Two weeks in France.

[Nik_campervan]

South from the Midlands to Folkestone today, M25 its usual fun, overnighting at the C&MC site in Folkestone. Chippy tea early night and a 9am train 1st stop lac D'Orient for a night then down to Annecy. Getting the A/C regassed the other week was a stroke of genius this weathers amazing.

 

[Nik_campervan]

Delayed Eurotunnel but an easy run down to Lac d'Orient for an overnight stop then onwards to Annecy. Thankful for Annecy being signposted off the A40 before we entered Switzerland. 2nights in Annecy 30c happy times.

 

[Not-tonyadventures]

Very envious. Enjoy.

 

[RoB5urf]

Enjoy. We're thinking of Annecy in Sept. Any tips on sites and routes appreciated. Sanef.com says tolls are ~90 Euros one-way. Was that your experience?

 

[Lee.Van.Cleef]

Lac d'Orient is a smashing site. Just booked a spot yesterday but it's already very full for our preferred slots, unfortunately. We're looking at doing something similar but working back from the Swiss end. Any top tips for Swiss sites would be very much appreciated.

 

[Nik_campervan]

Not sure on toll costs, using a tag will update when i get the bill nxt month. Were at the sandaya site in doussard, next door is lac blu. Both sites pitches are tight, close to neighbor's as norm this far south. Site has a great vibe and is quiet/chilled, (so unlike most UK sites) Misty morning walk along shore followed by SUP hired for 2hrs at €18 and swim direct from the site / public beach.

 

[Nik_campervan]

6hr run down to Castellane, top tip listen to google maps as its suggested route saving probably minutes on an unclassified road before the town of Digne stay on the N85, we aborted and had a further break before regaining the N85. 5 nights here to make the most of the pools and visit a few places.

 

[Simon197]

Looks amazing, we are off to Annency via Troyes on Saturday, can’t wait!

 

[Angus9LN]

Enjoy. We're thinking of Annecy in Sept. Any tips on sites and routes appreciated. Sanef.com says tolls are ~90 Euros one-way. Was that your experience?

Couple of weeks ago (early June 2023) we stayed here https://www.camping-le-panoramic.com/ ... Booked online day before we arrived. Plenty of space.
Very happy with pitch. Very lucky to get uninterrupted view over lake. Quiet. Good wash block. Didn't use pool (looked nice) or bar.
This site is up the hill so you'll need to bear that in mind.
Traffic was very bad in Annecy. Can't imagine what July/August must be like.
Did full, anticlockwise tour around lake on bikes (mostly flat with one tough section ... Can push). Hill at end to site was hard!
Annecy area is beautiful.

 

[Nik_campervan]

Routes des Cretes, amazing views down into Gorges du Verdon.

 

[Nik_campervan]

Verdon Gorge pedalo today, great experience with so many people all enjoying the river, lunch stop in the mountains and a stroll round Castellane with cafe stop for ice cream.

 

[Nik_campervan]

Now in St Martin Ardeche, 34c here today, pool was nice and the river Ardeche only slightly cooler for a float/swim. Waited till sundown to swap the sawtooth cupped drivers rear with pass front, hopefully will resolve the drone/hum thats got really loud. Tyres having less than 10k are barely worn except for the sawtooth wear to one of the centre blocks, can only conclude the pressures got too high due to heat buildup as the tracking was done about 4k back also. Way too hot even at sunset for swapping tyres with a widow maker scissor jack

 

[Nik_campervan]

Ardeche river swimming & evening walk round the village.

 

[Nik_campervan]

Homeward bound, couple of nights in the Jura by the river and back to Lac d'Orient tonight whete we started 2wks back. No idea where everyone is lac d'Orient was deserted this afternoon.

 

[AndrewCook680]

They are all probably looting shops in Paris and rioting ?
We stayed at lac d’orient years ago. About this time of year, it was roasting hot and busy, but we went out on bikes and found a nice cool bar in nearby village and enjoyed some cold beerooo

 

[Nik_campervan]

Back a few weeks and final update,
Costs..
Tunnel (incl breakdown cover and travel insurance for 2ppl) £406.
Earlier train for return journey £53.
Fuel for 2200miles £393 averaging 36mpg.
Campsites nights £530
Headlight beam stickers £10
Tolls £180

Total £1572.
Found the days we only covered 200miles worked well if needing to stop for shopping and a lazy lunch break.
Supermarket stops were best timed upon leaving site at start of the day, less ppl about and beats coming back to a van interior of 40C if done at the end of a day travelling.
Emovis toll tag saves loads of hassle, got incorrectly classed as over 2m at 2 tolls, online form submission to reimburse their error.
Sites tightly packed but with a far better vibe than in UK.
A whining wheelbearing somewhere around Sisteron can get you a further 1200miles home but becomes ridiculously loud.
Since return vans getting a thorough service/recon ready for the next trip.