Traveling to France by Ferry

ScreenName009DE1860A

Hi everyone, I have just booked my first European trip for my family in our caravan for Aug 24, we have chosen an overnight ferry crossing to Caen which gets us into port for around 0700hrs. Our site, Chambres d'Hôtes Château de Martragny, is only 30-45 minutes drive from the port however, access onto the site is not until early afternoon.

Does anyone have any advice on where a car and caravan can park up to await the entrance time?

Do French supermarkets allow for this?

Looking forward to hearing your advice and tips.

Regards

Shaun

SteveL

I would have thought it best to have a word with the site and ask if there is anywhere you can park up until your pitch becomes available. At that time in August it will still be very busy and although there are plenty of places for MH’s, I wouldn’t have fancied my chances with our 12 metre caravan rig.
I would be very wary about taking a caravan into a French supermarket. Although you will be able to get parked up, particularly early on, some have some ridiculously tight turns with high curbs that are fun even in a MH. Plus of course it is likely to be busy when you come to leave.

eurortraveller

Shaun, my advice is to change your ferry booking and use the service  which arrives in Caen at 1500 and go directly the site 

AGOG

if you literally just want to wait and are not bothered by wanting to do anything, there is a sort of layby almost opposite the entrance. Check it out on street view. Enjoy the site, I loved it.

young thomas

I agree with ET, use a more appropriate ferry...

however, if you want to stick with your plan here is a very large car park handy to the port. We've overnighted there a couple of times but might be more busy in August.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/1U7UDm46wWBzMFbv9?g_st=ic

TomSue

We think we would use the early morning ferry, then straight on the road to your site. However, if you really want the overnight ferry (I can never manage to sleep on them), try emailing the site. When we stayed at that site, many years ago, caravans would park ( not pitch) on the grass on either side of the long drive up to the chateau. We assumed they were people who’d gone out for the day & would be taking a night ferry or who had arrived very early. Always worth a try. When we arrive on the ferry that docks at 9pm, the site we stay on for one night have already agreed to accept a late arrival. They are usually very accommodating - very different to CC sites.

ScreenName009DE1860A

Many thanks for all of the advice, I have just sent a mail to ask if it is possible to pull up on site and await the time to move onto the pitch, fingers crossed.

oddysey1

Dear Tom/Sue

Please can you advise me which site you stay on after late arrival Ouistreham.

Ferry docks at 10pm nowadays and we're looking for a site nearby which will accept

us for 1 night.

Thanks - Gez

oddysey1

Hi young Thomas - that's useful about the car park near to Brittany Ferries dock

Please advise if the car park is suitable for caravans, and do the machines take cards or cash ? How much is it roughly overnight

Also have you always felt safe there overnight 

thanks - Gez

eurortraveller

TheClub is still taking bookings for late night arrivals at Camping Riva Bella… BUT there is a two night minimum in July and August, the site closes completely at the end of September, and some people who go there are vocal in saying they do not enjoy it. 

Bearing those things in mind, and for anyone of a nervous disposition who would worry about the migrants in the town, it really might be better for them to switch to a daylight ferry arrival time, or to go to Cherbourg or LeHavre instead .

 

oddysey1

Hi Eurotraveller, yes we've stayed there before but the 2 night rule applies now when trying to book it despite the site saying July/August.(it won't offer a pitch for 1 night at end April)

We didn't particularly like the site either, and 2 nights is not required.

eurortraveller

Gez, my understanding is that the Club can still book single nights for members at Camping Riva Bella in April, May, June and September,  even though the campsite itself will ask for a two night minimum. The Club will, if asked, alert that campsite if you are arriving up to 2300 at night .But speak to Club staff to check. 

However I am not up to date with the condition of that campsite, and have to say that of all the 8 routes fromUK to France which I  have used the timing of the 3 daily sailings on the Portsmouth- Caen route are the ones I liked least.  The timings in and out on that route just don’t suit me at all.- especially a 2300 arrival. But I realise you may not wish to change. 

Good wishes. I hope you get it sorted.

commeyras

Riva Bella is very convenient for the port.  We have used it in the past and found that they stay open for the late ferry.  Best to book as there is usually a queue at reception for none bookers!  The site has been improved recently but we would only use it for a one night stop.

ScreenName009DE1860A

Thanks for all of the advice, the campsite has come back and informed us we can pull up on the long drive in and await out pitch time.

Regards

Shaun