First time across the Channel Forums

Eros

Having spent the last two years touring the UK and having sorted out various problems with the van etc. we have at last plucked up the courage to book our first trip across the channel.

All I need to do now is to work out how to spend our time in France.
We are looking for a fairly relaxing time but willing to travel a reasonable distance.

The clock starts in Dunkerque mid June for 10 days…..any suggestions would be appreciated!

Dave & Sally

autostratus · Moderator

My first tip would be to not try for too many miles.

My suggestion for a destination for a first trip is either go east to Alsace or south as far as the Loire.
Both areas are not too far for a 10 day trip and both areas are by and large different to the uk.

A couple of websites to wet your appetite are:

tonyt

I agree with Gillian. The temptation is to try and see as many places as possible but if you're not careful you will spend all 10 days driving.
France is a big country and what you don't get to see this time round will still be there next time.
Pick out a couple of areas that attract you and that have a good selection of sites and just relax and enjoy it.
By the end of day 5 you'll know if you got it right.

Enjoy

UncleNorm

Hi Dave and Sally!

There'll be plenty of sound advice coming forth. My experience, in line with other's, is to make haste SLOWLY. Unless we really want to travel great distances, such as to the Med, my wife and I avoid the autoroutes and stick with the D and N routes. Generally, they have fine surfaces and places to stop. The BEAUTY of the back roads is in the number of GEMS that are waiting to be discovered: beautiful villages full of colour and character, and campsites that put our own CC sites to shame for half the cost. On a good day, we would travel perhaps 200 miles, sometimes less, for fear of missing the gems!

Some words of caution: talk to someone about French direction signposts which do not point in the direction you want! Secondly, the French are constantly improving their roads and RENUMBERING them so an absolutely up-to-date atlas is essential.

Enjoy your first visit. We won't be far behind you!

Good wishes from UncleNorm

Rapide561

Hi

The Alsace is a good place to start as suggested. Roughly, about 400 miles from Dunkerque to Strasbourg. Campsites are plentiful and we saw a fair number open - even at this time of year.

Strasbourg is well worth a visit and many of the small towns along the A35 have wine tasting places etc - if you like that sort of thing.

We stayed at the municipal site just for one night -

artona · Moderator

Hi Dave and Sally

How adventurous are you. We had a very detailed plan the first time we went over. It was through the tunnel and turn right................. and that was it. I simply looked at the map and headed for a yellow bit assuming there was a beach there.

We wildcamped for the whole three weeks. We stayed on Beachs, on the car park of Mont St Michel, the car park of Euro disney (we returned to calais inland) and had a great time.

You will love it

stew

robrace

If you do not want to spend to many hours driving just travel down the coast of Normandy.We go to france every year.Last year we only had 9 days and Stayed first night on Aire at Calais.the Aire at St Valerie sur Somme.then Le Treport.Dieppe.(Aire on harbourside)St Valerie enCaux.Then finally Honfleur(our favourite)Then about 3-4 hours trip back up motorway to Calais.Alternatively try Brittany.There is so much to see and France is so "Camping Car" friendly and you are made to feel welcome.Where in this country do you have parking area's for motorhomes right on the sea front or harboursides.Most places in France do!.We never book and just go where and when we want to.we always find either a campsite or an Aire to stay on but I admit we never go in JULY/AUG when things are a little different.

DABurleigh

These trip reports, to Normandy, and to the Loire, may give you some ideas:

pneumatician

I must concur with the suggestions already given. don't be to ambitious with your distances. We leave camp sites at about 09.30 and like to be at our next one by about mid afternoon latest. Give yourselves plenty of time to see the local sites try the resturants and soak up the ambiance visit the village markets and festivals.
We have been going either to or through France for about 30 years and just about getting familiar with this wonderfull country.
We started by exploring Normandy and Brittany then working further south. Problem with this is the routes South are now so familiar that we tend to use Auto routes (not to be compared with our motorways).
If you are interested in History 10 days could easily be spent on the channel coast doing the WWII beaches, Mont San Mitchel, Bayuer Tapestry, Musse de Peace at Caen, etc . A little further South is the Loire
with its Chateux you could just about scratch the surface. We always stay at Camping Minicipal at Azay Le Rideoux.

Most important is to realise that in 10 days you will just get a taster of French life hopefully you will want to go back for longer.

Enjoy your travels
Steve