Decent campsite / roads in Loire Valley area?

[Adamj79]

I've been to Europe before on the bike (Holland, Germany) with friends but this is the first time SWMBO is coming along on a jaunt so I thought a gentle few days camping in France would be just the job.

The Loire valley region has been suggested to us so I'm having a look online and just wondered if anyone had any recommendations based on their experiences, nice routes, places to stay etc?

We'll be travelling from the North East so my options are local ferries ie Newcastle/Hull - Holland, or Portsmouth - Caen which seems more direct, or even the tunnel I suppose.

Any advice much appreciated folks.....

 

[Timolgra]

La Charite sur Loire and Blois both fantastic places.

 

[oyster]

I love Camping in France!

Portsmouth -Caen everytime! make your way down through Tours, first campsite in Bois, working your way down to the Volcanos of Central Massif, then on the way back stay off in Saumar, hope you enjoy your holiday

 

[Wapping]

If you have a Garmin GPS have a look in the '80 Virees a moto' sticky for several suggested routes in the region. There are lots of other routes, too so you can join up where you are going to with whoever it is you start from.

The are lots of campsites in France, ranging from small municipal sites thro' large, privately owned sites with as many facilities as a reasonably sized hotel. Similarly, there are lots of very good guide books with extensive lists of sites, their contact details, all the amenities, opening periods or whatever. The Michelin one is good, though there are others, too. A Google search, an Amazon enquiry or a jaunt into Waterstone's (or your local library) will see you kitted up in two shakes of a lamb's what sit.

PS The Michelin Green Guide to the area is your friend.

 

[Wapping]

Portsmouth -Caen everytime!

Great if you live to the west(ish) or lower south parts of our island, where it's a schlep to get to the Chunnel, as it would be for you as you'd be going too far backwards to go forwards. Not so good if the bod hangs his hat in the dark nor'east, perhaps?

 

[The Grey One]

Not through!

Portsmouth -Caen everytime! make your way down through Tours, first campsite in Bois, working your way down to the Volcanos of Central Massif, then on the way back stay off in Saumar, hope you enjoy your holiday

Had a house in the Dordogne for 12 years so did route south from Caen at least 5 times a year. So just a small point-only bit of Autoroute we used was to avoid going through Tours. D roads south from Le Mans and then onto the A10 near the airport. Just a short stretch of Autoroute saves fighting your way through the city before re joining more fun roads.

Sold the house several years ago so ready to be corrected if things have changed, when I did it the toll for the short section was not expensive (can't remember how much-I would have remembered thought if it was expensive!)

Enjoy your trip

John

 

[Toad]

Camping Le Moulin Fort just outside Blois is excellent.

Just a short walk from Chemencaux chateau,

And a short distance from Le Clo Roy where Leonardo da Vinci lived and died.

If you're going to the campsite request a pitch next to the river.

Beautiful.

 

[Adamj79]

Great if you live to the west(ish) or lower south parts of our island, where it's a schlep to get to the Chunnel, as it would be for you as you'd be going too far backwards to go forwards. Not so good if the bod hangs his hat in the dark nor'east, perhaps?

Yes I thought that too. I don't live far from the 'Newcastle' ferry port in North Shields so I think I'd rather do the miles in Europe (taking a day to get through Holland, Belgium then France) as opposed to riding the length of the UK first. Decisions decisions eh.

I think its time to take the plunge and buy a Garmin so I can plan ahead, for hopefully (eek) less hassle on the road.

Thanks for the tips everyone its much appreciated

 

[The Grey One]

Do it now

.....

I think its time to take the plunge and buy a Garmin so I can plan ahead, for hopefully (eek) less hassle on the road.

Thanks for the tips everyone its much appreciated

Buy your Garmin soon and start to use it straight away, that way you will be further around the learning curve before your trip.

Had plenty here who fitted the thing for the first time the day before they set off. That why lies a stressful journey!

John