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presco

We are planning our first MH trip to France for last 3 weeks in July. Will be going mainly to Limousin and Auvergne and hope to use reasonable quality sites (cf Caravan Club) for 2 or 3 night stays. So, do we need to book campsites or can we just turn up on spec?

Alfa_Scud

Hi Presco,
I asked this question a little while ago & was told there was no need to book in July, there would always be sites, & good ones too, available as it's out of their holiday season.
I hope the advice was sound because we haven't booked anything & we're off over there on the 4th July!

I have actually only booked the one site in Switzerland, purely because we definately want to stay there so I though I'd make sure!
Other than that, it's drive & find - looking forward to it actually Very Happy

markbarfield

We have travelled for the past ten years in late July and early August and have never booked any sites in advance. If you fancy a specific location for a few days you can always call the day before and most will reserve a pitch for you until lunchtime the next day but we have rarely had to do this as there is generally lost of choice and plenty of space. Have a good trip

geraldandannie · Moderator

Pretty sound advice.

We always turn up at a campsite before 4pm, as that's when the popular sites start to get busy. In fact, we usually arrive before lunchtime, which gives us chance to have a look at the surrounding area.

Some sites will close at lunchtime (12-2 or thereabouts).

Gerald

Zebedee · Last edited by Zebedee on Tue May 06, 2008 4:11 pm; edited 1 time in total

I sometimes book the first night, but that's simply for peace of mind in case there are any ferry delays or whatever.

After that we enjoy one of the big benefits of motorhomes, and that is the complete freedom . . . . of screeching to an undignified halt when the co-driver says, "That was a lovely little place back there. We should have stayed there for a couple of nights." Shocked

Apart from the minor "domestic" that usually follows, it's easy enough to turn round and go back, and once on site it takes about 90 seconds to get the kettle on . . . . assuming the co-driver is not still sulking 'cos I muttered too loudly and she heard what I called her!!!! Rolling Eyes

Aim to pull off the road by about 4.00pm (not much later) and you are unlikely to have a problem. Even if the site is "full", the aroma of a few Euro notes usually reminds the owner that he had forgotten a little spot in the corner.

Hope this helps

P.S. Sorry Gerald for repeating the 4pm bit. I'm such a slow typist - your post wasn't there when I started last night.

markbarfield

Thats a really good point. If you want to be virtually assured of a space at a particiular site turn up at 11.30. This is when the checkouts are complete and before the office closes from 12 (somethimes till 2 sometimes till 4) after 4 the rest of europe finds it's sites.

Never really had much of a problem anyway and love the freedom to find good weather/food/wine etc.

Zebedee

Forgot to mention another method we have used.

If you know the site you want to go to next, ask the site office where you are now (as it were) if they would mind phoning ahead to make a booking.

If you go with two bottles of beer in your hand it's more likely to work, but we have always found the site admin staff to be very accommodating.

Oh, and even if your French is absolute merde, try to say a few words, if it's only "Bonjour M'sieur-'Dame, je voudrais votre assistance s' il vous plait". They really appreciate it, and often suddenly remember that they can speak very good English.

They are sometimes inclined to play dumb until you have had a little go at the French though - can't say I blame them either!!

chrisgog

We go school holidays every year and never book so July will be no problem. As everyone says get there before dinner and you are laughing and have nearly a full day at your new venue.

Last weekend in July......................... make sure you are camped by about the Thursday as all the French tend to start their hols on that Friday. They call it "Black Weekend" so avoid the autoroutes and busy areas then as traffic can be horendous.
Chris

allan01273

French people go south in the summer, therefore north to mid France is quieter, but still the weather is great.

Motorhoming is not just a holiday it's an adventure, a chance to explore and discover. So don't be a "stuck in the mud" boring Englishman, get out there and live dangerously. Go to places, and do things that you wouldn't normally do.

More importantly if you prebook and find that you don't like a campsite or the area then you are stuck with it or will waste money moving on.

All French shops and campsites close for two hours in the afternoon. Some family run shops close completely for a summer break.

Allan

Annsman

Try using aires or municipal sites, they are cheaper than "proper" sites and are great for a stopover. Aires are perfectly safe, (I mean the ones in towns and villages not on motorways), providing you use your common sense and have a look round first. If you feel uneasy then drive off, there is always another just up the road! They are a great way to meet other vanners and you will find some lovely places that you might otherwise just drive through.