Pitch Allocation in France
We have recently bought our first Motorhome and visited our first UK site. The site was fantastic, but I was surprised that the pitches were not allocated on arrival and you could just choose your own. Is this normal?
The reason I ask is because we are due to go to France in August, visiting a number of sites and staying up to 5 days in each one. Is it likely to be the same in France regarding allocation of pitches? I am worried about this, because if we go out for the day and take the motorhome with us, we will lose our pitch and have to park somewhere else on return. We have an awning attached to the side of the van, so obviously can't leave this behind when we go anywhere. What do other people do?
I am considering buying a drive away awning like you use with caravans, so we can leave things behind if we go out for the day. I'm sure this is a very novice question and hoping someone has some suggestions for me.
Many Thanks
Comments
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When we've been to France (out of season) we are just left to choose a pitch so I can see your point. The reception generally give you a site plan with which pitches are available and scratch out the ones that are occupied.
Lots of people using motorhomes just leave a sign on the pitch
"Motorhome using this pitch".
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You should certainly mark your pitch, in any country, when you go out for the day, otherwise you may easily have to find a different one.
Use a visible sign, maybe leave a few items you do not wish to carry with you. This avoids any hassle with finding the pitch occupied by someone else on your return.
France in August can be very busy, so you may find that you have been given a certain pitch to use, but it varies from site to site. If you have a free choice, some will want to know the number, others will not be bothered.
Club sites almost always offer a free choice from whatever is vacant when you arrive, other UK sites may well allow you to book a particular pitch
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As others have said pitch allocation in France is not the norm although I have come across it. On some sites you might only have a small choice of pitch if the site is busy. If you are going out for the day and want to return to the same pitch you will have to leave some indication that the pitch is occupied. Don't forget that the term motorhome might not be understood widely. Perhaps a sign like this would be a good idea?
David
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Hope you can read this. It’s the information issued on all club sites and the info on marking your pitch makes good sense whatever site you’re on.
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Thank you so much for all of your advice. I will certainly look to get a sign like the one that DavidKlyne has suggested. I just wasn't sure if it was the done thing to hold a pitch like that, but makes me feel more comfortable when going out.
The previous owners gave left a spare number plate on spikes that we could use, but it went missing when we took the motorhome in for a service! I must try and get it back before our trip :-s
Thank you all
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We don't often use campsites in France, prefer the Aires, but when we stop on campsites and go out we leave the tables and chairs on the pitch - none pinched or moved so far.
Mind you they are a bit worse for wear ..........
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Rachel, you have a MH which makes touring in places like France, a doddle....
you wont need to tell the site how long you intend to stay, no paying in advance, just leave and pay when you feel like it....
because of this, you can visit places between sites, only staying long enough to look to the next explore. no need (unless you want to) to stay and drive out and back like a caravanner, just take your van with you, no need to go back for the caravan...just move on.
as Keith says, there are also thousands of beautiful town/village aires where you can just pull in and stay (often for free)...
youre free from the book and pay in advance culture here and can roam to your heart's content...
even for visiting large towns/cities there will be an aire usually within walking distance of the 'action' .....in France the Camping Car is king and there are facilities everywhere to accommodate them, totally unlike the approach here.
go and enjoy, the world (certainly France to begin with) is your oyster (or mussel...)
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I echo this, touring in Europe is fantastic, we have hardly used a site since getting the MH 3 years ago, mostly use Aires.
My big question is why do you want an awning to put up/take down/carry around? Surely that is for caravans not touring in a MH? As BB says pack up each morning (you only get your toothbrush, maybe a chair or 2 and kettle out) then go and see the attraction you are in the area for then find somewhere to park, next day repeat etc. Get camper contact and Search for Sites apps on your phone/tablet and the world is your lobster.
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On the other hand, we're off on Saturday for a 6-week trip to France and have booked both the sites we're visiting ( 2 weeks each) on the Cote d'Azur. May and June are busy but not as busy as August will be when the Op plans to holiday along with millions of French campers!
We didn't have to book in the past, but camping and caravanning are more popular than ever in mainland Europe. We're also in our mid seventies so less excitement about getting a pitch is now our choice. As we know both sites, we even know which pitches we will be on! Both campsites are now fully booked.
We like the French Riviera, but it may be too busy for some. If Rachel keeps to the north and west, Normandy and Brittany, then finding campsites with vacances should be less of a problem
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Chas, you're right of course, the hotspots in August will be pretty crowded (i missed the August point in the OP) ....however, away from them, again, as you say, it shouldn't be an issue..
IMV, Michael is also right about the awning, a windout canopy is great (for shade or as a rain sheild) but anything more permanent becomes detrimental to the get up go touring you may get into...
Chas, I'll wager I know the sites (if not the pitches) and I know M&T (&O) have booked for later in the year....our diary is all over the shop (a couple of significant birthdays, a wedding, an autumnal birth and a imminent house move....not all the same people, lol) but if we get the chance we will be heading that way too.....
have a great time.
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so booking over there is becoming more the norm.
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