I have the new car and the new caravan is being delivered 1st March and never toured abroad before.

So I have booked a 'ferry pitch' near Folkestone and also Eurotunnel the next day, then it's the whole of June touring France. We are looking at going down as far as Bordeaux, across to Avignon then up the eastern side and onto Calais again.

Any seasoned 'vanners' out there have any tips for me and especially some good places to visit

stop of here on the way and lighten your load

Cornwall Caravan Breakers and Recyclers
Unit 2H, Carn Tannery, Wilson Way, Redruth TR15 3RX At work
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"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

quicker than I expected CG

I did a trip up the Loire valley a few years ago.

from Angers to Orleans

great scenery, wine etc lovely little boutique hotels book through http://www.logishotels.com/en/map-search.html

check into a a nice hotel at each stop then walk into the town centre for nice meal /drink. whilst free to tour during the day without a contraption tied to the car.

that was part of a circular route paris - normandy beaches(for 1 week) -angers orleans -paris

Normandy was great but the Loire valley fantastic At work
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"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

To much to put in a post EY, but you'll love it, even rush hour over their is like the M62 at Goole at 3am. Just put on the CC at 56mph and relax.
And echo a part of CG's post, the Loire is

New caravan too, you lucky man. Look forward to some pictures of that mate.
Can't help out though, don't know anything about France. Is your wife doing one of her walks while there?

Two tips.

1. Atlantic coast... Les Sables d'Olonne.
2. Ditch the van & enjoy the hol!  ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

Toll roads (péage) can get expensive. With a 'van you are class 2 which on the automated machines means that you have to select the Transit van. Via Michelin is good for route planning and will tell you how much the toll is.

All the old N roads have been renumbered as D roads but many are very good as they have bypasses for the towns and are free. Watch out for Gendarmes with mobile speed traps though, stick to the limit, it does wonders for your mpg.

Get a Post Office or Nationwide credit card as they don't charge additional fees abroad. Always pay in Euros if offered a choice as the cards will give you a better exchange rate.

Arrive in France with an empty tank and fill it before you leave.  GONE - '07 TD4 GS manual Zermatt Silver
LONG GONE - '55 Norton Dominator 99 SS cafe racer

Ile de re, one of the few places you can have a drink with your lunch while touring, hire a bike and tour the island, there are no major hills.
or hire a bike and a little trailer get the Mrs to tow you while you sleep it off.

Ackerman wine caves in Saumur, the champagne style fizz is delicious and way cheaper than moet, but more importantly the cellar tour guide is hotter than a hot thing

Chinon does wines from grapes grown next to the nuclear power station,  At work
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"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Oradour-sur-Glane in mid-France is a WW2 village left as it was after an attack by German SS - very moving place to visit if you like historical places relating to previous wars.

Depending on how far South you go, the Norman Foster bridge over the Millau valley is amazing. 2016 BMW X3 30d SE in red
MY2013 SD4 XS Firenze Red, 19" 10 spoke contrast paint wheels, Signature Strips, Grand Black Lacquer trim, Cold Climate Pack - gone!
2007 TD4 S Stornoway Grey - gone!

We are only booking the first stop for a couple of days near Rouen then leaving it open as to where we go and where we stop. Probably 3 to 4 days at any site to allow us to sightsee surrounding areas but if it looks good then longer.

So the Loire area will be a must and the Nantes area for piattj's suggestion, also CG's suggestion to get p ed looks favourable

I've yet to look into the cards for spending but understand my bank (halifax) do a liberty card with no charges, have also purchased an ACSI card for savings on site fees. The route will be nearly all toll free as we will be in no hurry so probably the toll free A roads and D roads.

Thanks for the replies so far, even from the non vanners

EDIT thanks winslet, that was the bridge i was trying to think of that someone mentioned last week to me

Last edited by EYorkshire on 17th Feb 2014 7:39 pm. Edited 1 time in total

I am about 100 miles north of Bordeaux and handy for a few of the places mentioned above - great part of the world. If you make it to my neck of the woods I will gladly host a BBQ and you can park the van at my place if you want to go off visiting. John
07 HSE Narvick Black
Land Rover Series One
Triumph Rocket 111 (sadly gone!)

Wow John, what an offer

If when we leave Rouen We make a complete b lls up with nowhere to go but a pull in on a country road, i may take you up on that kind offer but if we are in your area after siting the van it would be my pleasure to look you up.

Hey 'wiz', no long walks for her but i'm sure she'll take advantage of any signpost she comes across

My pleasure.

Drop me a pm when before you head off and I will let you have my address and phone number in case you want to call in. John
07 HSE Narvick Black
Land Rover Series One
Triumph Rocket 111 (sadly gone!)