list of must have's
if all goes well we hope to go to France next year
, what are the "must haves" you would need ,and what would be and advantage to take .
we would only be going for a week ,so would a ASCI card be worth it ??,I'm trying to make a list the more important things we need
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Your motor insurance certificate. Check that your overseas cover is fully comp and long enough for the duration of your visit. I have just done that very thing.
I have heard varying opinions as to whether it’s necessary you carry your V5.
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When you have decided exactly where you are going check to see if you need a clean air sticker for that area. They are getting more widespread. See the thread on here.
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we would only be going for a week ,so would a ASCI card be worth it ??,I'm trying to make a list the more important things we need
Could be, depends on the site. We have been on sites that non Acsi price was double the Acsi so after 1 night we had covered the cost. If it proves to be to your liking you just might find the time and excuse to go back again within the year
Other than that I would agree with AD list.
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You should probably get a French EHU adaptor. Most sites have the IEC blue socket on the bollard but if you are using basic sites you may occasionally need it. Unless you are booking a specific site for the whole time then you will need a sites guide. The Club’s French sites guide is comprehensive.
You will need map(s) and we always take the Michelin folding map of France. We also have the detailed (book) of maps but a bit expensive if you are only going once.
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Will you be taking the dogs, or maybe I should be asking if you will be accompanying the adults?
If so don't forget to take details of local vets. I've never had to sort out those details so am afraid I can't help with practicalities.
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Name, address and Tel number of a suitable vet near to your site, the 'sticky' in this section will help find one. Worming must be done within 1-5 days of going back to UK.
Some sites the EHU can be quite a distance for some pitches, we take an extra 10m lead.
Some like Eurotunnel require API (advance passenger information), maybe ferries also, to help speed up the passport control procedure.
Allow extra time when coming home for Pet passport control, prior to normal passport control.
Be aware that some (a lot) of sites have extended breaks around midday, some can be closed from 12 - 3, some not at all and some for a shorter time.
Normally you can pitch whatever way you like, in out or sideways.
Its always appreciated by the locals if an effort is made to speak their language, take a simple phrase book.
Book your site if first time to make the visit as easy as possible.
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Thanks AD, I think we would stay on one site ,I have lined up a couple in Normandy to visit the WW2 landing beaches etc,and being first time would book the site (I know ,I know), we only live about 20 minutes from the tunnel ,so that's not a problem
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me too, for a week just do it....
as long as your insured, have breakdown cover, have gas, a two pin electric adaptor (just in case) thats about it.....oh, as Kjell says, sun cream....
No different really than going to (say) a uk site except you wont have to book.
you could have a site lined up, but if touring around, trying to visit a few places, it has to aires or municipals as you'll only be stopping for one (or two?) nights??
any reason for this not being until (perhaps) Sept 2019?....
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Must haves -
A passenger you trust to help you overtake safely.
A couple of Hi-Viz jackets to put on before you leave your vehicle if you have a breakdown/accident.
A few one and two Euro coins for obtaining water/hook-up or the obligatory baguette in a morning.
At least a couple of different types of Credit/Debit cards to give access to Cash machines or barrier controlled entrances (Campsites/Aires)
A bottle opener.
Adaptors for water and electric points – you don't need many but you may need different ones to the UK normal.
Must know -Study the old, and new, speed limits (and know their conversion speeds) before you go to France and realise that they are enforced by the Police/Gendarmes with high cash penalties for any indiscretions.
You will almost certainly get relaxed by day two and by that point you must remember which side of the road you should be driving on – RHD vehicles – driver in gutter.
If you see a STOP road sign – make sure you do Stop – the Police enforce the rule vigorously.
Worth knowing -On many roads where you don't see any traffic for miles it is actually the normal in France.
Supermarkets are much quieter in the afternoon for ease of parking.
Most shops shut between 1200 and 1400 hrs.
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Keith & Margaret as posted above have loads & loads of France by motorhome videos on youtube. They are really useful and informative particularly if you want to use Aires.
With regards Aires the ones we came across were nothing more than a car park with water and some with EHU. The advantage to using them is the low site fees, their nationwide availability, no booking required & they are usually right in the centre or very close to the centre of a city or town. So you can have a drink with your lunch etc & just walk back to your Van. There is a comprehensive pair of books available called "All the Aires" which are well worth getting. In his Vids I think Keith recommends another book which he says is better but I can remember the name of it.
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We stayed in the "Lyons La Foret" site last year. Which is also known as Camping St Paul. We wouldn't go back there as we had 2 nasty incidents, 1st we had paid in advance but when we got there the Lady who spoke perfect English tried to charge us again and then suddenly didn't understand any English. When I proved we had already paid she was quite miffed. Then in the middle of the night youths were running around the site kicking and thumping the sides of Vans. This was quite scary. The village of Lyons La Foret is very nice but none of the restaurants were dog friendly, but seemed to be high end dining which would explain the no dogs rule.
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We stayed at La Foret a few years ago HD. It is a lovely little site - enjoy. I would say take plenty of teabags!!
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The easiest place to make a mistake and turn onto the 'wrong' side of the road is when leaving a petrol station or similar. France seems more dog friendly than here. As you're going out of season ACSI card might be useful. Have a good time.
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Lots of things listed already that I've never had.
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Keep it simple and enjoy. Tea bags and bottle opener are essentials. Just check the legal requiremnets that have already been mentioned. Would also recommend ACSI, your 2015 book will not give you the discount, you need a current card which comes with the book.
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Make sure the dog has plenty of shade when it gets hot, a spare dog bowl is also needed to keep the beer cool!
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