This almost made me want to camp. But not quite. Lovely to read though and I miss France so much. I would have assumed more dog-friendly though as regards beaches?
yeah it is a bit of a drag I'll be honest. There are a few but they are hard to find. The French seem to flout it but we weren't comfortable doing that. I can't work out why it's a rule, especially on the massive empty beaches.
Wow that was a mammoth trip and it has been so lovely to follow along with you and Gav. You’ve almost turned me into a camper, unfortunately I am married to a man who can only manage a hotel key card. 🤷♀️🫶
Thanks so much for sharing all this information Sal. We are a 20-25 minute drive from the crossing in Kent so travel to France frequently. We have always stayed in lovely hotels but due to the cost, this is only for a few days at a time. Your blog has given me all sorts of ideas and for that i am so grateful. PS Flexi Plus, although spenny is so worth it for the ease of coming back and leaving when you want - and the 'free' goodies can keep you fed for the first day. Thanks for your generous information Cx
I have loved following along with your trip, it been great, we are off on our own van tour in 2 weeks, Lot et Garonne , Catelnaudray (this is a great stop if you are on the A61 https://www.domaine-la-capelle.fr/en/the-camping/ as they also have a chambre d'hote and they cook a fabulous cassoulet that you can pre order and is delivered to you in the evening in its own big clay pot! while youre there it would be rude not to have a quick detour to https://lapoterienot.fr and maybe hide a few nice pots under the dog !) then on to https://www.lescriques.co.uk which is bigger than we would normally stay in but location looks great - I will send a loo report! then to here https://en.cancoromines.com near Girona - which was a recommendation from a friend then finally to https://www.campingdevillemarin.fr/camping.php - we have been here before sadly no pool but v clean loos and the owner occasionally cooks something wonderful like stuffed squid with aioli or chicken with morels and you take your plate and pay 10e and have quite the feast! we liked Marseillan very much but the campings at Marseillan plage weren't really our bag so this one was our only option near the town but not at the beach and it was nice. I think you would like ile de re next tine you go ! thanks again for entertaining us all these past 5 weeks xx
PS RE DOGS, I took a photo but cant find it of a dog tied to the " no dogs allowed" sign on the beach at Montelivet - made me chuckle!! there were dogs all over the no dogs allowed beach there!!!
Am a hotel key card kinda Gal but have so enjoyed following Your adventures around France! Loved reading all about it... most especially in regards to lack of loo seat situation haha! Such amazing memories for the memory bank Sally! ❤️
Oh Sally I followed your trip every day and loved all of it. That was some drive though. You are like Timmy Mallett who completed a tour of Ireland on his bicycle. Between the two of you it has been amazing although he went on holiday for 3 months!!
You and Gav haven’t changed since circa 1993, amazing smiles.
Last time I camped was in 1980! South of France. But that was a tent not something luxurious like you had. Loved everywhere you visited and all the things you wore. From one woman to another may I just say “great legs”. Glad your house was being kept in order by your sons. I am sure they are happy to have you both home. Keep creating those amazing memories xx
Sharon you are so kind saying all of that - thank you so much!! Haha yeah, they were all glad to stand down and pass the responsibility back to us haha! xxx
Wow Sally, what a trip! We always loved our Brittany holidays when our boys were younger- we stayed in mobile homes though! You've tempted me to do a driving trip from the Somme to Normandy next year. Time to pay due respect I think. Ps Don't forget next time to do the other French/Spanish border on the Med, absolutely beautiful and Collioure is the best! X
What a fun adventure! We live in Amsterdam and sometimes drive down to camp in France, so it’s great to find so many site reviews in one place. Thanks for putting this together!
Very well timed post for me as we're back from a month in Sweden, and home to the north of Scotland the long way round via Denmark, Germany, France, and the length of England. Husband went out 2 weeks before by van (ferry to Hook of Holland), as he was sea kayaking in Sweden and did his camping bit then. (Unconverted Mercedes Vito with "custom made" 😂 sleeping platform). I then flew to Sweden and took a train to join him, and from then we stayed with Swedish friends and did Airbnb (we try only to stay in properties with the owners on site so that we can have "des échanges conviviaux" and are not blocking local housing).
I've always been "camping-averse", but somehow the trip really made me enthusiastic about a camping trip to France in the van, and I fell on your post with glee.
We know the Bordeaux/Lacanau area pretty well. Somehow at Lacanau we always end up wandering into the nudist section of the beach 😂.
This almost made me want to camp. But not quite. Lovely to read though and I miss France so much. I would have assumed more dog-friendly though as regards beaches?
yeah it is a bit of a drag I'll be honest. There are a few but they are hard to find. The French seem to flout it but we weren't comfortable doing that. I can't work out why it's a rule, especially on the massive empty beaches.
Wow that was a mammoth trip and it has been so lovely to follow along with you and Gav. You’ve almost turned me into a camper, unfortunately I am married to a man who can only manage a hotel key card. 🤷♀️🫶
haha! A man who only likes a hotel key card is definitely a keeper!!!
