France 2016
We have returned to caravaning after many years and are heading to France in June (can't wait). We are travelling Newhaven Dieppe ferry then driving down to La Rochelle to see family and friends. My questions to fellow caravaners are
1 is it safe to stop over on the French motorway aires?we used to when heading south it was safe, but I believe this is not the case any more!? It would probably be just for a couple of hours to rest etc, maybe not overnight.
2 can anyone recommend a site about an hour from Dieppe for our return trip.
thanks
Sue (the explorer)
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I've used aires for 20 years without any problem.
There's a lovely smallish and peaceful site with immaculate facilities by a small river on the outskirts of Dieppe and just 20 mins from the ferry port. The owner, Herve Legrand is a helpful and cheerful chap.
http://camping-la-source.fr/IndexA.php
If you are looking for somewhere to stay approaching Le Mans (150 miles from Dieppe) just before Le Mans there's a fabulous riverside Camping Municipal at Beaumont sur Sarthe or nearby at Fresnay sur Sarthe, a small interesting medieval town.
Bonne route!
If the 'lead person' is over 60 you get a 20% discount on the fare, but only if you book by phoning 0800650100 as the discount cannot be claimed by booking online.
Sprid (the moules muncher).
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You’re right, Sue, things have changed a lot. I stop overnight on motorway aires because I feel safe in my motorhome but park so that I might get away if needed. However, I wouldn’t feel at all comfortable overnighting in a caravan but it’d be fine for a simple break, especially in daytime.
Enjoy your exploring.
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Thanks everyone your replies are very helpful.
BW
Sue
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Sue, Welcome.
Unless you are in a hurry to get to La Rochelle you can go via Caen, Rennes and Nantes rather than the motorway via Le Mans - it will take you an hour or so longer but save you about €50 each way in tolls. If you are returning that way you might like your final overnight at the municipal campsite at Etretat on the coast west of Dieppe.
Motorway service stations in France are as safe as those in UK for short rest halts, though with campsites so cheap and so pleasant that's where we choose to go for overnights.
Good luck.
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In 30 years of touring Europe I've never used the abhorrent autoroutes, autobahns etc. With my m/h I can stop, divert and dawdle wherever I want.
For example, heading South from Dieppe I go via Rouen, Bernay, Sees, and Alencon to reach the Beaumont sur Sarthe or Fesnay sites, thence via a non-predetermined and ad lib sightseeing route towards Spain. Note
TOWARDS, since for me the journey IS the destination because being retired I've no deadlines. Bliss!0 -
I've used aires for 20 years without any problem.
There's a lovely smallish and peaceful site with immaculate facilities by a small river on the outskirts of Dieppe and just 20 mins from the ferry port. The owner, Herve Legrand is a helpful and cheerful chap.
http://camping-la-source.fr/IndexA.php
If you are looking for somewhere to stay approaching Le Mans (150 miles from Dieppe) just before Le Mans there's a fabulous riverside Camping Municipal at Beaumont sur Sarthe or nearby at Fresnay sur Sarthe, a small interesting medieval town.
Bonne route!
If the 'lead person' is over 60 you get a 20% discount on the fare, but only if you book by phoning 0800650100 as the discount cannot be claimed by booking online.
Sprid (the moules muncher).
Above depends o your travel dates. The Le Mans 24 hours is on the weekend of the 19th June so I would guess all sites within a 20 mile radiuswill be full from Wednesday to following Monday.
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We stayed at Camping Le Marqueval at Pourville - Sur Mer. A fabulous setting of pitches alongside a little lake. We cycled into Dieppe along the coast road, steep in places but definitely worthwhile. Dieppe is a nice little port
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plenty of threads passing opinion on 'motorway aires'....
probably all been said before, but most MHer aires users wouldnt use motorway 'aires' as they are generally horrible and there are thousands of other nice quiet ones to stop at...
for caravanners with Hobson's Choice, Id recommend municipal sites as more 'familiar' territory....and Im an 'aires' user...just not on MWays....too many trucks, smell, noise, odd folk....
