France

Of course its worth the hassle!!!!!!! There always seems lots to do when you first undertake something new. It was the same for us in October when we went on our first cruise but planning a trip to France for us is no more hassle than going to the local Caravan Club site. I have no idea what a 15 year old girl would expect from such a venture but if you are going in the main holiday period there are bound to be other children of her own age. I would look for a site with at the very least a decent swimming pool. Weatherwise northern France is similar if not slightly better than southern England. Normandy is often overlooked but there is a lot to see. Some of the Normandy beaches are superb.

David

When we had teenagers we used to prefer sites which had Eurocamp or Canvas Holidays tents and mobile homes.  They generally had a good mix of nationalities, and other British teens for our two to make friends with.  Have a look at the Eurocamp and Canvas brochures and see what you think.  Sites such as Chateau du Drancourt might be an option - nearish to the ports, or a bit further afield and no beach but a good pool complex and plenty going on, La Croix du Vieux Pont.

Although it's a fair old drive to Brittany, many people do it and it's so much easier to find an overnight campsite to make the journey part of the holiday.  Many towns and villages have municipal sites where it's not necessary to book a pitch - you can just turn up (preferably late afternoon rather than evening) and get a pitch.  They are sometimes really lovely sites, with big pitches, and generally have good sanitary facilities.  Two examples below: 

Municipal site, Les Rouelle des Loups, at Vatan.

Municipal site, Camping de la Ronde, St Pourcain sur Sioule

We've only been to Brittany once, to Domaine de Ormes - which our teenagers loved.  There is plenty to do and see, lots of lovely beaches and small resorts nearby, The old town of St Malo is interesting, and Dinan is stunning.  The chateau at Combourg is lovely too.

We first went to France thirty one years ago, and have been back every year since!  Now we've more time we go twice a year and for a longer period each time.  We love it, and hopefully so will you.

I agree with David.

I would pay more money (than Dover- Calais) and cross Portsmouth- Caen for my first trip and look for a site in Normandy which has everything needed to enjoy your first French trip.

Here is one suggestion for a site close to Oiustreham (arrival port)…..

http://www.campinghautescoutures.com/campsite-france.html

……..there are many more cheaper sites available.

This is a good search engine for France

http://www.campingfrance.com/UK/Find-your-campsite

The Caravan  Club have some great offers on Brittany Ferries - not sure about the CCC, though.   If you get a quote from the CCC for a longer crossing then check out the price comparison with the Camping Cheques website www.campingcheque.co.uk.  Because you're buying a package of 'accommodation' (the three Camping Cheques you have to buy) and a ferry, then there is a special ITX fare which reduces the price by hundreds of pounds on some sailings, and some dates.  The website gives details of those sailings and dates which qualify and others have reported savings of more than £200 and you've also got three Camping Cheques which can be offered for sale on websites such as this one, saving even more

Hi

we travel to France every year from North West Scotland, Cornwall every alternate year, long journey whichever way you look at it! Personally don't like spending long periods on ferries so use Dover and try to make the journey part of the holiday. Cost wise very much cheaper especially if you use DFDS. Driving times to Normandy/Brittany border (around the Mont St Michel area} from Calais/ Dunkirk easy 6 hour drive plus roads are not cluttered like ours, in fact you will find driving in France a pleasure compared to home. If going further into Brittany e.g. Quimper area then around 10 hours. There is a marked difference in culture and attitude compared to holidaying in UK and makes the journey well worthwhile.

From Tebay to Dover usually takes me around 7 hours dependant on traffic with possibly 2 short stops en route

Hope this helps. 

Hi Kie68

I'm writing this on the assumption that you possibly haven't been to France before.

Having driven down to the south coast of the UK why just limit yourself to a few miles, (or kilometers), when you get to France. It is a very big country with tremendous variation scenery and activities available. Some of these have no equivalent in Britain so there are lots more opportunities over there.

Driving is so much easier in France. The nighmare drive starts when you are coming home and you get off the ferry in any of the UK ports. You realise just how congested the roads are over here. French motorways are generally relatively quiet and get you from A to B very quickly and easily. They can be a bit boring and most of them are toll roads but all have very good rest areas about every 12 miles or so. Service areas with fuel are usually about every 30 miles. Keeping off the motorways is almost as easy a drive but with the added benefit of all the delightful towns and villages that you would pass through. Bigger towns and cities usually have a good bye-pass so no need to go through them. Wherever you go, make the journey in France part of the holiday.

