Motorhoming in France

We’d had our motor home for a few years without venturing abroad in it, despite my partner’s attempts at persuasion which became ever more comically inventive. I came up with a hundred excuses not one of which was the real truth – I was chicken! As is so often the case in life when you finally do something you have been putting off through anxiety, the reality turns out to be something very different to what your fear-fuelled imagination supposed.

After our first forays abroad I was not only left wondering what on earth I had worked myself up into such a stew about but also very loudly asking myself ‘why oh why didn’t we do this before?’

Once across the channel the world is your oyster – well a big portion of it anyway. Each country offers something different and there are enough of them to keep you going for years if you wanted without retracing any of your tyre tracks.

Taking your motor-home to the continent will particularly appeal to anyone who wants an experience away from conventional camp-sites (although there are plenty of those too). Unlike Britain and the ‘you can’t park here’ attitude which verges on paranoia, the continental attitude is refreshingly different. The principal is simple – let the tourists park/camp cheaply or for free and they will come and spend money in our region.

As previously mentioned each country differs with regard to where/how you can camp or park and the various systems in place so I’ll concentrate on the first country the cheapest ferry routes will bring you to – France.

Getting There

Your options are ferry or driving Eurotunnel. Ferry prices vary enormously and are dependant on your route and the height and length of your motor home. Norfolk Line/DFDS are one of the cheapest options and for motor homes over 2.4 metres there are many one way fares for under £50. Eurotunnel costs start at around £75 one way.

The Practical Stuff

Equipment – you will need headlamp adjusters, a warning triangle and a high visibility jacket – these are mandatory by law. Replacement headlamp bulbs are recommended but not compulsory.

Insurance – many motor-home insurance policies automatically cover you for driving in Europe but be sure to check before you leave. Some only give third party cover without paying an extra premium.

Breakdown – again, many insurance policies include some form of breakdown cover but if not this is highly advisable to save yourself a nightmare or a huge bill in the event of a problem.

GPS system – not compulsory but it can all get a bit hairy around the cities with increased traffic, confusing road systems, French signs and a high likelihood of taking the wrong road.

Getting About

French roads can be a breath of fresh air to Brit drivers who are used to traffic jams and pot-holes. There is a vast system of express routes which usually attract a toll unless they are around cities. This can significantly increase any holiday costs but there is always a toll free alternative road which strangely often follows much the same route as the toll road although usually prettier. Tolls can be paid with coins or credit card – just make sure you get into the right lane.

One word of warning with regard to roundabouts. Unless there is a sign on the roundabout as you approach which says ‘vous n’avez pas la priorite’ (you don’t have priority) then traffic entering the roundabout has right of way over traffic already on the roundabout. Weird hunh?

And no tooting your horn in built up areas – it’s illegal unless there is some immediate danger.

Aires

Technically this just means ‘place’ or ‘area’ in French but for motor homers it translates as ‘motor home heaven’.

Aires are everywhere in France and range from overnight parking places on auto-routes to the most idyllic of settings. Some of them are just simply somewhere to park your van while others have a range of services which may include electric hook-up, chemical disposal points, fresh water supplies and showers. You may pay a basic rate per night which includes all the services or sometimes you pick which services you need and pay only for those. The best ones don’t cost a single Euro.

Most towns and even tiny villages will have a place set aside for motor homes to stay and of course the economically sound thinking behind this usually works, even if it’s only grabbing a fresh croissant before you hit the road. Sometimes you have to pay a few Euros at the local tourist office to use this facility.

Because ‘aires’ are everywhere you will stumble across them occasionally but the real gems are often tucked away and you would never find them by accident. It really is worthwhile investing in an ‘aire’ directory and there are several to choose from. I use ‘Aires de Services – Camping Cars’ (the French term for motor homes and campers) by Martine Duparc and Collectif.

And remember – France is the tip of the iceberg – what are you waiting for?