Six best places in France?

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MarkJ

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We are newbies at this motorhoming lark. Our first proper trip, apart from shakedowns, was to the west coast of Scotland. The weather was "mixed" but we had a great time. See pix.

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Now, we love France and that'll be our next adventure. But it's a big country and we know from our many visits there without the 'van that there are some grim places as well as some fantastic ones.

So, all you wise people - where should we go in France with our motorhome and dog? Priorities are: evening sun, dog friendly, big views, lots of wine ...

Top six places anyone?
 
Easy answer here ! The Loire valley, it has all you ask for, not as busy as the crowded south ! And loads of jaw dropping Chateau and villages, and of course Saumur is so pretty and Montruil Bellay is something else !
Wine to die for, and its all local, you see the vines and thats the wine you drink :-)
I might be a bit biased as I live not more than 30kms from Ancienis and the Loire !
 
Get As high as you can, the top of a mountain pass in the alps or pyrenees, take wine and cheese with you, there is nothing like sitting with a bottle and a wedge of cheese, in your own world nobody for miles around and watching the sun dissapear, the world the sun and the moon belong to you. we go on the 8th june for twenty days, we have learnt you need to leave something unseen for next year, have a plan where you want to go but dont rush it will still be there nxt year, we will lift a glass to all our WC friends met during the last few years and future meets, cheers ANDY
 
Loire valley? Good point. Not been there since the children were small enough to be well behaved.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Mark J
 
they are all wrong just go to brittany and even just below at pornic . you dont have to venture along way south .
i like following the coast . closest road to the sea . thats the way to do it.
as for sex places in france i cant say, hee hee.
 
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1:anywhere but Paris.
2:anywhere in the France passion book that does wine.
 
I spend a lot of time driving a 44 tonner around London, it really makes me appreciate Paris in the van in the rush hour!
 
Was about to ask this exact question in next few weeks so finding it very interesting, been to Europe loads with the van but for skiing mainly, and the Tour de France.
 
Can't beat Brittany. Plenty of Aires.
We like most places in France just avoid the big towns and cities and you will enjoy.
Buy all the Aires France book and you will have plenty of choice. Don't have a big plan take each day as it comes.If you are tied to a return date,then assess where you are half way through the holiday and see which way you need to head back.assess again when you three quarters through the holiday.Most of all enjoy
 
The hardest part is finding an idyllic place that isn't known to everyone else. Most of the lovely coastal aires get overrun this time of year and can be relatively expensive. So I would agree with the earlier advice and head for the hills. There are lots of them. Check out the Ardeche region for beautiful gorges for example.

My most beautiful place is Rocamadour btw.
 
Mastodon said:
1:anywhere but Paris.
.
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Personally I wouldn't exclude Paris . Arrive after 6 Saturday . Parking is a nightmare but when you get a space you stay free till Monday morning . Not bad for one of the great cities in the world . Less of a challenge parking wise [city destinations] is Bordeaux , go to the quays . Free from lunchtime Saturday , great markets Sunday morning .
 
1. Cirque de Gavarnie
2. Cirque de Troumouse

Both in the Haute Pyrenees. Fantastic Aire at Gavarnie (Well great views) and the road above is even better. Also Ponte D'Espagne area is awesome but only overnight parking is down the valley in Cauterets (2 Aires). Great wild spot at the bottom of the Cirque de Troumouse (near Gavarnie)

3. Verdon Gorges (Europes Grand Canyon). Good little Aire at Trigance
4. Lac St Croix (west of the Gorges)
5. Annecy area and the Alpine regions north and south of there
6. Nages Lac Du Laouzas (Tarn region). Nothing there but a lovely lake, cracking Aire, great for boating off season if you get the weather right.

Got Photos if you want em!
 
I'm afraid everyone is wrong in this thread because France is beautiful everywhere in so many ways , from the mountains right down to the coast and yes even Paris. But for me discovering your own France is what makes it special, so if you want to see the best of France just wander around at your own pace and you will find it. Don't worry about what you missed out on your trip just enjoy what you get. :wave:
 
Haaamster said:
I'm afraid everyone is wrong in this thread because France is beautiful everywhere in so many ways , from the mountains right down to the coast and yes even Paris. But for me discovering your own France is what makes it special, so if you want to see the best of France just wander around at your own pace and you will find it. Don't worry about what you missed out on your trip just enjoy what you get. :wave:
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Spot on. France has different things for different people. I,m 20k south of Claremont Ferrand at the minute slowly heading up to the tunnel on the last part of a six week trip. I didn,t find All the aires to be much use, some were rubbish, some a rip off and a few were good. I do not like driving any where near Paris or any of the cities, I think they are chaotic and the roads are ****, some of the smaller towns are continuous speed humps, traffic lights, roundabouts and busted roads. By contrast there are beautifull stretches of country road and some superb non toll dual carraigeways. I love the Cote d,Azur. Also I now prefer to use ACSI campsites rather than overpriced aires, not wildcamping I know but it suits me. You can only try it out and see what you like. By the way one of the best sources of good cheap red stuff is Lidl.
Enjoy it, Tompa.
 
eastern france

champagne region first then head for the alsace region,after this head for the alps.Stunning is an understatement.
 
alcam said:
Personally I wouldn't exclude Paris . Arrive after 6 Saturday . Parking is a nightmare but when you get a space you stay free till Monday morning . Not bad for one of the great cities in the world . Less of a challenge parking wise [city destinations] is Bordeaux , go to the quays . Free from lunchtime Saturday , great markets Sunday morning .
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we went to Paris and stayed here Camping Maisons Laffitte

10min walk to the train station and you are coming out in Paris Centre!
 
I think that POI Admin has been adding a few interesting POIs in France this month, so watch out for next month's POI updates.

Tom
 
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