How to get there:

If you are travelling by ferry, and bringing your car, your first experience of France is going to be a port on the North or Northwest coast. Travelling directly from Ireland, you will disembark at Roscoff or Cherbourg. If you take the ‘land-bridge’ route through Britain, you may then take the Channel Tunnel or land at one of the ports served by the British ferry companies.

Where to go:

First time visitors may prefer to sample the delights of Normandy or Brittany, but don’t forget that France has more to offer. The Normandy region is renowned for its war museums, the D-day landing beaches and its Calvados (famous cider made from local apples). Visitors to Brittany should sample its many beaches, its flower-bedecked towns and villages, the walled towns of St. Malo and Guerande and, of course, the famous Mont St. Michel. Every region in France has its own gastronomic specialities. Visitors to Brittany and Normandy must sample the seafood, the crepes (pancakes) and the tarte aux pommes (apple-tart). Don’t forget to try the local cheeses also! All areas of Normandy and Brittany are within three hours drive of the ferry ports. While your first visit to France might include just Normandy and Brittany, it will definitely give you the urge to travel further into the country on subsequent visits. Within a day’s drive of the ferry ports are the Vendee region, the Bordeaux region, the Loire Valley and Paris. If you enjoy a beach holiday, then the Vendee is the place for you. The main resorts of St.Jean de Monts, St.Gilles Croix-de-Vie and Les Sables d’Olonne are well served by top class campsites. This region has numerous restaurants where you can sample a wide variety of local seafood, or fruits de mer. The brioche vendeenne is another speciality of the region. Going further south to the Bordeaux region, you may experience slightly warmer weather and the same high standard of camping facilities. Seafood restaurants serve the local delicacies accompanied by the famous Bordeaux wines. Moving inland to the Loire Valley, visitors get the opportunity to sample some of the most famous wines in all of France. A visit to this region must include a trip to some of the local caves (wine cellars).  As you drive through the vineyards, the temptation to sample and buy will be impossible to resist! So, leave room in the boot of your car for your purchases! The kings and princes of France built their chateaux in this region and many are open to the public. The most famous are in Angers, Saumur and Chinon. The chateau at Usse is ideal for children as it is reputed to be that of Sleeping Beauty. Before leaving this region, a canoe trip on the Loire is not to be missed. Campsites in the Loire region are plentiful and of excellent quality. If you decide to visit Paris as part of your holiday, you will find lots of campsites on the outskirts of the city. These are generally situated close to railway stations. To see the sights of Paris, day or night, leave your car and take the train! More and more Irish visitors are travelling a little further (making an overnight stop) and are discovering the delights of the Dordogne, the Pyrenees, the Mediterranean coast, the Alps and the Jura regions. Visitors to the Dordogne area can take canoe trips on the river and visit the many historical sites e.g. Rocamadour, the underground caves at Padirac and the tragic town of Oradour-sur-Glane (undisturbed since a massacre during World War 2). This is the region for truffles and foie gras. A treat not to be missed. Another region renowned for foie gras is Gascony in the foothills of the Pyrenees. The produce of this area is served in the best restaurants in Paris. Melons are a local speciality. In summer, fields of sunflowers stretch as far as the eye can see.  This area is ideal for people who enjoy country pursuits e.g. walking, cycling. The Alpine and Jura regions offer spectacular scenery with snow-capped mountain peaks visible, even in summer. They are a haven for walkers and nature lovers. Germany, Switzerland and Italy are within easy reach. Campers often hear the tinkling of cowbells in the meadows as they wake in the morning. Wonderful cheeses are made in this part of France. Visitors must try the cheese fondue.

When to go:

While the majority of tourists go in June, July and August, most campsites are open from April to September. Ferry prices and campsite prices are much lower during off peak times. If good weather is not your priority, then a visit outside of June, July or August is an attractive proposition.

Where to stay:

Regardless of what region you visit, the campsites are superb. For French people camping is a way of life, and they take great pride in maintaining a high standard. Campsites are categorised as 2-star, 3-star or 4-star, depending on the level of facilities they provide. For an overnight stop, a 2 or 3-star site would be sufficient.  The 4-star site is recommended for a longer stay. There you can expect to find heated swimming pools, children’s pools, bar and restaurant, organised children’s activities, night-time entertainment and a well stocked shop for your daily supplies of croissants and baguettes. There are numerous guidebooks available which describe, in detail, the facilities available on each site. The majority of sites have their own website and provide online booking facilities. It is recommended to book your sites during high season. There is usually a small booking fee, but it is worth paying it to guarantee getting a pitch on the sites of your choice.

What to bring:

You must bring your passport, driving licence, car insurance certificate and the ‘green card’, which should be available, free of charge, from your car insurance company. It is advisable to have travel insurance and the E111 form from your Health Board. This provides basic medical cover while on the continent. French law requires that you have a warning triangle in your car (in case of breakdown). You should also have a basic first-aid kit. It is not necessary to load up your car with basic foodstuffs, as all that you need is available in the local supermarche.

Shopping in France:

There are a few well-known supermarket chains that have outlets all over France. Look out for ‘E. LeClerc’, ‘HyperU’, ‘SuperU’, ‘Continent’, ‘Auchan’ or ‘Intermarche’. Everything you need, and more, is available in these superstores – from fruit and vegetables to bicycles, hi-fi equipment and wine! Every town and village has its market day, and a visit to a French market is a must. Observe the locals as they meet and greet each other, and carefully chose the fruit, vegetables, meat and cheese for the dinner table. Local markets are always advertised on campsite notice boards.

Driving in France:

For the first time traveller to France, stories about French roads and French drivers can cause a lot of anxiety. In reality, the majority of drivers treat Irish drivers with courtesy. The general standard of driving and road construction far exceeds that which you are used to in Ireland. Most towns are by-passed so driving on ordinary roads is quite straightforward. As you approach a town, follow the ‘Toutes Directions’ sign unless you want to stop in that town. In that case, follow the sign for ‘Centre Ville’. Motorways, if you wish to take them, are tolled and are useful if you want to reach your destination quickly. Buy a good map and study your route carefully before you leave.  Driving on the right will become second nature very quickly and most first time visitors express surprise at how easy it is.

Why a camping holiday?

If you want a ‘freedom’ holiday where you can be as organized as you wish, if you want the choice of moving from place to place, if you want to decide your own meal times and to organize your days to suit yourself, then a camping holiday is for you. Children are fully occupied all day long – it is very unlikely that you will hear the words ‘I’m bored’ during your holiday!  Be prepared to meet their new friends of all nationalities.  Some first-time travellers use companies that provide tents and mobiles but, having experienced the joys of camping, many go on to buy their own camping equipment for future holidays. A tent, trailer tent or caravan, if properly looked after, will give years of service and pleasure to its user. The basic equipment can be bought in a package from camping providers such as O’Meara Camping. The attractions of a camping holiday in France are many - for parents, teenagers and children. There are numerous activities available for all ages. When it gets too hot, take it easy under the shade of a tree or by the poolside.