Motor holiday to France

[S60D5-185]

Originally Posted by SignumGB

Hi,

I am travelling to North West France in the car later in the year for 2 weeks of holiday. We will be taking the ferry over. Any hints/tips? Ie, no Union Jack stickers on the back of the car as I hear Frenchie don't like our flag much and don't want my Volvo keyed/damaged. How are the motorway tolls (Brittany)?


Cheers

If you use MAPPY (available free on the internet)and put from / to destinations in for France it will show you the routes and the Toll charges. Very handy. When choosing vehicle make sure you select Car and NOT Carpool.


https://en.mappy.com/itineraire#/0/M...1,54.7684/Z11/

[ksmi]

Originally Posted by Julianpms

You'll find toll info (in English) at autoroutes.fr : just enter your route details.
Otherwise, my main recommendation now would be to watch very carefully the information available from the UK and French governments in the event of a no-deal Brexit (sorry to mention the B-word!). It is likely that you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your UK licence. Check your insurance cover carefully with your insurer. If you plan on taking a pet, the current PETS scheme may be suspended if there is no deal, and new arrangements will apply, at least temporarily.
Please accept this advice in the spirit it is given, i.e. to help you enjoy a trouble-free trip by taking a few sensible precautions. I have lived outside the UK for 25 years and have no wish to engage in a political discussion.

I haven't been to France for a few years now, but when I did ,which was quite frequently,I never received anything but kindness from Messieurs-Dames,I have always worked on the 'treat others as you hope they will treat you' and have not been disappointed over the years' So have things changed? Because of 'The pending divorce?' I do hope not! what do you other Francophiles think/find?

Regards,Keith,

[S60D5-185]

Originally Posted by ksmi

I haven't been to France for a few years now, but when I did ,which was quite frequently,I never received anything but kindness from Messieurs-Dames,I have always worked on the 'treat others as you hope they will treat you' and have not been disappointed over the years' So have things changed? Because of 'The pending divorce?' I do hope not! what do you other Francophiles think/find?

Regards,Keith,

Couldn't agree more Keith.

We have driven to the South of France each year for the last 22 years and I also go frequently on my motorbike. Off to the Alps on it this year.


Never had the slightest problem.


In addition we have done a couple of courses at College for French and that helped enormously.

[kenny]

Originally Posted by I Feel Old

Ye'll be welcomed with a Saltire.

Have great time.

Absolutely, I go to France quite a lot and I have often had a grumpy attitude which very quickly changes when I mention eccosse.

[SignumGB]

All accessories acquired. Just need to wait til June now!

[ThomasG]

tell me about it..
whole week now as i`m looking for half decent tent-accepting camping either south or southern part of west coast of france..

and its always same.. either the place is crap, or charges charges charges..

i mean- come on.. 800 euros for TENT for 10 nights?!?!

[green van man]

Originally Posted by ThomasG

tell me about it..
whole week now as i`m looking for half decent tent-accepting camping either south or southern part of west coast of france..

and its always same.. either the place is crap, or charges charges charges..

i mean- come on.. 800 euros for TENT for 10 nights?!?!

How many people in the tent Thomas?
Many camp sites charge per person per night even in Britain.
I pay £30 a night for the 2 of us inthe caravan in scotland and certainly do not get the weather of southern France, other than the water drainage and electric am self sufficient, however I appreciate all the facilities have to be provided and paid for wether I use them or not.
Club sites locally are £15 for the 2 of us a night and you have to be self sufficient as all they have is water tap and chemical disposal point.

800€ is about £450 you will pay more in Britain high season and not have the weather. That's the capatalists system for you, everyone is making hay while the sun shines.

Paul.

[Billggski]

Just back from a fortnight in the alps. No problems, the French are more concerned about their gilet jaune than our daft decision to ruin our economy.
Get an ACSI card for camping, cheap rates in low season and the whole country is geared up for camping/caravanning, far more than over hete.

[ThomasG]

Quite... Good point, actually..

Thinking back, and taking into account that it would be only my 4th camping excursion..

I've been to West Wittering..
Bugger all (shower+small washing area, no electrics) for £50 a night.

I've been to saint palace sur mer (electric pitch, showers dirtish, cold washing, big pool with slides) 2 years ago for roughly 50eur/night..

Been to farm camping in lake district (showers in barn, coin operated, electrics, apart from that bugger all, but the kindest owner I've met) £12 per night. Total £12 per night.

Now I could go to the same spot in saint palace, but I remember village yobs jumping on water slides in the middle of the night, security lads who couldn't care less, frequently broken gates(by yobs) etc..

Or..
There's another one nearby, used to have good notes, but since people (mostly English, too) were coming back year after year, owners have list the edge.. Pool lifeguard is gone, groups of youngsters roam the site day and night (English ones for a change), there even was a case of some heavily tattooed fat-ball going down kids waterslide, hitting and nearly drowning a lil girl and then.. Giving her bollocking for getting in his way!

That for eur60 a night?

Got pretty much 3 options left.

Bugger all for eur50/night next to Cannes, not even a pool.
Water park with all possible amenities for about eur70 near ile d'Oleron- full of angry mozzies...
Or another water park nearby, but I'm waiting for confirmation do they still accept tents. Seems to be some 300 mobile homes now..

Oh, and that's counted on 3 of us- me, wife, 9yo daughter.

So maybe prices aren't that bad after all. But finding a decent place isnt easy.

[ThomasG]

Originally Posted by Billggski

Just back from a fortnight in the alps. No problems, the French are more concerned about their gilet jaune than our daft decision to ruin our economy.
Get an ACSI card for camping, cheap rates in low season and the whole country is geared up for camping/caravanning, far more than over hete.

Off peak not possible.

Daughter=school