Towing in winter through France to Spain with dog.
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Thanks very much for the offer, EFB. That's very kind, but I'm happy that Leeds to Folkestone in a day is doable.
If you're staying at the same place I understand that a vet visits once a week but I'm not sure that the timings would work. Thanks for pointing out the sticky. I'll take a look.
If everything works out, yes, see you there!
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Thanks very much for all this detail, ValDa.Your recommendation for the UK leg is exactly what I'd planned and the extra info about caravan-friendly services en route is just what I needed, thank you.
Interesting that the Aire you mention is also caravan-friendly. I thought the Aires were only for camper vans and motorhomes so that's useful to know.
I agree re our next trip. For this first adventure, though, I wanted as much hand holding as I could muster and all the contributions to this discussion have been invaluable.
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Thanks, BB. Yes, our lives are pretty much controlled by canine considerations!
Forgive my confusion but, when you say you'd keep to the left, I'm guessing you're advising to travel down the western route rather than the eastern one? In other words, the left hand side of France as you view it on a map?
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Thanks very much, Montesa.
We're staying at Black Horse Farm in Folkestone the night before the crossing, not Dover, so it's only about 20 minutes away.
Yes, we booked via CAMC and, apparently, there are UK 'residents' at the site who can offer help and advice. We need a lot of hand holding!
Your route tips are most welcome, thank you.
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Leo, If you think that 320 miles to Tours is a bit too far on your first day then you can call a halt at the 260 mile mark at Camping Neuville on the north side of Le Mans. British owners there who will appreciate a phone call to say you are coming.
Another 260 miles on day 2 will see you reach Camping Village du Lac at Bordeaux.
Both those sites are open all year.
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Yes, the Western route. We've been using it for more than 10 years and, apart from snow on the highest skiing resorts above 'the Plain', we've not had any snow en route...
having said that, travelling down through France in January isn't the most scenic affair....can see a fair amount of rain...we drive, we eat, we sleep...not hanging about and easily get from Cherbourg to Irun (stopping near Nantes) in an afternoon (ferry arrives lunchtime) and a full day.
Once up and over Pamplona (just 90 mins or so) everything changes and you feel you've started to 'arrive'....the roads on the plain are top class and you can make as much (or as little progress as you feel...).
Valencia is about 7 hrs from Irun but is a very easy and relaxing drive.
we also used the central/Clermont Ferrand route in Spring, but felt it would be more susceptible to any bad winter weather...
ps Leo....we (and many others) drive to the port (Poole) direct and sleep on the dock. No need for a campsite, a cafe with brekkie and an extra hour in bed!
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BB, it will have to be Portsmouth rather than Poole this year. There’s no current ferry service from Poole.
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Thanks, ET...is that into next year? We will be going mid Jan '22.
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Hi
Did you do this trip and did it all go well? We are planning the same next January with a caravan previously using aires with a motorhome.
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Terry , even in winter - with careful reference to weather forecasts - there are four major routes across France from Calais. If you would like to say which way you plan to go, and how far you want to drive in a day, then there will be suggestions of campsites on each of those routes.
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Hi Montesa, We have just read all the posts on this thread as we are also heading down to Alannia Costa Blanca in Feb 23. Our first trip overseas with our caravan. We have a 13.20 Eurotunnel crossing so would be super grateful for any suggestions about routes and particularly places to stay en route. We have allowed 7 nights for the journey.
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Your 1320 tunnel train means arrival in France at 1500 after allowing for the time difference, so I suggest a first night before it gets dark - perhaps at Camping Fontaine des Clercs at Montreuil sur Mer (45 miles) or the Baie de Somme services a little further on (60 miles)
As for driving across France you need to decide whether you are leaving France and entering Spain near Biarritz or near Perpignan. Sites are available both ways.
Take care.
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Problem is things have changed since 2021 and I wouldn’t want anyone to rely on anything I said back then. Useful overnight sites in France which I recommended to winter travellers then won’t necessarily be open in February 2023.
Camping Neuville near Le Mans used to take winter visitors if they phoned ahead, but their website now says it is closed until 1 April 2023.
Camping les Acacias near Tours used to be open all year round but is now listed as temporarily closed. Someone who went to look reported that it is being fully used to house Ukrainian refugees.
