Saturday 5th April
Moved on again as we wanted to find some warm weather. It was sunny, but very cold at night with frosts. This time we moved onto a site in the Caravan Club book at Reservoir de la Liez. Used mostly the N and D roads as they are toll free and are generally excellent roads, you get to see a bit more of the French countryside and villages. Handy for picking up supplies, practicing your "Hello Hello" French whilst on the move.

Took the road to Chalons en Champagne, the N4 to St Dizier, the N67 to Chaumont, D619 to Langres, the N19 to Langres and then the D74 to Reservoir de la Liez. Campsite not fully open as it was very early in the season, so no shop, but the bar and restaurant were available. Weather diabolical so ruined what should have been fantastic views of the lake.

Sunday 6th April
On the move again as we wanted to get further down south ASAP. This time onto Chalon sur Saone. Again this campsite in the Caravan Club book (Pont d Bourbarrine camp site) but wouldn’t recommend it, very run down. Reverse polarity electricity which blew our heating fuse even though we

  changed the polarity. The site is set on the banks of the Saone river but it was very industrialized on the far bank which spoiled it. Reminded us of the Trent in Nottingham. Lots of road noise from small road at side. Suggest parking on the lower level.

Camping Ranc davaine

Monday 7th April
Got up to snow in the morning which shocked us a bit, but soon up and on our way again. Heading South again this time we took the autoroute as we knew we had to get through Lyon which is exceptionally busy all of the time. The autoroute is the easiest way we know of to get through. Stayed on the A7 until junction 16 then took the N104 for Aubenas then on side roads to the camp.

Not Actual photo of site

Worth the difficult journey as the scenery was magnificent. Site on the side of a Ravine run by Sunêlia, however, not very well set up for motorhomes and we had to dump our waste water into a grate in the middle of the entrance road as there was nowhere else. We spent 2 nights here to have a break from traveling. http://www.camping-ranc-davaine.fr/

Douce Quietude

Wednesday 9th April
Off to the south coast today, route took us up and over the mountains so a difficult drive again, however well worth it for the scenery which was breathtaking.
From St Alban Auriolles we took the D111 for Ruoms, D579 to Vallon Pont d Arc, D4 to Bourg St Andeol, the D%9 for St Paol Trois Chateaux, the N7 (South) to junction 20 (A7) , The A7 South to Salon de Provence, the A8 to junction 38 Frejus then the N(8 to St Raphael.
Stayed at Douce Quietude which is just outside St Raphael. We’ve been here twice before so know it well. Facilities are good, excellent shop and restaurant. Site we felt was let down by lack of cleaning to the toilet blocks even though the site was nearly fully booked.

 

Bus just outside the camp into the town.

Stayed here for 3 weeks, lots to see and do but we just chilled for most of the time, went along the ‘Cornish’ and had lunches on cliff top laybys. Parking for motorhomes difficult in the towns, most car parks have height restrictors so can’t be used, and on road parking is banned in some places.
NB: We had difficulty checking our tyre pressures in France. Most of the petrol stations have machines which don’t work despite taking your E2. Took us 3 petrol stations to manage to top up the tyres. Advise taking your own tyre pressure gauge.

RAMATUELLE

Wednesday 30th April
Moved on from St Raphael today. Weather has been mixed during our stay with some torrential rain which the locals assure us is not normal for this time of year. From St Raphael we took the coast road through Saint Maxime (Well worth a visit a it’s a beautiful town and has some lovely evening markets in the summer, there is an aire there but we couldn’t find it) to St Tropez then took the D61 to Ramatuelle to the Aire (Again from the All the Aires in France book) which was on the beach. E7.10 per night.

Sorry no photos of this Aire. This is the nearby beach where we had breakfast.

Water, waste, showers and toilets. Didn’t know that it was a French holiday weekend and so was absolutely crowded out with about 60-80 motorhomes. So bad in fact that we couldn’t fully open our habitation door in the morning as a French van has parked so closely during the night. Packed up and left very early and went to an adjacent beach car park where we have breakfast and a lovely walk on the beach before leaving.

Cages les Pins

Thursday 1st May
Set off towards Ma**eille taking the D93 to Croix Valmer, D559 to Bormes les Mimosas, N98 to Toulon which we left before the toll. N8 for Aubagine to Cages les Pins. This Aire is not in the book and we just happened across it. It’s set in the forest and is very very quiet, and very dark at night,

which we like by the way, we could see all of the stars. Cost just E3 for the night. The guardian likes to place you so see her before you park. Water and waste disposal only. Fantastic to watch her children playing cowboys and Indians, they played in the grounds from morning till night.

