France dos and dont s

killalanerr · 15-06-2011 11:41pm #1

Haven't had one of theses for a while,as we are ramping up for our tip to France ,here are a few of my dos and donts for traveling in Europe in no particular order feel free to add your own

do not over plan if you spend your time rushing from place to place you can miss so much

do use the aries it is wild camping but not as we irish know it but also do use the sites as well especially if you have kids they put the irish sites to shame

do use a map sat navs are super but they do bring you on some funny trips some times also if you read the map you get a better feel for the area

do not use motorways ,unless you have a long distance to cover stay off the motorway they are expensive and one motorway looks pretty much like another

do not stay more than 3 days in the same place, thats why you bought a motorhome !

do keep a few notes in a little black book it can come in so handy when you revist a area ( mine was i little blue book and i left it in the last van i sold if the new owner is on er can i have it back please)

that should get the ball rolling

spaceHopper · 15-06-2011 11:47pm

do spend between 4:50 and 6 euros on a bottle of wine and buy are least two, sample them there and keep notes, keep the labels if they are nice or take a photo with your phone so you can buy them again to bring home.

elaverty · 15-06-2011 11:48pm

Just a quick one,,,,Do you have to use beam benders when going to France,,,,I wont be driveing at night,, but as regard geting pulled over or stuff will LE GARDA take me away and lock me up for 6yrs,,,if i havnt got them...

WildWater · 16-06-2011 12:07am

Do you need one of those square red and white reflector if you are carrying bikes on the bike rack? It's obviously a requirement in Germany as all the Germans have them but what about France?

killalanerr · 16-06-2011 12:20am

@elaverty I'm not sure what the legal requirements are but i have never fitted them and never had any bother

@WildWater again i dont own one but always bring the bikes ,must add to the do list,do always bring your bikes to france it is one of the most bike friendly countrys in the world with miles of safe cycle tracks

WildWater · 16-06-2011 12:03pm

Thanks, Killalanerr. We have done France in the car many times but this year will be our first time in the camper. Three weeks in France this summer sure can't wait. We will be bringing our bikes as we intend to do lots of cycling so I was wondering about the reflector.

@ elaverty Re beam benders. The first time we went we paid a ridiculous sum of money for AA beam adjusters. These were nothing more than black stickers. So the poor mans version is to use insulation or duct tape cut to shape. If you don't intend to travel at night the exact shape you cut and location you place it on the light is not exactly too critical.

Our case history:
First trip: bought AA beam adjusters
Second trip: poor mans version as above
All subsequent trips: never bothered

niloc1951 · 16-06-2011 3:18pm

Aires,
Do use those provided by the local town council, they will be sign posted and usually the parking is specifically reserved for 'camping-cars'. If you hear someone driving around the aire blowing the horn at about 9.00am..............it's the breadman with hot fresh bagettes and croissants for breakfast

:D

When moving between aires it is best to travel in morning as they can be quite full by mid afternoon in the more popular areas.

While most are free and can even have free leccy there can be a charge of between €5 & €10 in the more popular resort areas, but the fee often includes services and leccy.

NO NOT confuse these with the Aires which are rest areas on motorways and main roads, these can be most unsafe.

Most important of all, take it leisurely, forget about rushing along motorways, and enjoy being part of a welcomed sector of tourism, unlike like here in the good ould RoI.

muint · 16-06-2011 4:43pm

DO NOT use motorway aires for overnight stopovers.
Extremely dangerous with all sorts of undesirables roaming around. They have no fear and no hesitiation about robbing you........

killalanerr · 16-06-2011 6:29pm

just to be clear i did mean the aires for camping cars and not motor way services or rest areas
i have used this book https://www.vicarious-shop.com/All-the-Aires-France-3rd-edition.html or try one of theses for the french version http://www.librairie-voyage.com/?r=2&p=2&id=1169&AbId=015194

Betsy Og · 16-06-2011 10:29pm

Surprised to hear that re aires on motorway, stayed on 2 separates ones with a caravan a few years back and seemed ok. Any views on the UK ones?

danny50 · 17-06-2011 5:44pm

You don't need red/white reflector for bikerack in france ... need it in Italy.
You need Hi-viz jackets for everybody, breakdown triangle and spare bulbs.

niallam · 17-06-2011 6:01pm

spaceHopper wrote: »

do spend between 4:50 and 6 euros on a bottle of wine and buy are least two, sample them there and keep notes, keep the labels if they are nice or take a photo with your phone so you can buy them again to bring home.

