Campsite on route?

[tucker20]

Sorry, I did ask this a while back but seeing as there's now more activity in this forum as there's only 14 weeks to go!!! Does anyone know of, maybe stayed at any campsites somewhere on or nearby the route to Le Man?

We have the motorhome heading into France on the Tuesday and hoped to be able to stop somewhere north of Rouen over night. Basically because the thing is so bloody slow, we wanna break the drive up a bit.

Any help or advice would be great.

[cooperlola]

A quick look through my Michelin Campsite book suggests : Bourg Achard: Le Clos Normand 02 32 56 54 84 looks to be the best location but I cannot speak for the site. There seems to be a big "hole" in the map North of Rouen. Which direction are you coming from?

[tucker20]

Will check that out cheers! Will be heading from Calais (E402, A28)

[Piglet]

I'll say what I normally say at this point.

Rouen is still a bottleneck and is best passed through out of peak times. If you have the choice to press on a bit further and clear Rouen at night rather than having to go through the next morning I would strongly recommend it!

[e36guy]

As you've got a motorhome surely you need not worry about a campsite? Wouldn't any of the numerous roadside 'Aires' would suffice for some kip? For a quiet night pull into one that doesn't have a service station. That should do you.

[custardkid]

aires are safe and will be full of french, german and dutch campers

custard

[tucker20]

Thanks for the replies.

OK, you're touching on something that, having only driven in a car, I have not paid attention to!! These Aires, are they simply lay-by's on the side of motorways / dual carriageways like we have in England or are they service station style area's, positioned off the road?

Cheers

[tucker20]

Piglet said:

I'll say what I normally say at this point.

Rouen is still a bottleneck and is best passed through out of peak times. If you have the choice to press on a bit further and clear Rouen at night rather than having to go through the next morning I would strongly recommend it!

And yes Piglet, fair point, driving through the traffic down the south part of Rouen, always reminds me of the old A13 in Dagenham and Rainham, Essex, sure some know what I mean!!

[Alex@POD]

These aires are rest areas posted off the motorway, slip road off and on, and vary in size and facilities. Some just have toilets and camping tables, others restaurants and hotels, most have a fuel station. While I am typing this I realise they are very much like "Services", so I'll stop explaining for no reason...

[custardkid]

usually a bit greener than UK 'services'

custard

[chrisgr31]

Alex@POD said:

These aires are rest areas posted off the motorway, slip road off and on, and vary in size and facilities. Some just have toilets and camping tables, others restaurants and hotels, most have a fuel station. While I am typing this I realise they are very much like "Services", so I'll stop explaining for no reason...

The Aires are usually basic, toilets and picnic tables, then every 4th one or so will have additional facilities like petrol, restaurant etc.

[cooperlola]

The French seem to get a lot less p**d off by people just stopping in any old lay-by and kipping. Also, most towns (and even some small villages) have municipal campsites which are well signposted.
See www.tourisme.fr/camping/camping-eure.htm
www.tourisme.fr/camping/camping-seine-maritime.htm

[custardkid]

village municiple camping is usually very cheap and if they have facilities they are usually very clean, but dont be supprised if you are litrally camping in the village square. this is fine if your in a motor home, but more problamatic if your tenting it.

Custard

[tjdixon911]

When I used to go to the South of France with my Parents we used to stop in the road side services for the night, never had any problems.

We used to also just stumble across small campsites in towns etc....

[tucker20]

Many thanks everyone....... so the general idea seems to be just get over there and wing it!!

Did find a couple of decent sites but as you're saying the French aren't like UK services with their 2 hour maximum stay or a free wheel clamp special offer, finding somewhere will hopefully be easy enough.

[James_N]

Im taking a caravan down this year. Leaving on Sunday the 10th and planning to arrive Monday morning.

We are going to clear Rouen on Sunday night, then park up in an Aire or services or whatever you want to call it, and then roll in Monday morning into Houx.

Cheapest way to do it anyway

Edited by James_N on Thursday 8th March 00:20