France 2016 advice

Booked this site for a week in the middle of the trip
http://en.sunmarina.com/9-les-…e-campsite
Going to use aires etc for the nights on the way down and back up again.

Any suggestions of Aires etc please pass them on

They look great Dave, thanks

I assume you are talking about the 'France passion' scheme.

We use it every year. Costs £25 approx and gives access to about 1800 sites. These are mostly vineyards but can be farms, restaurants, craft shops, cheese makers or ordinary motorhomers.

No charge to stay over and no compulsion to buy, but it can be a cheap source of wine, or whatever is grown or made. Usually we buy something, you are expected to introduce your self on arrival and we usually say goodbye when leaving.

You may or may not get water. There will probably not be anywhere to drop grey or empty your black, usually no toilets or electric, but easy to stop at an aire for services before or after your visit. There will probably not be a pitch and you may be on grass in a vineyard or a farmyard etc.

They tend by their nature to be more rural and not close to amenities and attractions, can be a little more difficult to find without a satnav and may involve some narrow roads, but they are a good way to meet real French people and try your French, although you can get by with signs and smiles.

We love them, worth a punt to see if they for you, but not everyone's cup of tea. Even if you do not like them it will have only cost one nights fee on a proper campsite, and you could always sell on your membership for the rest of the year. I believe there are other locations not in the 'scheme' who allow you to stop over but not sure how you would find them other than by accident or word of mouth.

Davy

Hi trev

I looked at the link and selected a few of the yellow stopovers. It looks like they offer a similar service to the France passion scheme but without being in that scheme. Even better in that it will give you a feel for that style of stopover.

I am always amazed at the vast number of campsites of all descriptions you pass as you travel through France. It gives you the confidence to travel without worrying about finding a spot at the end of the day.

Davy

Hi Trev/Team Rienza
Do the yellow icon sights work the same system as France Passion in that they are free to stay but you can buy their produce if you wish. I had never seen them before. Hady

We have ferry booked for our first (of many - we hope) trip to France going on 4th June. Because it's our 1st trip to France and we only have a week we intend to keep it simple - the D-Day Beaches and Mont St Michel are on our to do list. Has anyone any advice on these locations and does anyone have any suggestions of where to stay near these - we have got CampingCard Acsi 2016 and All the Aires France North.

All tips and advice gratefully accepted
Thanks

Thank you TeamReinza,
it's great to hear that others have been there and gives me reassurance of the area

Hi hegarty03,

Feel free to ask more questions as it is an area lots of us have been to. Check this site for a shopping list of places to visit

http://wikitravel.org/en/D-Day_beaches

When you hit the area you will think you have stepped back in time. There are hundreds of people driving about in jeeps, in uniform. Lots of reenactments to see. We in Ireland greatly underestimate how big an event liberation was.

Davy

Guedelon medieval castle
https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Gu��delon,+D955,+89520+Treigny/@47.784203,3.9128061,8z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x47efc4ea8d284585:0xc9e20a5173eba98e?hl=en-gb
BBC did a documentary programme on the ongoing building of this medieval style castle. It is situated south of Paris but north of Bourges very different to visiting other French chateaux.
Last year we visited it. We went in May, beautiful sunny day. We stayed in an Aire in a village nearby (can't remember name) so we were one of first to arrive in MH. Packed with MHs, cars and coaches by lunchtime, and lots of school children.
It is the most authentic interesting place, we enjoyed it, and if travelling with children particularly of school age it is fun.
We had a good look around before the crowds.

http://www.guedelon.fr/en/

I have a 2015 copy, not needed between end June and end Sept.

Hi guys, we are a family with 2 smallies, age almost 4 and a 5 year old. Spent June in France last year and off again in August. Woohoo. We stayed in about 10 different sites, our fav was la garrangeoire...not walking distance to the beach but was fantastic and ticked all our boxes. Parked 'illegally' in Carnac and had a fab time for a few days. Isle Grande municipal campsite of the granite coast is lovely if you like it wild - fab beaches, creperie, 2 bars and thats about it!if I think of the other names, I'll post. Get the acsi book for sure if you going in June. Wont be much use to us going in Aug but also going to Wales in May so may use it then! I spent ages researching last year but you know what there are so many....enjoy!!! Anyone else with smallies heading to Brittany in August? we are going for 3 weeks. Cheers Sinead

Agree with Hymer 544 (which is our motorhome make!) down areound st john de monts is fab. We spent nearly 2 weeks down there last year at Le Clarys plage and La Garrangeoire and cant remember the other ones....We are heading on 5 August!

It's only about 4 hours from Cherbourg to Saint Jean de Monts. If you are sailing with Irish ferries you could be there by 4 o'clock in the afternoon.

Fougers is a a basic Aire close to your route. Worth a visit just to tour the castle.