Routes through France to Spain
This is our first outing in our Motorhome.we made a late decision to go to Spain via France from calis.thought some sites would be open but doesn’t look like it. Any good stop off non CAMC recommended. Want to get through France with maybe two stops. Leaving on the 17th any sugestions welcome.
George
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Many people go down the west coast lowlands In winter to avoid the possible risk of bad weather on the higher parts of the Massif Central. On that western route sites in France which are open include those at Rennes, Nantes,Fouras, Bordeaux and Urrugne - but Google will tell you of others. Take care.
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it also depends where in Spain youre heading...
our first 'stop' is Benicassim (I'm having a coffee an hour away at the mo...) and we sail to Cherbourg, 4 hrs ish to Nantes and then yesterday 6 hrs to Irun. Overnight there, on the road at 8 this morning then Pamplona, lunch stop, Zaragosa, Teruel, coffee, then down into Benicassim.
if coming from Calais, I might not choose the same route.
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Plan B. For the all motorway route straight down the Rhone valley sites which are open include ones at Paris, Lyon, Tournon, Avignon, Nimes and Narbonne. So many options in fact.
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I guess that works with shared driving but no way I could do it by myself. Perhaps if I was 30 years younger! Of course, it depends how far you are from the channel ports but it is very tiring to get to the ferry followed by a further two or three days of long drives. which ferry are you thinking of and where in Spain are you heading to?
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We will be returning home too Spain in early March after working for two months in the UK and these are the two aires we use on our way home because they both have electricity and free wifi for around 9,9 euros, this is intending to travel the east coast route of Spain.
SAINT CYR
https://campingcarpark.com/shop/nouvelle-aquitaine/86-vienne/st-cyr--lac-de-st-cyr/
CASTELNAUDARY
https://campingcarpark.com/shop/occitanie/11-aude/castelnaudary-aire-aire-castelnaudary/
arriving in Spain around the Cambrils area next day and then two more stops before we arrive home near Alicante, we find this route is quite safe weather wise at this time of year having had a couple of bad experiences going the Zaragoza/A23 route which we use in the summer months, we do both drive so it is easy for us.
Phil
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We've done part of the route that WTG has suggested, not in quite the same time frame but it does work very well. We added in Tours and Bordeaux but that was on the way back when time was a plenty.
We have travelled the all the suggested routes but prefer WTG's. The route via Lyon we find is ok but a bit boring if just ploughing on down. The western ports are fine and do cut out the drag from Calais (or in our case Zeebrugge) however if you don't like the longer ferries not much use.
Coming from Scotland we always take 2 night halts on the way if heading for Dover/Portsmouth/Plymouth.
However we can do Hull without a night halt so can make good time once over the other side after having a good nights sleep. Dover is our least used as it doesn't gain us anything.
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Hi,
Not sure of your intended Spanish destination.
We're towing a Caravan and last January, and to be repeated in next two weeks, we travelled the Western France route then crossed over to the med coast, as we also prefer the sea views and stopover options, and to avoid central across Spain. Tunnel then Calais, Rouen, Chartres, Orleans, Limoges, Toulouse, Perpignan, Border on Med coast, Capmany stop Spain, Girona, Benicassim, Alicante & onwards. Return same way giving scope to stop longer in say March.
Have used the various mid winter stopovers at Baie de somme, Dreux, Chartres, Narbonne Capmany etc. There are quite a few options if you internet search the various website listings. The C&MHC do have a huge France void in their winter opening associated sites listings (tut tut) - so not helpful ! Pity as there are options.
We used twice and will repeat stay at this pleasant & handy overnight Winter A20 stop just south of Limoges at St Germain les Belles :-
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Hi WTG,
Have you considered the Poole - Cherbourg ferry. You could easily do home to Poole in one leg, spend the night at the ferry terminal, toilets and shower available. Chippy not too far. Ferry 0830 next morning, cabin with shower, all day breakfast and arrive Cherbourg 13.45 local. Easy to get to Camping Nantes by 6pm, site open ‘till 7pm. Next day down to Urrugne. Save time and diesel and good roads, mostly toll free motorways.
BillC
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I would agree with Bill...
we have friends in Aberdovey who cross on the tunnel, despite taking the western route south to Irun and onwards..they do have a small dog which certainly influences their decision...
however, it's 500km to Folkstone plus another 1050 odd via Chateaudun downto Irun
from central Somerset its 100km to Poole and 900 odd from Cherbourg to Irun, so 500km less.
ok, they have further to travel from west wales but would stIll save almost 300km.
i don't know what the tunnel prices are like these days but we paid £144 for the Cherbourg crossing. not much in it I'd guess.
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Hi Jonta,
Have you booked a site in Spain? Are you aware that most of the sites on the Costas are full and, if you don’t have an advanced booking, you may struggle to find a site.
BillC
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Rufs, Just in case things go wrong - for instance the ferry from Caen limped into Portsmouth two hours late last night with engine trouble - and you think you won't make it to Nantes there is also the campsite at Rennes which is open all year.
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yes, Bonterra was pretty full (we did book) but couldn't get onto a gold pitch...however the CC have a tranche of unsold gold pitches so we just rang them and got one for £15....lovely and sunny....
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true, David...sounds like this is the first time CC have done this here, CCC have been doing winter rallies for ages and we may well check them out for our (potential) Turiscampo stay.
a few more vans have arrived but it's such a shame that regular customers are being turned away, albeit CC members can get in by the back door....someone is paying for a dozen empty pitches....
still, daytime weather great but cold(ish) nights...will prob do another week (it's so easy to stay put.....) and then start easing south.
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