French trip

 
 
 
 
 
 
fork
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French trip

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Posted: 22.03.2022  ·  #1
Hi all
I heading to France in april.first time since 2015 so maybe a little rusty.
I've done the WW2 sites and am hoping to do the ww1 sites this year.
Plan is to arrive an Cherbourg and head straight for the area around Ypres and make my way back over 10 days
Will my "all the Aires" 2015 book be ok to use on the trip,and do I need a toll tag.
Thanks david


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Re: French trip

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Posted: 22.03.2022  ·  #2
Hi David I’m no expert on France but I wouldn’t rely on a book published 7 years ago which was probably a year old when it was published. Personally I think you’d be better off with one of the apps that cover France, park4night, Campercontact or searchforsites for example.

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French trip

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Posted: 22.03.2022  ·  #3
I'd be inclined to agree with Jamie, get the App's, if you like to use a book, then, ask, there are lots of the ACSI, guide books from last, or even this year, still in there plastic wrappers, that won't be used, and will eventually end up in the bin, for tolls, I would recommend getting one, ATMB or other, especially if your RHD. But then do you need to use tolls, are you going to drive straight 6hrs, it could be two nice days, have a good look at your route. Have a great trip, enjoy 👍

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Re: French trip

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Posted: 22.03.2022  ·  #4
I've done that trip without using toll's other than the bridge at Le Harve, I think Jamie's right on the Aire book and apps too

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Re: French trip

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Posted: 22.03.2022  ·  #5
Yes agree about the apps I use Park4 night and find it the easiest. I've about 6 different aire books and find them hard to use

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Re: French trip

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Posted: 22.03.2022  ·  #6
Among the sites of the First World War do not forget, Arras, the "Chemin des Dames", Verdun and the whole area of destroyed villages (Fleury for example) and forts (the most famous is Douaoumont).

From Calais, via Ypres, Lille, Belgium, Luxembourg, Metz down to Nancy, the motorway is free.
On toll motorways, the toll-tag is not essential, the gates are manned.
In any case, the "European" toll-tag (Italy, Spain, Portugal and France) in the latter country cannot be used by vehicles over 3.5 tons.

Areas: I use the very reliable campercontact App.
Downloadable satnav database but the free version is frozen at 2019.
The French alternative is campingcar-infos with App but also a free downloadable satnav database.

Max


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Re: French trip

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Posted: 22.03.2022  ·  #7
I'm LHD but I'll check out the ATMB tag. My ferry gets into Cherbourg on a Wednesday and I need to be in Brussels on the Friday morning to collect my other half who's coming over for the weekend as she can't get off work.
@eirebus
Have you any trip tips as most of the trip information is based on starting from Calais?


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Re: French trip

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Posted: 22.03.2022  ·  #8
I don't think you'll reach Brussels that quickly without using toll's, I went,Le Harve,Amiens to Arras and toured around from there

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Re: French trip

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Posted: 22.03.2022  ·  #9
I'll have 5 days after that weekend to come back to cherbourg
The ferry gets in at 4pm so I'm thinking of driving 3 hours that evening and up early the following morning and be there by lunchtime.


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Re: French trip

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Posted: 22.03.2022  ·  #10
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Re: French trip

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Posted: 22.03.2022  ·  #11
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Re: French trip

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Posted: 23.03.2022  ·  #12
I agree with Tommys...Ive been using Park4night for a few years all over France/Italy/Germany/Spain...it has never let us down.

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Re: French trip

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Posted: 23.03.2022  ·  #13
Just on the toll tag question. My van is just under 3m high but the satellite dish brings it over the 3m.
I have only used a toll once in france and they were trying to charge me class 3 but I went on the intercom and they reduced it to class 2.There was a significant cash difference.
Would having the tag make it more hassle?
Also when planning routes,you can get a toll cost but can you find out how many actual toll plazas are there on your route?If its only one each way it might not be worth it getting the tag.


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Re: French trip

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Posted: 23.03.2022  ·  #14
From what I know, the class 2 or 3 discriminant is height.
Many sites and many operators say that antennas and luggage boxes do not affect the height, the air conditioner does.
As for the toll tag, since the determination of the height is automatic with a sensor, I think it is impossible for the system to recognize whether it is an antenna or an air conditioner.
In any case, it is not a few minutes lost at the gate that make the difference in a holiday.
I don't have the toll tag and will not buy it.
The only area I know of with payment portals close to each other is the stretch from Monaco to Cannes which has three.

Max

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Re: French trip

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Posted: 23.03.2022  ·  #15
I have been asked a few times what height the van is. I say 3m, sure what do I know

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Re: French trip

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Posted: 16.02.2023  ·  #16
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Re: French trip

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Posted: 21.02.2023  ·  #17
Quote by baguette

For anyone heading to France here's a great site listing all the Municipal Camp Sites http://www.camping-municipal.org/index.htm


thats a brilliant list,thanks for that. i will be using that on our way through france to italy this year


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Re: French trip

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Posted: 21.02.2023  ·  #18
Maybe have a look at the 'CampingCarPark' network. It is a company that are buying up munical sites and run down aires. They then fix the simple facilities and have secure entrance with a keypad/card access system. Only members can enter but the handy thing is you can check the location in advance and see how busy it is. You can also book a place in advance with the premium membership. The card can be pre-loaded so all you do on arrival is flash thecard for entry. We used it last summer for the first time and even prime loactions in the height of August we had the peace of mind of knowing that there was a place for that night. This meant a more leisurely day without the worry of not having a place that evening.

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Re: French trip

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Posted: 21.02.2023  ·  #19
Sometimes I used the Campingcarpark areas, card subscribed in 2018.
I have never reserved, at most I check the number of free places in the one where I would like to stay.
You can register and subscribe for membership (around €5) directly at the payment system at the entrance which will issue you a card valid for life.
It seems complicated but the multilingual instructions help in the operations to obtain it.

I never put money into the account, from time to time I use the exact amount needed by one of major credit card, for sure Visa and Mastercard.

Typically these are good areas, for those who have little data or cannot use European roaming, the fact that there is Wifi is appreciated.
But I got the impression that the quality is going down. In the last two used (Apt and Mèze) the EHU was out of service.

In the last one (December 2022) the payment system didn't work either, luckily the bar was open and we stayed for free.

Max

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Re: French trip

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Posted: 21.02.2023  ·  #20
Quote by mtravel

..........................
In the last one (December 2022) the payment system didn't work either, luckily the bar was open and we stayed for free.

Max


It's not unusual for the entrance barriers to be left open at some 'Aires' during the low season. The free parking offer is seen as a way to get some tourist Euros into the area at that time of year

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Re: French trip

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Posted: 03.03.2023  ·  #21
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Re: French trip

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Posted: 03.03.2023  ·  #22
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