Brilliant read Sally. Thanks so much for sharing. Have loved your posts and reading about your adventures! Xx
Thanks so much Vicki 💞
What a wonderful experience. We are also new to this and your post has given me lots of inspiration. Welcome home x
Thanks so much Jo! xxx
Great trip, info really helpful thank you
ahh thanks Melanie!xxx
Thanks so much for sharing all this information Sal. We are a 20-25 minute drive from the crossing in Kent so travel to France frequently. We have always stayed in lovely hotels but due to the cost, this is only for a few days at a time. Your blog has given me all sorts of ideas and for that i am so grateful. PS Flexi Plus, although spenny is so worth it for the ease of coming back and leaving when you want - and the 'free' goodies can keep you fed for the first day. Thanks for your generous information Cx
ooh thanks Carole - I need to investigate the plus bit!!! Hope you manage a little sojourn soon! xxx
We are planning a trip to Annecy next year. You made it even more desirable! We are going to take our bikes too.
See you there!! we are definitely heading back xxx
I loved reading about your adventures! x
Thanks so much Rosemary! xx
I have loved following along with your trip, it been great, we are off on our own van tour in 2 weeks, Lot et Garonne , Catelnaudray (this is a great stop if you are on the A61 https://www.domaine-la-capelle.fr/en/the-camping/ as they also have a chambre d'hote and they cook a fabulous cassoulet that you can pre order and is delivered to you in the evening in its own big clay pot! while youre there it would be rude not to have a quick detour to https://lapoterienot.fr and maybe hide a few nice pots under the dog !) then on to https://www.lescriques.co.uk which is bigger than we would normally stay in but location looks great - I will send a loo report! then to here https://en.cancoromines.com near Girona - which was a recommendation from a friend then finally to https://www.campingdevillemarin.fr/camping.php - we have been here before sadly no pool but v clean loos and the owner occasionally cooks something wonderful like stuffed squid with aioli or chicken with morels and you take your plate and pay 10e and have quite the feast! we liked Marseillan very much but the campings at Marseillan plage weren't really our bag so this one was our only option near the town but not at the beach and it was nice. I think you would like ile de re next tine you go ! thanks again for entertaining us all these past 5 weeks xx
PS RE DOGS, I took a photo but cant find it of a dog tied to the " no dogs allowed" sign on the beach at Montelivet - made me chuckle!! there were dogs all over the no dogs allowed beach there!!!
oh my goodness thank you so much for all of the links!! So useful you absolute star!! Hugely appreciated! OMG poor little woofer!!!!!
Have a brilliant trip! xxxx
Am a hotel key card kinda Gal but have so enjoyed following Your adventures around France! Loved reading all about it... most especially in regards to lack of loo seat situation haha! Such amazing memories for the memory bank Sally! ❤️
Thanks Samantha! I think I am scarred for life re the loo sitch!!! Still one of the best things we have ever done :) xxxxxxx
Oh Sally I followed your trip every day and loved all of it. That was some drive though. You are like Timmy Mallett who completed a tour of Ireland on his bicycle. Between the two of you it has been amazing although he went on holiday for 3 months!!
You and Gav haven’t changed since circa 1993, amazing smiles.
Last time I camped was in 1980! South of France. But that was a tent not something luxurious like you had. Loved everywhere you visited and all the things you wore. From one woman to another may I just say “great legs”. Glad your house was being kept in order by your sons. I am sure they are happy to have you both home. Keep creating those amazing memories xx
Sharon you are so kind saying all of that - thank you so much!! Haha yeah, they were all glad to stand down and pass the responsibility back to us haha! xxx
Wow Sally, what a trip! We always loved our Brittany holidays when our boys were younger- we stayed in mobile homes though! You've tempted me to do a driving trip from the Somme to Normandy next year. Time to pay due respect I think. Ps Don't forget next time to do the other French/Spanish border on the Med, absolutely beautiful and Collioure is the best! X
I think the war stuff was some of our favourite days, it was so moving and so interesting and very emotional too - I hope you get there!
Collioure - right!! On the list! thanks so much xxxx
Loved following your travels and have saved this in the hope we can do something similar in future with all the camping toilet intel!
Haha Jo, honestly that little loo was one of the best investments ever haha! Thanks so much, we really really loved our trip xxxx
What a fun adventure! We live in Amsterdam and sometimes drive down to camp in France, so it’s great to find so many site reviews in one place. Thanks for putting this together!
Fabulous write as ever, oh to be in St. Tropez again, my Parents had a holiday home in Gassin, not far from Port Grimaud, loved it.
Very well timed post for me as we're back from a month in Sweden, and home to the north of Scotland the long way round via Denmark, Germany, France, and the length of England. Husband went out 2 weeks before by van (ferry to Hook of Holland), as he was sea kayaking in Sweden and did his camping bit then. (Unconverted Mercedes Vito with "custom made" 😂 sleeping platform). I then flew to Sweden and took a train to join him, and from then we stayed with Swedish friends and did Airbnb (we try only to stay in properties with the owners on site so that we can have "des échanges conviviaux" and are not blocking local housing).
I've always been "camping-averse", but somehow the trip really made me enthusiastic about a camping trip to France in the van, and I fell on your post with glee.
We know the Bordeaux/Lacanau area pretty well. Somehow at Lacanau we always end up wandering into the nudist section of the beach 😂.
Will look forward to your further posts!