Road Conditions in SE France in March
We want to take the caravan down to the Mediterranean in March, probably going thro places like Grenoble and Briancon, ending up near Monaco. We've got a big automatic Mercedes towing a Bailey Unicorn, but won't have winter tyres or anything fancy. Should we expect problems with snowy roads? Is it the wrong time of year to be doing this? The fact that the caravan sites are open must mean people can get to them, but I don't want any nasty surprises.
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if the 'higher' regions are part of your desired route/scenery then you must accept that there may be adverse weather....
of course, there are many other routes to the Monaco region which will be less 'risky'...
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The potential problem on that route will be the stretch from Grenoble to Briancon via the Lautaret Pass. As well as possible snow the Chambon tunnel on that road collapsed a couple of years ago and rebuilding has gone on since then. The tunnel was reopened a month ago for the winter sports season but may possibly close again for further works in the spring. Google Chambon Tunnel News nearer the time.
I don't think you will have problems with the weather going south from Grenoble to Sisteron and beyond. A lovely route but missing out Briancon.
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Wouldn't it make sense to go down on the autoroute via the Rhone Valley, then around the Mediterranean, or at least roads on lower ground, and come back via the alpine route? That way you'd get the best of both worlds - a simple journey to your destination and a route back once you're in the country and know what the weather conditions are going to be like.
We had six feet of snow on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc tunnel in May - but at the side of the roads, and traffic was moving normally in the cutting between the snow walls! It was warm, and in brilliant sunshine - the only sunny day on our two week stay in the Alps!
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Agree with ValDa that it makes more sense to go straight down the Autoroute to Marseille and come back the long way when you will be in a better position to assess the weather. Download the French weather app “Météo-France” to keep up to date.
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The trip sounds like a real experience and without doubt you will enjoy it.
I tend to agree with Val da and Hitchglitch in terms of doing Grenoble on the way back.
However if you want to experience some snow topped peaks in March - I do have something sitting in the back of my mind that certain roads in France in winter require by law that you carry and use snow chains and winter tyres - and though I have done the snowbird trip to Spain on a number of occasions, I would not venture into high territory even with a 4wd.
I would strongly suggest that you check out the tyre and snow chain requirement before making any concrete plans.
Would be interested to know your findings.
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I also have it in the back of my mind that you may have to carry snow chains and fit winter tyres. This is certainly the case in many Alpine areas until about mid April. A quick google for France and snow chains might produce an answer.
peedee
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The snow chains/winter tyres issue is all a bit of a minefield in mountain areas - and local laws can change if road conditions are very 'wintery'!
You can read some of the requirements on the AA website: https://www.theaa.com/european-breakdown-cover/driving-in-europe/snow-chains-winter-tyres Your caravan will require snow chains and winter tyres too in areas where they are required.
I'm sure the Caravan Club will have similar advice somewhere but 'googling' doesn't bring it up as a first page search, and it's too difficult to find things on this website.
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Thank you all for your very helpful input. As suggested, I have googled info about snow chains etc, but after reading all your comments I'm now sure that going down the Rhone would be a much more relaxing drive than my first idea. Or even abandoning the Monaco area and keeping over towards the west, eg Narbonne. The main aim of this trip is just to get to the Med and have a look around without the summer crowds, but our choice of stopover sites is limited - many are closed for winter and some won't take 2 dogs. We normally avoid motorways when towing between sites, but may use them this time to cover the big distances. Back to the drawing board, I think
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Many sites will take more than one dog in low season - and if you've read somewhere 'one dog' take that with a pinch of salt (except in peak season when it may be more strictly applied). What sites have you been looking at? The eastern end of the Med won't be crowded at that time, and you should find enough sites open to make a holiday worthwhile.
The Narbonne area is quieter even in high season, and might not make for a good first impression of 'the Mediterranean' (although it's an area we love and have a house nearby). There are few really 'pretty' resorts on that coast - more a coastal sprawl where the old marshes and lagoons were drained and the causeways built upon.
