First trip to France in motorhome

[AstonTony]

Hi

We are taking our first trip to France via Calais and wondered if anyone had any suggestions on decent campsites or where to go?

Not really wanting to stay in one place, ideally would like to travel round and sample the best that France has to offer.

Bought Aires books and Michelin camping book but there is nothing like first hand experience.

Any help or advice would be really useful.

Thanks in anticipation.

Edited by AstonTony on Sunday 9th June 17:13

[mike9009]

We have spent much time in France camping and touring.

Our favourite trips were along the Loire (angers, Tours, Saumar, Poitiers).

Also down the west coast (St Jeans de Monts, La Rochelle, Tranche sur Mer, Ile de Re and Ile de Oleron)

Never been down South as my wifes back would not last the journey and I don't like it too hot.....

Never come across a bad campsite but use an old RAC book for campsite recommendations. I think its dated 1996, but still works or us. Just need to plan a trip in our T25 for next year once our newly born son is a little older......

Mike

[AstonTony]

Hi Mike

Many thanks for taking time to share.

We are a bit nervous as it's our first real trip in the motorhome. Heard some good and bad stories about France and especially the Aires sites. I understand safety in numbers and not to stay in any Aires on a motorway.

You haven't any sites to recommend have you? We want to travel but it would be good to spend some time on proper sites so that we can get the old BBQ out

[rsole]

We spent quite some time in France last year. Check out our blog, which has some recommendations in for motor homes.

TBH, all of the Aires we stayed in were fine, which came from the 2012 book.

Google jonoush.blogspot.com

[Sharted]

Only ever used a couple of campsites and even then only used their static type cabins.

However, can vouch for Les Grand Pins in Lacanau on the South West Atlantic coast. Set in a massive pine forest just behind the dunes of a huge sandy beach.

The aires that I have seen on the motorways look OK in daylight but there's not much there except a smelly toilet and a few picnic benches.

[AstonTony]

Thanks all for tips up to now. Am reading and investigating.

Thanks again.

[Sarkmeister]

There is a motorhome site right on a beach a couple or miles to the west of St Tropez, we stayed there for a few days a few years ago. Was only a few quid a night a night. Everything else was expensive though.

[Bill]

If you're going out of season it's worth hunting down an ACSI card as the discounts are huge.

Where you go probably depends on when you're off and how hot you want to get. At Easter this year we chased the good weather and ended up on near the Spanish border just south of Perpignan.

Eta http://www.campingcard.co.uk/gb/en/europe/

Edited by Bill on Tuesday 11th June 11:37

[gshughes]

Get the cool camping France book, lots of nice sites in there. We did this a few years ago. Got the ferry to Amsterdam, and just kept driving till the weather got nice, which was the Cote d'Azure! Ended up in an amazing site on the side of a hill near St Tropez. Most amazing place was Gorges du Verdon which is not to be missed. Couldn't believe this place is not more well known. Route Napolean is a nice drive too.

Part of what we enjoy about these type of holidays is not planning too much. Get a couple of guide books and just drive. Stay a bit longer at the nice sites and move on quickly form the not so nice ones. Plenty to choose from in France.