Aigues Mortes

Friday 2nd May
Traveled on through Ma**eille (very very busy with traffic and took 2 of us to navigate our way through despite the Tom Tom) and through the Camargue where it was very hot, probably for the first time. Went across the national park to Aigues Mortes which is a medieval walled city by the sea. Stayed on the aire (again from the book) which was one of two just outside the city. E7 per night. Water and waste. Just a short walk into the walled city in the evening which was well worth it.
 

Shops, restaurants and just lovely streets to wander around. Stay duration is limited , although we were told other foreign motorhomers pay the one night fee and stay for the week.

Cages les Pins took N8 to Aubagne, A50 and then A7 through Ma**eille, A55 to Martiguies, N568 For (Ferry across the inlet here), D268 and D36 to Salin de Giraud, D36 and D37 through the Camargue. D570, D58 to Aigues Mortes. Aire by the port E7 per night.

Gruissan Plage

Saturday 3rd May
Moved on south again, this time to Gruissan Plage. The aire is by the sea and costs just E7 per night. Water and Waste, toilet and I think a shower. Huge aire and again very full but plenty of breathing room.

 

From Aigues Mortes through Grand Motte. D62 to Lattes, D612 through Frontignan to Sette. D2 to Agde and Beziers. Small rough roads to Gruissan Plage.

Lloret de Mar

No facilities open at all and a long walk into the town. Camping Santa Elena Ciutat.
From Gruissan Plage took N9 south over the border to Spain to Lloret de Mar. Watch out for the ‘girlies’ at the side of the road on the Spanish side!!!!!! Have their own settees at the roadside.

 Port Vendres. Aire

Monday 5th May

Decided to return to France as Spain was so expensive, but filled up with cheap diesel first (lots cheaper than France).

 

A7 back over the Pyrenees heading for Perpignan, then D618, N114 to Port Vendres. Aire by side of port E7 per night. Water and waste only.

Visit-france.co.uk

CORBIERES

Tuesday 6th May
Moved on up the French coast looking for the aire at Argeles which we never found!! Moved on instead to Duilhac Sous Peyrepertuse, a very very small village in the mountains. No shops WE could find ,so take provisions with you. Also, because of the time of year no water or toilets at the site, but also no charge!!!
 

 "A stunning setting below the spectacular Chateau de Peyrepertuse. Small charge for use of hook-ups if required. The village of Duilhac has two snack bars, a more up-market restaurant and a shop."

Fantastic views on the way up/down but roads treacherous, French builders lorry holed my wing mirror housing, narrow, twisting bends and huge drops!!! Views amazing at the top though.
D81 to St Cyprien than Parpignan by D617. D9 through Estagel, D123 to Duilhac Sous Peyrepertuse.

Trebes Languedoc

Wednesday 7th May
Down the mountain again this morning by the same route we went up, Couldn’t get the motorhome around the corners in the village to get down the other side!!!!! Went to Trebes to an aire by the side of the canal (highly recommended in the aires book). Trev loves fishing so decided to spend a couple of nights here so he could chill out with his fishing rod. Aire is road alongside the canal. Water and waste are at the bottom right hand side as you enter the aire.

One electricity point which is free! So if you can park close by you may be able to use it, we couldn’t get near. No charge for the aire, or electricity.
Nice walk along the canal to the 3 locks, spent an entertaining afternoon watching barges and boats go back and forth.
Returned down D123 to rejoin the D117 to Quillan. Through Gorges da la Pierre Lys, D118 to Carcassone then D6113 to Trebes, aire just through the village on the right hand side just before canal crossing.

Carcassone

Friday 9th May
Moved on to Carcassone today, there’s an aire just outside the city walls so you can walk easily. Medieval walled city but far nicer than Aigues Mortes. Absolutely beautiful. Lots of shops, restaurants, bars etc. etc.

Aire E10 per night. Water, Waste and toilets. Limited to 24 hour stay.
From Trebes take D6113 to Carcassone, aire by the ancient city walls, follow the signs.