Last time there we bought 90% of our bottles for €1.90-€2.20 and some of the nicest wines you could get, dont think there's any need to spend between 4.50 and 6, be like spending €20+ on a bottle of wine in Ireland.

WildWater · 22-06-2011 6:04pm

Anyone know of a good specialist camping/camper van shop in France? Anywhere along the Atlantic between Roscoff and Bordeaux. Something like Camping Kuhn in Offenburg. www.kuhnshop.de

zoltar_boi · 22-06-2011 8:47pm

A quick google found this site - http://www.top-accessoires.com/index.php

They seem to have branches all over France

WildWater · 22-06-2011 9:04pm

Thanks Zoltar, I had tried google but all i got was Decathlon. Top accessories looks good. Love going into places like this for a good look about.

zoltar_boi · 22-06-2011 9:51pm

Hope they're good - now I've found them, we might find ourselves outside one or two "by accident" this summer

WildWater · 23-06-2011 12:55am

zoltar_boi wrote: »

Hope they're good - now I've found them, we might find ourselves outside one or two "by accident" this summer

I wont have to do the "by accident" bit the first time as herself would be just as keen the 4 and 5 times would definitely have to be "by accident"

Another DO for France

Do visit Top Accessories (and if you get there before me let us know what they are like

)

Macy0161 · 23-06-2011 8:47am

Betsy Og wrote: »

Surprised to hear that re aires on motorway, stayed on 2 separates ones with a caravan a few years back and seemed ok. Any views on the UK ones?

It's a long time since I lived in the UK, but the used to have a bad rep and weren't recommended for overnights. Can't see how they'd be any better than France tbh.

niloc1951 · 23-06-2011 9:14am

Do visit the CampingCar-Info and iCampingCar websites before you go.

Again, DON'T overnight on motorway or main road Aires (rest areas)

studiorat · 23-06-2011 11:11am

Spare bulbs and First Aid kit must be in the car at all times. (le law)

Repolho · 23-06-2011 1:05pm

Sorry to Hijack.

Had originally booked holidays from work for last week july & 1st week in August. We found the Ferry to France way too expensive and were just goiing to stay at home. Originally this was the only time I could get off work but I can now swap it for the middle of September (from 12th to 25th). Would this be very late in the year for camping in France in terms of weather, facilities being open etc etc.

Thanks in advance.

WildWater · 23-06-2011 1:23pm

I would go, the ferry will be a lot cheaper as will the campsites and you have every possibility of a fine September Indian Summer. Most of the campsites that I have looked at are open until october or beyond. However, be sure to look carefully at the facilities as in some campsite they will close features like the outdoor pool and other entertainments in September.

bo.jangles · 23-06-2011 2:45pm

we booked ferry to france for 1st september return on the 23rd 350 euro well worth taking a trip at that time.

niloc1951 · 23-06-2011 3:31pm

Repolho wrote: »

Sorry to Hijack.

Had originally booked holidays from work for last week july & 1st week in August. We found the Ferry to France way too expensive and were just goiing to stay at home. Originally this was the only time I could get off work but I can now swap it for the middle of September (from 12th to 25th). Would this be very late in the year for camping in France in terms of weather, facilities being open etc etc.

Thanks in advance.

If you decide to go off season (other than July & August) a subscription to ACSI Card will give you very good value and you will know in advance your campsite costs.

Repolho · 23-06-2011 4:32pm

Think I might just give it a punt so

.

dfbemt · 23-06-2011 4:34pm

In France at the moment so here are my 2 tips

- free wifi in McDonalds if you like to keep in touch
- diesel is €1.35 off motorway so fill up when you get here and fill up before you leave

Weather is just ok but we're here. Let the fun commence.......

newwifey · 24-06-2011 12:46pm

DO bring your own tinned baked beans.
The french don't know what these are. The only place you'll find them is in the ex-pat aisle of the bigger supermarkets. Then you'll pay 4 times the price for them.

