French port issues

reynoray
reynoray Forum Participant Posts: 106
edited August 17 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Just so that we are prepared is anyone aware of any current safety/inconvenience issues at French ports, particularly Dieppe and Caen?

When surfing the net there are loads of stories but all pretty historic (2016 - 18) now.

Thanks.

Comments

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,828 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited August 9 #2

    There are still young men living in squalor along the canal bank at Ouistreham.   They are still trying to get in, on, or under a vehicle to get to England. The police are vigilant and you should be too. It is distressing to see but there are no reports of personal danger, or violence to tourists. I have no knowledge of the situation at Dieppe.

  • Oxfordeagle15
    Oxfordeagle15 Forum Participant Posts: 114
    edited August 10 #3

    WE were there in Dieppe in early June and there was no sign of any immigrant traffic.  The port area is also well fenced off.  Hope this helps

  • reynoray
    reynoray Forum Participant Posts: 106
    edited August 11 #4

    Thanks both, It's good to get a feel of what to expect. The last time we went over was through the tunnel the day after the Brexit vote in 2016. We had no problems in France but had a nasty experience at our stop over site near Folkestone. The site was invaded by travellers after midnight. We were woken by kids banging on our caravan at 1 o'clockish and finding ourselves hemmed in by half a dozen or more vehicles. The police had to come to get us out and we ended up on the motorway services at 2.30! Such fun!

  • Kasspa
    Kasspa Forum Participant Posts: 359
    edited August 14 #5

    We came back from Calais on Sunday 14th July, 1030 am ferry...... delays were so severe at UK Border Control that we missed our ferry, there were only 4 kiosks open at 1 point, put on the 1200 & then obviously got further delayed at Dartford Crossing...... undecided. Surprisingly, no vehicle checks were going on.......

    Traveled back from Dieppe last Saturday 10th Aug on the 2359 ferry & although busy, the processing was much quicker despite less kiosks..... Vehicle checks were thorough for 'human cargo'.....

    On neither occasion was our fridge checked on outbound journey.

  • eribaMotters
    eribaMotters Club Member Posts: 1,193 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited August 14 #6

    Last year out via Plymouth in August, no checks. Back via Dieppe in September, no checks.

    Out via Folkstone at the start of June this year, pulled over for gas bottle check and then let me through when I said I'd turned them off. Back via Roscoff where they looked in the boot, don't know what for and popped head in the van.

    On the four legs no fridge checks, in fact I do not even recall seeing any signs up about meat and dairy products.

     

    Colin

     

  • AudreyWetmore
    AudreyWetmore Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited August 19 #7

    French port issues often involve delays and disruptions due to strikes, customs checks, or logistical challenges, impacting cargo flow and shipping schedules.

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