Camping in France
Discussion
Hi guys,
I want to take my girlfriend away for a week or so camping in France in the next few months, and I'm looking for suggestions.
We would like to go somewhere that is close to the sea, or at very worse a nice lake or river, and somewhere that is very French (if that makes sense!)
Somewhere where we can go for a walk in the morning, collect some fresh croissants and say hello to the locals, that sort of place...
Money is pretty tight as I was recently laid off, so we will be staying in a tent, so the campsite would have to have all ameneties, i.e hot showers, washing facilites etc..
Any suggestions/driving routes/tips/driving laws in France would be greatfully received
Thank you
Alex.
I want to take my girlfriend away for a week or so camping in France in the next few months, and I'm looking for suggestions.
We would like to go somewhere that is close to the sea, or at very worse a nice lake or river, and somewhere that is very French (if that makes sense!)
Somewhere where we can go for a walk in the morning, collect some fresh croissants and say hello to the locals, that sort of place...
Money is pretty tight as I was recently laid off, so we will be staying in a tent, so the campsite would have to have all ameneties, i.e hot showers, washing facilites etc..
Any suggestions/driving routes/tips/driving laws in France would be greatfully received
Thank you
Alex.
Campsite at a lake near us: http://www.lacdesvarennes.com/
Very French!
It's in the Loir (not Loire) valley, where the French go on holiday, only a handful of ex-pats...
Very French!
It's in the Loir (not Loire) valley, where the French go on holiday, only a handful of ex-pats...
Ok so cash is in short demand so guessing you won't want to spend a bundle on fuel and tolls.
There is a very pretty vilage in Britany called Erquy. Typical French fishing village set in the most beautiful landscape.
Plenty of campsites are available. My favorite though is the Vieux Moulin.
Checkout the website http://www.camping-vieux-moulin.com/
Basically it is sold to you as an open air hotel.
Good Luck whatever you decide.
Chris
There is a very pretty vilage in Britany called Erquy. Typical French fishing village set in the most beautiful landscape.
Plenty of campsites are available. My favorite though is the Vieux Moulin.
Checkout the website http://www.camping-vieux-moulin.com/
Basically it is sold to you as an open air hotel.
Good Luck whatever you decide.
Chris
jhfozzy said:
A nice place I went to last time was the lakes east of Troyes, there is plenty of camping round the edges, you get to drive through some fantastic scenery and more importantly, the champagne region is just to the north.
Map HERE
I can second this suggestion as I've visited the Lakes in the Foret de Orient. You are 30 minute drive from Troyes which is a really lovely French town.Map HERE
My fave holiday ever! Me and Mrs R - before she was Mrs, a 10 year old convertible e30 bmw, a tent and a eurostar ticket.
We did 3000 miles with the roof down in two weeks around France going from Calais, driving through Paris (for a laugh, we wanted to see the Eiffel Tower, luckily the traffic was fine), camping near Blois on the bank of the Loire, off to Bordeax and wine country (Paulliac - very boring town, should have stayed in St Emillion), down to Biscarosse to see the topless girls surfing, across to Carcassonne, with its spectacular city ramparts, round past Montpellier to camp at the Pont-Du-Gard, an ancient roman aqueduct, then onto Port Grimaud, on the beach opposite St Tropez (catch the water taxi across for an expensive night out and pretend you are staying on the boats moored in the bay). Then off to camp in the hills above Cannes, a quick burn around the GP circuit at Monte Carlo, and up and down the hairpins of the Route Nepolean to Annecy and finish the day having a dip in cool blue lake water. Next day off to Chamonix, hiking, MTB etc, and finally to Reims for champagne, a quick look at the old motor racing circuit then home.
We had a useful french campsite guide book (can't remember which, it was the highest rated one in Amazon) which we used to find campsites and then we'd turn up and say "Bonjour! Avez-vous un emplacement pour ce soir?". French do camping pretty well, as well as loads of privately run places, most towns and villages will have a municipal campsite 1km or so from the town centre which often have a pool to cool down in after a hot and dusty drive, a half decent restaurant and plenty of tent pitches. We went in June so although the weather was great, was relatively quiet and kid-free. July & August can get very busy because everyone is on hols.
We did 3000 miles with the roof down in two weeks around France going from Calais, driving through Paris (for a laugh, we wanted to see the Eiffel Tower, luckily the traffic was fine), camping near Blois on the bank of the Loire, off to Bordeax and wine country (Paulliac - very boring town, should have stayed in St Emillion), down to Biscarosse to see the topless girls surfing, across to Carcassonne, with its spectacular city ramparts, round past Montpellier to camp at the Pont-Du-Gard, an ancient roman aqueduct, then onto Port Grimaud, on the beach opposite St Tropez (catch the water taxi across for an expensive night out and pretend you are staying on the boats moored in the bay). Then off to camp in the hills above Cannes, a quick burn around the GP circuit at Monte Carlo, and up and down the hairpins of the Route Nepolean to Annecy and finish the day having a dip in cool blue lake water. Next day off to Chamonix, hiking, MTB etc, and finally to Reims for champagne, a quick look at the old motor racing circuit then home.