Thats my little gem of wisdom:D

sunchaser · 24-06-2011 6:39pm

For those of you interested in Camper accessories you can also visit Narbonne Accessories, they have branches all over france.
Do register for a loyelty card at Auchen or Carafur as you can avail of discounted fuel sometimes with your card. It is cheaper to get fuel at big supermarkets than motorway services. It will pay to go off motorway to get your fuel.

crackcrack30 · 24-06-2011 9:24pm

How much booking in advance is needed for the campsites in france or is it usually safe enough to just arrive and be accommedated?.....wishfull thinking?

*Kol* · 24-06-2011 10:32pm

crackcrack30 wrote: »

How much booking in advance is needed for the campsites in france or is it usually safe enough to just arrive and be accommedated?.....wishfull thinking?

Normally you will get a site without booking. Best to ring ahead with some of the more popular sites just in case though.

dfbemt · 01-07-2011 11:02am

Cheapest fuel so far has been in Luxembourg at €1.15 !!!!! Yes, you read it right. Germany has cost us €1.33 and the cheapest so far in France has been €1.30.

Currently on a Castels site in the Comte region called Val de Bonnal. God it is just lovely here. Very quiet, not at all full. We were at the pool yesterday morning and we were the only people there until mid afternoon !! And this is a great pool with water slides, kids area, etc. We had rang in advance to book and were told not to bother just arrive. Arrived in torrential rain but glorious the next day. Planned to stay for 3 nights, will now stay for 6.

Daughter got an infection while we were in Germany. Went to doc - no charge as we had our E1-11 cards. Brought precription to chemist - again no charge for €60 worth of meds !! Doc wanted to send a sample of the infected area off for analysis and would have results back next day but we declined as we had to move on. Now that is a health service.

Went shopping at an Intermarche last night. Sun cream expensive (Factor 50 for kids was €13. Most other things are cheaper.

So my updated 2 tips
- bring your own suncreams
- bring your E1-11 card

Au revoir

elaverty · 01-07-2011 1:16pm

Can you explain the E1-11 Card please,,sounds very handy,,thanks,,

zoltar_boi · 01-07-2011 1:23pm

check out www.ehic.ie for full details, but basically makes it free and easier to get medical help in public health systems when travelling in Europe.

It does not cover private medical cover. That's why you buy insurance.

It's free, and everyone travelling needs their own. No family version available. Valid for 2 years. Takes 10 days to get one (our so their site says)

bo.jangles · 01-07-2011 2:19pm

THANKS just checked mine out off date since YESTERDAY

.

zoltar_boi · 01-07-2011 2:25pm

bo.jangles wrote: »

THANKS just checked mine out off date since YESTERDAY .

You can renew on line, which should be quicker.

WildWater · 07-07-2011 12:16pm

Oh just thought of one...

When on the ferry to France turn your phone to silent before you go to sleep!

Right pain getting texts saying welcome to vodaphone UK/O2 Uk in the middle of the night as the ferry passes the south west coast of England.

niloc1951 · 07-07-2011 1:02pm

WildWater wrote: »

Oh just thought of one...

When on the ferry to France turn your phone to silent before you go to sleep!

Right pain getting texts saying welcome to vodaphone UK/O2 Uk in the middle of the night as the ferry passes the south west coast of England.

Turn it OFF, when at sea it will roam on to the onboard network, which is satellite based and costs something like 5 Euro per minute afaik.

WildWater · 07-07-2011 1:05pm

niloc1951 wrote: »

Turn it OFF, when at sea it will roam on to the onboard network, which is satellite based and costs something like 5 Euro per minute afaik.

Never had that happen me before but good to know.

aerosol · 08-07-2011 10:02pm

Buy the latest france passion edition,a bargain at €29
Some of the best places by far in France we've stayed on have been these:)http://www.france-passion.com/gb_formule.php

killalanerr · 11-07-2011 4:17pm

any one got a France passion card that maybe they night be finish with for this year that they would be willing to pass on ?

