Why France campsites

chaser

chaser

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Been going to France for up to a month at a time now for over ten years , never been on a campsite apart from one in st Maxime, just to use the washing facilities in all that time, we have booked up for what maybe our last time in a week , now got to wondering if we have maybe missed out on something, have we?
Can anyone tell me why we ought to try a campsite or is there even one in northern France where we intend to be.
No interest in camping car parks.
We have been quite happy with Aires and France passion but have we missed out on something we should try?
 
If you're happy with aires, stick to them.
I've used French campsites, mostly for location if no convenient aire, using services or if we need electric.
You're really not missing anything and saving some cash for your favourite tipple (y)

........ or another tractor

I must confess I thought of you when that idiot Tory MP said he went from looking at tractors online to watching porn :oops:
 
Personal choice, we only go on campsites as we like the luxuries of nice showers, facilities and a self enclosed pitch. But each to their own. It does take a hit financially so can understand those that chose not to.
 
Figaro said:
If you're happy with aires, stick to them.
I've used French campsites, mostly for location if no convenient aire, using services or if we need electric.
You're really not missing anything and saving some cash for your favourite tipple (y)

........ or another tractor

I must confess I thought of you when that Tory MP said he went from looking at tractors online to watching porn :oops:
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We have far more enjoyment out of french Aires than UK campsites quite apart from the cost, but thought as many on here always seem to go for campsites , that they be different in France, we have been on sites in Spain and Italy but didn't really see the benifit.

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chaser said:
Can anyone tell me why we ought to try a campsite or is there even one in northern France where we intend to be.
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I must be misunderstanding your question as you cannot fail to have noticed during your travels that there are loads of camp sites all over the entire Northern France, wherever you may intend to be.
 
Spriddler said:
I must be misunderstanding your question as you cannot fail to have noticed during your travels that there are loads of camp sites all over the entire Northern France, wherever you may intend to be.
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No mate, don't think I have ever seen a campsite apart from near the coast, honestly, never looked for one though.
It's never crossed my mind to look for one, when we first went we had France passion, all the aires and park4night and never found the need, but as this or the next trip maybe our last and seeing people on here going to them , thought maybe we would have a look.
 
I prefer Aires and or the odd cheeky car park or park up near a beach.
Sites are ok if you need a hookup, fill up, water or enertainment etc, but I like being as alone as possible most time
 
Occasionally we enjoy campsites for the following reasons. We like the area, we want to explore more, we want to use our bikes more, we want to get our tables chairs and barbecue out and chill. We enjoy a swim in the pool, a drink at the bar. Forgot to mention laundry facilities. Horse’s for courses. Each to their own
 
chaser said:
No mate, don't think I have ever seen a campsite apart from near the coast, honestly, never looked for one though.
It's never crossed my mind to look for one, when we first went we had France passion, all the aires and park4night and never found the need
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You'll find plenty once you start looking. On the approach to or entering almost every town/village/hamlet on the coast and inland in France there seem to be signs to camping sites. If not there are plenty of websites to locate them.
chaser said:
, but as this or the next trip maybe our last
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That's a shame after so many travelling years.
I must say that at 77 and 50 years of travels I'm becoming a bit 'adventure averse' with regard to aires and off grid/wild camping and leaning towards using sites for their convenience(s), especially when in France during out of trad holiday periods as there's no need to book ahead.

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Another thread with many views. I spent my money to buy my Motorhome to use it the way I want. Just because I don’t stay on a lot of aires or do a lot of wild camping doesn’t mean I am right or wrong. If I want to spend money on sites that is my choice, if others don’t that is their choice. What frustrates me is those who believe their way is the right telling others they are wrong. Use your Motorhome whatever way you want and let others do the same.
 
Lenny HB said:
Only ever spent two nights on sites in France in 14 years of Motorhoming never found the need for them with so many good Aires.
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Similar to me 16 years and 3 nights and as i bought a motorhome to see places i have never been i don't stop in one place more than a couple of days (could be 20 places in a month) don't see the need even though i buy the ACSI book every year.
 
We rather enjoy staying at French naturist sites - camping au naturel. :giggle:

Haven't found many aires suitable for relaxing in the buff... ;)

But everyone has a choice of what they prefer and what floats their boat. We just appreciate having a van, and where it can take us, that's the main thing. All good. (y)

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One of the best reasons for staying on a non UK campsite is the difference in payment method.
Outside the UK the usual process (except for high season on the coast) is "choose your pitch and pay when you leave". As against the deposit grabbing 'no refunds' and "only stay on the numbered pitch we tell you" UK approach.

Why UK campsites persist with this unfriendly over managed approach I really don't know. French campsites for us any day and/or Camping Car Parks (where we are tonight), €11 - bargain!
 
You have not missed anything Chas… I’ve stayed on many different sites, Aires, camper stops and wilding because it’s somewhere to park up where i wanted to be…. If there was a choice it would have been an Aire….