REDORTE

Saturday 10th May
Left Carcassone, would have stayed longer but couldn’t! Moved on to an aire further along the Midi Canal for more fishing for me. Couldn't believe what happened here, I had just set up my fishing area on the canal bank, when a hire boat came steaming towards me. Thought they were just being friendly so gave the couple a Motorhome wave, they just kept coming stirring up thick brown mud from the propeller,stopped the engine ,
 

 he jumped out attached to a rope and tied the boat to an overhanging bush. "Sorry are you fishing here, we are just going for lunch" However after this ,aire very quiet, walking distance to the village for supplies. Limited to 48 hours stay.
From Carcassone took N113 to Trebes , D610, then D11 to La Redorte where the Aire is under the bridge on the Midi Canal. Park and fish canal side. No charge. Water, waste and toilet.

ALBI

Sunday 11th May
Started on the trip North today, we’ve been out for 5½ weeks now and have only 3½ left to complete the journey. Took the D620 and the N112 to Albi. Aires are a bit thin on the ground in this region so opted for a campsite in Albi for the night. Found one on spec. Camping Caravanning du Languedoc, Parc de Caussels, Allee du camping 81000 Albi.

Sorry no photos of this site

Run by a young couple, very neat and tidy, clean toilets and showers, water and waste, so everything we needed. E12 per night. Would definitely use again if in the region. Museum to Toulouse La Trec in the town.

St Cirq La Popie

Monday 12th May (Whit Monday)
Moved north again, this time to St Cirq Lapopie where the aire is by the bridge over the river. Absolutely beautiful. Big wide river, full of trout, fantastic scenery. Watch out for low bridges though and narrow roads.
 

N88 to Carmaux, D905 Rieupayroux, D911 Villefranch de Rovergue, D911 to Limogne en Queray. Lagagna via D40 and on to St Cirq La Popie. Aire by bridge over river, next to campsite. E7 per night. Water, waste, toilets.

Rocamadour.

Tuesday 13th May
After a beautiful sunrise we moved on to Rocamadour, again very narrow roads, high mountains, big drops and low bridges, but well worth the effort for the scenery.
No aires in the area (so popular with tourists), so opted for a small campsite and all amenities. Le Relais du Campeur> E8 per night. Very central for the village so were able to go out for a drink at a bar which overlooked the valley and the town of Rocamadour which is spectacular viewed from a distance.

There is a lift down to the sanctuary, and then another down to the town but it’s best to take the Motorhome to the parking at the lift entrance. Plenty of room and easy access.

St Cirq Lapopie, D42 North, D662 to Vers, D653/D32 then D677 to Gramat, D840 to Alvignac and Rocamadour.

Le Evzies de Tayac Sirevil

Wednesday 14th May
After visiting the town and sanctuary headed off for Sarlet la Caneda. Aire there is right on the main road and very noisy. The barrier was broken so no charge (should be E7) but decided not to stay and moved onto Les Evzies de Tayac Sirevil and their aire by the river which was only E4, (Collected by the Police in the evening). Water Waste and toilet.

 

Aire is in the village so easy access for the shops and a nice walk. CL style with plenty of breathing space. Watch out for the ice cream shop though, very very expensive. Museums and tourist attractions.
Alvignac, D840 to Martel, D803 Souillac, D703 Sarlat la Caneda. D47 Le Evzies de Tayac Sirevil, Aire by the river.

Excidevil

Thursday 15th May
Moved on again further north, this time to Excidevil. Small French town, very typical, shops, restaurants, bars etc. etc. Aire by children's play park opposite hospital and old peoples home. Difficult to find, only spotted it because we saw the electricity points on the wall. E3 per night, have to go to Marie to pay which is quite a walk up through the town. Electricity included, water and waste. Very quiet and peaceful. 

Sorry no Photos of this Aire.

We were the only Motorhome on the aire, not surprised really it was so hard to find!!

Les Euzies de Tayac Sirevil then D47 to Miremont, D32 and D31 to join the N89 to Thenon, D704 to Hautefort, then heavens knows where until we picked up the D704 again and the D76 to Excidevil.

Oradour Sur Glane

Friday 16th May
We saw Oradour Sur Glane on the map marked Martyrs Village and decided to investigate. It’s a small French village where all of the inhabitants were massacred by the Germans on 10th June just after D Day. The original village has been left just as it was after the event and is kept that way as a reminder of what happened. Entry is through the museum opposite. The atmosphere is eerie, no flowers grow there, no birds sing.

