Thinking of heading to France

CelticRambler

moodrater wrote: »

Thats the advantage of the apps. If you look at the park4night aire app theres another aire at the entrance to the campsite, theres also a camping car area at the hospital a few meters away. Theres two more serviced aires at lanvallay and léhon another 800m away.

That's the disadvantage of apps - the "aire" at the entrance to the campsite is just a service point, you can't park there. Similarly, "another 800m" puts Léhon at 2km from Dinan town centre. You wouldn't want to do that walk in this heat! :eek:

Not sure what they're identifying as a "camping car area" at the hospital - I can't find it on any of my resources, but looking at satellite views, I suspect it's just an accessible car park, and again it's a 1.5km (dreary) walk from Dinan town centre.

The official aire is about 800m from the centre, but it's a gorgeous walk as soon as you cross the road, and you've got the option of going down instead of up and doing a tour of the old port.

Benbecul97 wrote: »

#1 (pink) in this link http://en.calameo.com/read/001173285de6991609826
Camping Chateaubriand is down as an Aire de Services.

but here http://www.campingfrance.com/uk/find-your-campsite/brittany/cotes-d-armor/dinan/camp-municipal-chateaubriand its a Camping Municipal

So which is it? Both? Do some municipal campsites allow the use of services without staying the night?

Yes, that's exactly the case. It'll be marked "campings cars de passage autorisés".

moodrater

Benbecul97 wrote: »

#1 (pink) in this link http://en.calameo.com/read/001173285de6991609826
Camping Chateaubriand is down as an Aire de Services.

but here http://www.campingfrance.com/uk/find-your-campsite/brittany/cotes-d-armor/dinan/camp-municipal-chateaubriand its a Camping Municipal

So which is it? Both? Do some municipal campsites allow the use of services without staying the night?

Some sites will have an are outside the campsite or adjacent that is an aire.

This one is a dump aparently and people including the police recommended the viaduct area instead

The reviews say rough translation:
Effectively the aire is at the entrance of the campsite ... it is very poorly managed ... bathrooms are dirty ... No maintenance is done

closed from September until late May .. service terminal is managed by the campsite, can not be used during the closed period.

a hassle to park ... Thanks to Dinan police officials who had the courtesy to guide us to the bridge near the port. A quiet location and close to everything.

moodrater

CelticRambler wrote: »

That's the disadvantage of apps - the "aire" at the entrance to the campsite is just a service point, you can't park there. Similarly, "another 800m" puts Léhon at 2km from Dinan town centre. You wouldn't want to do that walk in this heat! :eek:

Its not a disadvantage the official aire is of course in the apps and recommended in the reviews.

I was merely pointing out that if the aire is full - as many were when we we've been in France the app quickly show all the alternatives nearby. You can look at the reviews and know whether its worth bothering with.

CelticRambler

Mmmmmmmmmm. Not if the app directs you to a borne with no parking, or an aire with 4 places when the one you're at has 20 and they're already full. IMO, in those situations, you're better off just driving on and finding a nice spot by the side of the road. There'll probably be half a dozen other campers already there!

The problems with apps & websites in that situation are that (a) you may need an internet connection; (b) everyone else arriving before and after you will be reading the same reviews and heading for the same place; (c) it's the end of the day and the last thing you want is to be following wild geese!

It's at times like this that France Passion comes into its own, because the sites are hidden from non-members and apps.

moodrater

CelticRambler wrote: »

Mmmmmmmmmm. Not if the app directs you to a borne with no parking, or an aire with 4 places when the one you're at has 20 and they're already full. IMO, in those situations, you're better off just driving on and finding a nice spot by the side of the road. There'll probably be half a dozen other campers already there!

The problems with apps & websites in that situation are that (a) you may need an internet connection; (b) everyone else arriving before and after you will be reading the same reviews and heading for the same place; (c) it's the end of the day and the last thing you want is to be following wild geese!

It's at times like this that France Passion comes into its own, because the sites are hidden from non-members and apps.

I wouldn't have been without the apps anyway. We noticed that if its really busy you just go to the next price level people would be wedged into the free aires and there would be a beautiful place a few hundred meters away empty because it cost €4. I wanted to do France Passion last year but didn't reckon the wife could walk away without buying a wheel of cheese or a case of wine

niloc1951

Last April we stayed the day under the viaduct but moved to a new Aire on Rue du Terrain des Sports at Lanvallay (N48.454302° W02.030374°) which is just a 10 minutes walk to the viaduct and a nice quiet place to spend the night.

We've also used the Aire at Léhon Tennis Club (N48.442003° W02.042673°) which has free services and is about a 15 minute walk from the old town.

