Driving to France.... any advice on areas to go....
Discussion
The good lady and I are driving to the beautiful country of France for about 10 days... We really dont mind where we go, though we are on a budget of about £500 each for the ten days... We are going from Dover to Dunkurk(sp) return.
The girlfriend really wants to go Disneyland Paris but thats her only want, and other than that, she will go anywhere. Were are going Aug 5th - 15th and we intend to camp as much as possible.
I have been before when I was younger but no idea where I have been. The gf and I are not big seasiders, although it would be nice to go for perhaps a couple of days, maybe west coast or south coast...
So Any ideas would be fantastic...
The girlfriend really wants to go Disneyland Paris but thats her only want, and other than that, she will go anywhere. Were are going Aug 5th - 15th and we intend to camp as much as possible.
I have been before when I was younger but no idea where I have been. The gf and I are not big seasiders, although it would be nice to go for perhaps a couple of days, maybe west coast or south coast...
So Any ideas would be fantastic...
Having recently returned from Eurodisney, my advice - don't bother. Disneyland/Disneyworld in the USA, this is not! It looks the same, it costs a tonne, but it's run by the uncaring French and was full of mannerless Spaniards. I'd take a weekend at Legoland over this every time...
My general advice - stay off the beaten track, away from the cities and common stopping points. France has so much to offer, where ever you are. Of course, you can enjoy the major sites - but you'll have a thoroughly fulfilling holiday away from the madding crowd.
My little tip is a campsite near our home in France: http://www.lacdesvarennes.com/
If you insist on being in with the crowd I can thoroughly recommend the Ile-de-Re - the municipal campsite at St Martin de Re is lovely Google map link.
Edited to add - France goes on holiday in August. You will need to plan and book this holiday in advance. Campsites will be full and you run the risk of sleeping in you car!
My general advice - stay off the beaten track, away from the cities and common stopping points. France has so much to offer, where ever you are. Of course, you can enjoy the major sites - but you'll have a thoroughly fulfilling holiday away from the madding crowd.
My little tip is a campsite near our home in France: http://www.lacdesvarennes.com/
If you insist on being in with the crowd I can thoroughly recommend the Ile-de-Re - the municipal campsite at St Martin de Re is lovely Google map link.
Edited to add - France goes on holiday in August. You will need to plan and book this holiday in advance. Campsites will be full and you run the risk of sleeping in you car!
Edited by Puggit on Sunday 11th July 18:51
I suggest that you get a guidebook from the library - France is a big place, there are plenty of places to visit and it is a bit hard to recommend somewhere if we don't know what you want to see.
Driving anywhere in France on a major route on a saturday in August is a complete nightmare (and Fridays pm and Sundays can be problematic as well, esp. on the autoroutes)so you need to plan your tour accordingly and preferably be at your campsite when the rest of France and most of N.Europe are stuck on the motorway, but it's up to you whether you want to visit a number of regions or else blast down to somewhere like the ardeche in one go, and just explore there.
use www.viamchelin.com for route planning and google "bison fute" for traffic forecasts. You could also use tripadvisor for some more detailed info on various regions of France.
P.S. I reckon Disneyland will cost you at least £100 each so you'll need to adjust your budget for the rest of the trip (plus fuel and motorway tolls will add up quickly).
Driving anywhere in France on a major route on a saturday in August is a complete nightmare (and Fridays pm and Sundays can be problematic as well, esp. on the autoroutes)so you need to plan your tour accordingly and preferably be at your campsite when the rest of France and most of N.Europe are stuck on the motorway, but it's up to you whether you want to visit a number of regions or else blast down to somewhere like the ardeche in one go, and just explore there.
use www.viamchelin.com for route planning and google "bison fute" for traffic forecasts. You could also use tripadvisor for some more detailed info on various regions of France.
P.S. I reckon Disneyland will cost you at least £100 each so you'll need to adjust your budget for the rest of the trip (plus fuel and motorway tolls will add up quickly).
okay cheers guys...
Im of the opinion that there is no need to go to Euro Disney especially after she has been before and I have been the the LA one twice... However,I shall see if I can convince her...
Where we go seems of no concern for either of us as we really are open to most things. I quite like the idea of the west side of France but seeing the Champaigne region seems equally appealing. I believe this isnt that far from Paris so might be able to kill two birds with one stone. Though we are only going for ten days, so going too far south means more driving to places and less sight seeing as it were.
Next year I think we will get a dog passport and take Alfie, we can go or longer then
Cheers again guys, definatly got good advice and plenty of ideas
Im of the opinion that there is no need to go to Euro Disney especially after she has been before and I have been the the LA one twice... However,I shall see if I can convince her...
Where we go seems of no concern for either of us as we really are open to most things. I quite like the idea of the west side of France but seeing the Champaigne region seems equally appealing. I believe this isnt that far from Paris so might be able to kill two birds with one stone. Though we are only going for ten days, so going too far south means more driving to places and less sight seeing as it were.
Next year I think we will get a dog passport and take Alfie, we can go or longer then
Cheers again guys, definatly got good advice and plenty of ideas
Across this
http://www.leviaducdemillau.com/english/index.html
The Dordoigne (sp) Area is lovely as well, Can't remember specific places sorry, it was a few years back.
But it was beautiful, if that helps
http://www.leviaducdemillau.com/english/index.html
The Dordoigne (sp) Area is lovely as well, Can't remember specific places sorry, it was a few years back.
But it was beautiful, if that helps
It doesn't get a lot better - or closer - than the Loire valley. You have the best food in France, castles, gardens, abbeys, monuments, fantastic hotels in small towns and places like Chinon with history, food and wine combined.
And some utterly brilliant driving roads - from le Mans southwards you can't go wrong once off the very main roads.
And some utterly brilliant driving roads - from le Mans southwards you can't go wrong once off the very main roads.
Eurocamp have a really good site about 35 miles from Disney near Chateau Thierry. It's in the Brie area just on the edge of the Champaigne region. Can also recommend the International site at Maison Laffite for days out in Paris, 25 min commute on the train to the City centre.
Lastly, within easy drive is the Loire valley, the Chambord site being handy for Orleans, Blois and several Chateaux, including Chambord
Lastly, within easy drive is the Loire valley, the Chambord site being handy for Orleans, Blois and several Chateaux, including Chambord
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff