France on the cheap?

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Thinking of taking my wife and kids (14yr twin boys) abroad for the first time later this year, maybe early september?
Hoping to take our trailer tent, any advice on getting the cheapest crossing, maybe traveling further south to try catch the remnants of warmer weather..
Are we likely to be able to just find campsites, or prebook only?

carolwat

Early September is out of season in France so you will have no problems finding sites with space. I would advice you get some camping cheques as this will reduce the cost drastically when camping out of season. Around £14 for a pitch, 2 people and EHU so only the kids to pay for on top. We are saving around £70 in the first week we go using the cheques.

As for crossings, youve missed the offers now, youre better off booking early for ferry crossings. There are usually offers in Oct/Nov and then again early in the year. You can try the camping and caravanning club as sometimes they have offers on crossings. You can also check the camping cheques website as they also do ferry crossing offers if you buy cheques at the same time. Eurotunnel is another way but again youre best to book early for the better times and prices but worth a look.

Also if its your first time look on the ukcampsite website. theres loads of info on there and dont forget the things you need to drive legally in France such as warning triangles, high vis vests, breathalisers etc.

We go every year and its really geared up for campers so you wont regret it. Take a look at the kawan sites, really nice and lovely pools for the kids. These accept the camping cheques too.

Hope this helps.

Bob_the_Saver

It is out of season so you might have problems finding sites. The bigger & coastal sites are OK but many smaller sites close before the end of August. Last year we tried for hours to find an inland site in the south that was still open. The French go on holiday from about mid July to around 20th August. The day after places can often be deserted.

carolwat

We always travel out there around 18th August for 3 weeks and have never had a problem finding sites and we dont book anything or have any plans. We follow the sun and move often and have never been stuck. Using camping cheques you can search their website and its reveals that 231 of their 276 French sites are still open during the second week of Sept.

Bob_the_Saver

carolwat wrote: »

We always travel out there around 18th August for 3 weeks and have never had a problem finding sites and we dont book anything or have any plans. We follow the sun and move often and have never been stuck. Using camping cheques you can search their website and its reveals that 231 of their 276 French sites are still open during the second week of Sept.

I did say smaller sites, the 8-12 euro a night places, especially in the South.

carolwat

cant imagine the teenagers would be too happy with those sites though. Theyre my kind of site too but my 7 yr old prefers the pool

Bob_the_Saver

carolwat wrote: »

cant imagine the teenagers would be too happy with those sites though. Theyre my kind of site too but my 7 yr old prefers the pool

That's fine then, what area in the South are you thinking about?

mandragora_2

and when the ferry company try to tell you you need a breathalyser kit, and you *need* to buy one on the ferry for £x, reply 'Grace period till November'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18662555

Looks like this is going to be a nice little rip off this summer for the ferry companies.

sunshinetours

Also ensure you are aware of new sat nav rules re active speed warnings.
One other less well known rule is towing speed rules which are irrespective of what you are actually towing. bascially its your maximum car weight plus its maximum permissable towing weight.(gross train mass)

So your car may weighs 1600kg and it can tow (according to manufacturer) say 1800kg, you would have a GTM of 3400kgs and would NOT be limited on your speed to lower limits.
However if it could tow 2000kg your GTM would be 3600kgs and over the magic 3500kg figure, and therefore limited to 90kph on autoroutes and other lower limits on roads

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/planning-your-holiday/overseas-holiday-planning/travel-essentials/compulsory-requirements/speed-limits/

Its a mad rule but hey its France!

Enjoy, you will have no problem finding a suitable site in early September and as above use ACSi website for cheaper camping
probably DFDS for cheaper crossings or Tesco vouchers for tunnel?

mandragora_2

If you're happy to be with the natives, then Camping Municipal sites are often great value - usually well run, and, out of season, you can generally get spaces almost anywhere. We've paid between 8-13 euros a night, though I imagine it may be more closer to the coast/further south than the ones we use. Chinon is especially pretty, next to the river - and we take a small case of English ales with us, and, when appropriate offer an English beer to a neighbouring camper 'pour gouter' - we've made many friends that way, as it's a great ice-breaker!

Bob_the_Saver

mandragora wrote: »

If you're happy to be with the natives, then Camping Municipal sites are often great value - usually well run, and, out of season, you can generally get spaces almost anywhere. We've paid between 8-13 euros a night, though I imagine it may be more closer to the coast/further south than the ones we use. Chinon is especially pretty, next to the river - and we take a small case of English ales with us, and, when appropriate offer an English beer to a neighbouring camper 'pour gouter' - we've made many friends that way, as it's a great ice-breaker!

Need not be, site here is just over very quite road from beach, with big pitches and wonderful location.


http://www.audetourisme.com/diffusio/fr/ou-dormir/campings/leucate/camping-municipal-cap-leucate_TFOHPALAR011FS001WW.php