SeamusG97

niloc1951 wrote: »

Last April we stayed the day under the viaduct but moved to a new Aire on Rue du Terrain des Sports at Lanvallay (N48.454302° W02.030374°) which is just a 10 minutes walk to the viaduct and a nice quiet place to spend the night.

We've also used the Aire at Léhon Tennis Club (N48.442003° W02.042673°) which has free services and is about a 15 minute walk from the old town.

We used Lanvallay for the services on the way into the aire under the bridge - so there's something to suit everybody! :D

Wherever you park Dinan is a lovely town and a great last night/first night stop on the way in or out.

m8

Benbecul97 wrote: »

Well, their holiday accomodation is in a motorhome so more appropriate where it is, I think.

Y I don't think OP wants to hear a daily mantra of "Are we there yet?":D

How did you know that was her mantra

m8

The wife said we would be mad not to visit disneyland paris as a suprise for the little one, how handy is this to visit?

I'm sure some have done this but just wondering that handiest way about it?

If we did got to eurodisney would we have any problems getting tickets?

SeamusG97

m8 wrote: »

The wife said we would be mad not to visit disneyland paris as a suprise for the little one, how handy is this to visit?

I'm sure some have done this but just wondering that handiest way about it?

If we did got to eurodisney would we have any problems getting tickets?

There's a big carpark which has a motorhome section - I couldn't find any services there though I think they were meant to be available.

You pay at the barrier on entry and there is a daily charge after that which you can pay at an office nearby.
It's quite expensive per day but there isn't (or wasn't in 2012) any barrier on the exit...;)

We queued up for tickets at the entry to the park in the morning and it wasn't a problem although there was a wait of about 45mins (It was early July).

CelticRambler

m8 wrote: »

The wife said we would be mad not to visit disneyland paris as a suprise for the little one, how handy is this to visit?

:eek:

If you're going to drive 600km, at least go to France! :pac:

Your wife is mad. If going to Disney is important for your daughter, then make it a trip in itself, it's really not a good add-on to a driving/campering holiday. Don't forget you've got to do the 600km back to Roscoff afterwards (with the "are we there yet" still going strong).

Puy du Fou is muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuch better value for money. And the camper-park is free. (Though possibly a bit old for your daughter)

m8

CelticRambler wrote: »

:eek:

Puy du Fou is muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuch better value for money. And the camper-park is free. (Though possibly a bit old for your daughter)

She might be a bit young for this one ok.

moodrater

m8 wrote: »

The wife said we would be mad not to visit disneyland paris as a suprise for the little one, how handy is this to visit?

I'm sure some have done this but just wondering that handiest way about it?

If we did got to eurodisney would we have any problems getting tickets?

Might be worth checking the height requirements, might be too small for a lot of the rides: http://www.dlpguide.com/planning/advice/ride-restrictions/

Parc Asterix it worth considering has way more rides for smallies and is about 1/3 the price: http://www.parcasterix.fr/en/attractions

m8

moodrater wrote: »

Might be worth checking the height requirements, might be too small for a lot of the rides: http://www.dlpguide.com/planning/advice/ride-restrictions/

Parc Asterix it worth considering has way more rides for smallies and is about 1/3 the price: http://www.parcasterix.fr/en/attractions

Thanks moderator
Anything over nearer the west coast worth visiting?

*Kol*

m8 wrote: »

The wife said we would be mad not to visit disneyland paris as a suprise for the little one, how handy is this to visit?

I'm sure some have done this but just wondering that handiest way about it?

If we did got to eurodisney would we have any problems getting tickets?

It's very handy. You just pay in and you are there. Make sure to arrive before thee entrance gates close though. There is no electric hook up but there is toilet and grey water emptying and a water source if you have a container. There are also showers there. You are first there in the morning (as long as you get out of bed) and you can be last to leave in the evening if you like. And it's a short walk back to the car park. And it is a car park so it's like an aire. The beauty is you stay as long as you need to see the park and then continue with the hols. Just need to make sure you have what you need stocked up before you go in as the nearest place to buy anything is a petrol station down the road. I would say it's a good way to do Disney. You can go to the other places but for small kids it has to be Disney. I would listen to your wife (and you know you want to go to Disney too!!!)

