wild camping in France is it safe?

[Canalsman]

Now wheres that French phrase book…

And don't forget to download our POI files - the next release on 1st August will include more than 70 wilding locations along the coast from Cherbourg to Brest. Some fantastic spots with great views and great beaches ...

 

[TJBi]

Thanks to you and all for the price comparisons it is kind of useful but just so you all rest easy :dance: we are crossing from Portsmouth to Caen and home via St-Malo to Portsmouth. Yes more money but a last minute booking and didn't want to do the Dover Calais for obvious reasons. Also thought the little people would enjoy the 'cruise'.

<snip> Have also used ferries many times just never put our camper on one. (Well not to France just to Ireland and Isle of Wight).<snip>

If you haven't considered it, you might find it convenient to have a day cabin, particularly with the "little people" and particularly for the longer crossing back from Saint-Malo. Added expense, but something that I always do for convenience; if not booked in advance, it's possible to ask at the information desk on board whether they have any cabins available.

At the risk of going completely off topic if you're not desperate to push on to Brittany as soon as you disembark from the ferry, you could consider a day or two on the Normandy coast (D-Day beaches). Heading for Brittany, you have the option of the A84 toll-free motorway from Caen to Rennes or seeing more of the real France by using the D roads.

Tom

 

[Dezi]

Hi, We have decided as a first trip abroad to go to Brittany/west coast of France. We have looked at some campsites but would still like to wild camp,though now wondering how safe it is ie: gassed & robbed to put it bluntly.
Any advise much appreciated.

The best advise is to look at the Aires / stopover places on this site that have been submitted by various members over several years.

Any that I have provided have been stayed on by me & other without problems, but like any thing else in life.

There ain't no guarentees.

Dezi :camper::cheers: :shag:

 

[Byronic]

firstly gassing is not a myth we were gassed in the south of france in a caravan.
We were very careful for a while then we bought a camper and fitted extra locks (yale) on both doors and a gas detector then I felt safe again, since then we have travelled all over france and the sites they have for motor homes are out of this world we always travel round and have stayed by river banks, lakes,with no problem and I would totally recommend it as a fantastic holiday

Subsequent to being gassed (presumably in France) this poster has taken a few preventative measures and now feels safe. That should reassure first timers.

 

[Tezza33]

I have, but I did live in Africa at the time, I only escaped because I managed to gas them

 

[The laird]

Never had any bother orroblems in France either wild or Aires,remember the signs for motorhome Aires say ,camping cars ,don't think anyone has mentioned this yet,if in doubt get the France Aires book and it gives you info that may also give you a bit peace of mind
Please try and enjoy ,I think you'll not look back

 

[Byronic]

Tell all bwana. Many years ago I was attacked by an elephant in France, and no not on a trunk road, certain it was in a Mammouth carpark, nearly truncated my holiday. I'd like to avoid a similar occurrence in the future.

 

[vwalan]

I have, but I did live in Africa at the time, I only escaped because I managed to gas them

bet when you lived in africa you never had problems with the tigers coming to get you.
some put them in their tanks .

 

[Robmac]

I have, but I did live in Africa at the time, I only escaped because I managed to gas them

I was chased by a Shark once, I got away because I can swim faster through water than they can through £$%^!

 

[Channa]

I travelled about in France 4 years on and off ...no gassing ( except the dog and it was vile)......Only elephants I saw were big blue ones a car wash chain, I did see a couple of coulevres 6ft snakes who soon scarper when you say boo..... even the lizards bugger off quick if you disturb them,

The riskiest moment was a chap called Jean at Domaine des Landes near Monbazilliac,,,,after I had helped cut the grapes ..treated me to summat in a bottle that turned out to be Ricard 51 part of his stache to decieve the misssus.stored in his vineyards wine bottle but a cheeky grin and salut ...I obliged and partook .I don't actually remember much about it other than the following day i missed a BBQ to visit the moulin Rouge disco in bergerac to meet another pal...the interior decor akin to a 70.s porno film ( so I am told )...lots of French folk ballroom dancing and I was a celebrity English unable to dance a coupleof old french birds obliged that I should give it a bash and I simply smiled and "d'accord"

Ile d'Oleron a very modest normal french family invited me to join them for a glass of wine, a trap !!! ...young lad perhaps 10 -11 years old learning English at school ...he had a captive guinea pig ..anyway the game was I spy but without the eye ...we would point to an object he had to say English i had to say French and correct each other ...That is really how bad France is.

I really worry some of you are risking all this potential nonsense ..so to save you heartache I am ( because I am a good lad) prepared reluctantly to relieve you of your ferry tickets and I shall endure the torture

Channa

 

[The laird]

I was chased by a Shark once, I got away because I can swim faster through water than they can through £$%^!

