At this time of year, there are almost no campsites open in northern France. Luckily, there are plenty of great pitches in France! For those who don't have a motorhome: a pitch is a place where you can stay overnight in a motorhome, sometimes with services such as rubbish collection, water and electricity.
You pay for the service
Here in France there are often small boxes with water taps and electricity sockets, which you have to pay for. In addition, there is usually garbage collection and the possibility of emptying the sewage tank and toilet tank. Very convenient! I Honfleur we paid 100 SEK for a day, and that included everything. Here in Arromanches parking is free, but electricity costs €20/hour.
Below you will find a link to a page where we have collected all the campsites and pitches in France that we have stayed at, as well as an article about driving on French roads.
Problems with fridge, engine light and LPG
We've got the fridge running on gas again, so electricity is enough for a few hours to charge computers or watch a film. Thanks Lars for the tip about sweeping the fridge's burner! We have read up on it now. So far it was enough to "knock a little", but it may be that the problem comes back.
Today we are going to find a FIAT workshop in Caen. Our engine light comes on occasionally, and we also need help somewhere to connect the French LPG tube.
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Ama de casa says:
We did a camping trip many years ago with the theme D-Day. Very interesting.
Glad you got the fridge going!
So they close down in winter, the campsites. I haven't thought about that... But on the other hand we don't camp in the winter. The tent is not so well insulated...
😉
06 December 2014 - 11:31
Maggan and Ingemar says:
How nice that it was only soot. I hope you get the gas sorted out too. Is it a fixed tube to be connected? I have heard that butane gas produces more soot than propane, perhaps something to consider. We have also noticed that many campsites close over the winter. Fortunately, some are open and that there are parking spaces, we miss it here in Greece.
Have a nice trip.
06 December 2014 - 15:21
Mr Steve says:
Well organised for campers, I see.
Glowing lights on the dashboard are a scourge.
06 December 2014 - 16:44
Role o Carina says:
You look like you are having an exciting time on your trip!
A working fridge is a need!
Keep up the good work.......
06 December 2014 - 16:44
BP says:
What a service! Do not have a motorhome but wonder how the service is in winter here at home. No idea.
I think the electricity for 20 kronor is expensive.
Hope the Fiat workshop in La France can fix your problems. It's good that they show up like this in the beginning, then you'll have a problem-free rest of the year - hopefully.
06 December 2014 - 17:03
Anders and Birgitta says:
Not fun when the campervan is not working, hope it will work now.
06 December 2014 - 18:47
admin says:
Ama de casa, fun and interesting with a trip with a theme! Yes many campsites close in winter, but not all.
Maggan and Ingemar, no it is not a fixed tube, but it is a French refillable tube. We discovered that we have a coupling that we bought earlier, which seems to fit. Haven't changed it yet...
Steve, yes there are plenty of signs for motorhomes in this country. Always very clear if you are welcome or not.
😉
Rolle and Carina, very complicated without a fridge...
BP, in Sweden there are also car parks, but not so often with this kind of automated service unfortunately. Often something has to be open so you can pay for electricity, or there is simply no electricity.
Anders and Birgitta, we have a lot to fix right now, but it's just as well to do it all at once!
06 December 2014 - 19:25