Just Booked France

Aug 29th 2013 for Three Weeks

 
 
 
 
 
 
Johans cruiser
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Just Booked France

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Posted: 15.01.2013  ·  #1
Anyone else who has been to France before could you help us
The road is open to all ideas
Where do we start ???? we haven't a clue
John & Hannah newbees to France


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Re: Just Booked France

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Posted: 16.01.2013  ·  #2
There is a massive amount of knowledge for France on this Forum.

Many of us have been going for years.
Here is a recent thread giving some advice to Colin forum/topic.php?t=2313

A lot depends on several things including,

  • which month you plan to travel
  • how long you plan to be in France
  • are you going for weather, culture or both
  • will there be children with you
  • do you like driving long distances
  • do you want to use campsites


Sounds mad but advice would be quite different depending on how you answer.


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Re: Just Booked France

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Posted: 16.01.2013  ·  #3
We have been going to France for years now and Mark is exactly right. France is such a vast country and one needs to be clear what kind of holiday you are looking for. Let me say whatever type of holiday you like, France can provide it. My advice for what it is and that is make your mind up that you are not going to experience all France provides in just one holiday.


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Re: Just Booked France

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Posted: 16.01.2013  ·  #4
Quote by jacktherev
make your mind up that you are not going to experience all France provides in just one holiday


how true!


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Re: Just Booked France

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Posted: 16.01.2013  ·  #5
John,
Me Mary Natasha (14) and the dog are going abroad first time on July 16th for 3 weeks. Thanks to Mark and the gang and other threads I have gained quite a bit of information.

My plan of attack is
Arrive Cherbourg 15.30pm on 17th
Drive to Ponterson (174kms). (Approx 2 hrs). Booked into Haliotis Campsite for 2 nights. Right beside Le Mont Saint Micheal, which is supposed to be very very nice.
This is the only campsite I will book before I leave.
a. To get my bearings and they have a nice pool etc for Natasha.
b. There is an English speaking vet in the village and get Charlie booked in for the return leg
Then head down the West Coast a little doing Aires and every 2nd or 3rd day book into a campsite
a. to get cleaned up
b. It would not be fair to a 14 year old to park up in car parks (Aires). every night.
Then head inland to Oradour.
Then head back to the coast again towards La-Rochelle
Then work my way back very slowly.
Only plan to do 2hrs max driving per day.
Have been planning my route on Google Maps/Street View is great also as you can see the aires and camp sites you fancy going to. Of course I have the various books also. French Aires and Campsites. But apart from that we will just go with the wind and enjoy the experience. As long as I have a tongue in my head im sure ill bump into a few Motorhomers who fancy a pint or 3.

Have Fun mate

Colin - Coleraine :up:


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Re: Just Booked France

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Posted: 16.01.2013  ·  #6
That sounds like a nice easy round trip Colin.
Perfect for your first trip to france.

You might find driving a bit more than 2 hours from Ponterson would be good.
Try to get south of Nantes, maybe Saint Gilles croix de Vie. That way you can follow the Vendee coast and avoid all the Autoroutes until you need one.

My parents only live 1 hour north of Oradour and there is a Dutch owned campsite (with a pool) 300 metres from their house. If you are in the area I will give you the address.

If Natasha enjoys theme parks you might want to think about futuroscope (near Tours)

Also the Aquarium in La Rochelle is very good and well worth a visit. You could overnight right beside it too.


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Re: Just Booked France

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Posted: 16.01.2013  ·  #7
for a first trip thats a great plan you have it may take a bit longer to get to pontorson than you think it can take a bit of time getting off ferry due to police checks etc as mark suggested le croix de vie is a good spot and orador was just brilliant to visit there is a nice aire there but in july it will be v busy and bon voyage :up:


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Re: Just Booked France

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Posted: 16.01.2013  ·  #8
Mark,

St Gilles Croix De Vie was on my list after Ponterson. Might take a look at Futuroscope.
Whats the name of the camp site near your ma's.


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Re: Just Booked France

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Posted: 16.01.2013  ·  #9
Colin I tried to PM you but forgot your weren't subscribed.
Are you going this weekend? I can give you info then.


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Re: Just Booked France

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Posted: 17.01.2013  ·  #10
Yes Mark. Ill be at the Hotel. Ive booked in rather than take the MH
C ya there mate :up:


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Re: Just Booked France

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Posted: 18.01.2013  ·  #11
Colin, that campsite in Pontorson is fantastic, has a small animal area like a mini-zoo lol, very tidy, and there is usually a pizza van on site each evening tho' you have to order in advance, across the road is a large Carrefour supermarket. they even have a few pitched with private sanitary facilities housed within a small log building sort of thing, handy if you dont want to dirty the van inside lol

caeful if you intend taking the van to Mont St Michel, you cant park at the bottom of it anymore, the park & ride should be open by now in the village on your way out to the Mont.

also, you can ride your bikes along a cycle path direct from the campsite to Mont St Michel, think it approx 7km and all flat along a canal.


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Futuroscope

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Posted: 27.01.2013  ·  #12
Hi Mark hope your well I was reading this post and as I have booked to go back to France for 3 weeks in July I was having a look at Futuroscope website looks good, whats it like for a 5 year old?

Any advice on where to stay when there say for 2 days?

Cheers Gary

Quote by mark

That sounds like a nice easy round trip Colin.
Perfect for your first trip to france.

You might find driving a bit more than 2 hours from Ponterson would be good.
Try to get south of Nantes, maybe Saint Gilles croix de Vie. That way you can follow the Vendee coast and avoid all the Autoroutes until you need one.

My parents only live 1 hour north of Oradour and there is a Dutch owned campsite (with a pool) 300 metres from their house. If you are in the area I will give you the address.

If Natasha enjoys theme parks you might want to think about futuroscope (near Tours)

Also the Aquarium in La Rochelle is very good and well worth a visit. You could overnight right beside it too.


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Re: Just Booked France

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Posted: 27.01.2013  ·  #13
5 might be a little young Gary.
We took out girls from about 10 years or so.

Most of the rides are simulators and can be fairly bumpy etc.

As for campsites, there are loads in that area.

Another option might be puy du fou if he would like medieval stuff.

http://www.puydufou.com/index.html


Feel free to ring me if you still have my number.


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Places in France

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Posted: 06.06.2013  ·  #14
Puy de Fou is well worth a visit. There are four main daytime shows, and many smaller ones, which are well worth seeing. One of the day shows is a birds of prey show which is absolutely breathtaking. However, the night display is fantastic, beyond words. There is motorhome parking, an aire I believe, although we used a nearby campsite.


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