handy map of recommendations which you can refer to , make a rough plan before you leave home and refer to if change is required.

 

[SteveandSueJ]

It's not a deal breaker if we venture further as it just means more time to get back but if it's worth it then for sure we can go further, not sure on the direction to be honest as i have only ever driven as fast as possible through France to get to Spain as its always cold when we usually travel (Dec). Walking is ok but def not cycling i am afraid.

Most of the loire area available within 6-7 hours... chateaux galore and rivers for kayaking.... reims/epernay on way back for champagne tasting.... yum yum..

 

[ctc]

Use Search4Sites and chase the weather (meteo) always worked for us, never booked campsites in Europe. Turned away once in 20 years.

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[cyberyacht]

I've never booked anywhere abroad since having the motorhome. Aires and sites are like buses (when not on strike), there'll be another along in a minute.

 

[Smudger55]

There is so much of interest in that area. If you use the search tool putting in various likely keywords, Ypres, Bruges WW1 sites etc., you will find suggestions for places to stop, campsites and aires. Plot these on a google map (when plotted, press Save, give the new map a name such as Belgium 2023, and keep adding). You can select this map of plotted places by selecting the 3bar menu at top left and then “Your Places”
Then you will have a handy map of recommendations which you can refer to , make a rough plan before you leave home and refer to if change is required.

Thanks Rivetbankannie, already set up one option in Google maps, really helpful. Cheers Smudger55

 

[Arnside037]

We did a combined scenic historical and WW2 trip to Brittany in April 2022, (we have already done the DDay beaches) and mixed medieval, palaeolithic and geological interests. See the route here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1hG2DL4dc14jn2o37-vsvqG7-ib0Voah3&usp=sharing
We went from Dover but to do it again I would suggest Newhaven - Dieppe out and back.

 

[mikebeaches]

Is a solar radiation map for France of any help? It provides an indication of the typically sunnier parts of the country.

Bot Verification

And another map, that might inform - annual sunshine hours averaged over 30 years to 2010:

 

[Smudger55]

For the first year since owning a motorhome we have decided that this year instead of flying off to sunnier climates we will instead travel over to France via the Tunnel and spend 2 weeks travelling around, we are departing end of April and will be coming back 2 week of May so weather may not be great in most places unless venturing to the South of course.

I am looking for some good pointers on some nice destinations within approx 4-5 hours of Calais which probably covers most of France to be honest, i am interested in the War type places but my wife is not so keen so i need to mix it up a little. Also our Motorhome is rather large ie 8.5m tag so we need to be able to get to these places with this as we are unable to take any other form of transport like bicycles (medical issues). we could if we thought it would help take the car trailer with the car but this means that we wont be able to move on regularly so at the moment that's not coming with us.

I have just purchased my Angle morte stickers and i already have the crit air sticker as well.
Thought and suggestions please

Thanks in advance.

Hi Zac

How are you getting on. Further to posts below I've come up with three options. North to Dunkirk, tulip field South Holland, Bruges and Ypres. Like you I'm interested in WW places but management not too keen.

South to Normandy WW sites etc.


East heading towards Burgundy. We looked at this just before covid and it might offer a good trip.

Riverbankannie suggested a good idea with Google maps, so started to do that.

There is quite a good site to visit on line, Regions of France gives quite a bit of information.


Cheers Smudger55

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