tonyl101 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 hi all i am looking to go to monaco and st tropez last week in august i have a kontiki tag axle and towing a smart car has any one done this route that i can ring and chat with as its first time abroad so would like to get it right so a chat with a seasoned motor homer would be great my email is elmslodge@btinternet.com we can swap numbers there thanks tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Blimey.......talk about jumping in at the deep end :D .......... Have to ask why? :-S ....... You have the whole of La belle France, yet choose to head for the one bit that will be mega crowded and mega expensive at that time of year 8-) ....... Well as the old saying goes........its kill or cure (lol) ....... BTW never been myself, although we've been going to France for decades, the scare stories have been enough to put me off :-S ....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike88 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 I wouldn't bother. The campsites are overcrowded, the drive is not the easiest unless you spend a fortune on tolls and everything in that area is ridiculously expensive. Much better to go to Spain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 I've done the coast road from Saint Tropez to Nice. But it was in May before it got really busy (on the way back from Benidorm which had got too hot), and the height barriers on the car parks were still open. Continued on from Nice heading towards Monaco but the traffic was so slow that on the spur of the moment said 'Sod It' and headed for home. Regretting it slightly sometimes as thats the one bit of the famous coast I didn't get to see, but not regretting it enough to go back again. As has been said you have probably picked the most awkward and expensive place in France for your first trip. I don't think its worth it - its reputation is for expensive hotels, yachts, casinos etc which is of little interest to motor homing visitors like me. But if you have set your heart on it, no doubt its doable from a campsite outside and head in with your Smart Car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave225 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 As others have said, you are either very naive, or very brave. You will need to ensure you have a confirmed site booking and be prepared to pay top dollar for the pleasure. Going to the beach will be 'interesting' as parking spaces fill up early and of course prices in cafes and restaurants reflect the fact it is 'very high season' . We did once book a site via the CC for the Cote d'Azur and when we arrived we found our pitch was a waste land at the back of the site. No other pitches were available and although the CC were 'sympathetic' they did nothing to assist us. They had paid our money to the site and basically that was it as far as thye were concerned. Oh, they did offer a discount on a future Red Pennant. Needless to say we have never used them since. You may find a Municipal site out of the way but the facilties will likely be primitive and if you have your own, then maybe fine. As others have also stated, Spain is far better and you will find many French down there as well, as they are fully aware of the costs of France, especially at that time of the year. Of course you cannot tow a car in Spain, it needs to be on a trailer, so that may determine your choice. Also if you do decide to go, watch the autoroutes as they are suicide channels at that time and you will not find a space in any rest area. I suggest strongly to 'maybe think again' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Overpriced and overrated! Stop well back from the coast, and drive in to visit. It is the one part of France that really dislikes motorhomes. You'll have to stop on campsites, which will be packed, noisy, and as above, very, very, expensive. You'll almost certainly have to book well in advance, and pay a non-refundable deposit plus a booking fee. Everything else will also be expensive. This area lives on tourism, and was created years back to do so. As said by others above, if you really want to go it is entirely possible, but very unlikely to be good value. The cote d'azur is a millionaires' playground, and you have to be one to play. Hire a yacht instead, and do it in style! :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Only done it once never again, sat down at a cafe in Monaco, looked at the prices got up quick. (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 I love Spain but wouldn't consider going in the Van in August - far too hot. I thoroughly recommend Normandy. The coast is just as attractive as the Cot d' azur, far less crowded and expensive, far better for motorhoming and and far more interesting with all its associated connections with D Day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyl101 Posted June 14, 2015 Author Share Posted June 14, 2015 well i new you lot would sort me out i think a re thinks on the card thanks to all of you for your advice i would still like to go to france some were near the beach would be good ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolero boy Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 just to balance the books a little....we have been on the road since the middle of April and have spent the past 5 weeks chilling out at La Croix Valmer on the ACSI rate of €18. we are only 10miles from St Tropez and will be cycling in there again tomorrow for a spot of light lunch.....not overly priced at this time of year, nor overly populated BUT......AUGUST........NO........ we are running away on Friday and leaving it to the poor soils who have to holiday in peak times..... its beautiful here, the sea is gorgeous, the hills are lovely......but its still only June.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike88 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 As the original poster mentioned Monaco I was there last week on a cruise. A cup of coffee cost 7 euros each and a light lunch for my wife and I cost a staggering (for me) 70 euros which included one glass of wine each. An ice cream cost 10 euros. The place was scruffy although the fact the Grand Prix circuit was being dismantled didn't help. The beach was nice but can't see what the fuss is about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Mike88 - 2015-06-14 10:35 PM can't see what the fuss is about. I can only think its about the villas, hotels, yachts, casinos, film stars etc. But whats the value of that for visitors who never really get to see it? If you were passing you might stop to look at what little you can see. But its not worth making a special trip to see that when there are far better options nearer to home like the Normandy Coast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archiesgrandad Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 We went a few years ago in our big RV, it was a nightmare, the only place we were allowed to stop was at the traffic lights, and then they moved us on again when the light turned green. My choice would be the Atlantic coast, around Arcachon, good beaches, good camp sites lots to see, and we went there in the RV and had no problems. AGD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombies Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Go to Carcassonne, along the canal du midi to Beziers look for a site around here and drive to beaches around Sete or Cap d'agde, Valras Plage and you might find alternative sites here. Will still be busy though but not like the Cote d'Azur. Stop en route in the Dordogne around Brantome or along the Dordogne river and visit the villages around here, stunning place, for me the prettiest area of France but its all good (what I have seen of it anyway). