French info please

 
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Julieann
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French info please

 ·  Posted: 19.02.2014  ·  #1
Just looking few ideas. This is our first year travelling to France through mainland as we normally go rosslare roscoff. We are going to Carfest for 3 days then legoland for 2 days. This will only leave us little over a week in France. What is our cheapest way to get to France would it be euro tunnel? Our dublin Holyhead boat is sorted. With a 5 and 6 year old in tow (although tablets and DVD players are wonderful) we want somewhere close to the port but somewhere nice too - wish list is a pool for sure a village within walking distance and maybe a restaurant on site or close by. Will be the beginning of August so realise it's going to be a busy time and might need to get booking. I have looked at campsite.co.uk review website at sites in Picardy and Nord pas Calais but nothing standing out. Any ideas?
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Re: French info please

 ·  Posted: 19.02.2014  ·  #2
No real ideas on sites close to the boats etc but you would need to plan sites and book in advance as that is the very high season. As to getting there then look at the Dover or Dunkirk crossings as they are usually a lot cheaper than the tunnel although slightly longer in journey time, you can get the boat for as little as £20 each way! And it's not a typing error, we got one for that price last year.
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Re: French info please

 ·  Posted: 19.02.2014  ·  #3
Oh that is a great price did you book in advance?
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Re: French info please

 ·  Posted: 19.02.2014  ·  #4
About two months in advance, I have done Dover, Dunkirk and tunnel crossings and the tunnel is the quickest and easiest way to cross but prices are like airline seats the earlier you book the cheaper they are as well as out of peak hours, but if you have been driving for a while being on the boat for an hour or so allows you to both rest and stretch your legs which you can't do in the tunnel crossing as you have to stay in the vehicle.
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Re: French info please

 ·  Posted: 19.02.2014  ·  #5
I will keep checking for offers then a price like that would be super. Many thanks
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Re: French info please

 ·  Posted: 19.02.2014  ·  #6
HI If you decide on a crossing from Dover, a good stopover for the night before or after your crossing is at CANTERBURY,on the park and ride station at Canterbury is a dedicated area for Motorhomes to stay,it cost £3 for 24 hour slots, it has a toilet dump, water tap and bins for rubbish,you can also ride the free bus into Canterbury city as often as you like.The park and ride is about 20 minutes drive on good roads to the ferry port at Dover.The park and ride closes at 8pm daily but if you arrive later you can park your van on the approach road with no problem,the parking is also closed on Sundays but if you are in on a Sunday you can exit with no problem. You can stay here several nights with no problem.
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Re: French info please

 ·  Posted: 20.02.2014  ·  #7
Oh that's great to know. Many thanks will keep that in mind.
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Re: French info please

 ·  Posted: 20.02.2014  ·  #8
I had a look at the various crossings in August and tunnel was around 150 return with Dover Calais at 115 euro and Dover Dunkirk £72
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Re: French info please

 ·  Posted: 20.02.2014  ·  #9
I know what I would go for every time and it would be the Tunnell. What a way to get to France,
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Re: French info please

 ·  Posted: 21.02.2014  ·  #10
I agree Jack, Tunnel is the way to go. If you haven't tried it before, do it just for the experience. If you arrive early, ( as you do ), no problem, just get on the earlier train - no fuss. Last time there was only €60 difference return for us between Tunnel and Ferry
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Re: French info please

 ·  Posted: 21.02.2014  ·  #11
OP, a few years ago we stayed at Domaine de Drancourt. It is part of the Castels camping chain. It about 60 miles from Calais. Lovely site.

If you wish to venture further, I can vouch for Camping La Vallee in Houlgate. We stayed there for a few days last September, coming from Cherbourg. On the outskirts of the town, which has a nice beach, it is on a sloping site and the pitches on the upper levels have beautiful views. Indoor and outdoor pools. spacious pitches. Part of the Yelloh chain. Its 3 hours from Calais with nice towns such as Ouistreham and Deauville close by for a day out.

I recommend you check these and other sites in Tripadvisor or UKcampsite for reviews from fellow campers

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Re: French info please

 ·  Posted: 21.02.2014  ·  #12
Thanks everyone. We would like to do the tunnel for the experience and it is fast. Thinking of maybe trying champagne region not too far a drive for the kids.
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Re: French info please

 ·  Posted: 21.02.2014  ·  #13
Just checked out camping la Valle looks a great site. We did yelloh in carantec before and was an excellent park too. Now really undecided boys would love those slides - this might be the one thanks for that
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Re: French info please

 ·  Posted: 22.02.2014  ·  #14
Camping la Valle is a excellent site and the staff are very friendly. We went the 2 years ago for a few days and ended up staying over a week. Lots to see in the surrounding areas. Our grandson loved it as there were lots of English speaking folk there.
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Re: French info please

 ·  Posted: 19.03.2014  ·  #15
Camping la valle booked for 7 nights looks lovely thanks everyone
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Re: French info please

 ·  Posted: 19.03.2014  ·  #16
You certainly won't regret it if our experience is anything to go by. Enjoy to the full.
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