France in August

[Markm]

Looking to grab a week in france 2nd half of august in the van with the kids. Any suggestions, would prefer by the sea but seeing as its august and its only a few weeks away, that might be a tall order

 

[BMVS-Camper-Hire]

We are going back to the alps for the third year running. Back to Lake Annecy, so you get the best of both worlds, beautiful views and water

The only thing to be aware of is that the campsites do get booked up early, we booked in October!!

 

[teeboy]

There is a good write up in this months VWT Magazine about a tour down the West Coast of France and into Spain all in one week.

They went out of season, so in August you will have more camp site choices.

I have replicated their route (roughly) here - http://goo.gl/maps/wbXBt - I added the La Rochelle stop!!!

T

 

[MKRW]

We are off to the same place as last year in the Vendee. Only 6 hour drive from the tunnel and have v. good weather last year.

Plenty of campsites in the area. Check around Les Sables-d'Olonne.

D book your crossing now. We were daft and only booked last week and the prices were crazy expensive and not much availability to travel when we planned to.

 

[sidepod]

Now we've been to the South of France for the last four years in August (not our choice of date, holidays are dictated by work!).

If you have to travel on a Saturday then prepare for a loooooonnnnnnnggggggg trip. Every Frenchman, German, Dutch and Belgian head for the south in August.
Check when the various regions of France take their hols.

Last year we cracked it. Late afternoon tunnel on Friday. Brim it and drive through the night. Don't lift until you see your destination. If you stop and snooze thinking you'll get away early, forget it. You'll wake up to grid lock.

Honestly, I'd rethink.

This year, we'll be the ones heading south as the hordes return :lol: :lol: :lol:

S.

 

[HistoryBob]

Try this place
http://www.camping-lecolombier.com/en/
It's in Normandy. About an hour from the coast. I've been there twice and will be there again in August. A really well looked after site and lots to do for the kids including a heated swimming pool in the most gorgeous setting. It's a pleasant 2-3 hour drive from Calais.
Have Fun

 

[muttley]

We will also be in France for the last two weeks of August. I am taking a chance and haven't booked anything, as we plan to tour and I want the flexibility of staying for a few days if we find somewhere nice, and moving on if not. I have been advised by experienced travellers on here that it is generally not a problem to find a site, unless you want a large family-friendly site with all facilities. Which we don't.

I am planning to drive down to Antibes through the night (about 11 hrs from Calais), and then to take a leisurely two weeks to make our way back. I really don't know France well at all, and I have found the Wild Swimming France book to be very useful. It details hundreds of lovely lakes, gorges and child-friendly rivers and we are plotting a rough course to include quite a few of these.

Simon

 

[Martin]

Agreed, never ever drive in France on Black Saturday, this year it falls on 3rd August, we made the mistake of doing this one year and our journey took double the amount of time.

Here is a handy PDF to refer to for anyone travelling to France

http://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.f ... e_2013.pdf

 

[sidepod]

In today’s Times

Almost there.

 

[sidepod]

Interview with Shapps on Today prog R4 (08-30).

Defending keeping quarantine for returning Brits but sounded hopeful of lifting.Admitted B cases are dropping

Next review in one week.

 

[Jabberwocky]

So, I am a UK National and with the need for quarantining on the return from France not required and quarantining also not required when I travel to France (From yesterday I believe) how do I get my "Pass Sanitaire" (24 Hrs before travel) or is the UK NHS cert accepted? Can anyone give me a steer please?

 

[WelshGas]

So, I am a UK National and with the need for quarantining on the return from France not required and quarantining also not required when I travel to France (From yesterday I believe) how do I get my "Pass Sanitaire" (24 Hrs before travel) or is the UK NHS cert accepted? Can anyone give me a steer please?

My son travelled on Friday using the NHS Covid Pass. No problems.
Takes about 48 hrs to register and for identification checks if you are not already registered for the English NHS account.
If you are a Welsh resident a little more involved. Scotland and NI have different systems.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Thanks WG. I have my NHS COVID Pass (two Jabs) but the campsite is saying I also need a "Pass Sanitaire". I think need to revisit their request to understand!
For anyone else who is trying to unravel what needs to done to visit France and back again (until the rules change again!) these sites seem to be very useful.

kernel (20)

Le site officiel du Ministère de l'intérieur : Actualités, votre sécurité, vos démarches administratives, collectivités territoriales, immigration, préfet, gendarmerie, police, sécurité civile, sapeurs-pompiers, secrétariat général, sécurité routière, élections.

www.interieur.gouv.fr

Vaccine pass in France

Since 14 March 2022, the vaccine pass has been withdrawn

uk.ambafrance.org

https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/formulaire_demande_passe_sanitaire_signature_electronique_cle013e3f.pdf

Entry requirements - France travel advice

Latest FCDO travel advice for France including on entry requirements, safety and security and local laws and customs.

www.gov.uk

 

[kp64zl]

My insurance company (LV) recommends people get a green card too.

Driving in the EU | LV=

In some circumstances, you may need a green card for travelling abroad with your car. If you do need a green card, follow this easy process to sign up online

www.lv.com

 

[RichardH]

We took a risk and came early, at the end of July. We will be here until the end of August, in our favourite site in the forest immediately behind the lovely Atlantic beach in Les Landes, not far from Léon. Bliss!

