Mel C Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Hi - we are heading south from Caen to the Costa Brava and have 6 days to get there. We like the look of the Loire Valley (Saumur/Chinon?), the Massif Central (Mont Dore?) and Millau / Tarn Gorges. Would really appreciate any advice from seasoned travellers, tips of places not to miss, great sites and of course good food and wine places. We are travelling in a Ducato Burstner which is comfortable at 80-90kph but might struggle with narrow roads. Thanks Mel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike B. Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 If you are going via Loire valley, would suggest you take in Blois and/or Amboise. Both definitely worth a visit and both have good aires-€10 Amboise opposite the chateau almost with electricity and €5 Blois within 5 mins walking distance of Chateau and town (no electricty) Depending which way you go from there-Millau is impressive or Carcassonne is lovely (Think the aire is closed there but cheap campsite within walking distance of town via river path) Whichever way you go you will find plenty to see-have fun and enjoy it. If you're still there in Spain in January, look out for us! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zydeco Joe Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Hi MelC, We did a trip last year calling in at two of the places you name Saumur and Tarn Gorges and both are well worth checking out in fact we stayed in Meyrueis near the Tarn Gorge in the Gorge du Jonta for a full week and we have never stayed a week any place.At a Great camp site within walking distance of a very nice village the site is called Champ D'Ayres at 12 euros a night. We stayed out of Saumur along the river at camping Montsoreau with a great river view. Have a great trip we are in France as I send you this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Massif Central is our favourite bit of France, fabulous ridge walks, good food and not to many tourists in September. The whole area is beautiful only place I would avoid is the Puy de Dome. Plenty of free Aires & wild camping easy, most campsites close end of August. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowie Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Mel C - 2012-09-05 8:02 PM Hi - we are heading south from Caen to the Costa Brava and have 6 days to get there. We like the look of the Loire Valley (Saumur/Chinon?), and Millau / Tarn Gorges. Hi Mel; welcome. Not as seasoned as many on this list but; Friends have recommended a municipal site in Chinon, and sounds like plenty of interest, so we'll try that next time in the area. Enjoy your trip regards alan b Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel C Posted September 6, 2012 Author Share Posted September 6, 2012 Thanks to everyone for their advice - the itinerary is coming together ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 As far as 'unmissable' places to visit on your way to Spain are concerned, I believe your best source of information would be guide books. Regarding stopping places, once you've roughed out a route, you might consider using the campingcar-infos website to check what's available in the vicinity of the places you have in mind to visit. http://campingcar-infos.com/index1.htm For example, there's an entry for the campsite at Chinon snowie mentions, with GPS coordinates, website details, etc. and, if you zoom out the map provided, you can check what campsites/aires might be available nearby. Millau, it appears, has a services-only aire, a free day/night motorhome parking area and 4 campsites with motorhome servicing facilities. A relatively small number of campsites (mainly in seaside touristy areas) may close at the end of August, quite a few will close mid-September, but a lot will stay open longer. Of the 4 Millau campsites, the campingcar-infos website indicates that 3 are open until end-September and the fourth until end-October. It does need saying though that the advertised opening periods of French campsites are not always accurate. The campingcar-infos website also contains (by departement) personal recommendations (bonnes addresses) relating to restaurants, wineries, etc. I've never followed up such advice, so I can't comment on its validity. We normally lunch at inexpensive restaurants (Relais Routiers type) and buy wine either direct from wine makers or from supermarkets. If you want posh evening dining and high-priced wine, you are on your own. A reliable rule of thumb is that, if a restaurant has plenty of people in it shortly after midday, it's worth trying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertandjean Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 When visiting Saumur we stayed on the aire at Dampierre-sur-Loire and travelled in by local bus; there is however, parking suitable for motorhomes up by the Chateau, but some roads up are a little narrow. Slightly further out the aire at Turquant, also on the bus route, is very nice and village very interesting with cave houses etc. Both aires are free to stay on and no charge for services at Dampierre. Whilst it is true that the former aire on oneof the car parks at Carrcassonne has closed a new one on another car park a little further out, and just for motorhomes and coaches, has opened. It is, we understand easy to visit the old city from it; have not been to new one, but reports on the camping-car infos web site are good so should be fine and we will use next time we visit. Derrick is correct in his assumptions re Millau regarding the aires. The, fairly new aire de stationment, where you stay overnight is fine. We were there about three years ago. But it does fill up quickly and bays need care as are large pole between each one. Services are from a point about 800m away. Parking is free but services are around 5€ Hope this clarifies some points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel C Posted September 12, 2012 Author Share Posted September 12, 2012 Hi Joe Thanks for the info - on a separate subject do you use a "dongle" while in France or find free Wifi? If you do use mobile broadband which do you find is most economical? Regards Mel C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zydeco Joe Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Find free like the one I am using to send this at the site we are staying on in Brittany.You can always use the wifi at McDonalds its free, just buy a coffee and surf away. B-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 This may be useful regarding free WiFi in France http://www.americansinfrance.net/travelplanner/Free-WiFi.cfm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Strachan Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 Hi Mel C, we are heading for Rivages site at Millau, been there before, good should be there 14th Sept. at present in Sarlat. Enjoy your trip! Cheers Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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