TrailerBob · 16-07-2011 4:09pm

Hi guys, just booked our camping hols in South of France, near Béziers. We're going landbridge through UK leaving 1st August - more mileage but full return ferries for €368 (Landcruiser over 1.8m high and 2 people) which is decent value.
Also got the last pitch on a 4 star site for €400 (9 nights). Good to hear that Diesel is a bit cheaper over there at the mo. Drove the jeep to Germany 2 years ago - 2and a half tanks gone!

leana · 16-07-2011 9:35pm

All the sockets on the ferries are European so if you're planning to entertain the kids with dvds make sure you've your adapter with you.

danny50 · 19-07-2011 12:32pm

Just back. If doing Cherborg don't even think u can get any wine on a Sunday .. snif sniff .. apart from normandy wine warehouse all the others are closed including Auchan and all big shops.

niloc1951 · 19-07-2011 4:02pm

danny50 wrote: »

Just back. If doing Cherborg don't even think u can get any wine on a Sunday .. snif sniff .. apart from normandy wine warehouse all the others are closed including Auchan and all big shops.

Right on.

France has retained Sunday as a 'family day' and a day of rest, as the Man above said it should be.

Will somebody remind me why we threw ours out

SARZY · 19-07-2011 4:35pm

niloc1951 wrote: »

Right on.

France has retained Sunday as a 'family day' and a day of rest, as the Man above said it should be.

Will somebody remind me why we threw ours out

While inconvenient the first time you go to the supermarket in France on a Sunday, it becomes a very impressive example of the respect for workers and their families and long may it continue.

The dawn of the Celtic Tiger and the rush to place money for hungry retailers at the very top of the political agenda.
It probably was a result of the cosy cartel that was the irish grocery trade, with the the approval of the government of the day.

Maybe the labour party will help our low paid workers who are forced to work on Sundays to make a' lifestyle choice' and spend Sundays with their families and introduce legislation to make that happen.

prob have to check with the 'troika' first though

Allez les Bleus

*Kol* · 19-07-2011 5:01pm

Don't blame the retailers. There are plenty of Consumers availing of Sunday shopping.

I do recall Cherbourg being dead on a Sunday. I am sure that is not the case with Roscoff though.

SARZY · 19-07-2011 5:19pm

*Kol* wrote: »

Don't blame the retailers. There are plenty of Consumers availing of Sunday shopping.

So when people buy illegal drugs we cant blame the dealer Or when people drink too much alcohol in a pub we cant blame the publican.

then if people avail of something then its the peoples fault

Anyway, in France, thank somebody who made it happen, supermarkets close on a Sunday so plan your wine puchases accordingly.

killalanerr · 19-07-2011 5:35pm

dont forget to have your ice packs frozen before you go so you can put them in the fridge to keep things cool when your on the ferry,avoid opening the fridge when you power off after getting on the boat lets all the could air out .

ya got caught with the Sunday closing a few times ok but once you get use to it you can work around it ,have to agree i think the French got it right on this one

jayteecork · 19-07-2011 5:42pm

killalanerr wrote: »

Haven't had one of theses for a while,as we are ramping up for our tip to France ,here are a few of my dos and donts for traveling in Europe in no particular order feel free to add your own

do not over plan if you spend your time rushing from place to place you can miss so much

do use the aries it is wild camping but not as we irish know it but also do use the sites as well especially if you have kids they put the irish sites to shame

do use a map sat navs are super but they do bring you on some funny trips some times also if you read the map you get a better feel for the area

do not use motorways ,unless you have a long distance to cover stay off the motorway they are expensive and one motorway looks pretty much like another

do not stay more than 3 days in the same place, thats why you bought a motorhome !

do keep a few notes in a little black book it can come in so handy when you revist a area ( mine was i little blue book and i left it in the last van i sold if the new owner is on er can i have it back please)

that should get the ball rolling

Do try to use proper grammar and punctuation when adding a post to this thread!

killalanerr · 19-07-2011 5:45pm

jayteecork wrote: »

Do try to use proper grammar and punctuation when adding a post to this thread!

ha ha

its like being back at school sorry sir

dfbemt · 19-07-2011 6:32pm

jayteecork wrote: »

Do try to use proper grammar and punctuation when adding a post to this thread!

Sir

The participants in this thread value the contribution made killalanerr, His tips are of value to some who are heading to France.

You are obviously trolling and are attempting to ruin a rather informative post.

I have reported your post to the mods.

Regards

dfbemt

France dos and dont s

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