Solo travel to France /Spain

Awaywego

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Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 09.09.2020 · #1

Hi .new to motorhome life and this site so trying to find my way .
I am booked on ferry from rosslare to Cherbourg 26th sept and the idea is to travel to Costa del Sol over 4 weeks .
I think I have most stops in Spain sorted but wondering about France .
I only want to do 2 overnights if possible in France and have first break for a few nights in Pamplona.
What I need to know if possible how long it might take to first stop in Tours on this site I read about Aire Du Bois Chaudron so I'm aiming for there for first night then somewhere 4 hrs Futher south for second .
If anyone has any advice I welcome it please . I'm traveling alone with a dog

but happy to drive about 400km a day . Perfer to take it easy in Spain incase of another lockdown and I can head for the coast .
First trip in motorhome so any help would be great .

Sorry for the novel

Angie

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 09.09.2020 · #2

if you use search for sites web page it will show you the various aires/campsites etc. If you also use via michelin to plan a rough route it will tell you how long it will take to get to for example Tours. Enjoy France so dont make definite plans so you can take a bit of time enjoying the sites along the way.

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Awaywego

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 09.09.2020 · #3

Thanks for that .I will look them up .

A bit nervous to stay long in France thus trip in case of lockdown but will take time out in Spain .
At this time if the year I hoping sites will be quite so I can just book the day before in case I find a nice place to stop .
Have a route planned but open to change .
Thanks again
Angie

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 09.09.2020 · #4

Don’t set too rigid a timeframe or ‘targets’ in France.
Drove this route a few times and really only picked an overnight halt when I felt like stopping..... the Campingcontact and park4night apps are worth getting (both paid versions will be less than €20 all in) and makes the planning and finding stops very easy.....France is so well catered for regarding stops/Aires and you won’t be stuck. Relax, enjoy the trip as this is a wonderful part of your journey and rushing it would be a mistake IMO.
Keep us updated on this site as we enjoy the travel reports.
All the very best.

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 09.09.2020 · #5

What time of day are you arriving in France (presume Cherbourg)? Aire Du Bois Chaudron would seem comfortable if arriving early in the day, it'll be a chore to get there if you've got an evening arrival. It's a bit south of Tours, if you're visiting the city I'd aim for somewhere closer. Not sure if it's you plan any leisure time while at Aire Du Bois Chaudron, St Maure is busy on market day but sleepy otherwise.

Awaywego

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 09.09.2020 · #6

Thanks for the advice .I have the park4night app still learning to use it but good idea to just see how things go .getting in to Cherbourg at 10.30am on Sunday so thought it a good day to drive in France .it only an overnight and some where to walk the dog .
In Spain I spend a few nights in different places to rest and enjoy .
Hopefully all will be well and I get to meet up with fellow travelers on the way to share experiences .
Thanks again .
Angie

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 10.09.2020 · #7

Bear in mind that most of the supermarkets close at lunchtime on Sundays, so if you need to buy any fresh essentials do so as soon as you can, or else freeze some milk and bread to see you through until Monday.

Davy

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 10.09.2020 · #8

Quote by Davy

You beat me to it Davy, we got caught out the first time going to France

Awaywego

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 10.09.2020 · #9

Oh that great to know .new there be a drawback to Sunday arriving but I stock up on beer and food .
Thanks

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 10.09.2020 · #10

Remember to fill up here before you go. It's one thing that supermarkets close early on Sundays but another that diesel is at a minimum 10¢ a litre dearer than here, between €1.20 and €1.35 per litre, cheapest in supermarkets dearest in motorway services.

Awaywego

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 10.09.2020 · #11

I live in Wexford so I will fill before boat . So much to remember

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 10.09.2020 · #12

I'd allow 3 maybe 4 days to drive down through France, Especially as it's your first time in a motorhome. I haven't been as far as the Costas yet but have travelled a lot in Northern Spain and found it easy and stress free. I wrote a bit of a blog here forum/topic.php?t=17115 It may or may not be of use to you. There may be other blogs on here that may be of more relevance to your travels. One thing that I would recommend that you get is a copy of "All The Aires" https://www.vicarious-shop.com…-stopovers. I found it invaluable along with the Michelin Zoom Maps. If you're close to Wexford town I could give you a look at mine before you order. There's a lot of more experienced travellers than me on here so pick all the brains you can. Good luck with your travels.

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 10.09.2020 · #13

@Awaywego take your time and take in the sites. Don't take on too much and as has been said Sunday most places are closed in France so don't get caught out that way. Hope you have a great time.

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France /Spain

· Posted: 10.09.2020 · #14

Quote by Flipperdipper

I have an unused 2020 ACSI guide book and maps for France and Spain, I can get them to you if you want them, I will be down to the Hook next week.

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 11.09.2020 · #15

Thank you so much for the info .I have the asci 2020 books and am a member
So will use there sites in Spain as I think I will stick to Aires and camp sites as it first time and solo so prefer to have the comfort of sites even though I love to overnight somewhere more scenic .next trip ,,maybe

The only reason I was thinking of just two stops in France is I hate a lockdown to happen and get stuck there but I have a look at route and maybe pencil in abit more time .

Thanks again .

Awaywego

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 11.09.2020 · #16

Hi flipperdipper
I tried the link to the blog you wrote on northern Spain but it would not link up .
If you could send another link I love to read it please
Angie

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 11.09.2020 · #17

think you will have to be a craic club member to read the blogs, ( I am and cant read them, Help Jon).
Some blogs here that may be of interest (not Spain)
https://www.rebbyvid.co.uk/france-links/4542257529
https://motorhomeireland.com/?cat=34

JJF

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 11.09.2020 · #18

Quote by rebbyvid

think you will have to be a craic club member to read the blogs, ( I am and cant read them, Help Jon).

Sorted

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 12.09.2020 · #19

Quote by Awaywego

Hi flipperdipper
I tried the link to the blog you wrote on northern Spain but it would not link up .
If you could send another link I love to read it please
Angie

Just sent you a PM, let me know if you get it OK.

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 12.09.2020 · #20

We did Cherbourg to San Sebastian in 2 gentle days using the toll roads. It was late November and really cold in France.
Then spent 3 months going counter clockwise around Spain. Great trip.

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 12.09.2020 · #21

Oh just seen your message about 2 days Cherbourg to Santander.
Could you tell me where you stop ECT as it not looking good in France now so I will need to get in to Spain as quick and safety as I can .
Thank you

Also thanks for the blog Liam I emailed reply as I could not PM you .

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 13.09.2020 · #22

It was 7 years ago, but I think this is right.

We drove about 3 hours from Cherbourg to this aire:
https://www.campercontact.com/…ules-verne

Next day to this one:
https://www.campercontact.com/…municipale

Day 3 on to San Sebastian. Don't do what did - drove a 3.4m camper into a 2m toll booth; took about an hour to fill in the paperwork for their damage [ended up €340]!

So 3 calendar days: arrived Cherbourg early afternoon, short drive; full day with breaks [dog needed to pee every 2 hours];
arrived San Sebastian early afternoon.

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 13.09.2020 · #23

PS. On the camper trip we found a great place, ground floor dog-friendly apartment, so we went by car the next 2 trips. Brittany Ferries Portsmouth Bilbao - avoided France completely.

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Re: Solo travel to France /Spain

· Posted: 14.09.2020 · #24

Thanks for that I look them up . I have a dog too so lots of stops .
That was terrible at toll booth .I will defo pay attention to the height

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