Rob you been on the sauce

 

[Robmac]

Rob you been on the sauce

Maybe a little Gordon!

 

[Byronic]

I was chased by a Shark once, I got away because I can swim faster through water than they can through £$%^!

Saw the headline in the D. Mail, "Great White gets Browned Off, Gives Up Chase."

 

[vwalan]

I travelled about in France 4 years on and off ...no gassing ( except the dog and it was vile)......Only elephants I saw were big blue ones a car wash chain, I did see a couple of coulevres 6ft snakes who soon scarper when you say boo..... even the lizards bugger off quick if you disturb them,

The riskiest moment was a chap called Jean at Domaine des Landes near Monbazilliac,,,,after I had helped cut the grapes ..treated me to summat in a bottle that turned out to be Ricard 51 part of his stache to decieve the misssus.stored in his vineyards wine bottle but a cheeky grin and salut ...I obliged and partook .I don't actually remember much about it other than the following day i missed a BBQ to visit the moulin Rouge disco in bergerac to meet another pal...the interior decor akin to a 70.s porno film ( so I am told )...lots of French folk ballroom dancing and I was a celebrity English unable to dance a coupleof old french birds obliged that I should give it a bash and I simply smiled and "d'accord"

Ile d'Oleron a very modest normal french family invited me to join them for a glass of wine, a trap !!! ...young lad perhaps 10 -11 years old learning English at school ...he had a captive guinea pig ..anyway the game was I spy but without the eye ...we would point to an object he had to say English i had to say French and correct each other ...That is really how bad France is.

I really worry some of you are risking all this potential nonsense ..so to save you heartache I am ( because I am a good lad) prepared reluctantly to relieve you of your ferry tickets and I shall endure the torture

Channa

pastis lovely stuff. nice with green menthe or a diablo vert.

 

[Tezza33]

bet when you lived in africa you never had problems with the tigers coming to get you.
some put them in their tanks .

I was OK, I didn't drive a tank

 

[Tezza33]

pastis lovely stuff. nice with green menthe or a diablo vert.

I love Pastis but don't try the Cornish variety:scared:
http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums/off-topic-chat/46869-little-parcels-nastiness.html?highlight=parcels

:lol-053::lol-053::lol-053::lol-053::lol-053::lol-053:

 

[vwalan]

I was OK, I didn't drive a tank

no tigers in africa . only lions .
india for tigers .
but esso used to say put a tiger in your tank . i,m sure you remember ?

 

[Tezza33]

no tigers in africa . only lions .
india for tigers .
but esso used to say put a tiger in your tank . i,m sure you remember ?

Ha ha, I know there are no Tigers in Africa, they were all gassed and robbed so went to India to be safe, I remember putting a tiger in your tank as well as having one for breakfast with Tony the Tiger

 

[Channa]

pastis lovely stuff. nice with green menthe or a diablo vert.

"Green Devils" , L'eau de vie etc ...the self persecution we put ourselves through . We should be fast tracked back through Calais as Martyrs to the cause.


The shame when it came " to coup le raisins" I had to be showed they only wanted the wrinkly mouldy ones, the "nice ones take back to the van and eat" the ones you don't, clip the leaves so the beautiful sweet grapes become wrinkly ! a perverse excercise.( strange folk)

As the apprentice of the apprentice( Jeans young brother a 72 year old) The stage was set, clipping away, collecting passing snails for Mme Camus to no doubt turn to l'escargot the pace changed, sweat on the brow, cramp in the fingers and Fabrice proclaiming ." alors un pannier pour le Anglo Saxon " ...Is that rascist ? .....the hours passed and something vaguely alcoholic passed our lips to refresh whilst I was trying to understand the French language !

The days vidange finished a quick drink with them all camping characteristas or summat similar .....BBQ time ...Jean appeared with a bunch of dried cepes .Most important for the BBQ he repied with his mischievous grin.

So as you can see the Goodlife's I have dug deep to share that France is indeed a dangerous and treacherous hotspot of deviancy, behavourial traits that defy the dictionary. Indeed a role as Dr Livingstones sidekick would be safer.

Forget the gassing myths and all the rest of it, just be sensible as per home and all will be fine. As you can tell I am truly traumatised by my French experience and perhaps the medicine is to return !! ( You bet ...I miss it very much)

You will love it and look forward to reading of your experience .

Channa

 

[Tezza33]

the beautiful sweet grapes become wrinkly !

I wish I had noted the day in my Diary when that happened to me:scared: