Touring to/in France

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  • iansoady
    iansoady Club Member Posts: 419 ✭✭✭
    edited May 2017 #32

    I agree with eurortraveller. The overnight ferry plus accommodation is expensive but does deliver you to a very attractive part of France in the early morning.

    We live in the Midlands and go for the afternoon ferry which offers the caravans go free option - it's costing us £360 return this year with an outside cabin each way. Even from Yorkshire it wouldn't be too bad a drive if you could make an early start. Portsmouth is around 3 hours drive from us and if you stay at Les Pommiers in Ouistreham it's only 5 minutes from the port.

  • malc1945
    malc1945 Forum Participant Posts: 74
    edited May 2017 #33

    we found the French very helpful. we arrived at one site late afternoon to find it was closed for another four days our book said it would be open. young girl on reception rang the owner he said let them on sent the cleaner in to unlock the toilet/showers . we even called in on our return north.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited May 2017 #34

    It does depend on your budget, but I would agree with ET, the night sailing from Portsmouth to St Malo at 8:15 is the one to go for, make it part of the holiday. The problem with the other night boats is that they don't leave until 10 or 11pm, so a high priced way of getting a not very relaxing crossing. If you are heading for Normandy it is only a couple of hours on good roads, and of course for Brittany, you are already there. In September there is even one night boat back a week, on Tuesday night.

    The campsite at Bayeux that David mentions, is very nice and great for walking into the Town to veiw the Tapestry. In fact we will be doing that this afternoon. It does however depend on what you want. It is not a modern site, still some of the squat type loos and very unprivate urinals. Power that trips for no reason, reverse polarity and some continental EHU's. However, as long as you are happy with that, I would thoroughly recommend it. The showers are some of the most powerful I have come across in France.

  • JayVeeYork
    JayVeeYork Forum Participant Posts: 23
    edited May 2017 #35

    Blimey you lot, thank you so much for these encouraging responses (my hubby can't believe how many responses I've had and is v impressed!).  Quite honestly either Brittany or Normandy appeals and especially the overnight crossing which sounds a king (in terms of comfort) compared to our experiences going from Hull to Rotterdam (v small basic cabins, but they do the job!).  Since receiving the last few replies I've hardly been able to prize the Club Venture Abroad book from my David's hands!  Plans are afoot and all your helpful responses are responsible so, once again, many thanks. Xx👍 

  • caravandeg
    caravandeg Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited June 2017 #36

    We got back last week from our latest 7 week tour of France taking in the Pyrenees, Dordogne, Atlantic coast, Brittany etc.etc.Generally the roads are quiet - it's busier around large towns and cities but nothing like the M25. the Peage autoroutes are superb if a bit pricey. no problems at all regarding unfriendly police officers. People are friendly and welcoming, diesel is around £1 a litre. The worst part of the trip was when we joined the M20 potholed litter strewn disgrace of a road , then sat at the Dartford crossing for 30 mins.   on our way home. The urge to turn round and head back to Dover was very strong.

    Have a great trip.

     

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