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

Just back from Camping Les Trois Vallees in Argeles-Gazost in the Pyrennes. No beach but has the mountains (much better IMHO). Lively, excellent kids clubs, onsite facilities are very good, and a few minutes walk to the town. Second time there. Tends cooler than elsewhere so think mid-20s (though did have 30+ in early July). Obviously can rain at anytime.

I know we paid in cash at a Super U near Talmont-Saint-Hilaire

Super helpful thanks everyone 😊 has put my mind at ease.

Hope you got to do the mountain Petit Train d'Artouste

If there are free now, there's no guarantee they're not booked.

Would you not just email or phone the campsite?

@mr_edge_to_you Appreciate you checking earlier, we weren't sure about coming the whole way from Cherbourg this evening but we made it and it saves any driving tomorrow. Hope my answer above didn't seem a bit curt, it was a very brief pause in a more or less non stop trek from Cherbourg but we're here now and I have a glass in front of me :)

What I do is to put my route into Google maps and then use the search on route function to search for a McDonalds - it shows all of the McDonalds and I pick the most convenient one.

mc Donald’s might be up your only bet. Supermarkets only open till 1 or 2 and some don’t even open on Sundays. There’s a McDonald’s just off the roundabout up near auchan supermarket there’s a burger king too a bit down the road one of those are your likely only option.

Don't judge me, but we often stop off in Buffallo grill. Its a weird tacky place, but the kids love it and service is quick if you just want somewhere to stop off quickly with kids before or after the ferry. Its also not far off your route and you can park outside.

Here 2 weeks now in the Vendée. Have been at supermarkets in St Gille CdV, St Hilaire dR and St Jean dM - the supermarkets no longer have manned kiosks.

You okay cash Inn advance to buy a voucher. Otherwise use your card and they seem to put a block on it.

No idea what the prices would be, but right now on the road to Fermoy I'm behind a campervan saying "rent me". Company is roadsurfer.com .At a quick glance it looks as if you can take it to anywhere in Europe.

Here's one from Hertz for 11 days in the Loire.

I feel I'm in a position to answer this as we did our France trip last year while Mrs Bob was 7 months pregnant on our 3rd, with the others similar ages.

On the holiday, be realistic with plans. Limit walking to an extent. Keeping the two kids happy at pool/playground is invaluable. If the older child is happy to go to kids club, that also helps dramatically. It's definitely something that can be enjoyable, but it is a holiday where Daddy is on full time, so enjoy that!

Headlights, I wouldn't worry about it. For years I put the beam converters on my Landcruiser, but mainly because the headlights are so high up on that, and we did do long motorway blasts at night. The last two trips in a Rav4 and Peugeot , the converters have stayed in the glovebox, and never fitted. Im not even sure if those work with matrix units Don't lose sleep over it.

Crit Air only applies in the major cities, the nearest to your holiday being Rouen, you won't be going there... so you don't need it.

Mostly enjoy the holiday, and take each day as it is. Best laid plans may change but there's always another option. Have a good time.

Just for anyone who maybe over there with Eurocamp/Mervilla Parcs. I've just received my voucher for travel in three weeks time and on reading through it, one section says that a refundable security deposit of €150 is required by either cash or card.

I was with Eurocamp last year and I somehow don't recall having to pay this. is this a new thing?

Thanks.