Where To Drive To In France?

[knowabit]

We are looking at maybe going to France in the summer holidays, to a Eurocamp or the like. Having never been to France, other than a day trip to Calais, we have no idea which area to look at? Once off ferry we are happy to drive about 4 hours, but don't know which areas to look at?
Can anyone advise? Many thanks.

[sunny-dave]

Brittany - beautiful countryside, lovely beaches and quiet roads (even in summer) - you could get the ferry to Roscoff from Plymouth - not cheap but saves loads of driving.

[bhg481]

It would be useful to know which part of Britain you live in and what your likes/dislikes are. Paris is just about an option for the driving time specified but only if you are taking the Dover-Calais crossing and you like cities. If you live in Cornwall and/or want a beach holiday, forget it.

[puzzlemaniac]

Vendee region is also very nice, but would be a 6 hour drive from Calais. As SD suggested, you could take a different ferry and land in North Brittany, say Caen or Le Havre which would then make the Vendee about a 3 hour drive.

We used Eurocamp previously and it didn't cost more to stay at different sites, so you could stay at one for a few days and then move on.

[Buenchico]

You can find reviews of all camp sites in France here:
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/county.asp?region=France

If it's beaches you're seeking then, as S-D suggests, Brittany would probably be your best choice.

[jomifl]

St Malo is a good port to arrive at, it gives almost immediate access to lots of beautiful countryside and there it a good free almost motorway standard road with service areas all the way to the Loire at Nantes. You could spend weeks exploring Brittany which has a stunning coastline and would be a gentle introduction to France especially as the Bretons are more used to the English than a lot of France. If you haven't driven in France before stay away from Paris. I've been living and driving in France for 5 years and would only drive in Paris if there was a dire emergency.

[Buenchico]

As Jomifl says, driving in Paris is sheer madness!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTtsmBYIShA

[jomifl]

I have to go to Paris a couple of times a year and get a taxi from the airport. It is sheer madness.

[knowabit]

Thanks for answers... we are in London so I assume we would go from Dover?
Will check out some place x

[ethandron]

We towed our tourer round the rue peripherique once...and only once, never again, most hairy journey ever!
You probably need to head a bit further south than Normandy or Brittany even though they are lovely parts of france, to be sure of nice weather, the vendee has its own micro climate and is usually pretty good.
Eurocamp is a good place to start for a first trip to France, although kawan and canvas holidays are also worth a look.
Can I come with you?? :)

[jomifl]

If you are crossing at Dover take the A16 autoroute west. It is virtually empty and was free the last time I used it (5 years ago). It gives easy access to some interesting towns either inland or on the coast of which I recommend Honfleur which is just off the Autoroute and is a seafood paradise.

[bhg481]

Toll booths at Boulogne on the A16 last time I travelled that way - free from Calais to there.

[shoota]

Ferry from Portsmouth to Brittany and drop down to the Vendee coast or just a little further to Charente Maritime. La Rochelle is a good area to aim for or the Ile de Ray.
That part of the coast equals the South of France for good weather as the gulf stream hits that area but it is much less expensive. Brittany is great but is less dependable weather-wise.

[LochNessMonster]

Last time I swam to Calais found out they don't like people to speak in English to the shop owners, so I practised my French on a lovely lady. I much have been good as she smiled and Mrs Nessie hit me with her handbag?

Nessie :-(

[jomifl]

Ile de Ré ?

[bhg481]

Long drive from London (where knowabit lives) to Portsmouth, shoota and not many crossings per day to Brittany - might as well do the short crossing (Dover-Calais) and then drive on the quieter French roads.

[jomifl]

You have get south of the Loire for reliable weather in the summer, so from Le Havre/Caen that is a 4/5 hour drive.

[BlueToffee]

The Dordogne, a little further than 4 hours, and not necessarily blessed with Eurocamps, but a beautiful part of the country with some great gîtes and chambre d'hautes, whatever you decide on you'll love everything about France.

One tip though, do try and speak to them in French, even if it's only the very basics. You'll probably get away with .... Merci, s'il vous plait, bon jour, pression (draught beer) and saignant (rare steak).

Wherever you end up, enjoy your trip.

[shoota]

Lol @ shoota - dipstick......
Ile de RE
http://www.interlude.fr/

[shoota]

'London' to 'Dover' - 76 miles
'London' to 'Portsmouth' 75 miles

I too live in London and have a house in France an hour and a half inland from La Rochelle. I always use the tunnel and put up with the longer drive because of the speed and relative reliability of the crossing but to get the drive to the 'target area' within the 4 hour limit specified by knowabit you would have to cross to a Brittany port. So, depending on where knowabit lives in London, Portsmouth may well be the best option.
The crossings from there do tend to take a long time and cost a bob or three though.