Roaming Round France 2016
Hi there. My husband and I are new to caravanning and will be taking our caravan to France in the middle of August (2016) where we hope to spend approx. 5 weeks exploring the eastern side of the country travelling from site to site and spending a few days
at each. We would welcome any advice on pitfalls to watch out for or gems we might easily miss. At this stage we have booked the first 3 nights and hope to "follow our nose" after that. If anybody has done a similar trip we would really appreciate your
comments. Many thanks for your time.
Comments
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I think many of us have done something similar - so probably your post would be better in the 'Overseas' section. The absolute beauty of France is that you can go as you please, without booking.
Have a look at the Municipal Campsites website which will help you find campsite run by the local 'town hall', usually in the centre or on the edge of a town or village, within walking distance of shops and restaurants.
Have a look at the ACSI Card website (www.campingcard.co.uk) for a way of obtaining (sometimes substantial) discounts on sites which are in the scheme, (from mid-August onwards).
I don't know about 'gems' in eastern France, because we tend not to concentrate on that area, because of poor experiences in the past, but I'm sure someone will come along with some recommendations.
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If doing eastern France you should visit Alsace. Equisheim has been mentioned but we always stay at the municipal site in Obernai because we like the town which is a short walk. If the weather turns bad you can get from Alsace to Lake Maggiore, Italy, in one day.
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In Alsace we like the fully refurbished site on the edge of Turckheim, especially with its new toilet / shower block. It's a five minute walk into a lovely medieval town.
Further south we like Les Rivages site at Millau. Many of the pitches are on or close to the riverbank. It's a fairly big site on the edge of the town but out of season it is fairly quiet. There is lots to see and do in the area.
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Hi Kavlon. Eastern France for me means Briancon to Barcelonette via the national park des Ecrins that lies between. Is that too far for you?
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In Alsace we like the fully refurbished site on the edge of Turckheim, especially with its new toilet / shower block. It's a five minute walk into a lovely medieval town.
Further south we like Les Rivages site at Millau. Many of the pitches are on or close to the riverbank. It's a fairly big site on the edge of the town but out of season it is fairly quiet. There is lots to see and do in the area.
This year we stayed at Les Erables in Millau which we visited several years ago. Since we were there last new proprietors have taken over and they have done an excellent job. Madame was even covering reception over the lunch hour (yes, this is France!).
The pitches are all separated by hedges and the facilities are exceptional. WiFi also free and excellent. By far the best site along that river road and a short walk to the bridge. The old part of Millau is really worth a visit.Of course, this is nowhere near Eastern France but I thought I would mention it anyway!
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Join ACSI! Early Sep is the start of the off season. Very hilly (mountainous!) in eastern France so plan carefully. Been to Briancon area many times it's great, be in the old fort when they do the guard display and discharge their muskets! If by eastern France you mean Provence its a wow area away from the coast. You have 5 weeks do both!
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I thought I had posted a "Thank you" but I am new to this site so I may have made a mistake as I can't see it so apologies if I am repeating myself. Thank you all for your very helpful suggestions. We will take them all on board and, just to be on the
safe side, write them down.0 -
We are currently traveling around France and have been for nearly four months, we to are new to caravaning having zero experience prio to crossing on the ferry, main lesson we learnt is try not drive to far in one day, we use a full awning, water master
aqua roll etc, so all takes long to take down and then put up again, most people don't seem to bother with those and use the site facilities. Bring enough gas for your trip, if you can, although lightweight bottles cw regulator are 50euros we are currently
in Millau, but have been to the Ardeche which was great but thnk little crowded now. Also bring you favourite goodies, ie marmite etc stuff like that we found expensive, but hay ho beer and wine is cheap!!!!!! Good luck0 -
We have stayed several times at a tiny site in the village of Ebersheim, it's behind the Foyer or village hall. It is just like an English C.L. but it does have good facilities inc hot showers and electric hook up. The committee that run it are very friendly
and helpful. It is situated just North of Selestat not far South of Strasbourg, quite close to the German border. A day trip into Germany is very easy, a free car ferry takes you over the Rhine. If you like peace and quiet give it a try!0 -
Well done Trevor. You seem to have jumped in at the deep end and are having a wonderful time. We go 'continental' when we cross the channel (at least twice a year for long trips) using site facilities wherever possible. Overnight stops a bucket for waste
water, on site the wastemaster and aquaroll last for several days. Awning only if we are stopping 4 nights and then if there is plenty of natural shade don't bother. Our June trip to Italy we took the Fiamma Caravanstore which can be pulled out in a couple
of minutes. In Sep we are off the France and will take the full awning as the weather can be changeable. We remove the carpets as it is much easier to clean the floor without them. Dead right about distances we use the 6 hour maximum rule per day (3 x 2
hour stints). I am still using a gas cylinder from last year but we use Elec hook up whenever possible so have not thought about other systems for the provision of gas. Marmite think we can manage for a month or so without it. Shop locally and continue
tto enjoy your hols although you may find it getting much busier now the French schools are on holday. Deleted User User is dead right and coincidently, I too am a David but the thought of having a tag 'Yet Another David' seemed too complex!Enjoy the rest of your trip.
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