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Thanks everyone. We have used the municipal sites in the past and the small Aires. Ideal for young children when we were heading south to meet friends, many moons ago With limited time etc, I have been warned about these Aires recently, sadly sign of the
times. Thanks also for camp sites mentioned very useful. We travel back on 21st June so pleased we are forwarned about Le Mans etc.viva la France
Sue
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Hi everyone,
Im not sure if Ive done this correctly but can't find a way to start a new discussion.
We are travelling to Saint Jean De Mont to a sight called La Yole at the beginning of August. It is our first trip in the caravan abroad and Im very nervous in the current climate with all of the threats etc.
I wondered if anybody else is going and what their opinion is. We have to pay the remainder of the holiday on Monday so I need to make a decission even though my husband said we should just go.
Thank you in advance for taking the time o reply.
Sara
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As has been previously said, I don't think you'll have any problems in August. Strikes and disputes in France usually take place in June to coincide with local/national elections or votes on major policies, In July and August the French are on holiday
and don't want to interfere with their own holidays to take up disputes with 'Government'.Have a good holiday. I hope it all goes well for you.
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Thank you everyone, for your replies. Im more worried about thecurrent terrorist threats etc...does anybody else have any concerns about travelling on the eurotunnel or holidaying in france?Thanks again.
I feel a lot safer in rural France than I do in London. The terrorist threat now is everywhere so don't let them win by changing what you want to do, just go and do it. As for the tunnel, its probably a potential target as is the underground system in any country, but that wouldn't stop me using it or the London underground if I wanted to go.
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Thank you everyone, for your replies. Im more worried about thecurrent terrorist threats etc...does anybody else have any concerns about travelling on the eurotunnel or holidaying in france?Thanks again.
Having travelled around Sri Lanka when the civil war against the Tamil Tigers was in full swing, and driven across the terrorist border zone in southern Thailand (where there have been over 6000 killed in the last 12 years) in a minibus whose driver would not set off until he had a guard riding shotgun beside him, I have few fears about taking a caravan across France. Best to keep a sense of proportion. Have a good holiday.
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Like Eurotraveller, we've driven through places where we had to have an armed 'escort' - and driving anywhere in France wouldn't bother me in the slightest. As has been previously said, potential terrorist problems can happen anywhere - on a plane for instance, or a London bus, so does everyone stop flying or catching buses? I think not!! It wont' stop me, and I would suggest you don't let them stop you. The chances of being affected are so slight - many times less than the chances of being run over crossing a road outside your house!
If we all worried constantly about the risks in the world, then we wouldn't leave the house. Give your children an adventure, keep them safe by all means, but don't limit their lives by worrying.
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I always travel on the Newhaven - Dieppe crossing as it's 30 minutes from my house, but I would think it less likely target than the tunnel or Dover - Calais ferries, plus in 30 years of crossing from Newhaven I've never seen migrants there. A few, (20 or 30) have been camped quietly outside the ferry terminal at Dieppe occasionally. None on the last two occasions this year.
I've used the Newhaven - Dieppe crossing three times this year and on no occasion at either port was my motorhome inspected nor were there any Customs officers in the shed nor any sign of migrants at either end. I am asked if my gas is turned off (at Newhaven, never at Dieppe) have any sharp knives (in a motorhome!). I answer 'Yes' to both and am waved through to proceed without inspection.
Camp sites are most unlikely to be terrorist targets.
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Well blow me down! After my post above I've just looked at a copy of the Daily Mail whilst waiting for a hair cut and can see why folk become anxious.
What a hyped up report on immigrants camped at Dieppe! I came back two weeks ago with no sign of them at Dieppe. Maye a few have gathered recently but nothing like the scaremongering report in that daily rag.
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like you sara i asked this question few weeks ago,after 17yrs of going to france wanted to change our plans my oh did not want to .the good folk on here put my mind at rest so we are going.not a bad lot on here .
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like you sara i asked this question few weeks ago,after 17yrs of going to france wanted to change our plans my oh did not want to .the good folk on here put my mind at rest so we are going.not a bad lot on here .
Yes you right..everyones so quick to support and put things in perspective
Thank you again...I think I'll stop worrying about
it take my children on an adventure as suggested!!!0
