Touring in France and ACSI card?
Normally my wife likes to book ahead and therefore know where she will be staying. I have read on here that many people just go and pitch up at the end of the day never failing to find a site.
Can someone who does travel like this in France give me a few tips and hints, of what to take into consideration. I do not know much about an ACSI card, but I think they can be used during June and seem to be a worthwhile purchase.
Comments
-
We have used the ACSI Card for a number of years touring all over europe and we never book ahead, nor have we ever had a problem. However, we tend to avoid the main touristy spots. Our trick is to ensure that we arrive at a site early/mid afternoon doing this you will avoid the late afternoon arrivals rush. If you wnat to stay on the med or a particular site then it maybe prudent to give them a call a day or so before. Other than that, enjoy the freedom that ACSI gives you, but do not feel tied to them as many sites offer similar prices to ACSI out of season, especially some of the municipals in France. Off to Germany, Austria and Italy in 10 days for 6 weeks; no bookings made just armed with the ACSI book and the CC book.
0 -
Greylag, if you could give some idea of where you are going and what sort of sites you prefer then I could answer more clearly.
There are indeed about 1300 sites in France giving discount with an ACSI card in June, and there are about 8000 other sites which are not members of that marketing scheme. I will be touring in France in June staying on several of those 8000 others. Believe me those sites will not be full, or expensive.
0 -
Many thanks for the replies
Eurotraveller
think we may try to go down to the Auvergne area, perhaps passing east of Paris (Reims) and looping around and coming back west of Paris.. Drive up to 2 hours a day, I want to enjoy the journey.
Recently went to Holland with the CC tulip tour and enjoyed it, think we may be brave enough to do it on our own.
Kind regards.
0 -
Hi Greylag, Sorry, can't help with the Auvergne, but here are two possibilities for your journey - going down East of Paris you might like to stop and look around Epernay rather than Reims - the champagne is just as good and the municipal site there is well managed.
Coming back west of Paris we found a very neat, clean, tiny little site called Camping rural de Chatillon - in between the chateaux of Blois and Chambord . But there are so many more - and that side of Paris is the more interesting. We use the Club site guide Touring France.
Good luck.
0 -
We have been here (Germany) for a few weeks now and are about to go into France. We are using the ACSI card.
Lots of holidays in Germany in May, so we have e mailed or phoned ahead to check availability, but will not do so in France as the sites will not be that busy.
Having a twin axle, we now e mail ahead to check a site will take us if it does not state in the listing that they do, otherwise we just turn up.
0 -
We come to France May and early June and have never booked other than last week at Beaulieu sur Dordogne last week as it was their annual Strawberry Festival and I thought it might be busy. It was. On a 145 pitch site there must have been twenty of us! This
week on a 49 pitches site in the Lot there are four of us. Tell your wife you really don't need to book and some of the pleasure in coming to France is the absolute spontaneity of moving on when you like.0 -
Hello, we are planning a trip to Spain, travelling through France in September for a month or so. I have not previously heard of the ACSI card and we were looking into Camping Cheques. Should we go for the ACSI instead.
We like the idea of not booking in advance.
thanks Kath
0 -
In September there is no need to book, BUT, some sites in France have a short season and close on the 15th, although there are many more who don't, it's just a matter of checking beforehand.
ACSI is similar to Camping Cheques in that it offers discount in low season, but unlike Camping Cheques you don't pay up front for the cheques. ACSI is a discount card which you present at the sites participating in the scheme, and pay the campsite direct.
Cost of card + books is around £14, depending on where you order. Website
HEREIf you're interested, I'd order sooner rather than later, as in previous years they've run out mid-year, although people did report being able to purchase at some sites.
0 -
Kath, There are 244 campsites in Spain giving discounts with an ACSI camping card but only 40 accepting Camping Cheques. In France the numbers are higher but proportions are much the same. So consider the sites you are likely to go to and see whether they are in one or other of those two marketing schemes - or both, or neither.
I hope you have a safe journey.
0 -
We have never booked a site in either May or September. I would think that you'd be fine in June.
If you join the ACSI scheme (highly recommended) then get their App - it's far better than using the handbook to find sites using the map, in my view.
0 -
In September there is no need to book, BUT, some sites in France have a short season and close on the 15th, although there are many more who don't, it's just a matter of checking beforehand.
ACSI is similar to Camping Cheques in that it offers discount in low season, but unlike Camping Cheques you don't pay up front for the cheques. ACSI is a discount card which you present at the sites participating in the scheme, and pay the campsite direct.
Cost of card + books is around £14, depending on where you order. Website
HEREIf you're interested, I'd order sooner rather than later, as in previous years they've run out mid-year, although people did report being able to purchase at some sites.
Write your comments here...Thanks for a quick and fab response. We will use a combination of both. We are also doing lots of research before we go, as you suggest.
i will try and buy the card now
0 -
Many thanks for the replies
Eurotraveller
think we may try to go down to the Auvergne area, perhaps passing east of Paris (Reims) and looping around and coming back west of Paris.. Drive up to 2 hours a day, I want to enjoy the journey.
Recently went to Holland with the CC tulip tour and enjoyed it, think we may be brave enough to do it on our own.
Kind regards.
Write your comments here...on that route you should have no need to pre-book.As Comeyras says if you avoid honey pots you can travel at will.We have encountered full sites in June and September in Provence(the Dutch seem to make for there en masse at those
times)but a bit further north in the Drome Provencale we were able to take our pick of sites.Enjoy your trip and the savings which ACSI use will bring.0 -
The only time I would book is in the peak season otherwise never do. Peak on the continent is usually from the beginning of second week in July to end of third week in August. Winter time in southern Spain can also be problematic if you don't book.
My tip if you have no booking, night stop before 4p.m. especially if you are looking for a motorhome aire.
peedee
0 -
Kath, There are 244 campsites in Spain giving discounts with an ACSI camping card but only 40 accepting Camping Cheques. In France the numbers are higher but proportions are much the same. So consider the sites you are likely to go to and see whether they
are in one or other of those two marketing schemes - or both, or neither.I hope you have a safe journey.
Write your comments here...thanks for your advice, ACSI does seem the way to go
0 -
The Camping cheques when purchased with a ferry crossing through the Caravan Club, we bought a gold card, buy five and get sixth one free, last for three or four years and can be topped up online through the season. We are off next week (my o/h is keeping
fingers tightly crossed and a close eye on the discussion on the French fuel situation in club together) hopefully to join the Lunar Owners rally at Le Coin Tranquille near Annecy. Feeling hopeful and looking forward!0 -
The Camping cheques when purchased with a ferry crossing through the Caravan Club, we bought a gold card, buy five and get sixth one free, last for three or four years and can be topped up online through the season. We are off next week (my o/h is keeping
fingers tightly crossed and a close eye on the discussion on the French fuel situation in club together) hopefully to join the Lunar Owners rally at Le Coin Tranquille near Annecy. Feeling hopeful and looking forward!Write your comments here...hi, yes we are going to book a ferry too with CC. Good luck with the trip
0
