European Road Trip/Camping July/August 2014
Jun 1st, 2014, 06:09 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
European Road Trip/Camping July/August 2014
Hi,
I am writing to find out more information about free campsites in Europe.
We are planning on driving around Europe from the UK (Northern France, Northern Italy, South France, South Coast of Spain, and Portugal) in a new 'Campercar' hired from Spaceship in July/August.
If anyone has any information regarding free campsites within Europe that would be fantastic!
Many Thanks.
I am writing to find out more information about free campsites in Europe.
We are planning on driving around Europe from the UK (Northern France, Northern Italy, South France, South Coast of Spain, and Portugal) in a new 'Campercar' hired from Spaceship in July/August.
If anyone has any information regarding free campsites within Europe that would be fantastic!
Many Thanks.
Jun 1st, 2014, 06:35 AM
#2
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,760
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Free? mm that may be difficult.
Wild camping is not permitted in some countries.
I think you may have to do some research for yourself.
http://www.campingsonline.com/
http://www.campeggievillaggi.it/
http://www.camping.fr/
http://www.eurocampings.co.uk
http://dreambigliveboldly.com/2013/0...ree-in-europe/
Wild camping is not permitted in some countries.
I think you may have to do some research for yourself.
http://www.campingsonline.com/
http://www.campeggievillaggi.it/
http://www.camping.fr/
http://www.eurocampings.co.uk
http://dreambigliveboldly.com/2013/0...ree-in-europe/
Jun 1st, 2014, 06:55 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You'll see camping cars parked all over at night - like in Paris it used to be a regular camp of them right in front of the Chateau de Vincennes even - beach areas they are all over - use some discretion - do not set up camp in a residential area but I've done this a lot.
But why free - Europe's zillions of camps are inexpensive and provide lots of facilites - nice shower rooms, swimming pools, laundries, cafe/pubs and lots of local to mix with - like moving into the neighborhood.
Why free why not use regular campgrounds?
But why free - Europe's zillions of camps are inexpensive and provide lots of facilites - nice shower rooms, swimming pools, laundries, cafe/pubs and lots of local to mix with - like moving into the neighborhood.
Why free why not use regular campgrounds?
Jun 1st, 2014, 04:57 PM
#5
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you think there are free campsites with all facilities you are very much mistaken. In some countries (don't know can - you need to check) you can park in public areas (NOT on private land) for free but there will not be any services.
I think you need to check out the PAID campsites with services near the places you want to go and make reservations - so you don't get shut out.
I think you need to check out the PAID campsites with services near the places you want to go and make reservations - so you don't get shut out.
Jun 1st, 2014, 05:13 PM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Are you serious? Free?
The normal, paid ones will be jammed in July and August and are probably all booked up by regulars by now. Before you indulge in an expensive campervan rental, you'd best figure out how you're going to make this happen.
The normal, paid ones will be jammed in July and August and are probably all booked up by regulars by now. Before you indulge in an expensive campervan rental, you'd best figure out how you're going to make this happen.
Jun 2nd, 2014, 06:26 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The normal, paid ones will be jammed in July and August and are probably all booked up by regulars by now>
as a veteran car camper doing many camping trips all over France this is not true at all - some of the bigger well-equipped camps may yes be booked up perpetually in summer but there are zillions that are not. In Bit, smack in the heart of the Riviera there is such a camp - very nice camp right near the beach - yes that type of camp will be booked up.
But opposite it was a more austere but still perfectly fine camp facility wise that I just drove into in August - ditto for the one in Grasse. I've dropped into camps in the Dordogne, Avingon, Arles, etc - everywhere in August.
You do not have to pre-book at all but you may want to to get the higher rated (star system) camps.
as a veteran car camper doing many camping trips all over France this is not true at all - some of the bigger well-equipped camps may yes be booked up perpetually in summer but there are zillions that are not. In Bit, smack in the heart of the Riviera there is such a camp - very nice camp right near the beach - yes that type of camp will be booked up.
But opposite it was a more austere but still perfectly fine camp facility wise that I just drove into in August - ditto for the one in Grasse. I've dropped into camps in the Dordogne, Avingon, Arles, etc - everywhere in August.
You do not have to pre-book at all but you may want to to get the higher rated (star system) camps.
Jun 2nd, 2014, 07:20 AM
#8
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is always somewhere you can squeeze in. You will find that many sites in France are 'full' by late afternoon. On several occasions, arriving in early evening we were allowed to spend the night in the parking area at the entrance. We could walk in and use the facilities. Not ideal but it can work.
Having exited the autoroute at Beaune at dusk as we'd been held up in horrible traffic near Lyon, I asked the man in the toll booth if there was a nearby camping. He replied that I should pull over and park right there at the toll booth where there was a also a toilet block. Again, not ideal but for an overnight it was fine.
Google "camping municipal". Most French towns have a municipally run campsite and they are often located right in the town meaning you can leave your vehicle and walk to restaurants, shopping etc.
Having exited the autoroute at Beaune at dusk as we'd been held up in horrible traffic near Lyon, I asked the man in the toll booth if there was a nearby camping. He replied that I should pull over and park right there at the toll booth where there was a also a toilet block. Again, not ideal but for an overnight it was fine.
Google "camping municipal". Most French towns have a municipally run campsite and they are often located right in the town meaning you can leave your vehicle and walk to restaurants, shopping etc.
Jun 2nd, 2014, 01:05 PM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The OP has littered travel sites today with this question. On TA, he/she got incredibly comprehensive information from probably the best European camping expert around, who noted that this "campervan" is nothing more than a small VW with a bed thrown in the back - no water, no cooking facilities....nothing even remotely what the average person would consider a "campervan" and it wouldn't likely be welcome in most campsites in Europe.
The progression of these threads over the course of the day would seem to suggest that the OP is promoting the Spaceship "campervan," not planning a trip.
The progression of these threads over the course of the day would seem to suggest that the OP is promoting the Spaceship "campervan," not planning a trip.
