France for the first time

masterman

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Subject:

France for the first time

· Posted: 15.08.2014 · #1

Hi everyone, after building our campervan earlier this year we decided to take the plunge and head to France. We have been traveling around Ireland all summer and have enjoyed it so much France seemed like a good idea. We have the ferry booked from Rosslare to roscoff, only €450 return including cabins.
There are a few questions I'd like to ask.
Who would you recommend for breakdown insurance?
What is travelling in France in a camper van like any issues?
Will there be any craicers out there around 12 th to 29th sept?
We have a loose plan of where we would like to go but are flexible to get the best weather.
Thanks Gareth

PaulH

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Re: France for the first time

· Posted: 15.08.2014 · #2

You'll love France in a motorhome, it's so easy. Good roads, little traffic and cheap fuel. Don't forget the cheap wine!! With regard to the weather, the further south the better. Enjoy it

the fat controller

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Re: France for the first time

· Posted: 15.08.2014 · #3

Breakdown cover for theses in the north can be got at a reasonable price with Britannia which will give repatriation if needed.

Keep your plans loose and don't worry about a thing, France has to be the best country for Motorhomes as lots of villages have aires.

Further south you go the better chance of decent weather, but it's like anywhere no guarantees. The coast all along that general area has lots of ww2 sites to give you something to visit.

Hymer544

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Subject:

Re: France for the first time

· Posted: 15.08.2014 · #4

hi masterman, buy your diesel in towns as opposed to on autoroute (you will save around 20c/litre). If u are after weather u will def need to get south east. If u only have two weeks and want to get somewhere definite then use autoroutes, the tolls cost of course but youll save on time and diesel. Personal choice of course but with 20 years exp travelling in france its tolls all the way for me. We have been taking 4-5 weeks each summer in france in MH for years. Aires are great for handiness and budgeting and they are also often in very handy places. There is a free app which you can get if you search for 'campingcarinfos' which will keep u right. Also if u are heading anywhere south bring bug spray, there are many 'mustiques' biting down there this year. Bonne route!

the fat controller

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Re: France for the first time

· Posted: 15.08.2014 · #5

If using motorways don't be tempted to use the aires or service stations for an overnight stop, they are fine for a break/lunch etc but don't think of staying as they do attract undesirables.

If you want wifi you can use the likes of McDonald's or get a mifi with a three sim and it will work in France at no extra cost to your top up of say £10.

Hymer544

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Re: France for the first time

· Posted: 15.08.2014 · #6

with Three (and other UK networks) your contract data is now free to use in many countries after EU laws changed earlier this year. My wife and I just used our own contract phone for all data and txts for 5 weeks at no extra costs. And as for motorway aires Ive been sleeping in them (with a family) in MH for years whilst making the big distance runs and never had an issue, I would still feel safer overnighting in any of them than in many places here!!

the fat controller

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Subject:

Re: France for the first time

· Posted: 15.08.2014 · #7

A lot of the networks are still charging and won't stop until the actual date of compliance which if I recall is next year sometime. I'm with O2 and my wife with EE and we had excess charges on both but none on three with the mifi.

I have stayed in the motorway aires a couple of times but never felt comfortable or secure in them, so prefer the village aires.

...

Subject:

Re: France for the first time

· Posted: 16.08.2014 · #8

Buy All the Aires from vicarious books.
It is a great guide for your first time in France with a Motorhome.

As other have said, use toll roads to get from region to region if you are tight for time.
We have travelled from Roscoff to the med and back on a two week trip but autoroute (motorway) was used and a lot of tolls.

masterman

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Subject:

Re: France for the first time

· Posted: 16.08.2014 · #9

Thanks guys for all the info, we are looking forward to the trip it should be good, I've sorted the breakdown cover with LV 12 months cover for £130.00
I've ordered the aires book as that looks very usefull.

petie

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Subject:

Re: France for the first time

· Posted: 16.08.2014 · #10

Gareth,you should also consider having a copy of the ACSI book and card for the low season discount sites,I will be using it myself when I head over in a couple of weeks,it will pay for itself in a few days.

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