Nacktschnecken omlet Cube

[freddie]

sounds posh, doesnt it!!

But... its for windsurfing (again)DS is in the Worlds, and we need(thats me then)to drive from dunkirk to M"Ooops, word censored!"ille , prob down the main toll rd,arriving dundirk sunday afternoon,18th july and needing to be m"Ooops, word censored!"ille by wed latest.

Where do we stop on route, please; we are towing our very ancient (think1982) caravan, and I dont want to stop in service stations next to the road if they're noisy, as I'm too old now and need my sleep!!

Please, can anyone give advice, I'm willing to shell out for cheap accomodationof the travelodge varity, if this widens our prospects!

Thank you all!!

[Lesley]

The cheap end hotels we've used are Formule1 - they tend to be on the outskirts but always have parking, or you could look at the Logis de France for smaller hotels in towns or villages. Logis tend to have their own restaurants but you'd need to check on parking space.

[Redwing]

I'd say Formula 1 too, they are bog standard accomodation but loos and showers are down the hall - those are automatically cleaned though so are clean. Rooms are basic with a double bed and bunk over, tv, desk and sink

 

Always the same, always basic but always clean and the beds are decent

 

their site has a map of the hotel locations so you can see what sort of location they are in before you book

 

Ibis are similar hotels but I've never stayed in those - they may have ensuites

[Snowy]

Having seen the french service stations, I'd probably go for those! They always seem very quiet and grassy and treelined, not at all like ours. Alternatively have a look at UK campsite and maybe look for campsites en route? (seems pointless to have a caravan and have to pay for a hotel room! )

[Lavenders_Blue]

I'd say Formula 1 too, they are bog standard accomodation but loos and showers are down the hall - those are automatically cleaned though so are clean.

 

This reminds me of a little story...

 

When I was young, we had a few holidays in the French Alps. We'd take the car on the ferry and drive across France, breaking up the trip with an overnight stop at an F1 hotel.

 

One particularly memorable time, I was being a complete nuisance and followed my dad down the corridor to the bathroom. Of course he had locked himself in so I started banging on the door to get his attention. He opened the door to tell me to stop pestering him and go back to the room, closed the bathroom door again... whereupon the bathroom went through it's full automatic wash cycle with my dad inside!

 

To say my dad was not amused is an understatement...

(He does laugh about it now thankfully)

[Snowy]

OH didn't understand about these loos when we went to France and took the two little boys in with him. All I can say is it's a good job they are boys as they refuse point blank to enter any French loo now

[Yorkshire Pudding]

Formule 1 are fine and very cheap. Ibis is also reliable for a cheap, clean place to stay.

 

My parents regularly do long runs through France with their carvan (upt o 5 weeks at a time) and swear by Camping Municipale sites - they vary in terms of the amenities but are reliable for a cheap clean site to put your van on. Many are used by seasonal workers - the one we have used regularly in the Lot is frequented by melon pickers!

[freddie]

Looking good, keep advice coming, please!!

Is there any site i can find out about camping municipale, please

[Snowy]

I tried a search for camping municipale but they don't seem to have a definitive list. However if you go to UKcampsite.co.uk you can click on an area in france and it will list all campsites within a specified radius.

[Lesley]

OH didn't understand about these loos when we went to France and took the two little boys in with him. All I can say is it's a good job they are boys as they refuse point blank to enter any French loo now

 

@ Snowy and LB

[freddie]

if we're going from dunkirk to m"Ooops, word censored!"illes down the toll rd, does anyone know(include all parents and friends in this!!) where to stop off on the way, as reccomendations are the best way to go

I'm begging now.

I will say at this point I've never driven in Europe, let alone towed...

Is it going to be character building?

[Snowy]

Can't recommend where to stay Freddie, but the roads are brilliant. Mostly dual carriageway, very quiet - not a bit like our roads. OH was very anxious about it, but he enjoyed it. If you are taking your right hand drive car over it's actually easier than using a left hand drive car over there. They are quite strict with the speed limits, and the limits vary if the weather is wet. Make sure you have european cover on your AA/RAC and your hi-viz vest and warning triangle in the car. You will love it!

