France possibly Spain

[Burge]

Just asking if I will be OK travelling to France & not sure yet Spain on ordinary Michelin Camper Tyres after March & before Nov as have not long bought tyres & don't fancy outlay on 3 peaks, never been abroad in the Motorhome before so newbie to this sort of trip, any advice much appreciated, thanks Chris.

 

[rugbyken]

ordinarily should be fine though we did encounter snow in april in france but that was the year of the beast from the east , if it’s your first trip just meander around so much to see & do in france alone, lots of aire parking download search for sites all one word or park 4 night they will give you thousands of locations , if your new to the whole aire concept there is also an outfit called camping-car park who have taken over a lot of municipal camping grounds & aires decent value just over £10 a night can go online & reserve pitch but you need to buy & download the app you will receive a card that you preload with credit , they already have hundreds of sites and are slowly spreading into spain

 

[TJBi]

Tyres: you should be fine legally between 01 April and 31 October, unless perhaps there is snow around.

As regards overnighting locations, bear in mind that the WildCamping Location App has a large number of locations in France, some of them official aires, some of them superb wilding locations, many alongside lakes and inland waterways. You will also find that https://www.campingcar-infos.com/view.php gives comprehensive coverage of France and very good coverage of Spain, plus coverage of many other countries.

 

[marchie]

Loire Valley is a nice area to stay, with lots of Aires, an amazing variety of chateaux to visit [first place I visited on my maiden voyage in September 1976 ...] and the 900km La Loire a Velo Cycle Path gives you lots of bike ride options, mostly on designated cycle paths with picnic tables at regular intervals. The Isle D'Or Municipal site at Amboise looks right across at the Chateau but is only a 10 minute stroll to the City Centre, and the 14th July Fireworks are excellent with all the street lighting extinguished. The Vendee did not participate in the Revolution, so many towns have the fireworks on 13th July, but still take the 14th as a Public Holiday as well ...

Steve

 

[Burge]

ordinarily should be fine though we did encounter snow in april in france but that was the year of the beast from the east , if it’s your first trip just meander around so much to see & do in france alone, lots of aire parking download search for sites all one word or park 4 night they will give you thousands of locations , if your new to the whole aire concept there is also an outfit called camping-car park who have taken over a lot of municipal camping grounds & aires decent value just over £10 a night can go online & reserve pitch but you need to buy & download the app you will receive a card that you preload with credit , they already have hundreds of sites and are slowly View attachment 75085spreading into spain

Thanks for that , already use Search 4 Sites & Park 4 Night here at home but didn't realise they came in handy in France as well. Great info thanks Chris.

 

[Burge]

Tyres: you should be fine legally between 01 April and 31 October, unless perhaps there is snow around.

As regards overnighting locations, bear in mind that the WildCamping Location App has a large number of locations in France, some of them official aires, some of them superb wilding locations, many alongside lakes and inland waterways. You will also find that https://www.campingcar-infos.com/view.php gives comprehensive coverage of France and very good coverage of Spain, plus coverage of many other countries.

What happens if We come across Snow with these Standard Tyres ? Do we have to wait till it's gone before moving or take Snow Chains are the tyres still Legal with Chains on ?? Thanks Chris.

 

[Burge]

Loire Valley is a nice area to stay, with lots of Aires, an amazing variety of chateaux to visit [first place I visited on my maiden voyage in September 1976 ...] and the 900km La Loire a Velo Cycle Path gives you lots of bike ride options, mostly on designated cycle paths with picnic tables at regular intervals. The Isle D'Or Municipal site at Amboise looks right across at the Chateau but is only a 10 minute stroll to the City Centre, and the 14th July Fireworks are excellent with all the street lighting extinguished. The Vendee did not participate in the Revolution, so many towns have the fireworks on 13th July, but still take the 14th as a Public Holiday as well ...

Steve

Thanks Steve bit worrying going on your own 1st Time though. Chris.

 

[El radge]

What happens if We come across Snow with these Standard Tyres ? Do we have to wait till it's gone before moving or take Snow Chains are the tyres still Legal with Chains on ?? Thanks Chris.

