Eurotunnel and overnights in France - help!

[mascarpone]

I need a bit of help from all you lovely ladies please because my brain is going into overload trying to plan our holiday for this summer.

We are planning to go to the Loire Valley (hopefully to Camping Chantepie after reading posts from Lucycat and others recommending it - thank you!). Last time we went to France, we went on the ferry and due to the fact that dd1 was sick 6 times before we even left the Solent, we are planning to use Eurotunnel (through Tesco vouchers).

So, how much time do I need to allow for the Eurotunnel bit of the journey? I know the crossing itself is half an hour but how long does it take to load everyone on and off?

We also need to stop off en route. We have two dds aged 3 and 6 months. Last time we had an overnight, we stopped in a Campanile but I am struggling to find any cheap hotel chain with family rooms that will take all 4 of us. Both Campanile and Ibis come up with rooms that will only take 2 people and the only option so far is Novotel which is going to cost practically the same amount as 2 weeks camping!

Thank you!

About half an hour to get on. About 10 mins to get off.

Have you tried Comfort Inns? I got a really lovely family room with them one year, was the size of 2 rooms, and about the same price as a Campanile.

Do a google search on 'B&Bs' or another google search on 'family rooms'. We found a good one in Rouen (on our return back from the Vendee last year) called the Suite hotel which had family rooms. Once you've identified an area for your stop over, Trip Advisor can be useful too.

Alistair Sawday (again, google him)lists independent B&Bs too, on farms and other nice places, though they were a bit pricey for us but you never know!

The tunnel bit is amazingly fast and efficient. Just take lots of drinks with you - when we went last summer it was roasting hot in the tunnel.

Happy planning

Brilliant - thanks! Will have another look.

Do the Eurotunnel trains go at set times or do they just go when there are enough cars to fill one?

Mummyisamonster thank you! That Suite hotel looks just the job.

The tunnel trains go at set times. If you get there early, you can catch an earlier one, up to 2 hours earlier or later without penalty.

we usually use novotel, but are looking at suitehotels too this year, same group (accor) chantepie is a lovely site, have fun

Eurotunnel trains are every 15 to 20 mins.

Campanile have rooms that sleep 4. We always used Campanile when travelling to our camp site in Northern Spain.

Two single beds, a single bed that rolls out from under, and another single bed under the window.

Thanks very much all. Will let you know how we get on!

ooh marscapone Chantepie is lovely - I've also put a review on uk camping here with more details about places to visit etc.

we used the Eurotunnel for the first time this year and it is brilliant I'd recommend stopping at Jcn 10- Ashford on the way as there is a big Tesco so you can stock up on a few bits and pieces - we bought sausage rolls (!) and we also used the loo there - it's just 15 mins then to the tunnel. Take a flask of coffee so you can sit in your car and have a drink / check out the map while you 'cross' and then enjoy!

as for overnighters i can't help much sorry as we camp overnight at Bien Assise - but check out uk camping they are fab people who know everything!!

and enjoy

Eeurotrains now have vehicle recognision, the machine knows who you are when you pullup.

If you are there well on time you sometimes get on an earlier train if there is room.

I would highly recommend a stop at Alancon, overnight, it is a lovely small town with a market and just over half way so not to much to drive the next day

Ivykaty44, where do you stop over at Alancon? Always liked the look of it but didn't find anywhere for us to stay (family of 4).

ta

In the municipal campsite

Although the sat nav location was out last time, in the book we had - and we ended up in someones drive!!

The municipal campsite is big and we walked to the town center (we have motor home)

But small tent would do the trick for one night I have meet lots of people who take two tents away - the one the put up for 10 days and the one they use when travelling and for stopping over.

The earlier you get the train, the quicker the whole thing is.

We generally get on one about 7am - straight on the one waiting and straight off the other side - about 45mins in total!

Then we drive straight to wherever we are going (after some night-mare experiences in hotels / putting a tent up for one night!) The Loire is not very far and you can easily do it by mid-afternoon. It's well worth the drive to get there and relax!

It does depend on where you live on this side of the Channel tbh - we have a 6 hr drive to Dover so travel early in the morning, cross at about 12, then do another hr (taking into account the hr difference) then stop for the night in France - you can then get up refreshed to travel south.

We take a small tent for overnighters and our huge one for the holiday itself.

this is a good website for finding overnight stops It lists 11,000 campsites.