France First time with a Motorhome

Are you going to Brittany again? You will have far more choice of overnight stops with the Motorhome than you had last year with the caravan.

I see motorhomers sleeping on the seafront road at St Pol de Leon, on remote clifftops without facilities at all the headlands out to Cap Sizun, in the beach car park down at Pors Peron, and in town centre car parks like the one under the viaduct at Dinan. Some campsites have cut price, but cramped,  motorhome parking areas at the entrance - like the one at La Roche Bernard, and some campsites  like the one at Vannes have public transport, but that is pretty rare in Brittany.

Many campsites are best if you are taking bikes. But where are you making for?

Unfortunately you're right about the cost being more for a motorhome. The reason is that generally the discounts offered on the Brittany Ferries route are often 'caravans go free' - effectively meaning that caravanners get a 'car only' crossing, where you pay more for a longer motorhome!  

Obviously you're familiar with campsites, and with Aires de Service Camping Car (there is a book available from Vicarious Books which lists them), so you now have a lot more choice.  There is also the France Passion scheme where motorhomers who are self-sufficient can stay for free on places like farms, vineyards, and food producers car parks (usually the idea is that you will buy some of whatever they produce).  You will get a lot of help from motorhome forums, but I personally don't know which one are considered the best ones to join.

good posts above, the best MH forums are probably Outandaboutlive (MMM magazine forum), motorhomefun and motorhomefacts.

we have friends who use the FRance Passion scheme and think its reall great....stying in the countryside in a vinyard or farm....

the aires network is a wonderful thing, some popular ones are charging a bit more in the past few years, but still loads of free stops all over europe....France is regarded as MH heaven.....

Thanks for all your advise we intend to stay around Brittany. Last year we stayed in the Gulf of Morbihan, Bennodet and Concarneau. We did find Bennodet a  bit quiet . So anywhere around that area any suggestions would be great we have two small dogs though would that be  problem . As for bikes we sold two a  few months back as we had never used them we are looking at purchasing two more. We intend to stock the van with food that is light and try and visit the Supermarket on the way then once on site we should be ok for a bit. Of course we would look at sites possibly in Villages or towns where we can get provisions if we need them. 

Have a look at the Municipal Campsites website - which shows sites in towns and village.  If you find sites you like the look of then look on Google earth to see just where they are situated in relation to towns and villages.

plenty of parking (incl overnight) at french supermarkets...

some even put notices on the doors suggesstion you might stay and then come in for their bread (et al) in the morning...how nice

usually get fuel and top up the gas at the same time