France - Next Year

Posted on 13/02/2020 18:22 by Freddy55

“You seem to be agonising over all this.”

Au contraire mon ami (that’s French that is), I’m only trying to tie up certain aspects of this trip. Anyway, point taken 👍

Posted on 13/02/2020 18:31 by

Not trying to make “points” as in “point scoring” but you do seem to be worrying. I can relate to that! I suppose that over the years I have come to know that, in the end, things will be fine and now I don’t over plan. Here in Spain atm we have booked some places (where we know it’s hard to get a pitch) but as for the rest, we are making it up as we go along.

Posted on 13/02/2020 19:06 by Wherenext

If you got the vouchers as part of the ferry price Freddy you don't have a "commitment" to the club to use them. Just keep them until the site and vouchers coincide or do what we did - nothing! Didn't see any site the first year we had them and circumstances hijacked the foreign trip the following year. 

We still saved on the ferry fare by having them so considered them freebies.

 

Posted on 13/02/2020 19:20 by Freddy55

I didn’t opt for the vouchers. I knew I’d want two nights at Riva Bella and Soleil Plage looked good and was in the right vicinity 🙂

Posted on 12/02/2020 09:26 by cyberyacht

I always use lat/long derived from zooming in on GoogleEarth. As for getting to the general area, just head south until the butter starts to go soft.

Posted on 14/02/2020 12:53 by commeyras

Freddy I can only endorse all the comments about over planning your trip.  I totally understand your wanting some security about sites but travelling in June it is not necessary.  We have been travelling in May/June and Sep for many years and the only thing we book is the crossing.  We have never had any problems finding a site in the area we wish to go.  Many people do not even book their return crossing.  You have got ACSI (there sites are generally pretty good and inspected every year) but may I suggest you also get another site book either the Club's or something else.  We tend to get an afternoon crossing and stay at a site near the port (within 20 miles) so that we are ready to hit he French roads next morning.  Don't worry yourself about the speed camera warning on a satnav.  However just be warned, speed cameras are everywhere in France and the speed limit on non dual carriageways is 80 kph (50 mph) less in towns.  This is strictly enforced.  There are traffic calming measures in abundance too.

We like the flexibility that not booking gives.  You may not like the area, the weather may be poor or we just change our minds!  The only things you absolutely need to have tied up before you go are: ferry booking, passports, insurances (car, caravan and breakdown), EHIC, pet passport (if applicable), car/caravan service, funding; I honestly think that is it but no doubt others may disagree!!  Forgot, make sure your house insurance is OK for the house to be left empty for your trip.

A good tip is not to arrive at a site too late; arriving at say 4 - 5 pm you should be fine.  If you put the GPS coordinates into your satnav yes, it will take you to the site entrance but do check the route as sometimes it can take you along some unsuitable roads (learned the hard way!). 

We also stayed a few nights at Riva Bella last year, visited Pegassus Bridge, the invasion beaches and Honfleur. Yes migrants by the entrance but no threat we just felt very sorry for them.  Have a great trip and maybe we will see you over there in June.