I’m glad we went but wouldn’t want to go again.
We stayed on the aire in the village which is by the sports ground. Water and waste, no charge.

From Excideuil through some silly side roads as decided by Tom Tom, then we took matters into our own hands and took the D703 and D704 to St Yriex la Perche. D704 to Limoges, N141 and D9 to Oradour Sur Glane.

St Armand Montrond

Saturday 17th May
Moved on again, this time to St Armand Montrond and its aire by the canal. Good access for the town which is very busy especially at the weekend. Lots of road noise, motorbikes buzzing around, but fishing in the canal. Watch out for the French who do not clear up when their dogs have fouled,
 

no matter how close to your Motorhome door!!!!!!!

From Oradour Sur Glane N141 to Limoges, A20 North to junction 12 (Free motorway), Chateuroux. D925 to St Armand Montrond. Aire by the canal, free. Water and waste only.

St Gondon

Monday 19th May
After having a rest day yesterday, more fishing!! We moved North to St Gondon, a very small village just south just south east of Orleans. Aire in the village by the village pond. Water and waste, free. Visited Marie and saw the Mayor who allowed Trev to fish in the village pond for free!! 

Very hospitable. Two nights here, mostly on our own.
 

From St Armand Montrond, N144 to Bourges, N151 D940 to Aubigney sur Nere. D940 for Gien, Turn left onto D53 to Poilly lez Glen, D951 to St Gondon.

Boulencourt

Camping Ile de Boulancourt

Wednesday 21st May
Time to move again, so this time further north to Boulencourt so that we can visit Fontainebleau tomorrow. Only took about 1½ hours. Stayed on a campsite as no aire available. (Camping Ile de Boulancourt, 6 allee des Marronniers, 77760 Boulancourt) Good site within walking distance of the village. About ½ hour drive into Fontenbleu but beware they do not like motorhomes, all car parks have height restrictions and no other parking available so best go on bicycles if you have them.
 

We managed after a great deal of difficulty to get a disabled spot outside the tourist information office.
Very busy town but the palace is easily accessible. No charge for wheelchair visitors but lots of steps!!.
Back to Balencourt for 2nd night.

From St Gondon D95 to Sully sur Loire, D948 through Chatenoy, N60 then D975 through Ballegarde to Boulancourt.

Chartres

Friday 23rd May
Left our campsite and headed to Chartres, an ancient Cathedral town with medieval houses and buildings. Parking for motorhomes difficult but eventually found parking spaces at the side of the main road. E5.40 for 3 hours. Checked regularly by police. Most parking in the city is underground. Steep walk up the hill to the cathedral but worth the effort. Lots of restaurants, bars and shops in the area.

Do visit the cathedral its worth it.

From Boulencourt D410 to Malesherbes, D24 to Mareville and Angerville, D838 to join N191 to Ablis, N10 to Chartres.
D939 to Brezolles, Aire in village next to the church – Free. Water and waste. Plenty of room.

Honfleur

Saturday 24th May
On to the Normandy Coast – Honfleur. One of the most beautiful towns I have seen. Easily accessible from the aire which is huge, will hold abt 200 motorhomes. Water ,waste and electricity. E7 per night.

D4 and D11.1 to Nonancourt. N154 Motorway (free) to Evreux and Louviers.

Joined pay motorway A13 to Rowen. Continue on A13 to junction 26 then D89 and N175 to Pont Audemer (where we couldn’t park! No car parks anywhere to be seen at all!!!)
Continued on N175 to Honfleur, (across the estuary from Le Harve) Aire on quayside. E7 per night payable at machine. Elect included.

St Honorine des Pertes

Sunday 25th May
Decided to go and see the Normandy beaches so set off after a visit to Honfleur. Headed for Ste Mere Eglise where we were disappointed. Expected to see a statue in tribute to American paratrooper who died hanging on the side of the church, instead shop dummy dressed in uniform with English tin hat. 

Continued along the N13 visiting various sites of interest. Especially worth a visit the American cemetery which is on Omaha Beach. Eventually found an aire next to a garage in St Honorine des Pertes. E5 per night including elect, but additional charges for water and waste.

Honfleur

Monday 26th May
Continued along the beaches and sites of interest to Pegasus bridge and the café next to it where we had tea. Lots of interesting memorabilia about the liberation. Pity you have to pay at the British museum after the American one being free!!.
 