Incidentally with the many washing machines being installed by supermarkets and garage’s now there’s no need to book in on a site just for the laundry
 
As soon as an aire gets over 10 euros, you have to ask the question, would I be better off getting leccy, swimming pool, water, hot showers, secure area for 18 euros, and the ability to do what mikebeaches gets up to !

For those not in the know most of the naturist campsites we attend seem to be ex domaines with shed loads of land so its like staying on a country estate (with swimming pools, saunas, hammams and NO BLEEDING CHILDREN off season !
 
Chaser next time in France try a couple of sites both rural and costal if you wish then give us your answer. Won’t make any difference to anyone except it may answer your original question.
 
Hi Chaser.
This site is magic. When we stayed some while back,it was called " Les Plages de Beg Leguer " Near Lannion, tried to find it and i think it must be now called " Camping Beaches Beg bequeath "
Look it up,you will NOT be disappointed, it has everything.Cafe/bar-Restaurant,laundry,swimming POOLS,park in among the trees or in 6 unit enclosed spaces. SHORT Walk/Drive down the hill from camp gates to a super beach with parking/cafe etc ( It s a steep walk back SShhh). Near to " Pink granite coast. Enjoy.
Going away tuesday,so will do my best tomorrow.
Tea Bag

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Looking like we will be doing a bit of France at months end. Where will we stop! at this time aint got a clue. Hope this is helps:LOL::cool:
 
When I first started motorhoming in France I had 3 young children. Our method, pre sat navigation was mid afternoon we would just look for campsite signs and follow them to our night's stop. Swimming pool was essential.
We now do stay on some sites as swmbo likes them.
 
TM59 said:
Another thread with many views. I spent my money to buy my Motorhome to use it the way I want. Just because I don’t stay on a lot of aires or do a lot of wild camping doesn’t mean I am right or wrong. If I want to spend money on sites that is my choice, if others don’t that is their choice. What frustrates me is those who believe their way is the right telling others they are wrong. Use your Motorhome whatever way you want and let others do the same.
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Agree entirely. There are so many threads on here that seem to be essentially asking why spend money or why spend more money than "I think you need to". My answer is always "because I can". I use the occasional aire but like the security of a campsite. I enjoy swimming in a site pool, use the toilets and showers, the guaranteed pitch space, the ehu and all that brings and some times the free WiFi. My neighbour doesn't understand why I make this choice and brags about staying on free Lidl carparks.
 
Parrot Face said:
Agree entirely. There are so many threads on here that seem to be essentially asking why spend money or why spend more money than "I think you need to". My answer is always "because I can". I use the occasional aire but like the security of a campsite. I enjoy swimming in a site pool, use the toilets and showers, the guaranteed pitch space, the ehu and all that brings and some times the free WiFi. My neighbour doesn't understand why I make this choice and brags about staying on free Lidl carparks.
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Agree. Our preference at the mo is sites all the time.
However i am looking forward to trying a Aire or two and or a free loading night or two for the experiance.

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Ok ,I asked the original question because in ten years of going to France we have only used a campsite once just because we were passing a seafront one and we needed the washing machine and thought we might have missed out on something, like cheap bars and entertainment and as we shan't be going much more, wondered if we might give it a try.
From the replies we have had , I think probably we haven't missed anything, we don't need hookup, showers, toilets, swimming pools and most definitely don't want to be taking all my clothes off or seeing other wrinkleys with their bits dangleing so it looks like we will be sticking with Aires as we are not in France passion anymore either.
Thanks everyone for confirming what I thought. (y) :giggle:
 
Good for you. My wife doesn't understand why people stick to Aires and wild camping. However I always defend such a lifestyle pointing out that some people may put all their financial resources into a motorhome and consequently choose the low budget option of Aires etc. Me I have the resources for a brand new model and expensive sites. I also have the resources to buy expensive cosmetics, creams and other luxuries to ensure that at 70 I am the complete wrinkle free Adonis. Like you I'll stick to my preference.
 
We do a bit of everything, a lot of it is where it is and how long your staying, in the last two and a half weeks it been 2 nights campsite the rest Aires or whatever, this weekend in Spain is mothers day yesterday and a holiday on Tuesday so busy, after two nights on a car park it was a delight to park here last night, would be better if a goat herder called by, but hay ho its shade and free. 😁😎 Bob.
20220502_094623.jpg
 
chaser said:
Been going to France for up to a month at a time now for over ten years , never been on a campsite apart from one in st Maxime, just to use the washing facilities in all that time, we have booked up for what maybe our last time in a week , now got to wondering if we have maybe missed out on something, have we?
Can anyone tell me why we ought to try a campsite or is there even one in northern France where we intend to be.
No interest in camping car parks.
We have been quite happy with Aires and France passion but have we missed out on something we should try?
Click to expand...
Sussed it for you Mr Chaser. Motorhomers differ in two main types.
Those who entered the world of outside living with a motorhome. And those who started with tents/caravans prior to motorhomes. We have been staying on sites around Europe for 30 years before moving onto a motorhome. Our kids were brought up on euro sites and sill love that sort of holiday. We tend to look on free camping as cheap or budget camping but whatever floats your boat. ;)

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