Taking food into France

That was certainly a problem for us last October, when there were refinery strikes.  We were on our way home and staying at Neufchatel-en-Bray when there were real problems.  Nothing to be had at any of the fuel stations nearby, and not wishing to use more fuel driving round, we tried again next day; hit lucky at LeClerc up the road, but were limited to 50 Euros.  Drove further north and found all stations without fuel until the A16, and miraculously they'd just had a delivery, so topped up again, phew!

I agree Steve, we've holidayed in France for decades, and have met some really friendly French people, but when they strike, you know about it, especially when it concerns fuel of course.

We're booked in May, so will have to wait and see how things are then.

What a terrible thing it would be to be for a retired person such as myself to be stuck in France late summer, with food and wine in abundance just a short cycle ride from my favourite site. I can think of far worse things in life.

Our whole reason for going is to tour, ending up in Provence to visit family. Therefore, it would defeat the whole reason for the visit however nice the weather or location we were stuck at.

"I can think of far worse things in life"

Like being caught up in a riot, for instance? 🤷🏻‍♂️

"It's food, Jim, but not as we know it"

OK, I've over simplifying things and I'll put neck out, but:-

Folk do not generally happen across a riot and get caught up in one. They are usually known about, especially the place, and as such you do not go near them.

I'm 62, originally from Merseyside, and of the age when things kicked off badly in Merseyside whilst I was away at university. As it was coming to the end of term the riots in Liverpool were all over the tv, in the press etc. I asked my mum what it was like and she said terrible, frightening etc. Dad then came on the phone and put a better perspective on it. They were 15 miles away in an area known for unrest. If you wanted to get into trouble you went there, but normal people did not.

Hopefully I will not see any riots on the French campsites in Sept.

 

Colin

Yesterdays Euronews was showing road blocks as well as blocking of refineries.

peedee

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And all the better for it.......

Last October 75% of the countries service stations had no diesel and those that had were rationing how much you could have.

if you are low on diesel and cant find a filling station then you are "involved" , we changed our ferry crossing to Portsmouth - Santander after being advised by 2 sites we were planning to stop over on our way thru France that the area had no diesel. I guess if you are a Caravanner you can leave the caravan on site and explore some of the more remote areas in search of diesel, but very risky.  

p.s. as for food, never had a problem April 22, even took the dogs favourite foods dried and tinned

Nothing changes over there!

 In Sepember 2000 we were on a campsite near Arles when the French did all that same stuff.  There was no fuel to be had but we had food and wine and were sitting it out when we got a phone call to say that  mother had been taken to hospital  - and with no fuel there was no way of us driving back.

But being a military base the airport at Nimes was still open and RyanAir was flying in once a day, so we booked the last two seats to Stansted. The site owner said leave the caravan with me, and told us that although the motorway was blocked the road through Arles town and over the Trinquetaille bridge was still open. So we parked the car on the top floor of the airport multi storey - under a light and within range of CCTV - and went home. 

And a fortnight later we went back to pour money into the airport car park machine and collect our belongings.

That’s the year the Club told us afterwards that they didn’t insure unattended caravans left overseas so we changed the insurance in case it ever happened again.