how much spending money should we take with us?

[Linnet]

We're going to France a week on Tuesday to stay for a week, we're going for a wedding. We're staying in a campsite type of place with all the other guests and the bride and groom.

It's in the South of France and I've never been there before and I've never stayed on a campsite, we're staying in a chalet while we're there.

Does anybody know what type of facilities there will be for buying food getting meals etc? Do they have restaurants/cafes on site? or just a shop? there is no information about this on the website and the groom, who is Dh's friend is not useful when it comes to asking questions as he just keeps telling me to relax and that it will all be fine. But we have 2 dd's and I would like to have a rough idea of what will be available. We need to know how much money to take as well enough to keep 4 of us for a week in food, drinks etc How should we take our money will they accept travellers cheques?

Also in these places do they supply towels in the chalets or will we need to take our own? just thought of this today and am now frantically trying to figure out if there will be enough space in our suitcases for towels as well as everything else we'll need if they don't supply them.

Beginning to with I wasn't going to this damn wedding and had just sent Dh on his own because as usual all the organising has been left to yours truly, ggrrr.

any advice appreciated, thanks

It depends how big the campsite is - most campsites in France unless they are small or very basic will have a small shop, and usually a bar/restaurant - they often do take away. If it's big enough to have chalets I would assume it'll have a shop and restaurant. Some of them have really really good restaurants.

They probably won't take travellers cheques but you can generally use your UK debit card in France, both at cashpoints and in shops (mine is a Maestro card and I use it pretty much everywhere when we go). They have chip and pin too.

Sounds lovely, South of France will be fab at this time - busy season just ending and weather should be great. Whereabouts are you going?

Are you near a town? There will be a large supermarket - if it's a big hypermarket you'll be able to get towels & everything. Will you have a car?

Would take credit card & pin number for supermarket & euros - don't know how much though - depends - perhaps around 500euro - but not in large notes - even 50euro can be hard to use in small shops. Have change or credit card for toll roads.

I'ts a place called Audenge, about 30 minutes outside of Bordeaux.

I'm starting to get a bit stressed about it now since it's so soon, one minute we had weeks to go and now it's almost here. Dh's friend and Dh just keep saying relax it will be fine but they are both very laid back. I however am totally different and like to know what I'm going to and try to be slightly prepared.

I'm sure we'll have a lovely time but I'm a worrier, I can't help it.

do you think we'll need to take our own towels?

We won't have a car, although I drive I only passed my test a few months ago and there is no way I'm driving in France, still getting used to driving here.

the groom is picking us up from the airport and he'll probably take us back for our flight home as well or someone else will.

Is this the camping?

www.camping-audenge.com/UPLOAD_Anglais/main.html

It says all modcons but doesn't say towels specifically - give them a ring. The website is in loads of langs so should be ok to ask in english.

Looks a well equipped site - should be a shop or a supermarket nearby.

Just in case kettles are rare in hotels in france - a travel one could be handy if you need cups of tea (well I do ).

forgot to add - have a lovely time

Yes Milward that is the place, sorry didn't think to post a link. I'm going to get Dh to phone his friend tomorrow night and I'm going to give him a list of questions that I want answers to before we go, lol

Popped into the travel agents today and the lady said to take Travellers cheques and that there should be a bureau de change on site where we can cash them. This seems such a bizarre thing to do as the only other places I've used TC's was in Canada and the USA where you just hand them over like cash.

I noticed looking at the site again today that it mentions a snack bar, but that's all, hopefully there is a shop that they forgot to mention.

Thanks for your help.

Linnet- don't bother with traveller's cheques.. the commission on a camp site will be huge. Currency from the post office is cheap and they buy it back afterwards no problem. You can withdraw cash from any cashpoint using a british card and the handling charges are not that bad.. if you have a nationwide card they are free. I would take slightly less than you are prepared to spend - £200 would be a rough guess if you are going to eat on site. The more you take.. the more you will spend. If youneed more just pull it out of the cashpoint midweek.

thanks robinpud, I was wondering about the commision. I'm not sure what we'll be spending our money on, not sure if there will be anything to spend money on at the camp apart from food and drink. But then again I'm not sure if we will be having trips into a town or anything which we'd need some money for.

dh's friend did mention at one point that I should pack something to wear for maybe going out for an evening, so I take it they are planning on having a night out in town but with nobody to watch our girls I doubt I'd go anyway. We don't know anybody else going to the wedding, although they are coming from near and far, and I'm ignoring dh's suggestion that maybe another member of the party would babysit for us. I'm not leaving my kids with people I don't know.

sorry don't mean to be having such an outpouring of grievances about this on every post.
thanks for your advice, will see about a nationwide card.

We oopened a nationwide account and got the card within a week if that helps Linnet. Good luck.. I hope you enjoy (?!)the wedding.. haven't seen your other posts!

I meant every time I post on this thread, I start with a question or a reply and then go off on a tangent of ranting. I think I'll be glad when the whole thing is over and done with to be honest.

thanks for your help will try and pop into nationwide tomorrow on my lunch hour.

Hope things are going ok with your trip & that you've got some answers on what to pack. best wishes

Wouldn't take travellers cheques - you've got banks & post offices closed at lunch - sometimes until 2pm & then shut at about 4.30/5.00. Plus post offices can be closed at the weekend & some banks that open on saturday will shut around 12.00. You can use your credit card in big shops with your pin number.

Thanks Milward, still haven't decided what to do about money yet but everyone I've asked says don't take travellers cheques as they can be a pain, just use our cards.

Well a slight update on the towel situation, lol
I made Dh phone his friend last night with a list of questions to be answered, the main one being do we need to take our own towels? Dh's friend says no they supply them. great I thought, breathed a big sigh of relief and starting writing lists.

Tonight opened E-mails to find one from the bride to be saying, bring your own towels it's not a hotel and they don't supply them, AARRGGHH!!!!

I took travellers cheques to Spain & had no problem (just had to be organised before the weekend!) It was only about ?2 in every change of ?100.

The only other thing is that there isn't likely to be a safe to keep money in (may be wrong). I'd be very warey of only taking money.

I would use credit cards rather than debit cards - check the charges though as it varies. I take my debit card for absolute emergencies & to use when I get back home but try to avoid it while abroad.

Rats it didn't post the euro sign.

I forgot to say how much - we usually take about £75 to £100 a day. Have a vague idea of what things will cost once we get there & throw in a bit for extra treats such as souveneirs.

Goodness Linnet!! - perhaps take some just in case! At least you're covered this. Best wishes for your trip xxx