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Hi,
Peedee has given a link above to a thread & my previous lengthy input 21/8/21 and route plan. Having re- read see nothing to really change. We intend an early January 2023 grand depart on the same route down to northern Almeria again. Sadly just 67 days on EU soil this time due to 90/180 totting up.
NB We tow so do not really have the option of just popping onto a MH Aire. Driving on the right towing on poorly lit country roads at night is also best avoided.
Would agree for you the first night choices & comment of …
“1320 tunnel train means arrival in France at 1500 after allowing for the time difference, so I suggest a first night before it gets dark - perhaps at Camping Fontaine des Clercs at Montreuil sur Mer (45 miles) or the Baie de Somme services a little further on (60 miles)”.
Have Winter stopped at both options - reviews on UK Campsites. I think given the longer nights I’d go to quirky Montreuil. Baie de Somme Services is ok for a quick in & out overnight and does have a separate MH & Caravan area - it’s one of the few services we’d stop at if pushed for choices.
Onwards then to Montreal at St Germain des Belles south of Limoges would see you nicely pitched before darkness for a walk around the lake.
We have never done the Biscay / central Spain western route, unlike many, as prefer the Eastern route / Med coast sea views and warmth so crossing via Perpignon etc.
Capmany site just across the Spain Border is a busy convenient rustic overnight stop easy off & on the AP7 for many heading north or south and has useful generally cheaper re-fuel options Shell or BP on the main road or in the border Town, the first option also for Repsol Gas refills.Benicassim town with 3 sites is then the obvious stopover down the coast.
Whilst you said you’ve allowed 7 nights to get down, France in Winter is usually grey & dismal so the two overnights suggested above is usually enough for most. Stay longer on return north ? Capmany Spain even in Feb will be much warmer & brighter as will the Benicassim area for extra nights if desired. Easy run from there down to Alicante.
Your return may see more sites open up and choices.
Do enjoy ….M
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Montesa, It’s good of you to give such detailed replies every time this question comes up. You are kind to do that.
Trouble is that the questioners don’t think of the need for an early start from Calais in winter, don’t look at western crossings to link up with campsites which do open at that time of year, and don’t say how many miles per day they are happy to drive when they are towing . Your second day - Camping Fontaine des Clercs to Camping Montreal is 400 miles and that may be too much if there is a single elderly driver towing a caravan. But they don’t tell us.
Regards.
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Thank you for your support.
Do wonder why I bother sometimes given little or no feedback.
Fair point on that excess leg length. Think my previous longer reply last year does mention site options at Dreux en route & previously open in Winter to break up that leg.
Have done it three times now and planned & reaccessed the route options a fair few times. The leap frog between open sites is sometimes the only real option.
With the early afternoon crossing mentioned this puts the sequence out of cinque. Assume this is one of CMC off peak slightly cheaper options yet again. We usually sequence for about c.300 miles max per day with a prompt crossing early doors in daylight after an overnight in Kent. Don’t know the UK depart point.
dilemmas dilemmas …..0 -
We are on our way home after 10 weeks in France, Spain and Portugal.
Today we drove up from Burgos, currently on an aire at Azur near Soustons.
We are not lovers of the campsite at Urrugne unlike others.
As we are in a MH we don't have to rely on campsites. However I do like to use them in between Aires.
As mentioned the site near Tours that we have used in the past Les Acasias is currently not open to tourers so we are trying another one that is open until 12 Dec, hopefully.
The weather since mid Portugal has been awful, driving rain and wind. Last year we came up the Med coast and would prefer that in future as I think they hang onto the mild settled weather longer.
We prefer to stop at the site in Benicarlo to break the journey rather than Benicassim when coming up from Murcia.
Whichever route you choose you will not be alone, plenty of folk doing all the routes. Do take plenty of breaks, no problem in France but Spain we find it harder to find good stops.
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Re Acacias, can't remember who it was that posted previously, with the information that it wasn't in Acsi this year as they were housing Ukrainian refugees and wasn't open to tourers. We cycled past it in June and it certainly looked closed.
We are currently on a site Acsi 1577 Only camp at St Avertin which is near Yours its open until 18th Dec 2022.
Yesterday we were on an Aire and got talking to another Brit who had bought a small campsite nearby Angouleme. They will open 16th December and will be open all year. I will open a new thread to give the details.
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