France - Next Year
Comments
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I received my ACSI package this morning. I’ve just been going through guide (part 2) and saw this
”Traffic enforcement camera signalling is prohibited; remove (if necessary) French traffic enforcement camera locations from your navigation software.”
Just for clarification, assuming it can be done, is it sufficient to just turn this function off?
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This bit of legislation was introduced a few years back now, so I would imagine any up to date SatNav has been programmed accordingly.
I haven't worked out how the local fuzz would know anyway.
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This probably sounds like a dumb question, but when inputting the location/address into the sat-nav, what should I be entering? This address for instance...
1593 route de la Plage de Caudon
24200 Sarlat
FranceIm guessing it’s 24200 Sarlat?
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Thanks David. I got the coordinates from GE, as you suggested, but my satnav didn’t recognise it. After that, I entered 24200 and it was recognised. It did look as though it was in the right area, but can it be counted on do you think? Sorry for the questions, but this is all new to me, relied on maps and luck the last time I went 🙂
PS, I don’t expect the satnav to take me straight to the door, and would take note of local directions.
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Freddy, Post code 24200 covers the whole of the area around Sarlat and that town is about 12km.from the site you are going to , so very little help to you.
Your site is very easy to find without any sat nav at all. Just leave the autoroute at Souillac (junction 55) and follow the written instructions to the campsite along the river bank road.
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Thanks, I’m just trying to get to grips with it. It looks like I’m only going to be able to get to general areas before relying on a map and local directions, bearing in mind that I anticipate visiting several sites. Apart from this, the sat nav will come in handy for avoiding toll roads, as I won’t be in a hurry.
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I always use lat/long derived from zooming in on GoogleEarth. As for getting to the general area, just head south until the butter starts to go soft.
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I’ve tried contacting the owners of Camping Le Cormier at Obterre, near Loches, twice by email and haven’t heard a thing. I could of course use the web to find another in the area, but would appreciate a recommendation. Not looking for masses of facilities, just the basics in a nice location.
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Well, I’ve only been to France once before (with the van) and booked everything in advance. I’m naturally averse to leaps of faith and it doesn’t come easily. As you may have already noted, everything else regarding locations and campsites is fairly fluid. I’ve booked Soleil Plage for two nights, as part of my commitment to purchase 4 nights stay through the club. I suspect I’ll want to stay longer, but if I don’t, I’ll be moving on...somewhere 🙂
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If you got the vouchers as part of the ferry price Freddy you don't have a "commitment" to the club to use them. Just keep them until the site and vouchers coincide or do what we did - nothing! Didn't see any site the first year we had them and circumstances hijacked the foreign trip the following year.
We still saved on the ferry fare by having them so considered them freebies.
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Nothing so ambitious. A lifetime of pottering along the south coast.
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Freddy I can only endorse all the comments about over planning your trip. I totally understand your wanting some security about sites but travelling in June it is not necessary. We have been travelling in May/June and Sep for many years and the only thing we book is the crossing. We have never had any problems finding a site in the area we wish to go. Many people do not even book their return crossing. You have got ACSI (there sites are generally pretty good and inspected every year) but may I suggest you also get another site book either the Club's or something else. We tend to get an afternoon crossing and stay at a site near the port (within 20 miles) so that we are ready to hit he French roads next morning. Don't worry yourself about the speed camera warning on a satnav. However just be warned, speed cameras are everywhere in France and the speed limit on non dual carriageways is 80 kph (50 mph) less in towns. This is strictly enforced. There are traffic calming measures in abundance too
.We like the flexibility that not booking gives. You may not like the area, the weather may be poor or we just change our minds! The only things you absolutely need to have tied up before you go are: ferry booking, passports, insurances (car, caravan and breakdown), EHIC, pet passport (if applicable), car/caravan service, funding; I honestly think that is it but no doubt others may disagree!! Forgot, make sure your house insurance is OK for the house to be left empty for your trip.
A good tip is not to arrive at a site too late; arriving at say 4 - 5 pm you should be fine. If you put the GPS coordinates into your satnav yes, it will take you to the site entrance but do check the route as sometimes it can take you along some unsuitable roads (learned the hard way!).
We also stayed a few nights at Riva Bella last year, visited Pegassus Bridge, the invasion beaches and Honfleur. Yes migrants by the entrance but no threat we just felt very sorry for them. Have a great trip and maybe we will see you over there in June.
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Thanks for your post. As I said in my first post, I really like the idea of go as you please. I have all the relevant documentation in place (I think) so I’m pretty much set to go. I’ve been informed that my sat nav is compliant with French law, as it will only detect ‘zones’ but not individual cameras as it does here. I will no doubt have a few more questions, but I’m now starting to feel more relaxed about it all, and looking forward to getting away 🙂
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), I’m only trying to tie up certain aspects of this trip. Anyway, point taken 👍
