France - any suggestions for a month road trip?

[LittleMissSunshine]

Howdie!

With the Campervan nearly ready we are itching to plan our next summer road trip. As the van has LPG we cannot do the channel tunnel but are thinking of exploring France from last week in July to 20th or so of August.

Now we fancy visiting the battlefields and perhaps taking in a vineyard to two.

However I haven't really been to France before - plenty of camping holidays in a tent in Yorkshire!! So, has anyone got any recommendations??

Very exciting

[Thorgills]

Howdie!

With the Campervan nearly ready we are itching to plan our next summer road trip. As the van has LPG we cannot do the channel tunnel but are thinking of exploring France from last week in July to 20th or so of August.

Now we fancy visiting the battlefields and perhaps taking in a vineyard to two.

However I haven't really been to France before - plenty of camping holidays in a tent in Yorkshire!! So, has anyone got any recommendations??

Very exciting

Come and join me and the boy in euro disney first week of August!

[LittleMissSunshine]

Haha been searching through other threads (including yours), lots on the list now. Not sure Eurodisney is on the cards but if we are in the same area of course we can meet

[Plasticman]

€uro dismay , ah well
hey go down visit sarran and take in the real france away form the hoards of trippers on the tourist trails
mm

[jason k]

Normandy is beautiful we stay at a lovely site called camping la vallee I'm houlgate.
But ifyou have a month to spend then get booked to santander and your in Spain within a day and you then have a month to meander back slowly north taking in some outstanding parts of France.

[Ralf85]

With that amount of time, once you have done he battlefield bit head South. Don't be limited by recommendations. Travel on N and D roads and explore. Tip - don't go into big towns. You could spend 30 minutes trying to work out how the direction signs work to get out of town again. By-passes, ring roads and D roads around towns would be better. By doing this you will come across all sorts of interesting and pretty places. There are lots of mountain areas including the massif central with scenery that can't be matched in the UK. The West/Atlantic coast is full of beaches most very busy at that time of year but still worth a visit. Then there is the Mediteranean coast, again busy but still doable. Frankly France is so big and the options so varied I suggest you just get over there and drive. With a month available to tour you will have a ball. As well as a large scale Michelin Road Atlas do take a couple of campsite books including the Michelin one. Bonne voyage and give us a wave as we pass on the way to the South West of France!

Patrick

[ghost123uk]

From my (long) post at = https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... it=+france" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

OK, here is our checklist.

It is not complete yet.

Feel free to add suggestions or comments

Dog - (All this dog stuff can take 3 weeks, so plan ahead !)

Microchipped Required by French law
Rabies vaccination Required by French law
Wormed Required by French law
Passport Required by French law
Name tag with mobile phone number

Note = the dog will need to visit a French vet to get another worming tablet between 1 and 5 days before re-entering the UK !!! Required by French law (Flippin potential for problems there, like if you break down or need to get back in s hurry etc )

Van

General check over – including =
Wheel bearings
Drive shaft bolts (inner and outer)
Spare set of keys
All fluids
Exhaust condition (Expensive to fix if it fails in France !)
Fan belt
Bulb kit purchased Required by French law
Tyre condition and pressures
Gas bottle full
Insurance for France – Docs in the van Required by French law
Taxed for duration
MOT'd for duration
GB plate fitted http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180923277536? ... 1439.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Headlight deflectors Required by French law
Breakdown cover checked – Docs in the van.
Hi Viz vest(s) Required by French law
Warning Triangle(s) Required by French law
Registration docs (V5) in the van Required by French law
Driving licence(s) in van (including the PAPER bit !) Required by French law
Spare van keys
Alarm system or other security measures
Fire Extinguisher Required by French law

Van spares (Note, I reckon Brickwerks can get parts to France in a day or two, so I ain't going to be carting around water pumps and alternators etc !)

Tool kit (as usually carried)
Tyre inflating aerosol
Distributor cap
Rotor Arm
Engine oil Even if you motor does not bun oil
Bulb kit Ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280553603200? ... 1439.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Fan belt
Wheel nut socket & bar Needs to be very strong, test it !
Any hoses that look less than perfect
Some wire & insulation tape

Brickwerks phone number ! +44 (0) 1484 664 017


Humans

Passport(s)
Health cover → https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/startApplication.do" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Spare glasses (if required) Required by French law
2 x Breathalysers Required by French law
Any medications required
Sunblock (hopefully required !)



Other

Contact number for 80-90 member “sarran1955” in France for info and translations etc - taken from the “80-90 Members help” list (suggest use for emergencies only) John (sarran1955) and Steve (82JEW75) FRANCE 0033 xxxxxxx Advance warning preferred (number removed as this is a public area of this forum)


Campsite directory (“passions”) https://www.vicarious-shop.com/France-Passion-2012.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

French map for Satnav
French map paper type ! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0788900482" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

12 Volt phone charger.
Check with phone supplier re using in France (costs) or buy a payg sim when you get there.

Cancel milk / papers

[Ian Hulley]

(Note, I reckon Brickwerks can get parts to France in a day or two, so I ain't going to be carting around water pumps and alternators etc !)

An alternator brush/regulator pack comes in a box about 2" square and a water pump in a box 5" square, for that amount of space you'd look pretty stoooopid if you broke down.

A comprehensive list of spares carried by those of us who do the continent regularly can be found by doing a search.

Ian

[Ralf85]

Most of the Ghost123 list is what you would normally expect to have on board. Above all you need to ensure you have adequate breakdown cover just in case. Murpy's/Cousteau's law dictates that if you have it you will be fine and without it a pain.

Hiv viz vests are required for all in your vehicle and must be worn if you break down. A separate GB sign is not required if like me you have a euro number plate with the GB on it.

By the way I always recommend using a Michelin lairge scale road atlas is because it provides a picture of where you might like to go. Once you have decided the satnav can be used. However, the road Atlas will give you more visual options.

[LittleMissSunshine]

Thanks for all advice - much appreciated

[cleagarr]

Hi

Get this book - tells you all the aires to stop in. These are usually free or 5euro a night, some are in beautiful places: http://www.all-the-aires.com/all-the-ai ... tion.shtml

Also, the breathalyser law is no more: http://www.connexionfrance.com/Breath-t ... ticle.html

Enjoy!

[Jokerbetty]

Hi. We did a tour of france last year and loved it. We too had a month and went in Aug. 2 adults and 2 kids, we went down through eurodisney, sancerre (flower camping are great sites) down to Carcasson and the pirenees, then back up via rocamador, Il de re (this was excellent and about 30/35 deg with a cool breeze) and we then visited the beeches and Mont st. micelle and back to the chunnel.

I would spend some time near some of the rivers and think about how much travelling you want to do, it is nice to set up a camp for a few days and have some time relaxing.

If you want some sites or anyything else just ask. Enjoy

[LittleMissSunshine]

Great thanks - will be in touch. Thanks for all the help folks

[LesBleus]

Great thanks - will be in touch. Thanks for all the help folks

Come visit the Vendée, we are here, loads to do in the summer!

[LittleMissSunshine]

Thanks