France – May 2023 – Two Guys, Two Dogs, Four Wheels

We finally made it across the channel! After several failed attempts – mainly due to the pesky pandemic across the holiday seasons in 2020 and 2021. In 2022 we changed our motorhome and some restrictions still remained in place in Europe so we took a home tour in that summer. So, 2023 it was to be!

There was lots to consider from the crossing arrangements to the pet travel rules (a whole new set of learning for us both, especially with the perceived complexities post-Brexit) as well as where to stock up with food and navigating the French motorways and roads in our 7.5m long motorhome – which we did not know how it would feel compared to trips we have done in the cars in the past.

Itinerary

This was a one week, 8 night tour around the north coast in Normandy and heading across to Brittany so that we could experience and test out our first motorhome trip in Europe.

Night 1 was at Black Horse Farm – this is run but the Caravan and Motorhome Club and is an unusual one, although not unique, in that it is a split site with the standard camping offer and the addition of what are known as ferry pitches.

Black Horse Farm: https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-sites/england/south-east-england/kent/black-horse-farm-club-campsite/

We then spent 2 nights at the Chateau de Lee Eaux. This was near Saint-pair-sur-Mer on the coast a short drive from Mont St. Michel. The site is about a 45 minute walk through villages to the coast – but is a pleasant walk all the same. Nice beach and town one there! Bars and cafes can be found.

Chateau de lez Eaux: https://www.les-castels.co.uk/camping/les-castels-chateau-de-lez-eaux

We planned and had a stopover at Mont St. Michel on the way to the Yelloh! Mane Guernhue near Vannes on the coast of Brittany. The motorhome parking at Mont St. Michel visitor centre was more than adequate and located a short walk from the visitor centre. We booked for 2 nights at the Yelloh! complex.

Mane Guernhue: https://www.yellohvillage.co.uk/camping/mane_guernehue/nearby#content

As this was a short exploratory trip we then planned 2 nights at the Le Point du Jour, which is a Seasonova site in Merville-Franceville-Plage on the Normandy coast. We planned to use this stop as the vets location for the AHC and tapeworm tablets for the return to the UK.

Le Point du Jour: https://vacances-seasonova.com/en/camping/camping-le-point-du-jour-near-cabourg-and-merville-normandy/

The final night was booked at La Bien Assise – this is a CAMC affiliated site operated by the Les Castles campsites company in France. We used this a one night stopover before our return journey through the Le Shuttle. It is located at Guines which is a 15 minute drive to the check in at the Le Shuttle. We could not recommend this site enough! Take a look at this on You Tube: https://youtu.be/nLTBhFqGnOo where we give a little tour and look round the site and our opinion.

La Bien Assise: https://www.camping-la-bien-assise.com/fr/

How easy was it to take the dogs with us?

This was failrly straightforward. Our vets were very helpful and guided us through the process well. So in late March we had the Rabies Jabs done along with the annual vaccinations. Then within the 10 days prior to travel we visited the vets once again and had the dogs checked over and paid for the Animal Health Certificate and ensured this was set up for arrival and departure from France. We did all this with our vet but I am aware some people use ones on the way to the tunnel that provide this service – so these are around if you want them.

Once at the terminal you go through the vehicle check point and instead of the usual boarding hangar you receive a printed label to take to the Pet Reception Centre. It is here that you hadn’t over the AHC which has all the data and information on the pets travelling and you are handed the reader for the microchips – once completed you are issued your boarding hangar for the motorhome (or vehicle). Its is then you are cleared to go!

Note – it is slightly unclear what should happen once you pass the French border control. Many people (and info in the AHC) say you should then go and get a stamp in the French office just past the booths – we have not been stopped or asked to do this and on this occasion the office was closed and you were free to board the train. NOT giving advice here – just observations.