The sites on the coast here are sometimes fully booked at this time, but although it can be hard to find a pitch for a week or more, they can often accommodate you if you turn up and don’t mind changing emplacements every one, two or three days for a while. Easy in a Cali. Just inland there are plenty of others where it is still OK to turn up on-spec. The last week of August is always much quieter, and south west France is less crowded than the Mediterranean. The weather forecast looks great for the next ten days at least.

Crossing into France was easy. We had printed copies of our vaccine QR code, from the NHS app and had printed and signed the declaration d’honneur (be sure to print out the amber country version from the French web page). We showed these at the French immigration check-point at Dover and they waved us through. Maybe more is needed for children. No checks at all in Calais.

In France it is now compulsory to show their Pass Sanitaire for entry to restaurants etc. Download the Tousanticovid app and follow the instructions (in English). Use your phone to take a photo of your NHS vaccine QR codes (easiest with a printed copy) to import the info into the French app. It sounds complicated, but was remarkably easy.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[RichardH]

Thanks WG. I have my NHS COVID Pass (two Jabs) but the campsite is saying I also need a "Pass Sanitaire". I think need to revisit their request to understand!
For anyone else who is trying to unravel what needs to done to visit France and back again (until the rules change again!) these sites seem to be very useful.

kernel (20)

Le site officiel du Ministère de l'intérieur : Actualités, votre sécurité, vos démarches administratives, collectivités territoriales, immigration, préfet, gendarmerie, police, sécurité civile, sapeurs-pompiers, secrétariat général, sécurité routière, élections.

www.interieur.gouv.fr

Vaccine pass in France

Since 14 March 2022, the vaccine pass has been withdrawn

uk.ambafrance.org

https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/formulaire_demande_passe_sanitaire_signature_electronique_cle013e3f.pdf

Entry requirements - France travel advice

Latest FCDO travel advice for France including on entry requirements, safety and security and local laws and customs.

www.gov.uk

Pass Sanitaire: Download the Tousanticovid app and follow the easy instructions, in English.

 

[subthree]

We have had a wonderful 2.5 weeks in France, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands. No issues entering any of these countries. The painful bit is returning to North Korea with all the convoluted forms and tests.

 

[Wongo]

We have had a wonderful 2.5 weeks in France, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands. No issues entering any of these countries. The painful bit is returning to North Korea with all the convoluted forms and tests.

Yes and the pickets outside the lifeboat stations with the ‘let ‘em drown’ placards, not a country I am proud of anymore.

 

[subthree]

For anyone returning to the UK we used this company who were excellent with our pre-entry lateral flow tests. About to return our Day 2 PCR to them as well.

www.c19testing.co.uk

 

[WelshGas]

We have had a wonderful 2.5 weeks in France, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands. No issues entering any of these countries. The painful bit is returning to North Korea with all the convoluted forms and tests.

At least you can return.

 

[WelshGas]

Yes and the pickets outside the lifeboat stations with the ‘let ‘em drown’ placards, not a country I am proud if anymore.

Before you get on your high horse I fully support the RNLI and participate in their fund raising activities. But it would seem you fully endorse our European neighbours allowing , if not actively encouraging, these supposed refugees getting into unseaworthy craft to cross the channel and actively escorting them out of French Territorial waters and then putting the lives of RNLI and Border Force officers at risk to save them ?
Maybe you should be just as vocal to the French Authorities to do their job to protect these supposed refugees in the first place.

 

[Jabberwocky]

For anyone returning to the UK we used this company who were excellent with our pre-entry lateral flow tests. About to return our Day 2 PCR to them as well.

www.c19testing.co.uk

Correct me if I am wrong but we don't need these tests now do we?

 

[subthree]

Correct me if I am wrong but we don't need these tests now do we?

As of 0400 on Sunday 8 August, France has now been moved from "Amber Plus" to "Amber". This means when returning to the UK;

1. You need a negative test, which can be the cheaper lateral flow test, taken within 72 hours prior to travel.

2. You need to book a Day 2 PCR test prior to your return. You will be given a unique reference number which you put on your Passenger Locator Form.

3. No need to self isolate, unless of course you get a positive result from the Day 2PCR in which case NHS Track and Trace will be notified by the Day 2 testing company.

Hope that helps.

 

[WelshGas]

As of 0400 on Sunday 8 August, France has now been moved from "Amber Plus" to "Amber". This means when returning to the UK;

1. You need a negative test, which can be the cheaper lateral flow test, taken within 72 hours prior to travel.

2. You need to book a Day 2 PCR test prior to your return. You will be given a unique reference number which you put on your Passenger Locator Form.

3. No need to self isolate, unless of course you get a positive result from the Day 2PCR in which case NHS Track and Trace will be notified by the Day 2 testing company.

Hope that helps.

So straightforward. A little easier than entering N Korea.

 

[RichardH]

My son travelled on Friday using the NHS Covid Pass. No problems.
Takes about 48 hrs to register and for identification checks if you are not already registered for the English NHS account.
If you are a Welsh resident a little more involved. Scotland and NI have different systems.

NHS Covid Pass sufficient to get into France. Pass Sanitaire needed from today (9th August) for entry to various places in France. Restaurants etc. We showed ours for entry into our campsite.