French Road Trip - Ideas and thoughts very welcome

We drove from from Dover to La Rochelle a couple of years ago, during the summer. I personally loved every minute of it..

Great place

 

Well things haven't moved on that much with the planning, as I'm currently away working and haven't had time to think about it at all, however with just over a week and half till we set off, I really should try and fit some time in to readdress this - otherwise the girlfriend will be sticking Nellie on eBay before I know it, if this trip (her first) doesn't go well!

We haven't much planned yet as far as the trip goes. But, due to a number of reasons, we will be getting the ferry to St Malo, so I'm thinking of making our way down to the La Rochelle area and then back again - we are away for a week and a half, so I think this is about right, to allow us a bit of time to see stuff on the way, and stop off a few places. Would be interested to hear what any seasoned travellers think?

Still not really sure where we are going to stay along the way, but I need to try to book ahead. As I've said before, unlike me, my girlfriend is very organised, and so will stress like anything if we don't have places booked, so to keep her calm and let her enjoy herself I will need to book ahead - me, I'd just turn up and see what happens

I know you guys have given lots of ideas on here, and thats been really good, am still looking at them all, but if you have any more ideasthoughts, especially on the idea of a St Malo to La Rochelle trip that would be great. Do people think thats too far, too short? We have both been stressed with work lately, so are just looking for a nice relaxing break with some wine and nice food, and try and find some sunshine.

One thing I am thinking, is that the ferry doesn't arrive in St Malo until around 16.45 (unfortunatly its a day sailing), and so i think i should get a campsite not too far away, so we can just get off the boat, make our way there and set up for the night, before then either setting off further south the next day or even staying around that area for a day or so (though looking at the long range weather forcast, I think it might be best to just get further south asap to try and get the better weather! Just wondering if anyone can recommend anywhere within an hr or two's drive of St Malo? Problem south would be the best as thats the way we plan to go!

Sorry for all the questions, but the whole travelling in France is new to me! Who knows what may happen ;D

Thanks for any help - its all really appreciated!

 

Have done the St Malo trip a couple of times now, we always stay the first few nights here in Dinan.

http://www.camping-lahallerais.com/en

Park up, there is a path following the river, you don't touch a road and your straight into the medieval town, the bars and creperies are great, just google image Dinan, it is a lovely place and only a short drive from the port.

 

Have driven in France twice, last July down to the Jura (bit out of your way!!) and coupla weeks ago to a place just outside Falaise, which is not so far from Caen, Normandy. I can say, and you'll probably find a few who say similar, the French roads are a pleasure to drive on. We went to Omaha beach, excellent visitors centre there and quite moving too. Bayeux is also worth a visit if you like your history as I do. The tapestry is fabulous, and the commentary that goes with it really brings it alive. Not been to Fance in our Bay yet, but supposed to be off to the Jura again next year......that said, TW, am strangely drawn to that site on the Loire......always good to go somewhere you've never been before I reckon....is it any good for 3 yr olds? ;D

 

Tatty Jack mentioned The Juras. Wonderful mountains with fantastic roads up and down. Great view of Geneve and alps. Personally my favourite road of all time. Wonderful sweeping fast hairpins. (bike road)

Chinon is lovely too. Just south of Tours. The Loire and the French Alps are simply wonderful. Bourg St Maurice is another fantastic area. The road down from the mountain into it is breathtaking. Its a bit like the italian job. Steep tight hairpins with great views.

French roads are wonderfully chilled. My mates and I tour L'Massif Centrale next June.

You can stop and camp where you like in France. Stick to the Departmente roads. Ie their roads between towns and villages. Keep off the autoroutes. You wont be dissapointed. The place is choka with beauty.

Sorry but I am a bit of a Francophile.

 

Francophile ....

it does look like a beret..

don`t forget you budgie smugglers...

 

Hello,
We went away to france for our first campervan trip last summer.
We didnt go to the same area as you BUT I looked online at keycamp/eurocamp sites which have good (sit down) toilet blocks, clean showers etc and things like swimming pools and entertainment on the site. I then looked on the sites which had the right location and contacted them directly through their own websites for a pitch.
They all have english speaking staff which is a help too.

Hope you have a nice time wherever you stay.

 

We stayed here last year on our honeymoon and would go back again. www.domainedulogis.com

From memory about 30 miles from St Malo and pretty quick road down to here.

This year we did Bilbao to Cherbourg will try in next week to post some pictures - stayed at a couple of sites from Cool camping this year both we would go back to

http://www.chezrambaud.com/index.php but you will need to book as is popular and only has 7 pitches. Quiet and in Limousin region.

http://www.camping-panorama.com/index.html?lghome=gb long way south near the Big Dune

we didnt like the Castells site just outside Blois though

Hope this helps

Baz

 

Thanks BazTW, thats great, lots of ideas there....will be busy this weekend looking at them

And cheers for the stuff about wild camping TWlost-en-france, always good to know.