Motorhome advice: Route Calais to Lake Geneva

vintageb3

Hi All,

I have just booked the Dover ferry for next Thursday to take my 78 years young father for his first trip outside the UK

We plan to be away for 3-4 weeks and are leaving the route pretty loose, but think we will head for Lake Geneva from Calais.  We then think we may head into Italy and back into France and do some of the
Côte d'Azur before heading back up through France and home.

Can anyone suggest stops on the way through France on the way to Lake Geneva that would have some interesting places to visit and some nice camp sites along the way?  Also campsites near Lake Geneva, Turin and on the Côte d'Azur would be appreciated.

Any other advice would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance

vintageb3

Stevesie

Hi All,

I have just booked the Dover ferry for next Thursday to take my 78 years young father for his first trip outside the UK

We plan to be away for 3-4 weeks and are leaving the route pretty loose, but think we will head for Lake Geneva from Calais.  We then think we may head into Italy and back into France and do some of the
Côte d'Azur before heading back up through France and home.

Can anyone suggest stops on the way through France on the way to Lake Geneva that would have some interesting places to visit and some nice camp sites along the way?  Also campsites near Lake Geneva, Turin and on the Côte d'Azur would be appreciated.

Any other advice would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance

vintageb3

Troyes (pronounced trios) is very nice and just about halves the journey to Geneva.

eurortraveller

As well as visiting Troyes on the way south your father might like to see the Grand Place at Arras, one of the Champagne caves at Reims or Epernay, the Duke's palace at Dijon and the Hospice at Beaune. But with a motorhome you may have to park some way away
so it then depends on how far the 78 year old can walk. 

chasncath

The expdition you propose would be more suitable for a six-week tour rather than the three weeks you are planning. Even at six weeks you would have to use toll roads in transit. Furthermore, getting to Piedmont/ Turin will involve crossing or skirting the Alpes.

There are few campsites  around Turin, apart from ski resorts to the north. If you are determined to visit Lake Geneva, you might want to consider the southern French shore (lac Leman) and use ferries to criuse the lake.

Onthe other hand, you could condider lake Annecy instead, and then carry on down to the Cote d''Azur. It would still be a bit of a dash in 3 or 4 weeks!

You must check on campsites that will be open as many French sites start to close in September.

Fysherman

I was thinking the same.

With a 78 year old would it not be better to chill out a bit more on sites rather than driving all the time?

Up to you of course.

DSB

I would suggest La Colombiere at Neydens in France, near Geneva.  A really good site - but not sure of opening dates.  Plenty of places to visit.  Take a look at my Stories from 2014 and this year 2016 for some ideas.  (N.B. I haven't finished adding photos from this year yet)

We stayed at Chalons-en-Champagne between Calais and Geneva.  It's OK for a couple of days, but the site is looking tired these days (good bakery on the main road before you turn off to the site).  Very close to supermarket.

It seems as if you are planning your journey sort of in reverse to our holiday this year - we did Provence then Italy, then Geneva, Chalons and back to Calais.  Take a look at the stories in the above links.

David

chasncath

We suggest you use a route planner or map to check the distances involved. In our seventies, we find that 200 miles a day is comfortable, 250 ok and 300ish the limit, and that's using motorways. Unless you know the campsite, allow time for finding your way
there at the end of the day.

hitchglitch

From Geneva you could go East towards Montreuil then Visp and over the Simplon pass (easy and scenic) to Bavena/Lake Maggiore. Spend time there then head South on Autostrada to Med. then along to Marseille and turn North. Geneva to Bavena one day, Bavena
to Frujus one day. We have done this in reverse. 

vintageb3

Hi Peoples,

Your advice is very much appreciated as always.  Some have suggested the “route” being a bit much for a 78 year old.  I FULLY take that on board and this is why I thought it was a good idea to ask others that have done similar trips at a similer age.  I
agree we don’t want to be driving crazy long hours every day, but I may do one or two long drives to cover ground so that we can spend time in a place we find and like further south. 

I suggested taking a couple of days to get down to Dover from Fife but my Dad suggested driving it in one go. I think we will take it a bit easier than that and the same when we cross over…take a few days to get south…then relax further south.

Lake Annecy would be as good as Lake Geneva, all of Switzerland is beautiful.  I did a route to Nice from Geneva and there was only 1 minute of difference going south through France and going south through Italy and it would let me Dad get a taste of Italy
as well. Trip time 5h 41min according to google maps (but I would add a few hours to that), but we will be taking it easy and that could be done over two to three days.  If we find a place en route, we change our plans at that point.

I’d like my Dad to see Switzerland and some the southern French Coast. We now think the trip will be 4 weeks.  I can guarantee that if its gets too much…we will slow the pace.  There’s no rush.

Thanks so much for the advice.,,,keep it coming

vintageb3

Fysherman

What ever you choose to do, I hope you all have a great time.

I am sure you will, sounds like fun.