Martin_D

Reading through this thread - not so sure about strong recommendations for Aires only (yes handy but not all are the holiday of dreams for 5 year old and parents on first visit to France) I'd go for Municipal sites for most part and a more up market site for a few days as base to settle into. Some municipal sites are worth the visit - was in a good one at Sable-sur-Sarte a few days ago - small swimming pool, play area, and free access to race meeting at adjoining racecourse - €14.
La Rochelle is a great destination - surely use of a site for a few days is the ideal base - many sites a bit away will have a bus route close by getting you there for the obligatory trip to the City itself - stayed at chantillion plage a few years ago - great spot. Handy bus outside the site to La Rochelle - cheap.
As a first trip you are bypassing hundreds of great locations that will live in the memory for years - including South Brittany (weather had been brilliant for past weeks). There is nothing like setting up all your gear for a few days and leaving it out while you head of to explore the area by bike, on foot, bus - you can't do that in an Aire (and they are a great facility too but this is you big holiday - don't be too frugal in approach - diesel costs going South pay for great facilities closer than that). BTW Limousin region is worth a visit but not this time - Limoges tomorrow - fine porcelain on the menu (but not to buy)

SeamusG97

*Kol* wrote: »

It's very handy. You just pay in and you are there. Make sure to arrive before thee entrance gates close though. There is no electric hook up but there is toilet and grey water emptying and a water source if you have a container. There are also showers there. You are first there in the morning (as long as you get out of bed) and you can be last to leave in the evening if you like. And it's a short walk back to the car park. And it is a car park so it's like an aire. The beauty is you stay as long as you need to see the park and then continue with the hols. Just need to make sure you have what you need stocked up before you go in as the nearest place to buy anything is a petrol station down the road. I would say it's a good way to do Disney. You can go to the other places but for small kids it has to be Disney. I would listen to your wife (and you know you want to go to Disney too!!!)

I agree. Time available decides on how far you want to travel/how long you have to stay. We spent two days out of a six week trip so it wasn't that big a deal. It is worth two days (but not more in imho) for kids of all ages. That includes me.
If you have any more than a week or so it would be well worth it but I wouldn't personally make it the entire focus of a holiday - there's too much nearby that would be a shame to miss. There's plenty to see in Normandy/Brittany that could be woven in with a visit. Versailles is on the way and a logical overnight. *Kol* is spot on. A lot of it is designed to seperate you from your money. Stock up beforehand and let your conscience decide if you want to pay the exorbitant parking fees when you leave. A great one-off experience and the lightshow at the end of the night at the Castle is unmissable.

CelticRambler

For info, as much reference has been made in this thread to Brittany and Normandy, be aware that the Breton and Norman farmers are protesting this week. They've been trying to block all access to Caen and le Mont St. Michel, and are engaging in "opération escargot" on the A28 (driving a convoy of tractors at <25kmh). The M.St.M retailers have fought back today and got the barricades lifted, but the farmers have promised to return ...

Summary of the situation at 9am this morning (copied from Le Parisien:

Dans le Calvados
- Barrage bloquant A84 (deux sens) à Verson (en amont de la Porte de Bretagne).
- Blocage du périphérique de Caen à la hauteur de Mondeville.
- Route fermée à Saint-Germain-la-Blanche-Herbe situé à proximité de l'échangeur Bessin
- Route fermée à Bretteville-sur-Odon situé à proximité de l'échangeur 09-Porte de Bretagne
- Route fermée à Fleury-sur-Orne situé à proximité de l'échangeur 11-Suisse Normande
- Route fermée à Cormelles-le-Royal

Dans la Manche
- A84 - Route fermée à Poilley dans le sens Rennes - Caen
Selon la FDSEA, une réunion est prévue cet après-midi à Saint-Lô entre les agriculteurs du département et des représentants locaux et nationaux de la grande distribution.

Dans l'Orne
- Barrage filtrant sur la RN 12, de Alençon vers Mayenne.
- Barrage filtrant D438, entrée de SEES
- Barrage filtrant à Flers; Le carrefour de Saint-Geoges-des-Groseillers est bloqué. Autre manifestation entre la D924 et la D964 vers le magasin Carrefour.

Dans l'Eure
Alors que les éleveurs ont bloqué, lundi, les abattoirs du Neubourg et trois grandes surfaces, ils prévoient de bloquer dans la journée des accès à Evreux. Des agriculteurs viennent de déverser du fumier devant les enseignes Carrefour et Cora.

Translation of the last phrase: Farmers have just dumped manure in front of the Carrefour and Cora supermarkets. That's their protest of choice at the moment.

Nekarsulm

Fair play to them. Not afraid to show politicians and Supermarket Multiples what is happening to the fabric of the countryside.
I will be on the baricade with a bottle of wine to share around, if I come across any protests next month.

