Camping in France: To book or not to book?

Post by **Swampy** » 29 Jun 2007, 23:05

Well, Charlotte & I are gearing up for a month away in France in the Van.

A fellow on the radio suggested to make sure to book your campsites in advance to save wandering about in the middle of the night looking for availability.

However, Charlotte said what if we decide to wander off our planned (planned? hah!) route & end up wanting to stay elsewhere.

I've managed to scrounge a TomTom with European road maps on, so if there is an emergency I can always fire it up & plot a course straight for the nearest listed campsite.

Has anyone else been away in France in Summer & had trouble getting sites? Is it a sane option to book all the sites in advance?

Any sage wisdom from more experienced campers much appreciated.

Post by **thewibbit** » 30 Jun 2007, 10:57

We've been 5 or 6 times now and once was for 3 months (incl spain & portugal) and we've never booked a site once. There are loads and loads in France. One of the best things we ever did was buy the Alan Rogers campsite guide.. every site in there is inspected annually and we've never had a bad one. We were turned down once in Provence in August but we booked for the following night and stayed at another one nearby which was also very nice. Municipal (government run) sites are usually always good and very reasonable. Have a nice trip!

Post by **cumbriankeith** » 30 Jun 2007, 13:25

Been several times in July/Aug and never booked yet. Virtually never a problem either - once or twice had to travel a bit further but that was in a busy and popular area eg near the beach. Go inland and it often gets easier - or turn up a bit earlier in the day rather than leaving it till late afternoon.
We're off to Spain and France at end of July - this time also with a TomTom with campsites installed and a campsite 2005 guidebook that I picked up for a quid and should be ok I reckon.
Don't worry, be happy, enjoy it!

Post by **Swampy** » 01 Jul 2007, 14:07

Thanks for that. Puts me a bit more at ease.

When are you going away and where in France?

We're off from 31st July & we booked an open return with one of the Dover ferries when they were on offer several months ago.

We'll be there for most of August, so I might book a couple of campsites so I've got a few guaranteed stops. Plan is to trundle down the the Loire Valley for a week & then head West, straight for the nearest bit of coastline & womble home clockwise hugging the beaches.

We've used the Alan Rogers website to get a feel of what to expect (there are some big campsites out there, but hoping to find the quieter ones) & there's a guide book on order.

Thanks for the advice. Looks like there'll be a few T25s in France this summer!

Post by **plymat** » 04 Jul 2007, 15:45

Me included from end July for three weeks.

We have booked but we know the site and want a particular spot, so reserved the pitch too. We'll be at Lacanau-Ocean at the airotel site, they have about four spots for short termers (2-3 days max) without booking. Two hundred yards from a 15km long golden sandy beach!
Can't wait now! Some pic's on my site of the area etc, may see you there.

Post by **T'Onion** » 04 Jul 2007, 16:12

We are set for france this year , not planning on booking anywhere , just gonna wing it

i've just got Alan Rogers Camping Guide to France off fleabay for a few quid , we have tomtom for france with lpg stations and campsites as poi's so should n't (fingers crossed) go too far wrong

now to toll or not to toll that is the question

.. ps we are planning to do the three sea's

in just under three weeks

Post by **R0B** » 04 Jul 2007, 16:43

from thurs 12th july aldi have got 3 aa guides caravaning&camping in europe...france...britain&ireland...£2.99 each..

Post by **trundletruc** » 04 Jul 2007, 20:31

We go to France every year. We have never booked a camp site and can only remember not getting in the first camp site once!

The best camping site information can be found in the Michelin camp sites book. Once you work out how to use it!

Although there are plenty of camping site signs and usually we go to the first one we see after 5.00pm! This gives time for a cup of tea, a walk round the area, a meal and a bit of reading. Then to bed.

Have a good holiday.

Post by **Swampy** » 09 Jul 2007, 16:08

Crikey, seems like there are going to be a few VWs on tour in August! If you see us by the roadside give us a tow...

Actually, for the more experienced fellows out there, do we really need an ECO groundsheet for our awning, or can we wing it with the bog standard one?

I've been told the French are a bit funny about this, but the last site I went to didn't have a problem with it.

Post by **mib** » 09 Jul 2007, 17:31

We are off to South West France from the 14th August for 2 weeks!!
Got cheap ferry from Dover and will not book campsites! Can't wait!

I NEED SOME SUNSHINE!!!!!!!!!!

Post by **Ian Hulley** » 10 Jul 2007, 08:39

Swampy wrote:Crikey, seems like there are going to be a few VWs on tour in August! If you see us by the roadside give us a tow...

Actually, for the more experienced fellows out there, do we really need an ECO groundsheet for our awning, or can we wing it with the bog standard one?

I've been told the French are a bit funny about this, but the last site I went to didn't have a problem with it.

French owners are like everywhere else, you get queer ones and you get nice laid back ones. The sites we were on we didn't need a groundsheet, they seem more keen to enforce the swimming in shorts rule ... i.e. you can't in site swimming pools ... so don't forget those Speedos

Have a nice time,cheers,Ian.
Ian.

Post by **Ivorblueun** » 10 Jul 2007, 20:09

you might find this link useful http://www.campingqualite.com most of the campsites listed have links to their own websites gives you of an idea of facilities, prices, pitches etc. they will send you a free map with all the sites marked & listed with their addresses and contact numbers if you ask. some of the municipal sites are pretty good too.

Post by **Swampy** » 11 Jul 2007, 08:41

... so don't forget those Speedos

Apparently the wife already knew about that & had been keeping it from me (evil, she is)! I suppose she was going to produce some lovely lycra pants on the day we fancied a swim...

you might find this link useful http://www.campingqualite.com

Certainly do! Hadn't come across this site before & it's really clear. Free map sounds handy too. I'll have to get one just in case.

Looking forward to this more every day..

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