Northern Spain Southern France plan for 2026.

[bodgeitnscarper]

Hello all,
Does anyone have any advice or info regarding a trip I'm planning in my head. Last year we did Northern France, through the Black forest, Switzerland then back through France in a westerly direction. We went during the freaky heatwave in May/June and it was uncomfortable at times especially for our little dog. Anyway we thought after speaking to another couple that an earlier trip across Northern Spain might be a good idea? Due to other trips planned (without motorhome) in late May (TT races) I Was thinking early/mid April to mid May. Not sure whether to drive down the west coast of France from Calais or Cherboirg or even to get a ferry to Spain.
Has anyone got a link to a blog or similar or even experience of a similar trip?


Thanks

Bodge

 

[Pauljenny]

I recommend Portsmouth to Caen.
Shorter voyage, no cabin required and plenty of nearby Aires de Service for Camping Cars.
It also gets you further south and into better weather sooner.

 

[Bertietoo]

Hello all,
Does anyone have any advice or info regarding a trip I'm planning in my head. Last year we did Northern France, through the Black forest, Switzerland then back through France in a westerly direction. We went during the freaky heatwave in May/June and it was uncomfortable at times especially for our little dog. Anyway we thought after speaking to another couple that an earlier trip across Northern Spain might be a good idea? Due to other trips planned (without motorhome) in late May (TT races) I Was thinking early/mid April to mid May. Not sure whether to drive down the west coast of France from Calais or Cherboirg or even to get a ferry to Spain.
Has anyone got a link to a blog or similar or even experience of a similar trip?


Thanks

Bodge

We did something similar, have a look here :

France – Bertie the Camper Van

 

[marchie]

I recommend Portsmouth to Caen.
Shorter voyage, no cabin required and plenty of nearby Aires de Service for Camping Cars.
It also gets you further south and into better weather sooner.

BUT the cabin (less than £40 with the over 60s discount) gives you a private bathroom inc shower, and you get a better 3-4 hours sleep during the crossing. Once you've tried it, you'll find it difficult to give it up ...

Steve

 

[bartman]

BUT the cabin (less than £40 with the over 60s discount) gives you a private bathroom inc shower, and you get a better 3-4 hours sleep during the crossing. Once you've tried it, you'll find it difficult to give it up ...

Steve

I didn't know about the over 60s discount on that route. Is that just on the cabin or for the whole fare?
We've done the Newhaven to Dieppe route, although I seem to remember that the discount doesn't apply to the cabin

 

[barryd]

Always done Calais really. Only once went away as early as April May and it was ok. We like the mountains though so that year we had to get down to the Dordogne to get half decent weather before heading into the Pyrenees which was great but some of the higher passes still had snow on them but it was delightful. If you like mountains I would maybe go May / June and if it gets too warm just get yourself up higher. Last year in August it was bloody awful when an abnormal heatwave hit and we had to get up to over 6000ft to escape it.

 

[TJBi]

I have always found Portsmouth to Ouistreham (Caen) to have long queues for French border control. With EES coming in, it's likely to get worse. I generally cross Poole-Cherbourg, but there should be a couple of Portsmouth-Cherbourg (overnight) crossings each week using the ferries that generally ply the routes to Spain. Portsmouth-Saint-Malo (overnight) gets you closer to Spain, but is considerably more expensive than the other routes.
Lots of delightful places to visit on the Atlantic coast of France. Difficult to do much of that in 4-5 weeks, never mind northern Spain as well!

 

[marchie]

I didn't know about the over 60s discount on that route. Is that just on the cabin or for the whole fare?
We've done the Newhaven to Dieppe route, although I seem to remember that the discount doesn't apply to the cabin

The discount was applied to the cabin on the last 3 bookings that we made, including when I had to make a change by phone. The staff member made specific mention that ' the new crossing is more expensive but the cabin is the same price, including the discount', as near verbatim as I can remember.

Steve

 

[TJBi]

I wasn't aware of Brittany Ferries offering discounts for over-60s, but then I have Club Voyage. I do see that at one time Saga were offering discounts for bookings with BF, but can't see whether that is the case now.

 

[marchie]

I wasn't aware of Brittany Ferries offering discounts for over-60s, but then I have Club Voyage. I do see that at one time Saga were offering discounts for bookings with BF, but can't see whether that is the case now.

Dear Obtuse of Banchory
The OP started with Dover-Calais, a counter suggestion was made for Portsmouth-Caen and then a chanfe of tack took us to Newhaven-Dieppe and not needing a cabin. I pointed out that the 60+ discount made the cabin an attractive proposition with the 20% discount, and the Thread had moved away from Brittany Ferries, referring only to the Newhaven- Dieppe as a diversion of discussion, if not necessarily one of destination

But, there again, this is WC, so Fred Drift will inevitably put in an appearance, and he's not off topic, he still loves them, but he does need to stick to the diet in the post Xmas return to sanity. Unless there's a voucher for a free St Malo crossing on offer ...

Steve

 

[TJBi]

Dear Obtuse of Banchory
The OP started with Dover-Calais, a counter suggestion was made for Portsmouth-Caen and then a chanfe of tack took us to Newhaven-Dieppe and not needing a cabin. I pointed out that the 60+ discount made the cabin an attractive proposition with the 20% discount, and the Thread had moved away from Brittany Ferries, referring only to the Newhaven- Dieppe as a diversion of discussion, if not necessarily one of destination

But, there again, this is WC, so Fred Drift will inevitably put in an appearance, and he's not off topic, he still loves them, but he does need to stick to the diet in the post Xmas return to sanity. Unless there's a voucher for a free St Malo crossing on offer ...

Steve

Dear Steve,

Thanks for your attempt at humorous denigration. If you look back at the thread, you will see that there was a reference to Portsmouth-Caen and no need for a cabin (post #2), to which you responded referencing a discount, without specifying a different route (post #4). The first reference to Newhaven-Dieppe was in post #5.

 

[barge1914]

A trip round the Picos de Europa is always worth a visit. North coast can be pretty good also.

 

[mark61]

Loved the Picos de Europa, definitely need to visit that whole area again.

As for how to get there, I'd probably go from Folkestone or Dover, but do see benefit of the longer ferry crossings if you don't want a whole days drive.