France Ferry & Campsite info (use Search function) mod warning post 1

MorganIRL

First Up wrote: »

There's a few places close to the port. My preference would be the Wine Centre ("La Cave".) Some people swear by the place with the big London bus out front but that's too booze cruisey for my taste. I generally prefer to buy where the French do. If you are close to or passing Morlaix you could look into Le Clerc or Intermarché. If you don't like what you see, you'll pass a few places on the way into Roscoff.

Have used "la cave" albeit 3 yrs ago now and found them very helpful and a pleasure. And the wine they helped me pick was lovely after all that. Win win

mirrorwall14

Do we have to print any of the documents for Euroamp or stenaline? We don’t have a printer and usually work digitally out of a google drive folder but just had a bit of a panic attack

54and56

MorganIRL wrote: »

Have used "la cave" albeit 3 yrs ago now and found them very helpful and a pleasure. And the wine they helped me pick was lovely after all that. Win win

100% agree with that. The years we go out via Roscoff but home via Cherburg (like this year) I email Solenne (contact@wine-centre.com) and order what we want to bring home for collection on arrival at Roscoff. She always has it ready on a pallet truck and it only adds 5 minutes to our journey.

This works for us because there are a couple of wines we like to bring home so we get some cases of those and then put them aside when we get to the campsite.

I'm sure there are lot's of equally good caves all over but if you don't know one and you're going to be near Roscoff you won't go wrong with Solenne and Vincent in www.wine-centre.com.

FYI - they tend to focus on good value wines rather than ultra cheap/volume wines.

Gavlor

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

Do we have to print any of the documents for Euroamp or stenaline? We don’t have a printer and usually work digitally out of a google drive folder but just had a bit of a panic attack

You should be fine, the reps will have your details it’s more to ensure you get all the extras that you paid for

First Up

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

MorganIRL wrote: »

Have used "la cave" albeit 3 yrs ago now and found them very helpful and a pleasure. And the wine they helped me pick was lovely after all that. Win win

100% agree with that. The years we go out via Roscoff but home via Cherburg (like this year) I email Solenne (contact@wine-centre.com) and order what we want to bring home for collection on arrival at Roscoff. She always has it ready on a pallet truck and it only adds 5 minutes to our journey.

This works for us because there are a couple of wines we like to bring home so we get some cases of those and then put them aside when we get to the campsite.

I'm sure there are lot's of equally good caves all over but if you don't know one and you're going to be near Roscoff you won't go wrong with Solenne and Vincent in www.wine-centre.com.

FYI - they tend to focus on good value wines rather than ultra cheap/volume wines.

It is the best Roscoff outlet I've been in recently. There used to be a place right at the port run by an English couple that specialised in interesting wines from small producers but I think they retired. Gone now anyway.

But I still prefer to buy in places where the French buy their wine all the time and not where the shop doesn't expect to see the customer again.

littledubs

Hi Im wondering if anybody can help me
Im torn between Le Grande Metairire and Les Mouettes campsites. Please can somebody help!! Which is better?

littledubs

hi Im currently torn between La Grande Metairie and Les Mouettes. Any help at all would be great. We want a bit of a treat. Thanks

54and56

First Up wrote: »

It is the best Roscoff outlet I've been in recently. There used to be a place right at the port run by an English couple that specialised in interesting wines from small producers but I think they retired. Gone now anyway.

But I still prefer to buy in places where the French buy their wine all the time and not where the shop doesn't expect to see the customer again.

My impression of Solenne and Vincent is that they are building a traditional family business based on long term relationships and although most of their customers are off the boat and therefore may not generally be expected to be seen again they are in fact building a repeat customer base from people like ourselves who may only visit them once a year but when we do we leave a fair few Euro's with them.

First Up

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

First Up wrote: »

It is the best Roscoff outlet I've been in recently. There used to be a place right at the port run by an English couple that specialised in interesting wines from small producers but I think they retired. Gone now anyway.

But I still prefer to buy in places where the French buy their wine all the time and not where the shop doesn't expect to see the customer again.

My impression of Solenne and Vincent is that they are building a traditional family business based on long term relationships and although most of their customers are off the boat and therefore may not generally be expected to be seen again they are in fact building a repeat customer base from people like ourselves who may only visit them once a year but when we do we leave a fair few Euro's with them.

Of course they want to build repeat business from boat traffic. That's fine but its not like shops that deal every week of the year with customers who are knowledgeable about their wine - and who don't hesitate to make a fuss if they are not happy.

molly dolly

Icsics wrote: »

Great advice there Molly. Speedy Exit is crucial when travelling with kids, it’s the reason we changed from Brittany Ferries. We also feeeze the milk before traveling, so nice cool milk 4 breakfast & on arrival! Red Bus is great to stock up & if u order online it’ll be ready 4 collection & they give u a little discount (also good toilet stop!)

Hard won experience I'm afraid. The year we were 90 mins stuck waiting to disembark was so trying I was tempted to stop at the WBS on the way down . . . I swear Im not granny clampett.

