Camping Aborad? First Time

[mrsflems1]

We bought all our camping equipment last year and have had several weekends away in Scotland, we are now considering what to do for our summer break and I would like to go to France camping.

However as a total novice at this I would really welcome some tips and advice, mainly where in France to go or would anyone recommend going from place to place to see and do a bit more.

Our boys are 7 and 12 and really love nothing more than a pool to jump in, this year has been a nightmare with family problems so I really just want a break away from it all somewhere quiet, warm, cultured and with good wine!

My other issue is that we are in Ayrshire in SW Scotland so have an almost 8 hour drive to get to Dover I had a look at ferries from Hull to Zeebrugge but they are very expensive!

Thanks in advance for any help!

We've been camping in France 5 times and it's so much better than camping in the UK. France is just set up for camping, even the French go camping in France. There's signs for campsites on almost every street corner.

We use the Alan Rogers guide to pick our campsites. We've never booked and just turn up. If you're going in July or August though you may be better off booking as that's when the French have their holidays.

If you're touring and plan on using the toll roads, I'd recommend getting a toll tag so you don't have to worry about paying at the toll booths. You get billed for it the following month on your credit card and it saves having to worry about having change and you can drive straight through the barriers without stopping. If you want to see how much tolls will cost beforehand ViaMichelin.co.uk is good for planning routes.

Take toilet roll as not all campsites provide it.

Don't plan on moving campsites or going shopping on a Sunday as most places are shut. Bigger supermarkets are open until midday but smaller ones aren't and petrol stations are pay at pump only.

Most campsites allow you to pre-order bread and croissants the night before which is wonderful!

If you're taking electric hook up some smaller family-run campsites use the continental two pin plug so you may need an adaptor. Also make sure you have a long lead as we've stayed at campsites before where the electric point wasn't on our pitch and we had to trail the lead over other pitches.

Charcoal BBQ's are generally not allowed in France.

I'll add to this as and when I think of other things but feel free to ask if you have any specific questions

Oh, and even 'heated' pools are freezing in France!

Even a €2 bottle of wine is drinkable so no need to spend a lot. French wine bottles still have corks as well so don't forget a corkscrew!

It depends how far you want to go.
If its pool complexes that you're after, look at the eurocamp sites. Don't book through them - go direct or through caravan and camping club - but they give good ideas about what is on offer at the sites. If in the northern half of France go for somewhere which also has an outdoor pool.
Our first holiday was using hull - zebrugge. It was more money but part of the adventure and saved hours of driving.
Do they still have ferries from Newcastle?

Also we went to Belgium and Luxembourg for the first time abroad. It was closer than France and very warm.

Been to France many time camping, advice would be to take first aid kit, my ds had a nasty accident and nobody knew what to do - had to take him to a private Dr in town. And don't rely on life guards, I had to jump in a pool heavily pregnant when ds got stuck in a rubber ring.
Apart from that - enjoy!!

Also look at this thread
Any advice on Eurocamp type holidays?www.mumsnet.com/Talk/camping/3209334-Any-advice-on-Eurocamp-type-holidays

We camped in France a couple of years back. On a beachside campsite. Really loving.. except our tent pegs weren't suitable for the really soft sandy ground. As it was really windy it was a nightmare. Longer tent pegs for us next time!