Category: Motorhome Advice

Owning a motorhome gives you the freedom of the open road. And if that open road begins with the short hop across the Channel to France, the open road has practically no end.

France is our closest neighbour. That’s why so many Britons visit the country – principally for holidays. They totalled more than 10.3 million in 2019, according to the latest figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Though it might be just a short cross-Channel journey away, however, remember that France is a foreign country, with rules of the road, laws and customs that may differ substantially to those you are used to at home.

So, if you are planning on exploring France in your motorhome, there is the little matter of getting across the stretch of water known as the English Channel.

So, how do you get to France, what are the routes, and how long does it take?

With all that in mind, the following advice is offered about taking your motorhome to France.

Ways to get to France in your motorhome

Le Shuttle

By far the quickest and probably the most convenient way to get your motorhome across the Channel is through the Euro Tunnel on the train service known as Le Shuttle.

That means first driving to Folkestone on England’s south coast – the route is well signposted from the M20, where you simply drive your motorhome onto the train. The journey lasts just 35 minutes until you disembark in Calais.

When using the tunnel, you may keep onboard any LPG tanks you use for your cooker, refrigerator or for heating provided the cylinders have a capacity of no more than 47kg and that they are less than 80% full.

The Camping and Caravanning Club currently offers its members a 10% discount when tickets for Le Shuttle are bought directly through the club.

Overground

Part of your adventure, though, might be the chance to wave a temporary goodbye to the white cliffs of Dover from the deck of a ship. In that case, you have a number of options – largely determined by where your destination in France will be:

Dover to Calais

  • the shortest – 22 miles or so – and most familiar, is likely to be the Dover to Calais ferry, operated by two companies, DFDS Seaways and P&O Ferries;
  • sea crossings with either company – who together offer a combined total of 39 sailings a day – take around an hour and a half between Dover and Calais;
  • prices are calculated according to the exact dimensions of your motorhome – which you must provide at the time of booking – and larger vehicles are typically loaded first;

Dover to Dunkirk

  • if you want to arrive a little further along the north coast of France, Dover to Dunkirk may be your choice – Dunkirk is a much less busy port than Calais, the tickets tend to be cheaper, and the journey time is still only around 2 hours;

Newhaven to Dieppe

  • DFDS Seaways also operates the ferry service between Newhaven and Dieppe;
  • this might prove an even more relaxing crossing since both Newhaven and Dieppe are quieter ports than either Dover or Calais and the four-hour crossing gives you time to enjoy the cruise and enjoy a meal onboard;

Portsmouth to Normandy and Brittany

  • if your destination is Normandy, Brittany or other points west in France, Brittany Ferries offers several routes, all starting from the port of Portsmouth;
  • the route to Le Havre is billed as a “no frills” economy passage and takes around four and a half hours;
  • sailings to the historic port of Caen in Normandy prove to be some of Brittany Ferries’ most popular crossings – though you might also want to book a cabin for the seven-hour crossing;
  • Portsmouth to Cherbourg takes just three hours on Brittany Ferries’ Normandie Express;
  • since the crossing takes 10 hours, sailings from Portsmouth to St Malo are overnight – a good time to enjoy a relaxing onboard meal as you watch the sea slip quietly by.

Whether you opt for the speed and convenience of the Channel Tunnel or choose a mini cruise across to France, therefore, our closest neighbour has never been easier to reach for your next motorhome tour.

But, so much for getting there – what are you likely to make of the driving in France and what should you know about taking your motorhome?

The driving

One of the main dangers may be the lure of the open road itself. Especially if you are chasing the sun, you might be tempted to drive much further in your motorhome in France than you are used to at home.

As a detailed study by the European E-Survey of Road Users’ Attitudes (ESRA) warned, it is essential to avoid driving fatigue, so plan your route well, and take regular breaks.

Documents

You need to remember your UK driving licence, but at the time of writing (September 2020), you do not need an international driving permit for France. Do note that this could change due to Brexit, so check with the Government website for clarification.

You must also have evidence of insurance for your motorhome since a minimum of third party cover is obligatory in France – as it is throughout the rest of Europe.

Check that your insurance covers driving in Europe and ask your insurer for a “green card” that confirms you are adequately insured for driving in France. The need for a green card is almost certain to increase once the UK has completed its departure from the EU as from the 1st of January 2021.

Also carry your registration and MOT documents too.

Kit

When driving in France, you must have onboard a warning triangle and a reflective jacket to wear in case of roadside emergencies together with a first-aid kit.

While it is no longer a legal requirement, it has been in the past and is, therefore, a good idea to continue to carry a breathalyser device.

Speed limits

Speed limits may vary, especially in rural areas, are likely to catch out the unwary and are frequently policed – with on the spot fines which vary according to the degree to which you have exceeded the limit.

That means up to €68 for a minor infraction (less than 12mph) but up to €3750 and three months in prison if you are caught for the second time speeding by more than 31mph.

Emissions

The RAC warns that in some French cities you also need to display a “clean air sticker” – a Crit’Air.

This costs £3.60 and you may face an on the spot fine of nearly £120 if you fail to do so.