Wherever you go in France there are plenty of campsites. Just about every town has at least one as do many villages. Municipal sites are usually very good value and well maintained although they don't usually have facilities such as bars, restaurants or pools. The Caravan Club's book Caravan Europe is an invaluable 'bible' listing thousands of sites and what members thought of them.

Where to go in France is really down to personal choice and what you like to do or see. We aren't beach people so we tend to like the mountains of the Alps which is no further to go to than Brittany. The Alsace region, even closer, is delightfully quaint as is the Dordogne region. Brittany is a bit like Cornwall and has a lot to offer including beaches.

Because of the size of France going to the beach is totally out of the question for many people but many of the enormous lakes inland have 'beaches' with swimming facilities. The Tarn gorge is a good adventure area with swimming and canoe hire.

The weather in France is usually much better than the UK although this cannot be guaranteed. In twenty years, though, we have only had two holidays when the weather really spoilt it for us. Sometimes, even in the mountains, it is just too hot to do anything.

During July and August sites get really full and busy, especially near the coast. Inland is quieter, (and usually much cheaper).

Wherever you end up going I'm sure you'll have a great time. 'Vive la difference !'

HI

We first took or caravan to france 2 years ago and like you were a bit cautious however it was great and we went back the following year. The first time we went we sailed with Brittany ferries from Portsmouth to Cherbourg in Normanday (5 hours crossing) and I booked it all through the caravan club and I felt the price was reasonable. The site we stayed at was a 26 mile drive from the port Camping La Cormoran near the village of st mere eglees (excuse the spelling lol) the site was brilliant and was right across from a nice beach in fact some of the pitches on the site had a sea view. The site had great facilities such as a bar and a resteraunt there was also a lovely outdoor pool and it was nice sunny weather for the whole time we were there. There was plenty of things to do nearby and also as there was plenty to do on the site we spent a few days just staying on the site and relaxing.

Then last summer we again went to France but stuck to the north and sailed from Dover to Calais and the site we stayed at was Camping La Bien Assise which was only a 8 mile tow from the port. This site was also fantastic and had a bar resteraunt and swimming pools. There was plenty of things to do close by such as WW1/2 musuems etc and there was also a large shopping centre which had all the main high street stores. I would definetly recommend the above two sites especially if you are towing in France for the first time and are a bit anxious but I think you would enjoy the sites and areas that I have suggested.

Good Luck!!

Thanks for all the tips and advise .I will look into it further .Watch this space!!  lol

It is definitely worth the hassle. We first visited France in 2000 and now go every year. I can still remember my apprehensions before my first trip, all the worries about getting a caravan on and off the ferry, driving on the other side of the road but it really is not problematic and well worth while.

We live in Scotland and have a lengthy drive no matter what crossing we use. In the past we have used Portsmouth - Caen, Hull - Zeebrugge, and for the last two years the Tunnel courtesy of Tesco vouchers. Tunnel is my preference now.

As others have said driving on French roads is more relaxing than on U.K. roads, a lot quieter and only really busy around cities and large towns.

Regarding the area to visit, it is really down to personal preferences and choice. I appreciate you might not want to drive too far from whatever port you arrive at but would suggest you do not auotmatically stick to the areas in the north near the ferry ports. Consider either the Vendee with it's beaches or the Loire valley with its chateaux, both areas a bit farther south and with a better chance of warmer weather than the northern regions. Both areas can also be reached  on the same day of arrival depending on  the crossing route chosen.

We have in the past travelled Portsmouth -Caen on the overnight ferry and travelled straight to sites in the Vendee. The Loire is also acheivable in one day from Caen.

Loire can also be done in the one day from the Calais area.

As others have suggested do have a look at deals from the Caravan Club but I would also suggest and recommend Select Sites, I have used them numerous times and found them helpful and competitive price wise. Good selection of sites in all regions.

http://www.select-site.com/

Have a look out also for sites that are part of the Castels group. These are normally of a high standard.

One I can recommend in the Vendee is La Garangeoire

http://www.camping-la-garangeoire.com/en/index_en.htm

Any questions please post again as there will always be someone here who can help.

Robert

Cheers Robert