Don't let us put you off a March holiday. It can be a lovely time - in spring when the mimosa is in flower, the spring flowers are appearing everywhere, the birds are singing, and the sun is warming up every day. (We had 33 degrees on our roof terrace, in March last year at our house in the Aude). Have a look at the ACSI Card website - the search shows 222 sites open on the 22nd March - and on the 31st March there are 909 - so more sites opening each day in between. All these sites take the ACSI Card and offer some sort of discount at that time of year. The Eurocampings website which is ACSI INSPECTED Sites (ie not necessarily offering a discount) shows 909 sites open on the 18th March - more than enough to be going on with! You could stay right down within walking distance of the sea at Camping de la Baie at Cavalaire, which is a nine 'middle of the road' resort, just a bit off the 'madding crowd' area, but just over the hill is St Tropez (via the coastal road from La Croix Valmer will give you a good idea of that part of the coast.
You could use the mostly free 'slightly western' route via Rouen, Chartres, Orleans, Vierzon, through the volcanic region around Clermont Ferrand, Millau (stop off and see the viaduct), then head east at Montpellier, staying perhaps in the Bouches de Rhone area then meander east along the Med, staying as long or as little as you need and going as far east as you will (absolutely no need to book anywhere at that time) and then head back via the Gorges du Verdon, and then up towards Grenoble or up into the higher Alps if the weather allows it.
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Suggestions for en-route sites on the 'Rouen' route - there are actually plenty of others and it will depend on your start time, driving stamina, and your preferences:
ACSI Card - Chateaux des Tilleuils (nearish to Abeville) - open from 1st March
ACSI Card - Le Bois de la Justice - Monnerville (north of Evreux) open from 1st March
ACSI Card - Camping de Nevers - open from 5th March
ACSI Card - Camping le Galier at St Alban Limagnole - open from 1st March
Non ACSI - Camping le Cascade at St Rome de Cernon (for Millau) open all year
Non ACSI - Camping Le Parc at Lattes (for Montpellier and the Antigone) open from 1st March
Non-ACSI - Flower Camping le Mas des Mourges - at Vauvert for the Camargue, beaches and bird watching
Camping le Neptune at St Mitre des Remparts - for a part of the Med rarely seen by many - open on 1st March.
Thereafter the world and the Med are your oyster.
Here's the Eurocampings search, showing all sites in France open on the 1st March.
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ValDa, thank you so much! We've only ever used sites from the CAMC and CCC brochures, which is why I'm feeling limited, but I shall have a look at the links you suggested. DH has to go back to work after Easter, otherwise I'd try moving our dates to a couple of weeks later, but you've given me loads of pointers, so I'm more confident that I can come up with a plan now.
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SMRUs - that was my feeling. So many people look at just club sites and there are many thousands out there which are available.
I was trying to help because when we had children we used to holiday at Easter - and I know what a lovely time it can be (away from the high Alps though!). Email me on valdaathome@gmail.com if you need any more suggestions or advice. We've been camping and caravanning in France for thirty-seven years this year! We've been every year since 1981 - then we started going twice a year when our children grew up, and more recently four or five times a year between our house and our caravan in France
Unfortunately the weather can never be guaranteed - but that applies to almost all times of the year these days! But it should certainly be warmer and brighter than it is in this country.
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Thank you again. We don't have nearly that much experience of travelling, and even once I've come up with a plan, DH will unpick it and there will be a series of restarts until he is satisfied that we're good to go. After that we begin the arguments about routes ...
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Val, great couple of posts....its hard to reassure new tourers that one doesnt have to tour using 'club' sites....in fact for many seasoned tourers, they do exactly the opposite...
whilst not suggesting anyone should get tied to a single other 'network' either, the ACSI card/book/app at least opens the user's horizons to other sites, at good prices, perhaps a starting point for a first timer who is obviously hamstung (limited sites and opening times) by assuming sites must be suggested/booked via the club....
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