Returned to Honfleur to the aire.

D614 and D614 through Port en Bessin Hoppin to Arromanches les Bains. D516, D65, D82 to Courselles sur Mer and on to Benoville (Pegasus Bridge). D57, D27, D677 and D74 to Honfleur Aire

St Valery En Coux

Tuesday 27th May
Traveled north to just south of Dieppe, St Valery En Coux. Highly recommended in the aire book but when we got there was very busy, tightly packed with motorhomes, some double parked. Used the launderette in the town but was very very expensive and cost me about E22 to do a wash and dry!!
As a rule launderette’s are expensive, especially on camp sites. I used the ‘bucket’ washing machine for most of the trip i.e..
 

Put things to soak overnight under the van, rinse and hang out to dry on the cycle rack next day!!!!! Worked for me. From Honfleur A29 North across Pont de Normandie bridge (Hope you like heights)> E5 toll. To junction 6 (Extra 90 cents toll). D10, D17 Valmont, D17 D925 to St Valery en Caux. Aire along the quayside, very steep drop into harbour, on the point overlooking sea. Watch out for falling rocks from the cliffs along the road and on the aire.

Le Treport

Wednesday 28th May
One week from returning home, can’t believe its gone so quickly!!. Moved on towards Calais. Stopped off at Le Treport, Aire by municipal camp site. E6.50 per night. Large aire with plenty of room. Electricity included. Water and waste.

Fees collected lunchtime and evening. Easy access into town along harbour. Nice and clean.

From St Valery An Caux past Dieppe to Crel sur Mer. Took beach road through Criel Plage and Meisnil Val Plage to Le Treport.

Quend Plage

Thursday 29th May
Today is Trev’s 60th Birthday!! Set off for a beach aire which proved to be disappointing. Unkempt scrubland and not worth the fee wanted so moved off along the coast where we found an aire at Quend Plage .on a beachside car park. E7 per night, water and waste E2.

Unfortunately absolutely threw it down all day and night.
 

Sorry no photos of this Aire.

Good access to the town. From Le Treport D940 North , D32 to Fort Mahon Plage Aire. Decided not to stay, just scrub and sand. Moved to Quend Plage via side roads. Aire overlooking the sea. E7 per night + E2 for water.

Equihen Plage

Friday 30th May
North again. Visited Le Touquet Paris Plage. Water point at one aire was broken and the second aire was closed for a dog show so moved on to a tiny aire on the cliffs (next to a sewage farm but didn’t smell at all!!) E2 per night, E2 for water – token available from the shops in the village and can be used for water, or electricity (12 hours).
 

Lovely walks down the beach, great views. Good access to the village.

From Quend Plage D32D to Quend, D940 to Le Touquet Paris Plage. Then D119, D940 to Equihen Plage.

Les Erables

Sunday 1st June
On the move again, the aire is now packed to capacity and beyond, official capacity 5 motorhomes, French capacity 25!!! Stopped off at Cap Griz Nez for coffee and then overnighted at the aire at Les Erables. More like a campsite, toilets, showers, washing facilities, electricity, water and waste. E12.50 per night. Very pleasant spot but difficult access to the villages, very rural.

SORRY NO PHOTO

Received UK TV for the first time in 9 weeks.

From Equihen Plage D119, D940 towards Bologne Sur Mer. A16 to junction 36, D238 to Wissant. Took diversion to Cap Griz Nez, then returned to D940 North through Wissant to Escalles. Turned right onto D244 to Aire at Les Erables.

Calais aire

Monday 2nd June
Moved to our final destination for this trip, Calais. The aire is by the harbour with easy access to the town, the beach, café’s and shops. Chip stall adjacent to the aire. Watched the ferry’s going in and out. Stayed two nights E7 per night. Toilets, water, waste. Collected early evening.

 

Went to Port Europe for duty free wine. Avoid the Tesco’s very expensive. Go to Carrefour instead, good wide range of wines at very reasonable prices. Easy access to the car park. Filled up with Diesel for the last time. The Calais aire is very comfortable with easy access to the port for inward/outward ferries.

Wednesday 4th June
Back to reality and all the bad news, back to the UK via 6.00am ferry. Alarming thing was that we were the only English speaking passengers besides the crew.

All the others were East European going to UK to live.
Welcome home!!!!!