Posted on 07/11/2016 17:59
We are at the planning stage and have been stumped with overnighters in France. We plan to use the two CC sites in Reims and Lyon, but wonder if anyone has any suggestions for other sites? I am not asking you to do the planning for me, but I have searched and am struggling.
We want to limit driving to around 4 hours a day.
We would like to finish up in Alicante where we have family, so any tips appreciated.
Posted on 08/11/2016 10:32
Good morning greylag,
Thank you for your enquiry.
I will add a link for you to view Winter Sites open all year.
http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/overseas-holidays/winter-escapes/open-all-year-campsites
Our Travel Team would be delighted to assist with any further information, the number to call is 01342 316101.
With kind regards.
Kimberley.
Posted on 10/11/2016 14:33
The op mentions two sites for Reims, if one of these is Au Bord de L'Aisne my info is that it is not open for tourers after the end of October except for two pitches on the Motorhome Aire. If anyone has different info I'd be pleased to know for my winter trip. I have found the only campsite open in the Reims area in winter is the municipal at Soissons.
Posted on 25/11/2016 12:32
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Val is right, and don't forget ACSI. Going to Alicante from Calais the direct route shows crossing into Spain on the med side. Arriving in France at Caen/Le Havre is a different story and staying west may be best. So with ACSI and the CC book you should have a number of sites to choose from en route and there are also the Aires, for Motorhomes only, to consider if applicable (not the ones on the Autoroutes). Of course there is also the down the middle route - Orleans, Clermont Ferrand to Beziers using the free A75 (except Millau bridge but well worth the fee). In winter it may be tricky but unlikely and you can get from Clermont area to Beziers easily in one day (almost your 4 hour limit!). Just do your research and you should be ok. Very cold central France in mid winter so be prepared. You may consider staying in an inexpensive Premier or Formula One overnight. We have done all the routes mentioned when we lived near Beziers and there are pluses and minuses for each but generally the centre one was our favoured and we never had bad weather - going south you can easily change your plan en route to avoid the A75. Be flexible, be armed with the books and don't over plan just have a rough idea, it will be sure to change! (A plan is only valid until the first contact with the enemy (weather?). PS. 4 hrs a day will make it quite a long trip time wise. PPS.If you have good sea legs and a deep walet there is also the crossing to Santander to Bilbao.
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Comeyras I have used the A75 route but never in the winter. it is the route I would like to use travelling next mid Feb. You appear to suggest that this is a perfectly reasonable route to use. We were intending to overnight just south of Clerment mainly because of a lack of open sites until you hit the coastal areas. We are towing and not using a MH.
Posted on 25/11/2016 15:13
We did the A75 route with solo car very late in Jan 14 and were lucky to get through. We ended up following a gritter truck for miles over the mountain section, got to our night stop in a Chateaux near Narbonne in the dark. It took us ages to find the accn in the dark. Many lessons learned!
BillC
greylag