Camping when arriving France on a late ferry?

[Andy Zarse]

I have foolishly booked a ferry which arrives in Dieppe after 11pm on a Monday night. Does anyone know a campsite within reasonable distance where we can spend a night? (i.e. which doesn't have gates! Or is it possible to spend the night at the port, say the check-in area. We have a caravan if that makes any difference?

[audidoody]

Just crash at the nearest Ibis or Campanile for £50. Bed, loo, shower (not in that order)

Edited by audidoody on Wednesday 20th May 10:56

[oblio]

audidoody said:

Just crash at the nearest Ibis or Campanile for £50. Bed, loo, shower (not in that order)

Edited by audidoody on Wednesday 20th May 10:56

...or their car park for free





Perhaps not

[ColinM50]

Yes you can stay in the port area, did it a few years ago, BUT nowadays be very careful about all the clandestines or illegals trying to get to UK. They may target you "for a lift" if they think you're returning to UK rather than just arriving.

Personally I'd drive about an hour to Cambrai, there's a municipal campsite there that I stayed at years ago. Just looked in my 2013 Michelin campsite book and it's still there. Give them a call 0033 32 77 09 164. Again looking in the book, there's a dozen nice sites within an hour's drive of Calais

[Andy Zarse]

ColinM50 said:

Yes you can stay in the port area, did it a few years ago, BUT nowadays be very careful about all the clandestines or illegals trying to get to UK. They may target you "for a lift" if they think you're returning to UK rather than just arriving.

Personally I'd drive about an hour to Cambrai, there's a municipal campsite there that I stayed at years ago. Just looked in my 2013 Michelin campsite book and it's still there. Give them a call 0033 32 77 09 164. Again looking in the book, there's a dozen nice sites within an hour's drive of Calais

Cheers Colin, we're heading the other way, to Le Mans.

Might just do the Ibis thing!

[ColinM50]

You don't want to go to Le Mans Andy, it's full of noisy cars. You'll not get a wink of sleep

Michelin campsite guide show loads of sites your way or pick a town and look on their website

[Andy Zarse]

ColinM50 said:

You don't want to go to Le Mans Andy, it's full of noisy cars. You'll not get a wink of sleep

Michelin campsite guide show loads of sites your way or pick a town and look on their website

I know! I've been over twenty times!

[Mutley]

Andy, as you have a caravan pull into an Aire, there are many apps to find one en route, often attached to rest stops, so you can buy a hot breakfast in the morning

[Andy Zarse]

Mutley said:

Andy, as you have a caravan pull into an Aire, there are many apps to find one en route, often attached to rest stops, so you can buy a hot breakfast in the morning

Perhaps mistakenly I thought they were for motorhomes/campervans only?

[Mutley]

Andy Zarse said:

Perhaps mistakenly I thought they were for motorhomes/campervans only?

Ah, perhaps that's true. I'll find out

[Mutley]

(earlier reply deleted as you're not coming from Calais)
There appear to be a couple of ones in Dieppe (www.airetoday.co.uk) although the one by the port is campers only, reading on caravans use the one further out

[Rosscow]

Personally I'd be very tempted to have a rest on the ferry, maybe grab an hours kip somewhere quiet, and then get a few good hours drive in before the morning.

[smifffymoto]

Just head for the nearest supermarket car park.

[berlintaxi]

Andy Zarse said:

Mutley said:

Andy, as you have a caravan pull into an Aire, there are many apps to find one en route, often attached to rest stops, so you can buy a hot breakfast in the morning

Perhaps mistakenly I thought they were for motorhomes/campervans only?

Unfortunately they are.

[Lee-S2K]

I dont see what difference it makes

Many villages have free motorhome stopovers (not just main road Aires), I wouldnt see a problem if it was car and caravan
Am sure people wouldnt mind, you area a tourist and that is what they are for, to encourage toursim etc
Not like the UK club bo!!ox

Me, i'd look for a quiet village motorhome stop rather than an Aire, you wont have a problem.

[Andy Zarse]

Thanks to all for your help!

[Spare tyre]

Personally I wouldn't stop in any aires nearish to the ports, especially in a caravan (compared to a camper). Too many desperate people about

[Andy Zarse]

Spare tyre said:

Personally I wouldn't stop in any aires nearish to the ports, especially in a caravan (compared to a camper). Too many desperate people about

Why would a camper/MH be preferable over a caravan?

[Spare tyre]

Andy Zarse said:

Spare tyre said:

Personally I wouldn't stop in any aires nearish to the ports, especially in a caravan (compared to a camper). Too many desperate people about

Why would a camper/MH be preferable over a caravan?

I'd feel safer being able to escape without having to get out of a caravan and Into a car

[Rosscow]

I drove to Amsterdam on Friday, arriving in Calais at 10am (Eurotunnel).

One of the main roundabouts you have to navigate on leaving the tunnel had at least 6 immigrants standing in the actual carriageway on the roundabout - I had to weave around them. An unnerving experience.

I would strongly suggest driving away from the area before stopping for the night.