I will counter my rec of wbs as someone who knows nada about wine other then I know what I like and what I dont. We're always in awe of the serious shoppers with their research. The supermarkets are good sources too. I like Kir Royale and Mimosas. The liquers to make this are very reasonale in france and a good choice shopping (think €5). Always a nice addition to fizz on Christmas eve and a nice memory from hols. Himself also likes the Brehon ciders so stocks up in Supermarkets. Also have a memory of picking up a humongous bottle of vodka for €15 two year ago. Though last year no supermarket booze as we got caught by shops being closed for national holiday on 15/08, Travelled back on 16th but decided to forgo booze for D Day beaches which made a big impression on our 12 year old. (the ww2 stuff not us forgoing booze - again responsible parent) ;-)

olearydc

Hi all

Wondering if any of you folks going to France have breakdown cover
We have normal breakdown cover but thinking do we need it for the 2 weeks. I had called the AA who we are members of but they wanted 117 Euros extra which I thought was a bit steep (car is 5 years old, solid so far)
Who has used what before as I may go with someone else if a bit cheaper

Thanks

Stone Deaf 4evr

olearydc wrote: »

Hi all

Wondering if any of you folks going to France have breakdown cover
We have normal breakdown cover but thinking do we need it for the 2 weeks. I had called the AA who we are members of but they wanted 117 Euros extra which I thought was a bit steep (car is 5 years old, solid so far)
Who has used what before as I may go with someone else if a bit cheaper

Thanks

if your car breaks down over, you'll regret not having spent that 117 euros. look back the thread, there are plenty cautionary tales.

also - make sure you know exactly what kind of cover you're getting - being towed to the nearest garage isn't much help if you're 200km from the boat.

wall

I think we bought break down cover with Irish Ferries last year? It may have been €32.

wall

Anyone bought a cheap gas BBQ in France?
None provided at Aloha, thinking of buying one for the 18 days there. There’s a Super-U near enough.

54and56

wall wrote: »

Anyone bought a cheap gas BBQ in France?
None provided at Aloha, thinking of buying one for the 18 days there. There’s a Super-U near enough.

Two things:-

1. Make sure the use of gas BBQ's is permitted in the campsite/local area before you make a purchase. Some campsites/areas ban them for various reasons including the risk of starting a forest fire.

2. Make sure you can get a supply of gas before buying the BBQ. It can be a hassle if you don't already have a gas bottle to exchange.

wall

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Two things:-

1. Make sure the use of gas BBQ's is permitted in the campsite/local area before you make a purchase. Some campsites/areas ban them for various reasons including the risk of starting a forest fire.

2. Make sure you can get a supply of gas before buying the BBQ. It can be a hassle if you don't already have a gas bottle to exchange.

I checked that out first ok, all types of bbqs allowed, they sell charcoal ones in their store they say.
I read somewhere that someone was able to buy their gas in a Super-U. You pay a deposit for the bottle, a bit like here, but I wonder if you get your deposit back or not, I don’t think They give it back here.

Mickyjoek

wall wrote: »

Anyone bought a cheap gas BBQ in France?
None provided at Aloha, thinking of buying one for the 18 days there. There’s a Super-U near enough.

If it is not with your accommodation, you can hire them on site for a small fee.

Peckham

Anyone have a number I can ring to join ADAC? Website is a bit messy as it's looking for German postcodes, phone numbers etc.

The number I found online (00 49 89 76766632) is ringing out.

kindalen

I rang ADAC today and was told they are no longer selling policies outside Germany. Went with AXA, link below.

https://oqs.rescue24.com/quickquote.aspx?id=986f1e79-06aa-43a0-a0d5-f54791c62f71

josip

Anyone know of an insurer that does competitive rates for 2 months outside Ireland?
But less than 31 days in EU countries.
Best I can find is €224 with the AA

webpal

Mickyjoek wrote: »

If it is not with your accommodation, you can hire them on site for a small fee.

A small fee compared to the price of your holiday but a massive fee compared to the price of the bbq:)

wall

Mickyjoek wrote: »

If it is not with your accommodation, you can hire them on site for a small fee.

They said they don’t hire them.

MorganIRL

Thanks kindalen for the link.

kindalen wrote: »

I rang ADAC today and was told they are no longer selling policies outside Germany. Went with AXA, link below.

https://oqs.rescue24.com/quickquote.aspx?id=986f1e79-06aa-43a0-a0d5-f54791c62f71

feedthegoat

Thinking of extending stay in France, staying in Le Clary Place, any idea of a nice site further south - perhaps around Bordeaux?

mikerd4

No can do on the speedy exit. I left it too late. Hoping Irish Ferries honour that i can be parked on the lower deck so not to bottom out on the ramp up to the upper deck.

Mickyjoek

webpal wrote: »

A small fee compared to the price of your holiday but a massive fee compared to the price of the bbq:)

last year it was €2 a day.

Mickyjoek

wall wrote: »

They said they don’t hire them.

Charcoal they have Gas no. But charcoal is real BBQing.

aquarius10

aquarius10 wrote: »

I can’t find any thread suitable so please move this if it’s not suited to this thread.
We want to take a break from the ferry and Looking at Park Albatros in Italy for our next holiday but I don’t know who to book with ? Who has the nicest caravans in Italy ?
Do we need to book a year in advance for Italy or is it ok to wait till September?

We have booked previously with Eurocamp who are ok but their caravans are dated and the new ones are rip off but saw Roan caravans on previous holidays and they looked lovely and newer than Eurocamp ?

Vacansoleil also have caravans on site ... are they new or how good are they ?

The kids who are 6 & 7 are not pushed about kids clubs.

If anyone has any advice on which operator has nicest caravans for decent price please reply

Thank you

Anyone ??

webpal

Mickyjoek wrote: »

last year it was €2 a day.

That's very reasonable, we paid €12 a night last year

Ninesell

You could also look at Human Travel for Parc Albatros. I haven’t stayed with them but saw some good reviews of the mobiles.