France Holiday Trip Planning.....................................................help

Its a great adventure.
You'll all love it.
Ask me how I know.

 

Hi there, Ive done several tours in Europe in my 72' Westy 1600 T1. Economy has always been 22-28mpg fully laden and we carry some gear!
I love it, the roads are better, and there seem to be less barriers on roadsides and bridges meaning your high viewing position is great for enjoying the scenery. (Belgium seems to be an exception to this but they have great steaks so I'll let them off) My camper seems to enjoy just trundling along and I don't feel tired or achey after hours at the wheel. You can cruise with the fresh air vents wide open and the window down and on a hot day don't miss aircon at all and smell the countryside as you pass.
Take a good set of spares, and breakdown cover of course. I always like to carry a spare starter motor in the heavier spares department but have you ever tried to bump start a fully loaded bus?
Temperatures can be higher so make sure you have all the proper factory cooling stuff on your engine and good engine bay seal/tight pipework joints.
If you are travelling toll roads it is possible to get cards which you can pass straight through I haven't done it yet myself but will be doing in June for Le Mans 24h.
Also, and I really don't think it will affect you, but the French are introducing a requirement for CO2 emission stickers in certain City's - its something like congestion charge but worth a check on somewhere like the AA travelling abroad pages (which you should check out anyway for rules of the road etc)

 

work on 30 mph average speed and 18mpg

 

We've been all over France and really enjoy it. The locals will love your van too. Great advice on here - especially that the roads are so good that you can afford to avoid toll roads. Have a great time.

 

Been to France in the bay many many times... never had breakdown cover.. this is how..
Start driving your bay now, use it most days if you can, get used to it, do a good few long drives in England. If it's gonna pop then you will do it here. also,it will tell you what you need to repair.. get used to overnighting without puting any tents up..

Mpg, whatever. I use LPG, called GPL..... fuel economy of a fiesta. Autoroute is merde, since everything is going faster, so much faster than you, angry lorry drivers etc. Do as much as you can bear on National roads.
Nicer .. instead of 8 hours do 2x4... or start really early, do 4. Then stop at a swimmy water place for about 10 hours during the hot bit, then set off again in the cool.

Your kids are young, so driving when they usually sleep is the best plan.
Bring me back some cognac, I will pay good money

 

cheers all.

as it turns out its looking like we've left it to late to book the ferry we want and the accommodation times are off

 

we found that the ferries were well booked a couple of weeks ago. we've had to return via Poole despite only being 20 miles from Portsmouth

 

What he said!

 

Royan eh....such a nice coast line, we are going over in June, doing a couple of weeks in central then heading over to Royan and the up the coast to Camping le Puits de l'Auture.....France is a huge place but when we find a nice spot we tend to go back, this place has a beach to live for, camp site is right on the road so out the gate onto a beach, walk about 1/4 mile up the road and it's huge.
Great food,great wine, lovely weather we hope, was last year, we bike it everywhere, markets are a bike ride away, fresh fish, bread, man I can't wait....
The we go to La Rochelle, over the bridge to the island for another few weeks, I simply love the place, yes Cornwall is great but France is a different great, if you follow..
We see a few guys in buses over ther and I always make a point of chatting to whoever....it's just fab...

 

Did France for the first time last year in a 1600. Did 850 miles in 2 weeks. No worries at all. Roads are quiet and you just cruising along at your pace. Averaged 25 mpg. I'd go again!

 

So are you going to Scarborough or Hull instead?

Personally , I don't get Royan ,St georges de didonne ,2 miles up the coast is in a different league...

 

all change!!!

sorted, ply to roscoff on the 8th return on the 23rd!

cote sauvage nr royan first, then down to biscarrosse

best get some jobs sorted on the bus then!

 

all booked so we best had

 

Ignore me at your peril.
Final piece of advice - Watch out for the Ball Traps.

 

At least that type don't Marmite on your bus

 

You will love it ,Ferry from Plymouth was expensive which is all that stops me doing it more often but once your there you will be fine. As others have said use your bus regularly beforehand and make sure you are familiar with minor repairs but chances are you won't need to worry. Last time covered over 1500 miles worrying and listening to every change in engine noise but in fact bus never missed a beat. We took our time driving down, avoiding toll roads and stopping regularly at points of interest, camping on the beach etc etc. Very relaxed and easy.

 

and no boxer shorts while swimming ,budgie smugglers svp and ball traps are incoperated in the turnstiles....

will pm you tonight...

 

Not in the turnstiles...

 

will do, got a few trips planned before, get a few miles this year done.

got a jobs list to get though as well, comes out of storage this weekend!

 

so any other general tips for the france trip then?

any necessities to take or plan for from the experienced travellers!