Please note that this information is correct at the time of writing – September 2020 – so it is advisable to check routes, the documentation needed etc. from official sources when planning your trip, as they may change.

All of us enjoy taking a few home comforts with us when we are out and about with our motorhome.

True, “roughing it” a little is often part of the fun when in the countryside but a few motorhome accessories can make life just that bit more comfortable.

Here are some general ideas as to things you might consider taking with you. They’re not in any particular priority sequence, as that is largely a matter of personal preference.

A WIFI booster

Many of us want to stay in touch when we are on the road. Our various portable technological devices usually play a key part in that.

While many sites today offer WIFI services, it’s a fact of life that if your pitch is some distance away from the main router then your internet service may be patchy or at worst unavailable. Cue much frustration!

That’s why one of the most popular motorhome accessories is a WIFI signal booster.

There are various forms available using different technologies but the costs are usually relatively modest.

An E-book reader

If you love reading through lots of books when you are on your holiday, then you’ve probably experienced the downside of needing lots of space to store them and of course, there is the weight issue too.

An E-book reader removes all that because you can take virtually an entire library with you and hold it in one hand. Not everybody instinctively warms to these devices in advance but it’s worth giving them a try because once you get used to them, they’ll revolutionise your view of how to take reading materials with you.

Portable satellite TV

Once upon a time you almost needed a PhD in astrophysics and a team from NASA to set up your own satellite TV system on or around a motorhome.

Those days are now long-gone and the systems are small, highly intelligent and above all, easy to use.

Unless you pay for a very high-tech one that will tune itself in to the satellite of your choice, you still may need to spend a little time aligning it every time you use it. That though is much easier than it used to be and this is now a really viable option if you’d like to watch your favourite programmes.

Remember, if you’ve left somebody behind at home who is watching your normal television, once you start using your television in the motorhome you will need a second TV licence.

Battery operated lanterns

Many motorhome owners sensibly take torches with them but those are hardly conducive to creating a pleasant evening glow as you sit out watching it get dark around you.

On the other hand, battery operated lanterns can provide a great ambience on those warm evenings outside your vehicle.

Most providers of motorhome accessories will offer a wide choice.

Awnings

These can be extremely useful motorhome accessories because they can significantly increase your living space.

There is a vast range to choose from though it’s worth checking to make sure that any motorhome insurance you have covers them against a range of mishaps.

External collapsible furniture

There’s little point in sitting inside your motorhome if the weather outside is beautiful!

The days when external collapsible furniture consisted of two rickety deckchairs you’d inherited from your grandparents are (or should be) history. Most motorhome accessories providers now offer a range of ultra-modern external furniture that isn’t only practical but stylish as well.

It’s worth checking out.

Getting the most out of the Motorhome Show

Some motorhome shows are what might be described as manageable size.

You can stroll around fairly easily and take everything in over an hour or so.

However, the giant shows, such as that at the NEC Birmingham, are in a different league. It’s very easy to walk in and be overwhelmed by the scale of what’s going on.

That’s why we at Derby Motorhomes have put together a few basic thoughts on how you can get the most out of the Motorhome Show.

Research and plan ahead

The big shows typically have a website set up a long time in advance and plenty of information is usually available there.

You are really looking for things such as floor plans and a list of exhibitors plus what they have to show. Once you have that to hand, you can start to look for those things that are of particular interest to you and make a note of exactly what you must see during your visit.

Consider the amount of time you have available

Many of us are prone to being overly-optimistic about just how much ground we can cover at these shows and over what period of time. Don’t forget that the Motorhome Show environment may be busy and individual exhibitors may have queues of people waiting to see them and their offerings.

If you have say, 10 exhibitors you feel you really must see, then finishing the day only having seen three or four, all in the bottom half all of your list might be disappointing.

So, be realistic with how much time it is going to take to get around and concentrate on your top priorities. Only move on to things lower down your list once you have dealt with your priority “must see” needs.

Avoid getting side-tracked

Exhibitors are, of course, experts in catching the attention of passers-by.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with you suddenly diverting from your plan but don’t keep doing so if it puts at risk your primary objectives in attending the Motorhome Show.

Take water and snacks

The catering at major exhibitions can be perfectly acceptable but it can also be placed under intense pressure by crowds. On the whole, people might also find it to be moderately expensive.

It’s a good idea to put some food and drink in your bag/rucksack. It will save you time and money.

Use your camera or phone camera

Many of us have experienced the frustration of returning home, only to find that we are struggling to remember whether an item was a certain colour or not. More seriously, at the end of a tiring day, it’s also perfectly possible to struggle to remember which company was offering what service or product!

In these days of digital technology, taking plenty of snaps by way of aide-memoir is easy and zero cost. It can be invaluable when you return home but do remember to ask exhibitors’ permission (where practical) before photographing them or the items they are showing.

Get an early night beforehand

Almost everybody agrees that visiting a major exhibition of this nature can be tiring.

If you had a very late night the night before and were up at the crack of dawn to get there early, by lunch you are likely to be at best jaded or at worst, wiped-out.

At the risk of sounding like a parent, it’s always a good idea to get an early night before setting off for a major motorhome show!