We had a useful french campsite guide book (can't remember which, it was the highest rated one in Amazon) which we used to find campsites and then we'd turn up and say "Bonjour! Avez-vous un emplacement pour ce soir?". French do camping pretty well, as well as loads of privately run places, most towns and villages will have a municipal campsite 1km or so from the town centre which often have a pool to cool down in after a hot and dusty drive, a half decent restaurant and plenty of tent pitches. We went in June so although the weather was great, was relatively quiet and kid-free. July & August can get very busy because everyone is on hols.
Edited by prand on Monday 1st June 15:10
We have visited Le Ranolien (near to Perros Guirec in Northern Brittany) several times and it has excellent facilities and a nice walk along the rose granite coast to the local villages and towns.
To get there, the best crossing is Plymouth to Roscoff as it's just a 50mile journey from the port then. Or alternatively go to Saint Malo.
To get there, the best crossing is Plymouth to Roscoff as it's just a 50mile journey from the port then. Or alternatively go to Saint Malo.
prand said:
My fave holiday ever! Me and Mrs R - before she was Mrs, a 10 year old convertible e30 bmw, a tent and a eurostar ticket.
We did 3000 miles with the roof down in two weeks around France going from Calais, driving through Paris (for a laugh, we wanted to see the Eiffel Tower, luckily the traffic was fine), camping near Blois on the bank of the Loire, off to Bordeax and wine country (Paulliac - very boring town, should have stayed in St Emillion), down to Biscarosse to see the topless girls surfing, across to Carcassonne, with its spectacular city ramparts, round past Montpellier to camp at the Pont-Du-Gard, an ancient roman aqueduct, then onto Port Grimaud, on the beach opposite St Tropez (catch the water taxi across for an expensive night out and pretend you are staying on the boats moored in the bay). Then off to camp in the hills above Cannes, a quick burn around the GP circuit at Monte Carlo, and up and down the hairpins of the Route Nepolean to Annecy and finish the day having a dip in cool blue lake water. Next day off to Chamonix, hiking, MTB etc, and finally to Reims for champagne, a quick look at the old motor racing circuit then home.
We had a useful french campsite guide book (can't remember which, it was the highest rated one in Amazon) which we used to find campsites and then we'd turn up and say "Bonjour! Avez-vous un emplacement pour ce soir?". French do camping pretty well, as well as loads of privately run places, most towns and villages will have a municipal campsite 1km or so from the town centre which often have a pool to cool down in after a hot and dusty drive, a half decent restaurant and plenty of tent pitches. We went in June so although the weather was great, was relatively quiet and kid-free. July & August can get very busy because everyone is on hols.
Now THAT is very inspiring (and not just the topless surfers We did 3000 miles with the roof down in two weeks around France going from Calais, driving through Paris (for a laugh, we wanted to see the Eiffel Tower, luckily the traffic was fine), camping near Blois on the bank of the Loire, off to Bordeax and wine country (Paulliac - very boring town, should have stayed in St Emillion), down to Biscarosse to see the topless girls surfing, across to Carcassonne, with its spectacular city ramparts, round past Montpellier to camp at the Pont-Du-Gard, an ancient roman aqueduct, then onto Port Grimaud, on the beach opposite St Tropez (catch the water taxi across for an expensive night out and pretend you are staying on the boats moored in the bay). Then off to camp in the hills above Cannes, a quick burn around the GP circuit at Monte Carlo, and up and down the hairpins of the Route Nepolean to Annecy and finish the day having a dip in cool blue lake water. Next day off to Chamonix, hiking, MTB etc, and finally to Reims for champagne, a quick look at the old motor racing circuit then home.
We had a useful french campsite guide book (can't remember which, it was the highest rated one in Amazon) which we used to find campsites and then we'd turn up and say "Bonjour! Avez-vous un emplacement pour ce soir?". French do camping pretty well, as well as loads of privately run places, most towns and villages will have a municipal campsite 1km or so from the town centre which often have a pool to cool down in after a hot and dusty drive, a half decent restaurant and plenty of tent pitches. We went in June so although the weather was great, was relatively quiet and kid-free. July & August can get very busy because everyone is on hols.
Edited by prand on Monday 1st June 15:10
Have a week off that I was wondering what do with in June
Hmmmm..............
If money's tight, I would go for the Camping Municipals rather than the big commercial sites. Most rural towns have something, and although the facilities can be a bit basic (although perfectly adequate) they are very cheap, and are generally very handy for the town so you can stroll in for your croissants and coffee.
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