 

I did some reading about the camping municipale - it's basically a field that every town or village has for campers, very informal set up. You will see every village has it's 'town hall' or ??Mairie (I think that's what it's called) and they will be able to show you where to go.

 

And I've only been a handful of times, I'm sure there are others who can elaborate! But I love it over there, hard to put my finger on why, but it is very different and lovely!

[Snowy]

Just browsing some campsites and this one was given good reviews as ideal to stay as a stopover en route to the south:

http://www.camping-meursault.com/

[C&T]

You will have a lovely time!

 

I wouldn't worry too much about campsites - there are so many, that are normally good "quality" campsites, just see how far you drive that day, and when you get "bored", look for some signposts. Most small towns/villages will have at least a couple of sites if not more, all signposted from the main roads, especially the further south you get. If all you are looking for is an overnight pitstop, you are not going to be too worried about the site you are on, as long as it is quiet.

 

Most sites will let you have a quick look round before you commit, so follow a couple of signposts, make sure the site is quiet/clean, and pitch - ready to set off the next day. (Only after finding the local boulangerie, and buying fresh baguettes, croissant and pain au chocolat of course!!)

[Snowy]

Just re-reading your first post Freddie and realised you will be setting off on a Sunday - be aware that France still shuts on a Sunday, so you may need to take enough provisions for your first night

[Daphne]

I don't have experience of towing or campsites or your route I'm afraid, but I'd like to reassure you about driving in France. Its a doddle compared to the UK, roads are much emptier particularly on motorways as many of them are toll roads. Don't always expect French drivers to indicate either! The only strong piece of advice I'd give is to make sure you obey speed limits and drive according to the French rules of the road (including carrying high-vis vest, spare bulbs and warning triangle - find out from AA or whoever what the up to date regulations are) as you can be fined on the spot. I have seen gendarmes concealed in bushes, behind bridge pillars, over the blind summit of a hill etc etc specifically to catch the unwary. Have your passport with you at all times, plus driving licence. I always take my registration doc and insurance as well. My BIL lives in France and has been stopped and breathalysed twice in past 12 months (on titchy roads - you don't have to be doing anything wrong, its random); I've been stopped about 6 times over past 20 years (for no apparent reason, just coz they felt like it; a slow examination of your papers usually ensues). OH has been fined £60 for crossing over the unbroken white line on a switchback road with nothing on the road for miles except a slow car in front. My mother has also been stopped but her lack of French led them to speed her on her way quickly! This isn't meant to scare you just to say be vigilant - which I'm sure you would be anyway. Given the choice I'd drive in France any day of the week over the UK, have a fabulous time

[Guest]

we drove from calais right down to argeles sur mer in the SE of France and we stuck to the main toll motorways as we found that if you took the smaller roads they were too slow because of the amount of traffic whereas the motorways are relatively traffic free.

 

There are loads of stopping places, called 'aires' (sp?) i think it's french for 'area' and they are brilliant! they have plenty of parking, picnic areas, facilities etc and are much better than our own motorways here in England. They seem to be every few kms as well so yhou won't have a problem

 

There's also plenty of cheap hotles/motels along the main routes, you really will be pleasantly surprised.

 

bon voyage!

 

 

***ETA*** have a peruse of this link http://about-france.com/motorway-services.htm

[Guest]

p.s. if a driver behind you flashes his lights, it's not a rude gesture, he's telling you he's about to overtake you We found french drivers very considerate, no fast lane hogging etc, it's much easier than driving in England!

 

you might find this useful http://www.driving-in.com/france/

[freddie]

Poet, you're a star, Thank you!!

[Guest]

Poet, you're a star, Thank you!!

 

you're welcome

 

on the way home we got cocky and decided to have an 'adventure' and stayed off the motorways, we had an adventure alright!

 

We got lost, stuck in numerous traffic jams and got caught in a storm on a very treacherous road! Therefore I would ALWAYS use the toll motorways in future as they really are so easy and what you lose in paying tolls, you save in time and petrol!

[Snowy]

We found the toll roads were easy to get through as well - you don't need change, just poke your credit/debit card in the slot and whizz through.