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyg3nwl Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Hi Tony, best advice already given..avoid it like the plague unless you have your millionaires hat on and yourluxury yacht at anchor there fully crewd up and waiting for you. Far better to keep about 50 miles inland from the coast and you stand some chance of finding some sites with the odd space..we are currently at Agde, and the site is already full, and fully booked up for july and august.. we move further north around 20th june, and know that sites around Millau will be overloaded as there is anothe music festival there about that time.. our plan is to keep off the main routes, and seek out small municipals, aires, and France Passion on our journey back to Cherbourg for ferry on July 6th. heed the advice and enjoy your trip. tonyg3nwl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaggy Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 As others have already said, best to avoid during July and August. That being said we went and visited relatives who were staying at Port Grimaud, we hadn't booked anything and managed on our second night to book a pitch for three nights in one of the campsites on the beach next to Port Grimaud. That was first week of August at probably it's busiest time. We were very lucky our pitch was three rows back from the water. Our first night we had to beg a shop keeper to park behind their premises after they closed. We couldn't / wouldn't have afforded to stay longer than the three days, as I recall it cost somewhere around €100 / night after electric and all taxes etc. So it probably is possible to find a pitch for a couple of day just to experience it, but the pitches we saw were very small and packed in and there would be know way of getting a tag axle with or without a car onto one. Hope this helps Gavin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike88 Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 shaggy - 2015-06-15 9:14 PM So it probably is possible to find a pitch for a couple of day just to experience it, but the pitches we saw were very small and packed in and there would be know way of getting a tag axle with or without a car onto one. Gavin If that's the site called Prairies de la Mer next to Port Grimaud I know what you mean. I recall having to move my motorhome, involving putting the blind away and dismantling camp, just to let a motorhomer gain access to his pitch. When I wanted to move a tenter had to take his tent down as the pitches were so small there was no road access between them. It was horrendous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaggy Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 That sounds like it alright, we are only 6.5m long and struggled to get in on the pitch. It was an experience though Gavin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallii Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 We stayed in April / May and enjoyed it. We stayed at a private "aire" on the outskirts and it was fine, I think we paid less than 10 € a night. We cycled all around St Tropez and whilst we didn't eat out we found it quite quaint. Strange word is "quaint" but it was that, In the season it could be very different butfor us is was quaint. Quite quaint H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Funny that, we have stopped on Prairie de la Mer the last two years using ACSI, admittedly in June, but had none of the difficulties mentioned. We were taken round the site on a golf buggy by an Englishman who worked there and were able to pick our choice of pitch from those available. Close to the ferry to St Tropez and really good restaurant's and other facilities, if there was any complaint it was with the motorhome top up and emptying facilities that were not friendly to us or the other park users, we had to block the road to use them. Ours was a 6.5m (or thereabouts) van as well Bas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Joe90 Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Can only echo the majority of others comments. There are few advantages in being of a certain age, but avoiding August, and certainly the south of France ( although for me at any time of the year ) are a couple. Currently in France, and mostly got it to ourselves, not much help to the OP, but inland in August would be my plan, thousands of sites to go at, and room to breath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will86 Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 We had a very entertaining hassle free drive all around the busy parts on one of the busiest days, especially for my passenger, looking at the scenery and the water craft. Try it our way its free, on GOOGLE from the armchair. One great advantage is you can turn around or reverse, or even stop anywhere if you missed a special bit. As a driver you'll see much more than if you were there. And where else can you look sideways in busy traffic? Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 I think this thread has made history. The only thread where everybody has agreed (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will86 Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Yes in keeping away at busy times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laimeduck Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 Well I do semi disagree! I was there in May- just after the Monaco Grand Prix - we stayed on ACSI sites in Grimaud and in Cagnes sur Mer at €16 per night. We have a motorbike in the garage - so explored St Tropez and areas around, from Grimaud. LOvely meal in Port Grimaud on the waterfront €15 Plat du jour 3 courses inc 250 ml wine. It was a very well presented meal, well served and with good grace. Even the plonk was acceptable! The drive on the bike was only about 8 km from Cagnes to Nice or 16Km from Cagnes to Monaco - around the coast road through Villefranche. We ate at Rascasse corner in Monaco for about €12-14 per head and noted that the Plat du Jour at the Monaco Sailing Club was €14 for 3 courses. Hardly bank breaking? Out of season this is a lovely area - but as has been stated July - August you would be mad! I have been in previous years in September and it's OK but the locals have made their money & tend to be on the rude/indifferent side - as only the French can master! So at the right time it is a fabulous place to visit and not too expensive if you are selective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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