First Time Caravan Experience in France

ClubMember62A493694E
ClubMember62A493694E Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited May 16 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Hi there

My wife and I are going to France in June for 2 weeks in our small 2 birth caravan. We have organised the first 10 days of our itinery, however we are both a bit stumped. We are staying in the North for a couple of nights and then travelling to the Dordogne, staying in two diffferent sites (Sainte-Foy-La-Grande and Beynac-et-Cazenac) to enable us to maximise our visit to the region. We then have three days to make our return journey to Cherbourg, however would appreciate any advice on the best places to stay to break up this journey. We have considered Tours and Rennes, however would appreciate any guidance. Many thanks in advance.

Comments

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited May 16 #2

    It seems as though you have already booked but for the regions you are visiting booking is unnecessary. June is mostly “out of season” so you would benefit from an ACSI subscription which offers discounts on thousands of sites. You can get the books which cover every region of France and the rest of Europe or you can just take the (cheaper) digital subscription which we have done this year. Simply pre-load the countries you are interested in when you are on WiFi then you can search off-line. 

    For your return trip there are several ACSI sites along the Loire near Tours.

    You can, of course, buy the Club’s European directory. It’s OK but not that comprehensive and you would frankly be better off with just ACSI. 

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,586 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 16 #3

    I see that you are in a caravan. Most campsites in France will allow access before the magic witching hour that is 12.00 or lunchtime, unlike sites here in the UK so check with those sites in Dordogne and you may be able to arrive at your second one at Beynac to be allowed in early thus making the most of your limited time.

    On the way back I would take a slight detour from Tours to head to Amboise.and stay at the municipal site on the island right opposite the pretty town, a 10 minute walk away. Visit Leonardo da Vinci museum (recommended), cycle along the loire, plenty of things to do.

    https://www.camping-amboise.com

    Edit - What I would say to you is to not expect sites to be the same as club sites, just different. Some are better, some more basic but an open mindset will help you. Good luck and enjoy it as it could be start of a beautiful friendship.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,828 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 16 #4

    Whatever floats your boat…a chateau on tne Loire? a world famous garden? a historic city?  Mont St Michel?  The Bayeux tapestry?  a day at the seaside? So much to see. Three days isn’t long.

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
    1000 Comments
    edited May 17 #5
    "On the way back I would take a slight detour from Tours to head to Amboise.and stay at the municipal site on the island right opposite the pretty town"

    Here's the view from the campsite at Amboise!



  • Dunclair
    Dunclair Forum Participant Posts: 127
    edited May 20 #6

    If you take the advice to visit Amboise, you should without any shadow of a doubt visit the chateau. This was the royal palace of one of France's most successful kings, Francois 1st. He is the guy who outshone Henry VIII on the Field of Cloth of Gold. It is a good idea to also walk up the valley, noticing the houses built into the cliffs on your left and visit Clos Luce, the home of Leonardo Da Vinci who Francois had brought to France and why the Mona Lisa is in the Louvre in Paris. Leonardo's tomb is in a chapel in the grounds of the chateau.

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