CelticRambler

... yeah, right. You do realise that what they want is for the customer to pay more for their cheap and nasty product that they can't sell to the Russians, and to stop all better quality (Irish!) imports. Oh, and these are the same farmers that have killed off the oyster fields of Brittany through excessive use of fertilisers (but hey, blue-green algae looks great on the postcards). They're also the same farmers that persuaded the goverment that the rest of us should pay 5cts a litre more for our diesel aswell as road tolls so that they don't have to pay any tolls (or road/vehicle tax) at all ...

Well in any case, they've moved the protest up to Lille this afternoon, and co-incidentally, the unemployable dockers blocked access to the Channel Tunnel again. If they put as much effort into researching and marketing new business ideas, they might actually help reduce France's ever-worsening unemployment. Still, I'm sure your support will make up for the several thousand jobs that have been lost in the last month by the government giving in to vandalism. Just remember not to eat in McDonalds while you're here.

Nekarsulm

Would you like to explain the mechanism whereby a farmers car /van/ truck can use the toll roads without paying while a plumbers etc. Is charged?
If they negotiated a lower tax on diesel it's because their union is more powerful than your union.
And of course farmers produce cheap & nasty produce, so all that cheese and meat and wine etc that visitors enjoy so much, must all be imported.
As usual, farmers who refuse to conveniently vanish from the beautiful countryside ( which is of course expresselly there for others enjoyment) are considered throwbacks and eyesores to be despised.

moodrater

France accounts for about a third of agricultural land in the whole EU yet agriculture including foresty and fishing is less than 2% of Frances GDP. Goes to show how undervalued food is.

CelticRambler

Nekarsulm wrote: »

Would you like to explain the mechanism whereby a farmers car /van/ truck can use the toll roads without paying while a plumbers etc. Is charged?

Easy: these are Breton farmers (with a few Normans lending moral support) and there are no road-tolls in Brittany.

Nekarsulm wrote: »

If they negotiated a lower tax on diesel it's because their union is more powerful than your union.

They didn't negotiate a lower tax on diesel. They decided (unilaterally) that a new eco-tax, based on the "polluter pays" principle, shouldn't apply to them, so they destroyed the infrastructure, literally demolishing the equipment that had been put in place to implement it, at a cost of 0.5-1m€ per incident. This would have forced foreign transporters to pay tax in France, alongside the French hauliers. Instead, the government capitulated (again), abandonned the scheme (now at a cost of 1,200m€) and decided to put 5ct/litre on diesel to compensate. Foreign drivers can fill up before they use the French roads; the farmers, of course, get "green" diesel and are exempt while the rest of the country - i.e. the average food-eating consumer - has no choice but to pay.

Today, access to the Mont. St. Michel is closed (too bad if you're a legitimate business on the island) as is the Lascaux cave site (WTF has that got to do with the price of pork?)

As always, www.bison-fute.gouv.fr/maintenant.html gives up-to-the-minute information on road closures (these will be maked manifestation sociale or barrage bloquant )

Freedive Ireland

Just back from a great two weeks there. Had a party to attend south of Toulouse so Cherbourg - Mont St michael, - Prefailles- Isle de ray- cap ferret by ferry a few days there then Aush and on to party in the foot of the Pyrennes (well they were in sight anyway) we gave ourselves three days to get back to cherbourg and took in a quick stop to the Normandy beaches on the way back (obviously needs a far more thorough visit). Definitely will be back for a more sectioned holiday in a particular region but we had a mission in the party.

We saw evidence of the protests at Mont St.M and one other spot but luckily weren't really inconveinced by it. Stuck to green and yellow roads only a small amount of motor way and packed in churches, lighthouses, chateaux, wine taste and buying at a belle maison along with a quick dive and some crap surf at cap Ferret. Weather was a mixed bag but overall great.

Over 14 nights we used 3 aires and only had to pay at one of them and pay for water at one other although we wern't staying. police asked us and a few others to move on from one car park near a beach but gave us directions to the €6 a night aire 2kaway or free in the village 6k away. Couldn't have been nicer. Great facilities, people were very friendly and on one occasion when asking directions we were just told suivant moi and the lady took us there out of her way.

Got a few strange looks with the surfboards on the roof rack in the middle of France and added several inches to the waistline via twice daily bagguettes and rillettes.

On advice here I got ADAC cover but never had any reason to use thankfully. Could not get over the price differences in diesal, we were never on motorways but in a small town one carrrefour had it at 1.10/l and the garage across the road was at 1.19/l 1.25 and 1.30l a few miles up the road.

Had a few moments of trouble driving when i got back here on the other side of the road. Great trip all in and will be back again asap I hope.

Many thanks to the different contributors on various threads here I had read up on.