First timers to France
Hi all , we will be new to motor homing soon and are looking to go to France for about a month next year. As we have never motorhomed here or abroad before we are looking for help as to how to get to the south of France , what ferry port to go into (we live in Bristol) and the best route down and what to see on the way down and back up, and any particular places not to miss and suggestions of sites to stop.
We're trying plan ahead so when the ferry prices come out we can get in quick and hopefully get a cheaper fare.
Thank you
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Thank you David
We would be looking to go before the school holidays probably for the month of June. We can depart any day of the week but I expect mid-week is cheaper on the ferry but are not bothered about which one we go from but perhaps the one closest west as our thoughts are to travel down the west side then back up the east. If we remain on the main roads and pay the tolls will we miss everything or are we better sticking to the slower roads in part so we can enjoy the route.
We're not sure where to stay in the South of France - Saint Tropez looks nice or Antibes perhaps.
Do you have any suggestions of towns that are a must both on the way down and back up , so far we've just looked at a map and tried to a plan a route but without the experience we may miss something doing it this way.
Any help would be appreciated , thank you
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Nicki, in June you can just go where you please. We often set off with good intentions, only to change our mind about destinations - we have chosen a site to find we didn't like it when we arrived, so we carried on thirty miles down the road. We have picked an overnight site and liked it (and the area) so much that we stayed a fortnight..... and you can do that in France. Campsites are rarely (if ever) full at that time of year, so you really don't need to book and can stay as long or as little as you want. There are also Aires de Service Camping Car in most cities and towns, and also in a lot of small villages. I wouldn't plan too much - and just go where the weather, and your mood, takes you. There is so much of the 'south of France' which is as nice (and less crowded) than St Tropez/Antibes area, where even in June traffic can be manic.
In some parts of France it makes sense to use the toll roads - if you're going to have to go through a lot of towns and cities, but there are other parts of France where some fantastic roads can be toll free - my own favourite toll-free autoroute is the A75 from Clermont Ferrand south to Beziers in the Languedoc area (the western end of the Mediterranean). This also takes you over the Millau viaduct which is on the A75, and in my opinion the area around Millau (the Gorges du Tarn, Jonte and Dourbie) is worth a stop over in Millau where there are lots of sites situated along the river Tarn. BUT suggestions of places to put on your itinerary really do depend on what you would like to see and do during your holiday.
We like wild country, bird-watching, mediaeval villages which are not too touristy, fantastic food markets, and wild rivers to canoe and swim in - so the above suggestion would appeal to people who love similar things. Others love guided tours around gardens, vineyards, or Chateaux, and must tick off famous cathedrals, galleries, and museums and so our choice of 'must see' would be very different to theirs.
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Hi Nicky, We have been making plans like that since we first went over the water in 1972 - but we we always end up somewhere else.
In fact we start every morning with good intentions, and yet rarely fulfil them. Last year we were still in the port of arrival on day four, but our kids sent a flurry of messages saying Get a move on, Mum and Dad, so we rapidly drove 300 miles south in case they were coming to look for us.
Make a plan. Tear it up. Just go where you wish. And what's the bit about not going till next year ? I suggest a reccy sooner than that. Enjoy.
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Nicki, check out all days for your ferry crossing. This year we have found that Saturday is the cheapest, possibly because there is less freight traffic. We are going out in June on an 8.00am ferry out and 3.00pm return so the times don't have to be anti-social. We booked in late November.
As others have said, there are lots of wonderful places to see in France and without the need to necessarily travel right to the south but a lot depends on what you like. Personally we like mountains so the Alps are a favourite followed by the Alsace region. We planned on staying three nights not far from lake Geneva and ended up staying 13. That's what you can do in June without any need to book.
Give us some idea of the sort of things you would like to do or see and you will get lots of relevant suggestions from other CT'ers.
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Nicki, we go to France for six weeks every year and I spend hours over the winter planning the trip because for me that is a large part of the enjoyment. But I don't think we have ever stuck to to the plan completely mainly because we end up staying somewhere far longer than we intended to, or talking to someone on site they recommend something so we deviate off to that. As Val says its different over there as you don't need to book, you just turn up and say I'll stay here for a bit.
The first time we went to France thirty odd years ago we drove all the way down to Plymouth from Cambridgeshire for the Roscoff ferry as we wanted to go to Brittany and preferred the long drive in England rather than France. Now we know that in many cases the roads in France are better than England and I would never do that now. I see you are almost equal distance from Plymouth and Portsmouth. However as you want to do the west coast why not use Plymouth/Roscoff and you are can start your holiday almost as far west as you can go.
Because we tow a caravan and hubby doesn't really enjoy towing we use toll roads but if we had a motor home we would use the other roads and meander through the villages.
Enjoy whatever you do.
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Not going until next year?
That's very nearly an armful (to paraphrase Tony Hancock) and a heck of a long time to wait.
Go for a short holiday in the UK as soon as possible and then go to France for a similar time – and compare the experiences of both.
Then I'll put money you're back in France well before next year.
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Hi
Thank you all for your advice.
We are not taking delivery of our motorhome until May / June this year hence not being able travel far this year with our lack of experience. .
We have very anti-social jobs so can't go away for weekends either and only have 2 weeks holiday this year, however we are retiring at the end of 2017 hence the planning for 2018.
We love quiet scenic places that are not packed with people but thanks for the info about not necessarily having to book in advance in June.
We have been trying to find sites that have a bus or train link into towns although we do intend to tow a moped as well so we can access transport if we are further away (rather than moving the motorhome all the time)
Where would you suggest a peaceful in the South of France ?
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Eurotunnel is best but the price doesn't change much.
For first time I would join ACSI, buy the tablet App. so you can find sites along the way. Never book in June unless you are determined to go to the Med. coast which, anyway, is best avoided.
We never plan because the weather has such a big impact but we generally have an idea of where we are going and will include some favourite sites.
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