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.
Camaret-sur-mer in France - a gem in Brittany
Camaret-Sur-Mer in France is a stunningly beautiful place on earth. In this picturesque fishing village in Brittany,...
Concarneau in France - South Brittany
Welcome to Concarneau in France, in southern Brittany. In the heart of Concarneau you will find Ville Close,...
Ardeche in France - and the Pont d'Arc
In the Ardeche region of France, you'll find an unrivalled natural environment with a dramatic canyon, a...
A day in Nice and Villefranche in France
A day in Nice and Villefranche, France. From wide beach walks to the alleyways of the old town,...
Cannes Film Festival - we were there!
The Cannes Film Festival in France! Today we rubbed shoulders with celebrities at the Cannes Film Festival....
Honfleur in France - medieval town in Normandy
Honfleur in France is not far from Le Havre in Normandy, and the route to it was along the...
Mortagne sur Gironde in France
We have now driven the motorhome to the small town of Mortagne sur Gironde, which is located on the...
Gothenburg - France - the start of the European journey
Now we have driven from Gothenburg to France. Night-black motorways through Denmark, windy sea between Rödby...
Camping in Cannes - Camping Le ranch
Camping Le Ranch is a campsite in Cannes that is ideal for visiting the city centre.
Travelling through Brittany in France
Travelling through Brittany is a journey through medieval France. Small villages pop up every...
Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume and the tomb of Mary Magdalene
Now we have started to roll north from the French coast, and on the way we have visited...
Camping L'Aigle at Aiguines in France
Two days ago, we arrived in the village of Aiguines in France on the lake Lac de Sainte Croix,...
Camping and swimming at Le Lavandou - Côte d'Azur in France
After a nice visit to blog friends in Provence, it was time for us to head south....
Sainte-Mere-Eglise in Normandy
The Normandy coastline is littered with memorials from D-Day, the Normandy landings on 1 January....
Île Sainte-Marguerite near Cannes - Lerin Islands in France
One of the reasons why we went back to Cannes and the French Riviera, was that we...
The Silver Coast in France - from Gironde to Bayonne
We are on the Silver Coast in France. The entire west coast of France from the Gironde estuary to Bayonne...
Europe's largest sand dune - Dune de Pilat in France
Europe's largest sand dune, Dune Du Pilat, is around 3 kilometres long, 104 metres high and 500 metres...
In French supermarkets - an experience
Yesterday we had a big event in Agde. It is really fun to go in...
Great places in France - 15 favourites
There are plenty of great places to visit in France, whether you like dramatic scenery, bustling cities or...
Porquerolles Island in France - Golden Islands on the French Riviera
The island of Porquerolles in France is one of the golden islands on the French Riviera, in the south of France. Many consider...
Ile de Ré in France - holiday island on the west coast
Ile de Ré in France is an island located off La Rochelle, on the west coast of France....
3 things to do in Marseille, France
What to see and do in Marseille, France? Marseille is the second largest city...
St Tropez in France - the city of luxury and glamour?
St Tropez in France is known for luxury and glamour. This is one of the more...
Île du Levant in France - Europe's only naturist island
The Île du Levant in France is Europe's only naturist island, and a very special place. Here...
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie in France
Located on the Gorges du Verdon, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France....
Veulettes-sur-Mer in Normandy - seaside caravan site
Now we have found a pitch in Veulettes-sur-Mer on the Normandy coast. The cliffs are dramatic...
Pedal boat on the Verdon River in France
We have now travelled to the Verdon River in France. Right at the entrance to the river is...
Camargue in France - land of the white horses
On the way to Arles we drove past the beautiful Camargue. The area consists of 140,000 hectares...
Port-Cros Island in France - France's exotic national park
The island of Port-Cros in France is one of the so-called Golden Islands on the Côte d'Azur. The island reminds...
Facts about France - 30 things you (might) not have known
Here are the facts about France - 30 things you (maybe) didn't know. We've travelled around...
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