Disneyland Paris and Loire Valley

Andy Roxburgh
Andy Roxburgh Forum Participant Posts: 7
edited March 2016 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Hi, we've only been caravaning for about a year and thought we'd brave an overseas trip to France in August. The first weekend would be spent at des 4 vents and then onto the Loire Valley for 8 days as we don't want too long a trip back to Calais on our
return. We're looking for somewhere that is in close proximity (walking distance) to a village or small town where we can go for drinks and an evening meal etc. A site we've seen is L'lle d'Or amboise which looks ideal although it's not an afiliated CC site
as far as I can tell. Has anyone been there or knows a CC site that has things to offer close by? 

Any advice and suggestions welcome.

Thanks, Andy.

Comments

  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited March 2016 #2

    Andy, you really don't need anything to do with the Caravan Club when in France. Look at ACSI, Camping Cheques or UKcamping.co.uk for reviews of the sites around. If you are going after 22nd August the ACSI and CCheque sites are offering discounts. I know as I am planning a trip to the Loire at that time of year but haven't decided on which site yet. If you are going in early August that is peak time and for a popular site you may need to book.

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004 ✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #3

    Like Longtimecaravanner suggests, I would recommend doing your own research, and finding sites which suit you, not necessarily affiliated to the Caravan Club.  France has around 10,500 sites - and the Caravan Club offer only a fraction of those.

    If you like L'Ile d'Or then the reviews on
    here     may reassure you.

  • Andy Roxburgh
    Andy Roxburgh Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited March 2016 #4

    Thanks for your prompt replies! I've often been over to france on day trips using the Dover-Calais route with just the car. I quite enjoy being able to relax for an hour or so and stroll around the boat. Is their a prefence to boat or tunnel for caravaners
    or is it simply preference and travel time etc? Also, with the current migrant crisis, have their been any issues with safety or security when towing?

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004 ✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #5

    We've just come back through Calais with no problems at all - in fact there are less 'visible' signs of migrants than there used to be.  There is stronger and taller fencing, more police vans, dog patrols, and not a sign of any skinny young men trudging along in inadequate clothes in the rain.  There are no cardboard shelters under the autoroute bridge, so I don't think you need to worry.

    Usually the advice includes stay overnight somewhere in a rural area, away from Calais or Dunkerque, fill up with fuel and do any shopping that evening, and then set off straight to the ferry without having to stop for fuel or shopping, driving straight into the port and up to check-in.

    In terms of tunnel or ferry, we always look on the ferry as a break - we can stretch our legs, have a meal, use the (clean) loos, and generally enjoy the crossing.  However, for speed there's no doubt that the tunnel is quicker, and now that we store our caravan in France we are torn by saving an hour by using the tunnel, but paying a bit more.

    With a caravan the tunnel is more expensive, unless you have Tesco vouchers which you can use to offset the cost of the tunnel crossings.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,873 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #6

    Andy 

    If you would like to see some photos of Camping Municipal De L’Ile D’Or have a look here We stayed there last September. It is a large site and a reasonably easy walk into the town (even for someone with a dodgy knee!!!) 

    We always use the Tunnel as we find it easier than the ferries but then we have a much shorter jouney than you do. It depends whether your intention is to stay on the UK side or the French side on your first night away from home. Certainly if you want a break and something to eat I would accept the ferry is more convenient from that point of view.

    David 

  • Andy Roxburgh
    Andy Roxburgh Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited March 2016 #7

    Hi, many thanks for the advice and the photos. Overall, would you stay there again or have a recommendation on another site with similar attributes?

    Andy.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,873 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #8

    Andy

    Yes I would be happy to stay there again although that is not our usual MO as we tend always to be searching out new places to stay. The thing about the Loire Valley and motorhome is that you can move 10/20 miles to the next town to explore that so often
    no need to go back to the same site.  

    David

  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited March 2016 #9

    There is a short video on Youtube showing the site if you put Amboise camping into the search on there.

  • Andy Roxburgh
    Andy Roxburgh Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited March 2016 #10

    Thanks everyone for your help and useful tips. I've been trying to book the Amboise site but the website booking form isn't great and there's an answering machine on their number (:+33
    2 47 57 23 37    ). Perhaps they're not open for the season yet.

    Thanks again,

    Andy.

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004 ✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #11

    It's a municipal site - and often these are administered directly from the town hall so there isn't a manager or staff until the site opens.  

    When are you planning on going?  If it's anytime outside the very peak weeks then there shouldn't be any need to book at all.   It if's peak weeks then wait until the site opening dates (likely to be just before Easter as they say they open in March), and
    have another try then.

  • Andy Roxburgh
    Andy Roxburgh Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited March 2016 #12

    Happy  Yet more useful info - many thanks again.  

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