Sites for Paris
I am looking for recommendations for a site for a couple of nights to enable us to access Paris. We will be en route from the Pyrenees to Calais so looking to spend a day in Paris.
Comments
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We have stayed at Camping Beau Village at Villiers sur Orge on the south side of Paris, and Camping International at Maisons Laffitte on the west. Both were within walking distance of the Metro or RER and both served our purpose for a few days.
But the Bois de Boulogne site which is closer to the centre, but used to be fairly disreputable, has recently been smartened up and could go on your short list too.
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We always stay in Melun at the camping cheque site - La Belle Etoille. Its adjacent to the river, and you can walk into town. There is a RER station in town (about 10 - 15 mins) and frequent direct trains to central Paris. I think the return cost was about 15 euros.
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I have even known someone who stayed at the campsite at Vendome and went into Paris for the day from there on the TGV just for the experience of speed - 110 miles takes 44 minutes. Is that about 150mph ?
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I've stayed at the Bois de Boulogne site about 5 years ago which wass very handy to Paris. but was pretty run down and a sea of mud!
I may be wrong but I've read somewhere that it's now mandatory to display an emissions sticker if you drive IN Paris.............
I didn't take much notice though as I will never need to drive again in the city. (I lived and worked there for 4 years and 2 years but never had a car as I always used the Metro). When I worked in Paris a highlight after an evening out at the Crazy Horse Saloon was driving home with a rowdy of colleagues through/around the Bois late at night/early morning to wave at the parading working ladies in fur coats (just fur coats) who sidled out hopefully from behind trees 
I wouldn't do it now of course 
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I would avoid the emissions sticker, and stay at Camping International at Maisons Lafitte. It's a five minute walk to a station to get the RER into central Paris,and will cost around 12 euros for a whole day rover.
We stayed there about three or four years ago, and found it vastly improved from previous stays in the past, with refurbished bar, shop and restaurant, and much improved pitches with willow hedges between. The site roads had been upgraded as had all the sanitary blocks.
It's also on the western side of Paris, which is the route I would be following if returning from the Pyrenees.
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Personally I like Camping International at Maisons Laffitte, Handy for the train and a nice town in itself.
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Valda's comments are usually very helpful but I think she has underestimated the time to walk to the station, From what we remember, the walk up the hill to the station took between 10 and 15 minutes.
Having said that, we found it a very convenient place to stay and good value using the ACSI discount card.
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Camping International, yes I'd agree 10 to 15 minute walk to the station.
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Another vote for Camping International at Maisons Lafitte. Station about 15 minutes walk. Site itself is good in my opinion for a "city" site. Right on the river, some cycling possibilities, if you like cycling.
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In order to visit Vaux le Vicomte and Fontainebleau
We have been to both and they are well worth it, enjoy.
David
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Hi Meecee. Yes we did book, but we did go during August (in 2014) and I guess this would be it's busiest time. Ss to whether you need to book during May/June, I would think you would get away with it, but even if I didn't book, I would ring ahead. however, if you know you are going there and you know the dates, personally I would book anyway.
Just one thought. If you approach the site from the South of the town, via the Avenue de Seine, there is a nasty little railway bridge to go under. I don't know how high it is, but it would be worth checking this out. We were OK in the caravan, but I remember feeling uncomfortable about it. As a motorhome is usually higher than a caravan do check it out. I haven't checked other routes to the site - can't remember going the other way.
David
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We liked Maisons Lafitte as well. What hasn't been mentioned is that it is an ACSI site, so if you are a member, there is a good discount.
The site was very quiet when we were there last Spring and as we were staying for a week, we were allowed to use a full-service pitch right on the riverside at no extra cost.
The railway station is a bit of a yomp, but not too bad. Be careful when using the ticket machine. On the first day I entered that we were in zone 3, not 4, so had to buy another one zone ticket as the barrier would not let us through. I'm still puzzled why a machine would let you buy a ticket for a different zone, but hey, life is an adventure!
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We have stayed several times in both May and June, never booked, always used camping cheque, always gone under the bridge (sound your horn, as its blind), and it has never been more than half full, even in June.
Apart from visiting Paris by RER, both Fontainbleu and Vaux le Vicomte are near Melun, both of which are worth visiting.
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This is my first post, so excuse me if I do something wrong. We stayed at the Indigo Bois de Boulogne campsite for 2 night in August last year. We loved it, the campsite is very clean, modern and very green. I couldn't believe we where in Paris. The campsite has had a complete revamp so I'm not sure what it was like before. The washroom is clean and modern. There is a central bar/restaurant with a terrace area right next to the playground. There is airstream that sells take away pizzas, very yummy especially when you arrive later than planned and the kids are starving. There is also a organized shuttle bus to the Porte Maillot metro station for a small charge. I'm not sure about the emission sticker and if this campsite falls in the area (some of Bois de Boulogne does). However we loved this campsite and will defiantly be back.
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That's good news Kerrie. It had a bad reputation in the past and few other people on here have tried it since the makeover. Thank you for the up date.
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