FabSwingers.com forum: Travelling to cap with caravan

By *om barbara OP Couple
over a year ago

staffordshire

Hi guys are 1st trip to cap

With are caravan towing it with a campervan. We will leave the caravan in long term storage so can fly down etc. Anyone doing similar or going down late march April like help us or anyone need a lift who knows best way down may be considerd. Please inbox or on here. Thanks any advice welcome. X

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By *eordiesCouple
over a year ago

newcastle

"Hi guys are 1st trip to cap

First question, how are you getting across the channel ? And then are you going down motorways / tolls as much as possible to get to Cap fast ?

We always go via the chunnel using Tesco vouchers. So the below is based on that method. We have driven to Cap many times and tried loads of different routes.

We always break the journey half way down to a night stopover as we get an early shuttle over then drive for about 6 hours.

So the best route we found is via A26 past Rheims and Troyes, then the A5. We stop at a campsite called "camping de la croisée" just before Dijon. The campsite is good as it is only about 1km from the motorway and has a cheap petrol station near it. It also has no barriers so you can make a very early get away next morning.

Keep going down the A31 / A6 towards Lyon. BUT IF YOU GO THIS ROUTE TAKE THE RING ROAD ROUND LYON. Do not try and drive thro it ! Then the A7 / A9 past Montpellier to Cap. We'd expect to arrive at Cap 6 hours after leaving the campsite.

Have you got a Critic Air sticker for your van, best get one they are only a couple of quid.

One further thing, a couple of the French M/ways are now using electronic tolling, no toll gates as was normal, make sure you know where these are and how to pay. Apparently the signs to say you on on them are small and in French !

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By *exy BeckyCouple
over a year ago

Bergerac, France

"Hi guys are 1st trip to cap

With are caravan towing it with a campervan. We will leave the caravan in long term storage so can fly down etc. Anyone who knows best way down...

Hi.

We use Newhaven Dieppe crossing as it's best for us but the route depends on which crossing you use.

We always go west of Paris to Clermont Ferrand.

From there, all the way down to Cap is free, along the A75 Autoroute (motorway) and is a very pleasant drive.

The Autoroutes that have tolls are very well signposted in advance. Don't worry, you can't get on one by mistake.

You go through your first toll booth to get a ticket, then just pay when you come off. There's lots of service stations en route.

They are called "Peage" and all accept cards, some take cash as well. There are signs over each toll booth telling you which one to use.

If you want to avoid the Peage, you'll get plenty of notice telling you to take the next exit.

Try your card first, if it doesn't accept it (and there's no reason why it shouldn't) just throw some cash at it.

I'm probably making sound more complicated than it is..! You'll be fine. Don't forget that it's the passenger who will be paying.

Your satnav will normally ask if you want to avoid tolls.

There are also several websites that will calculate the Peage fees for your route and even include total fuel bill if you want.

Try this one..... https://www.sanef.com/fr/tarifs-peage

A YouTube search will give examples of using the toll booths.

Enjoy your holiday.

PS. You have a pic on your profile outside Glamour Club at Cap, so guessing you have been before..!

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By *entlemanFoxMan
over a year ago

North East / London

I drove to Geneva in November taking the same route a the Geordies suggested and it was pretty easy driving.

I would just add you can get a telepeage device through the Eurotunnel website. That means that you can use the egates on the peace. It worked really well.

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By *entlemanFoxMan
over a year ago

North East / London

Another thing to consider is getting round London.

I stopped just north of London overnight. Set off at 4:00am and was through the Dartford Crossing before 6:00am so it was free.

You might consider going south round the M25 and avoid it altogether.

I stopped for a long break at lunchtime just outside Rheims. Had a lovely lunch and was in Geneva for 7:00pm

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By *om barbara OP Couple
over a year ago

staffordshire

"Hi guys are 1st trip to cap

With are caravan towing it with a campervan. We will leave the caravan in long term storage so can fly down etc. Anyone who knows best way down...

Hi.

We use Newhaven Dieppe crossing as it's best for us but the route depends on which crossing you use.

We always go west of Paris to Clermont Ferrand.

