D-Day trip

The best place to stay in Ypres (in my opinion) is the "Camping Car" area at the Jeugtstadion camping.

http://www.jeugdstadion.be/E/kampeerautoterrein.php

It's 16€ to get a card and you get back 4€ in cash when you return the card - so 12€ per night and includes all services and wifi.

The site is 5-10mins walk from the Menin Gate and the town centre the daily "Last Post" ceremony at 8pm is not to be missed.

The town has all the shops restaurants and pubs you could possibly want.

However DO read up on the check-in procedure at the Jeugtstadion - it is fully automated and reception is only staffed a few hours in the morning and afternoon.

You have to park up outside the barrier and walk to the kiosk next to the reception building where there is a touchscreen computer.
Select your language and follow the instructions EXACTLY to the letter. When you get your card all is not done you MUST then validate it before it will work - the instructions are on the screen, you would be amazed (or not) how many people don't finish reading what they have to do and wonder why their card doesn't let them in.

After you have got your swipe card and validated it you have to go back and drive your van up to the barrier, very close to the barrier as in almost touching it and then swipe the card over the pad on the post by the barrier - the barrier should then open. You then have to park in the space you chose from the ones available on the computer - you would be amazed (or not) at the number of people who choose space 1 and decide to park in space 12 because it looks nicer. If you do that, do not be surprised if and when someone else turns up and chooses the space you are (wrongly) in they ask you to pack up again and move - they will.
The number of each of the spaces is clearly shown on the computer screen, the one YOU chose is shown on your receipt and all the spaces are clearly numbered on the ground.
If you want to be sure of using wifi inside the van try and select a space close to the reception building as the signal can be a bit iffy on the other side of the roadway.
The grey water disposal is by the recycling bins but the toilet waste disposal is at the WC/shower block at the other end of the site. Some don't realise this and dump their toilet waste down the grey waste - not nice for following users.

The pathway to the right of the reception block takes you through a nature reserve and directly to the road that leads to the town and the Menin Gate. If you go or are likely to return after dark - take a torch.

Finally your van MUST be outside the barrier before 11am on your day of departure if it isn't your swipe card won't work and you will have to pay for another night to get out.
Don't forget then to return the card following the instructions on the screen to get your 4€ deposit back.

Despite all that it isn't as bad as it sounds once you know what to do and in what order and the site is very good for 12€

Ypres is surrounded by WW1 sites both war grave sites such as Tyne Cott (one of the largest with a big permanent display/museum) and trenches sites.

Right in the centre of the town is In Flanders Fields (http://www.inflandersfields.be/en) Museum which has some really thought provoking (about the stupidity and utter futility of war) material.

I'd had enough after seeing that and have never ever wanted to visit any of the other WW1 or WW2 sites since. Jingoism and militarism of any kind is now one of my pet hates.

As the saying goes "If your God tells you to kill - please start with yourself."

thanks for that petie we were intended on doing small bit of touring along that coast so hence the reason for landing in roscoff and Arromanches is nice to know about as we intend visiting nearby caen as this is where our ancestors originated from in 1066 so a visit there i think is a must.

Have a read of my blogs a bit of info there .
Rob

As your going Sept a good buy for the price is the ACSI book which give you offseason discounts.
http://www.acsi-camping-card-vicarious-books.co.uk/
I will be in Ireland for a month in Sept and then getting the Rosslare -Cherbourg ferry 30th Sept for a month in France so will be following you out

There are lots of overnight parking places along the Landing Beaches.

we're actually just back from our trip which included Normandy. As people have said, there are lots of sites (not listed on the net) so you won't be stuck. we stayed at the municipal in Arromanches that others have recommended, but found it not to be the best tbh. unfriendly owners, not the cleanest, and 1.50 an hour for wifi . there are two big museums in Arromanches as well as the Mulberry harbour of course. Omaha beach was a let down as there really isn't anything to see bar the memorial. the American cemetery would bring a tear to a glass eye and is very tastefully done. we also visited pointe du hoc where the American Rangers scaled the cliffs to capture guns, what remains of the gun emplacements are still there, as are all the shell holes and stuff. good stuff for a lad to climb around. feel free to PM for any info.

ps Mont st Michel is well worth spending half a day at, camping Haliotis (recommended) is 4 miles away and you can cycle along the river to save parking charges at the mont.

Hi Micklad, Good info on these posts however I'm just back from France and stopped off for the night at the aire at Beauvoir ( just north of Pontorson ) This Aire is 4km to Mont ST.Michel and cost 12 50 euros ( £9.20 ) it is laid out just like a camping site with spacious pitches each with EHU.It operates a aire service point re waste water etc.You require your credit card to pay, your receipt has a code to open barrier and use air service point.Its possible to stay up to 96 hrs, you will get the info at reception or pay station. If this not suitable about 100yds further on is Camping Aux Pommiers which is an ACSI site costing 16 Euro. Hope this all helps

Have a good trip.