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Any hints and tips for France ???

  • 02-07-2008 9:43pm
    #1
    chrisblack
    Closed Accounts Posts: 161 ✭✭


    Due to our wonderful summer, we (self, wife, 3 kids under 11) are hoping to head over to France within the next month and need some advice..

    We'll be going out Cork - Roscoff and are hoping to do 3 weeks.

    We want to keep the hol as cheap as possible (doesn't everyone?), so need some info on aires - what are they, how do you find them...and also cheap, family friendly sites, near sunny beaches...

    Also it would be useful to get an idea of cost of living over there - diesel, supermarkets, eating out...

    Any advice is appreciated.

    Thanks

    Chris


Comments

  • #2
    stapeler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,086 ✭✭✭stapeler


    French Aire de Services are typically every 20 or 30 miles on the Motorways, some are beside motorway service stations with a few shops and restaurants, others are just parking areas with toilets/showers and possibly a public phone.
    Check the service stations and they should have a map of a lot of the aires.
    Not always the safest place to stay as there's reports of occasional thefts. Another consideration is the cost of using these motorways as the tools can be expensive over long distances.

    Campsites are all over the place, Alanrogers guide has a great listing and they can vary form €15 upwards. Numerous other guides available.

    There a scheme called http://www.france-passion.com The idea is that you stay in rural areas (Farmyards, vinyards etc) for free. The expectation is that you buy some of their produce before leaving.

    Another inexpensive option is the Municipal sites. Typically close to towns and villages and run buy the local council. Only a couple of euro per night with basic facilities but there can be public pools etc close by.

    Some of the big visitor attractions tend to have free overnight parking with water facilities etc. Well worth a visit is www.puydufou.com (Vendee region) and has over night parking. Kids would love it with lots to see and do.

    Food shopping seems quiet reasonable there, beer & wine good value.
    Diesel prices quiet similiar to here. Supermarket diesel usually quiet a bit cheaper than the motorway prices

    I'll try dig out some more info tomorrow, If you have any more specefic questions post here, Also have you any idea what areas you plan to visit?


  • #3
    muint
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 120 ✭✭muint


    Hi
    Just got back form 2 weeks in France. Biggest expense was the diesel at 1.50 a litre, especially if you are planning on doing big mileage. Supermarkets like Leclerc, Carrefour and Auchan have fantastic ranges of bread, meats fruits and cheeses. Not to mention the wine......
    Have a ball


  • #4
    chrisblack
    Closed Accounts Posts: 161 ✭✭chrisblack


    Not been able to get on here for a few days, so thanks for the replies..

    Not sure where in France we'll be going to - just want to chase some sun and hit some beaches with the kids... I like the sound of the cheap municipal sites..

    Once we've got more of an idea where we're going, I'll see if anyone has got some more region specific info.

    Chris


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