Please help planning ferry/driving holiday to France

knightstyle

These people are good according to some French neighbors http://www.bonnes-vacances-sarl.com/vacances-en-vendee.php
Plus this site gives traffic problems for the day http://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr/diri/Accueil.do?langue=en

RedBern

we've stayed at Solei levant - Meschers a few times.

http://www.ot-meschers.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/hebergements-meschers.pdf

and also this place:
http://www.bois-soleil.com/WD140AWP/WD140AWP/CTX_13979-19-XVPCpaCrVS/Page1/SYNC_-1184715677

Bois soleil is a large site, very clean and close to the beach. There are some pitches that are quite high up - difficult to explain but they're 30 feet up - just 3 or 4 tents together which we always liked. You can also hire a fridge which made a difference to our eating habits - especially if you have a hot summer!

Also, if you can be there before 15th August it would be a bonus - that's a Bank Holiday and there's usually a grand firework display in lots of places.

Enjoy.

knightstyle

As you are going camping I thought I would give a few tips. Join the Camping Club and get a Carnet from them. Many campsites insist on keeping your Passport in the office so you are breaking the law when you drive as you must have it with you! The Carnet is a card that campsites accept as deposit and proof of ID instead of the Passport, also look at their insurance. Electrical goods work fine with an adaptor and there are plugs in the toilet blocks for hairdryers and other essentials. Calor gas cylinders are not available, Camping Gaz ones are. If you intend going to France a lot consider getting a French cylinder, often with free adaptor, look in supermarket garages etc. keep the paperwork and you can get the deposit back when you hand it back.
Driving is straightforward but look out for speed limits, the white town/village sign with black lettering denotes a 50kph limit, black sign with white lettering a 70kph limit and most roads have a 90kph limit. 110kph on dual carrigeways and 130 on motorways, reduced to 110 in wet. Fixed speed cameras have a big warning sign before them BUT a new law has just been passed and new ones don't have to have a sign!
You will need your ID, proof of car ownership and insurance in the car. Plus various items, spare bulbs, warning triangle and a reflective jacket WITHIN easy reach of the driver. It is a good idea to have a european accident form as well. Some cash or a card to pay on the spot fines is a good idea as the Gendarmes can seize the vehicle if you can't pay. Look out for solid white lines and make sure you stop completely before one. Hidden Gendarmes will jump out and give you a fine if you crawl across without stopping as I have found out!
So have a great time and ask if you need any more help.

will-he-payitoff

Have you tried googling the name of the site and seeing if you can book direct?

dangers

Red Bern & Knightstyle - thanks for the info you have given the OP. We are going to Southern Brittany in August and it's good to know about the Bank Holiday and driving requirements. We have been Keycamping for the past 5 years or so, but we normally fly to southern France and hire a car. At least you have told me what we need to keep with us (mind you, I don't fancy carrying it all around with me in my handbag when we're out and about). Knightstyle - do you know if you have to have the originals with you, or could you have a photocopy with you, with the originals being kept in the accommodation?
Sorry OP for hijacking your thread

knightstyle

Hi dangers, If they ask for it you must produce to the Police and some other officials, customs for example, a current and original identity document, sadly your driving license does not count as one but some Gendarmes will accept it.
Oh and you need both the paper and card for the driving license.

goldiethedog

Hello, can anybody advise the cheapest way to get across to France by car for a family of 4? Which sites can i find the cheapest fares? Looking at going in August but not fixed to any particular days.

Thanks

Paul

knightstyle

Once you decide on the dates you will find there is not much to choose between the booking sites. I would book directly with the ferry company. Just look online at the short crossings from the Dover area. If you want a more Western crossing look at Newhaven to Dieppe.
Further West the Portsmouth crossings are dominated by Brittany Ferries and prices are much dearer but Motorways are free and you can get 10% off if you or any MSE users PM me and go as my guest.

Gloomendoom

goldiethedog wrote: »

Hello, can anybody advise the cheapest way to get across to France by car for a family of 4? Which sites can i find the cheapest fares? Looking at going in August but not fixed to any particular days.

Thanks

Paul

If you collect Tesco Clubcard points, the Channel Tunnel is hard to beat.

If you are into wine, sometimes you can get ferry tickets for free. Mrs Gloom got sent some this morning from a wine warehouse in Calais as a thanks for all the wine we bought on our way back from France at Christmas. It was a nice surprise but you can arrange similar deals in advance.

Rachie_B

We always use deals for Eurotunnel,much better and quicker than the ferry

OP the last 2 weeks of Aug are cheaper than the first 2 ,or the end July,so you have picked the right dates

have a look at the abroad section of the ukcampsite.co.uk forums
also fab for site reviews etc too

Happy planning
x