From there, all the way down to Cap is free, along the A75 Autoroute (motorway) and is a very pleasant drive.

The Autoroutes that have tolls are very well signposted in advance. Don't worry, you can't get on one by mistake.

You go through your first toll booth to get a ticket, then just pay when you come off. There's lots of service stations en route.

They are called "Peage" and all accept cards, some take cash as well. There are signs over each toll booth telling you which one to use.

If you want to avoid the Peage, you'll get plenty of notice telling you to take the next exit.

Try your card first, if it doesn't accept it (and there's no reason why it shouldn't) just throw some cash at it.

I'm probably making sound more complicated than it is..! You'll be fine. Don't forget that it's the passenger who will be paying.

Your satnav will normally ask if you want to avoid tolls.

There are also several websites that will calculate the Peage fees for your route and even include total fuel bill if you want.

Try this one..... https://www.sanef.com/fr/tarifs-peage

A YouTube search will give examples of using the toll booths.

Enjoy your holiday.

PS. You have a pic on your profile outside Glamour Club at Cap, so guessing you have been before..!"
Hi yes been 3 times stayed just outside the village.

But. Bought a caravan alcan injoy the caravan sites mainly oltra.

Thanks for information. X

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By *om barbara OP Couple
over a year ago

staffordshire

"Another thing to consider is getting round London.

I stopped just north of London overnight. Set off at 4:00am and was through the Dartford Crossing before 6:00am so it was free.

You might consider going south round the M25 and avoid it altogether.

I stopped for a long break at lunchtime just outside Rheims. Had a lovely lunch and was in Geneva for 7:00pm"
thanks we. May use the tunnel and drive down day before. Or if we go on ferry maybe easier trip as we junction 15 m6 or m1 from Midlands. Thanks for your reply.

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By *istalloverCouple
over a year ago

Pays de la Loire -Normandie -Brittany borderFrance

From the Midlands

M40

A34

M3 m27

Should be about 3 to 3.5 hours with a caravan .caen ferry is cheaper if booked well in advance

S&K

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By *ouple_ukCouple
over a year ago

London

We've been Becky's route and the route the Geordies suggest but prefer Becky's route. Somehow just easier, more rural, road not as busy. Enjoy

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By *ot Wife BeckyCouple
over a year ago

Near Bergerac

Just to add that if you are over 60, you get 20% discount on the Newhaven/Dieppe route.

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By *om barbara OP Couple
over a year ago

staffordshire

Hi guys thanks for some great Information we not stuck on date really just looking around 22 March give or take a day or two.

As just going park ot instorage.

The campervan is 7.5 meters long 2.7 meters high. The caravan very similar 7.5 long 2.8 high so booking them as 8m x 3 each on size. We have looked at tunnel one way £340 as not bringing caravan back.

Ferries seem same ? Unless we missing something but Like said above probably best keep away from London so is Ferries best options m55 f44 to much choice lol . We traveling from Staffordshire Stoke On Trent .

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By *coptoCouple
over a year ago

Côte d'Azur & Great Yarmouth

"Tunnel one way £340 as not bringing caravan back... Ferries seem same"

Really? For cars the tunnel is MUCH more expensive than DFDS which we normally use. Just as well, the missus is frightened and wouldn't use the tunnel and, in any case, there are frequent delays for safety reasons: invariably the "sniffers" have picked up fumes from motorbikes or caravan gas canisters.

Especially as with a caravan you can park up and choose off-peak sailings.

By the way, as you're passing champagne country, don't forget to stock up, e.g. Bernard Lonclas Blanc de Blancs Extra-Brut at less than twenty quid a bottle.

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By *om barbara OP Couple
over a year ago

staffordshire

Is there anyone on here who store a caravan outside the village and have it pulled in? If like say Hi and Share your experience.

that would be great or If you plan to be on oltra campus this summer.

. We have been cap village before

But not stayed on the campus.

Regards Tom Barb.

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By *om barbara OP Couple
over a year ago

staffordshire

Any information on breakdown cover? Caravan get a service next week so March trip down looking good. Please in box if your planning a trip. X

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