Towing to the South of France for the first time

We would do that journey in three days via Rouen, Chartres (to avoid Paris) with a stop on a municipal before joining the A75 then to Millau for the second night and from there it is an easy journey onwards to Beziers. Enjoy!

Try camping salbris below orlean I think that's far a enough in one day  with a family  and have two over night stops your on holiday not in  a race drive carefully and enjoy the the French towns and villages they are really en joyable this site has alovely lake and parkland and easy walk into town

The most we have done is 500 miles in a day over a 10 hour stretch, we average 50mph including stops when towing but we are experienced and have pit stops rather than long lunches and we don't have kids in the back moaning are we there yet....

In August when we did have kids many moons ago and were not as experienced we had to pay for a hotel for the night on a couple of occasions due to all campsites being complet!!

Remember even if your ferry is on time its going to be gone 9 local time before you get off, then go thru customs and get out onto the autoroute so 440 miles say 10 hours if you are lucky and do not encounter much traffic its going to be gone 7pm or later before you get there if you are lucky.

So my advice would be to aim for around 300 miles, book a site with a pool, bar and restaurant arrive about 3 or 4 so the kids can run about and have a swim/play etc. have a nice meal  then set off early the next day to arrive on your destination site later in the day as you have booked a pitch you should be OK to arrive late and then just get on pitch and sort out everything the next day.

As for driving in France it is much easier than UK especially on autoroutes but remember to factor in the cost and would advise to get a sanef tag (others are available) to speed through the toll booths using the 30kph lanes which over a day will save you 30+minutes.

Most of all have a great time

I think really good advice Michael.  We have teenage kids and they love it if they can have a swim and a bit of time later afternoon and makes it more relaxing.  I have only pushed the mileage in a day due to the wife...just wanting to get there!

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Well Nicky, the vast majority of the advice is give yourselves an extra day each way.  When our kids were teenagers we gave ourselves a 3 week holiday to have 2 weeks in the South of France to allow for 5/6 days driving.  Be prepared for delays en route.  Would recommend avoiding Paris area and go via Rouen, Dreux,  Chatres and Orleans then A75 south; this route has minimum toll charges and is now mostly dual carriageway/motorways;  there are plenty of places to stop overnight (get the Club France Site Book), remember get to an overnight site by 4 pm and you should have no problems.  Whilst on site near Beziers look at inland Languedoc (St Chinian, Cessenon sur Orb, Orb Valley area - we used to live there) you will not be disappointed and it will be less busy!.  And of course Carcassonne but it will be busy. If you would like suggestions for more places to visit just ask.

Even at my age I could get from Calais  to Bourges in a day - but I would pay the money and use motorways all the way.

That means no messing with the money saving route via Rouen, Evreux and Dreux. I would go straight down the A1 towards Paris, turn off after the airport where the big signs say Bordeaux and take the A3 / A86 middle ring round the east side of Paris. No, not the Peripherique. 

With a 9 am. start from Calais I would aim to get to Bourges by 5pm. Sure, the autoroutes are dear, but it's time versus money, isn't it. 

Same here, once retired of course take the leisurely/cheap route but with only 2 weeks auto routes all the way, maybe even when one is retired.  French towns can get a bit repetitive as can speed humps, chicane's, roundabouts, traffic lights etc.

Can I add that I would actually cross the channel the night before, and aim for an 8 am. Start from Calais rather than after a 9 am. Ferry arrival. 

Lots of good advice here. For my pennies worth... we holiday in July / August each year near Biscasrrosee on the South West coast. Although our journey uses slightly different roads - the overall distance is very similar. We have a 5 YO and have done this journey both driving solo & towing. 

We land in France just after lunch on a Sat and drive 100 or so miles on the first day. Sunday is our main driving day where we'll rack up 350-400 miles, and finally arrive on our main site Monday after a 150 mile drive. 2x Overnight stops in total and but a relatively stress-free journey.

We do not use tolls - except to skirt around the big towns. The roads in France are exceptional for towing - especially it seems the further South you go. Many roads are also dual carriageways. We like to take in the scenery - but thats just us. Not really had a problem with traffic queuing on any of our holidays in France - in fact, it tends to be Dover that has all the delays!!

We'd always stay on a site as appose to an Aire.... and normally pre-book our 1st and last site too  - just because they tend to get busy. We've not had any problem getting on to a municipal site - just watch the opening hours as many we've stayed on have barriers!

Happy Holidays :)