France yes or no?
Hi, new to this forum so please bear with me. We are collecting a new Chausson 718 Welcome in March having previously owned a VW T5 camper (Great fun but 2 slipped discs and a face full of condensation every morning over the last year has seen us off!)
We haven't been abroad yet and we're thinking of taking off to South west France for most of September. That said we both feel a bit nervous about it and have discussed staying in the UK this year until we're fully competent with our new purchase. I would
be grateful for any thoughts from experinced motor homers about going to France this year or waiting until we're more confident? Thanks all.
Comments
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I traveled through France October '15 on my first European trip in the motorhome only regret is that I left it so long. Aires are plentiful and well signed in France and motorhomes were welcomed everywhere.
looking forward to France when I head back to UK
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Jack, Welcome to the forum. i think you should practise with your new motorhome in the UK for three or four months - March to July - and see how you get on with it it. If you are happy with it then make the decision then about a September overseas trip. All you will need is to make a ferry booking and organise your insurances, and there's plenty of time to do that in July. Good luck.
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We are caravanners rather than motorhomers but would still say, like comeyras, a couple of trial runs and go for it. You won't regret it as it is so easy over there compared to here and March to September is a long time to 'practice' using it. We went to
Provence and south west France last year and had the best holiday ever. ACSI is brilliant if you are planning to use sites and I get so envious of motorhomers being able to use the aires. The details of our holiday are in my blog and may give you an idea of
how easy it can be.www.jennyandjohngocaravanning.wordpress.com
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Have to agree with the lsat two posts. Try a couple of trips and you will soon get confidence. when you arrive in France you are very aware of driving on the other side of the road and are probably more alert tha n you would be here. Main danger is later
on when you get used to it and you can then lose concentration and turn onto our side of road at a junction but overall it should not be a serious problem.0 -
Thanks so much for all the replies and advice, much appreciated. It sounds like the overwhelming advice is get some practice then go for it! We finish work in June and will be heading off to dorset for 2 weeks to see family followed by who knows where for
a week! After that we're hoping we'll have the confidence to head off to France in September.0 -
JS, It sounds like a good plan. Do please let us know how it goes. Take care.
AD, I'm sorry if I sounded unusually cautious. I was just trying to be kind, courteous and considerate - for once !
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Thank you all- what a great forum. Only joined the CC yesterday and already feel we're not alone!
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Forgot to add, her blog is 'Joys of Caravanning'
'Joys of European Caravanning", I think.
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As a motorhomer you need this:
https://www.vicarious-shop.com/All-the-Aires-France-north-and-south-together.html
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You may also be interested in Richard Clark's blog www.Motorhomemoments.wordpress.com as he travels through France in his motorhome. He also does some excellent films on Youtube of the access to different aires which would give you some reassurance.
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We are fairly new to motorhoming too and have been to France last year and the year before. It's great! The French are so organised for MH's and Aires are plentiful. Get yourself All the Aires France from VicariousBooks.com and download the campsites
from www.archiescampings.eu on to your SatNav or phone and you will never be stuck for somewhere to stay. Bon Voyage!0 -
Thank you for the valuable advice. Much appreciated
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Surprised that no one has added a word of caution regarding availability of sites in France in September, which is when Jack plans to visit the south west. Can anyone recommend sites that will be open, en route, and at his destination?
Presumably, no one wants to spend a month on aires de service a.k.a. car parks.
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Welcome Jack. I am sure you will have years of fun in your new motorhome. Don't hesitate to come over to France without delay. It is such a 'motorhome orientated' country and there are aires as well as municipal campsites more or less everywhere you go. If you plan on using campsites it is often necessary to make sure they are still open in September as many close in the middle of the month. If you are using aires they are mostly available all year round.
A previous poster mentioned the book 'All the Aires'. We prefer THIS one (Camperstop Europe) which is also available readily in the UK. The only word of caution about aires is that they are often small areas with only a few parking places so it is often necessary to park up just after lunch in popular areas.
Either way I am sure you will have a fabulous time.0
