France 2019 June/July

Hi Folks,

first time poster and first time going abroad in our camper.

We are heading to France for 3 weeks end of June16th to July 6th Dub to Cher for 1250euro. Pricey but delighted to be going especially on WB Yeats. As we are newbies I’ve got a few questions. 2 adults 2 kids (aged 4 and 2) will be traveling and I’m bringing some windsurfing gear to get out sailing.

With 3 weeks realistically how much of Brittany and the West coast should we fit in?

How far south should we tour without overdoing it?

Any recommendations for campsites/Aires along brittany and the West coat suitable for windsurfing?

Any other general advice would be much appreciated, must see’s do’s and don’ts.

and look up Aires. it will work out a lot cheaper if you stay on Aires for a few days in between campsites, although this might limit you to entertainment for the kids.

Açsi card will save you money off season, but not during high season. Some sites, high season doesn’t start until July. Great value if you can use it

Where ate you based ? You can have all my last year guides to give you some ideas or anyone who is near you will do the same and show you how they work.
To start with you have .
ACSI.
ALL THE AIRE'S.
FRANCE PASSIONS.
CAMPING-Car parks
CASTLELS CAMPING.
For you're first trip I would recommend not to try doing too much driving ,take your time spend a couple of days heading towards the coast to somewhere like Saint-jean-de-Mont. Book a few days in a couple of campsite with all the facilities for your children. Do a few Airs between each.
Take your time heading back to Cherbourg, maybe wild at Le Mont Saint Michelle and show them a real fairy castle.
Above all make sure that they will want to go back for more, it's a holiday not an endurance test.

Welcome onto the forum.
An exciting time planning the first trip into Europe with the family.
We are planning our 3rd summer trip but our kids are a good bit hardier at 11 and 12.
A couple of quick points, some of which you will know.

Google maps/ sat nav, etc, lists your travelling times for cars travelling at the speed limits. The camper will be 20/25% slower. Halfords stock a map book for €15, personally I find it a better reference for planning. Find the road number that you need, and follow the signs.

Time your journeys for early mornings if the weather is really hot or during mid day naps.

We hit 42°C last July which is hard on kids. The French have a great system of public swimming pools. Most half decent sized towns have outdoor pools which cost as little as €6 for family. Tight fitting swimwear is expected.

Campercontact is a good app for listing all types of campsites and aires. It has loads of reviews and pictures included.
Some campsites are hugh resort types with things for all ages, bars, restaurants, pools, crèches, kid clubs etc but can charge a hefty fee.
Most campsites will have a pool but some may not be suitable for small kids.

The west coast of Brittany is huge for watersports with miles of sandy beaches.
Le Base in L Orient would grab the 4 years old attention.

Just remember that France is huge. It is a 4 hour trip from Cherbourg just to Roscoff to put things into perspective. Last year we done 17 nights starting in Roscoff, along the west coast as far as Nantes, followed the Loire river inland to Tours and then back to finish in Cherbourg which was about 1000 miles.

Best of luck.
Malcolm

This year most campsites listed in the France section of the ACSI Card book give the discount rate until the weekend of 6th. 7th. of July. some exit a bit earlier and a few a bit later. The €16.95 SEE HERE will pay for itself within days.

I would also recommend the paid version of the CamperContact App SEE HERE

Those two resources are all you really need to see you through a great holiday.

is september considered low season in france?

Also, many sites close before the end of September. Be careful to check the dates in the ACSI Book.

The campsite books with discount card and/or the book of Aires if you are thinking of using them

This one Rob ,I got mine from Vicarious books takes about 2 weeks

If you're any where near Limerick you can get the ACSI books with card for 15 Euro at Anchor Point in Birdhill, Co. Clare.

Have a look at this book from ACSI now in its second year but not advertised much.


https://dash4it.co.uk/acsi-cam…M7EALw_wcB

It focuses on the popular destinations of Spain, France and Portugal as well as the Uk and Ireland. It still has the discount card and has free access to the app. The big plus point for me is that as well as the discounted sites (low season) it has over 3000 sites detailed in the same layout as the usual 2 book Europe wide discount version. This I find useful as the sites are normally reasonably accurately graded by ACSI inspection, so makes a good hard copy to have in the van. This also supplements the ACSI site were all sites are searchable and my usual go to searchforsites.co.uk which carries useful reviews by motorhomers. I pasted the link from dashit books simply as it was handy. I got my 2019 version direct from ACSI.

Davy

Thanks for all the helpfull responses everyone. Looks likes there is loads to research for our maiden France voyage.

Initial plan is to spend 1 week or so touring Brittany and the onto La Palmyre to meet friends for couple of day before Heading back up north.

[quote="boneill"]
That would be excellent sprinter, I am Dublin based. Where are you located.?

In co Wicklow greystones.

It's also a good time to visit the WW1 sites as all will be in Normandy