Don't think there is a legal obligation for 3 peaks etc outwith certain areas and proscribed dates . As far as I'm aware carrying chains or snow socks would cover you anyway .

 

[Burge]

Don't think there is a legal obligation for 3 peaks etc outwith certain areas and proscribed dates . As far as I'm aware carrying chains or snow socks would cover you anyway .

Much appreciated thanks Chris.

 

[grantandmargie]

Three Peak tyres are required between 1 November and 31 March in mountain areas of France according to La Loi Montagne 2021. Snow chains can be used instead.
The 3 year lead in expired this winter but the authorities are not yet imposing fines.
We live in the Vosges and have 2 sets of wheels for all our vehicles. Never have been stopped or heard from any of local friends who have been. However insurance “policing” is the concern.

This map shows the affected areas in green. Easy to avoid on a route to Spain.

 

[Burge]

That's Great info , thank you very much, not sure if we're going to make this Journey yet as a bit apprehensive with us going on our own & never done it before in a Motorhome. Thinking of probably going down the West Coast of France but how far to go down to get some Warmer weather than in the UK

 

[grantandmargie]

We were planned to leave today to go to South Spain, to escape the cold winters in the East of France where we live. Had to fix our combi boiler yesterday, but will be ‘en route’ by weekend.
I’m reckoning on finding warmer weather from Lyon southwards. West coast a bit dependent on the Atlantic, but expect a change by Bordeaux, if not before. Our target is Cadiz, where the weather has been in region of 18 to 20 recently.
We have travelled extensively by motorhome throughout Europe and can assure you that you will be fine on your first trip. You will meet lots of fellow motor homers, from many nationalities and have a great experience.
And will fund your trip by not paying all that money to UK energy companies

 

[Burge]

Thank You

 

[Rumour]

That's Great info , thank you very much, not sure if we're going to make this Journey yet as a bit apprehensive with us going on our own & never done it before in a Motorhome. Thinking of probably going down the West Coast of France but how far to go down to get some Warmer weather than in the UK

We had all never done it before on our first trip in our motorhomes. Our first was in an old Talbot Compass Calypso. There is nothing to worry about at all. The roads are great and it is easy to keep right. The worst places are car parks! I always get those wrong! Just strike out and have a great time.

Edit: The west coast of France is the most expensive, we have found. The Med can be, but there is an almost guarantee of sun. Having said that, we have noticed a change over the last 15 years. La Rochelle and surrounds are lovely (as is most of France) but it is where the EU tourists head for. Although in March and April, it should be quiet.

 

[Burge]

Thank You

 

[TJBi]

That's Great info , thank you very much, not sure if we're going to make this Journey yet as a bit apprehensive with us going on our own & never done it before in a Motorhome. Thinking of probably going down the West Coast of France but how far to go down to get some Warmer weather than in the UK

Depends when you go. I frequently go down the west coast and used to find that the weather was very pleasant at the northern end of the Charente Maritime in late March, but the last few years have not been so good. Météo France provide forecasts up to 14 days ahead, so it's possible to get an overview as to where the weather may be fairly consistently good. I have, on the odd occasion, made a dash for the Mediterranean coast.

Where do you intend to cross?

 

[Burge]

Depends when you go. I frequently go down the west coast and used to find that the weather was very pleasant at the northern end of the Charente Maritime in late March, but the last few years have not been so good. Météo France provide forecasts up to 14 days ahead, so it's possible to get an overview as to where the weather may be fairly consistently good. I have, on the odd occasion, made a dash for the Mediterranean coast.

Where do you intend to cross?

We were thinking of theTunnel as Quicker to get over & having a wife that's not good over Water

 

[TJBi]

We were thinking of theTunnel as Quicker to get over & having a wife that's not good over Water

Certainly minimises the risks associated with rough sea crossings. I've always tended to go for central Channel crossings as being more convenient on both sides of the water. They also minimise the amount of travel in northern France if one is heading for the west coast. Lots of interesting places to visit along/close to the Channel coast if the weather is pleasant.

 

[Burge]

Thanks for your replies

 

[Burge]

Will have to Sit down & make a list of all required 'Hi Vis / Passports ' & everything else that we have to take