We're in the early stages of planning a 5 week campervan holiday through France, Switzerland and Italy. Probably going in May 2025. Your videos are a great help. Thanks for taking the time.
Great video thank you. Initially tent campers then for 5 years as a Motorhomer we’ve taken our two young girls to France many times. Initially booking campsite for the whole trip but then started using Aires when out and about helped give us the confidence to use them. Now we think nothing of setting off without a booking so long as we know, if we have a specific destination in mind, that there is an Aire or maybe a campsite as backup. Although we travel in school holidays we’ve never had an issue with them being full. The only advice I would add is to have a good selection of water hose fittings including a male to male adapter which some Aire water points require. I had to borrow one from a fellow camper the first time I encountered this in Chamonix.
This applies to Spain as well as France - old RNs/Route National's. You will find that most of the original ones have been replaced by newer faster ones. The old ones will carry far less traffic, some almost no traffic at all. There will be the lay byes where you can spend the night in virtual peace. There is one near where I live that has a level lay-by above a river. You couldn't find a nicer place to stop. Some villages even provide free sites especially for motor homes with hook-ups for water and electricity. Never go near the coast in July or August.
Don’t panic over the blind spot stickers, I was in France a month ago and didn’t see a single van with any on, being a new thing I was looking for them, even the vans that are obviously well over 3.5t didn’t have them on. Spoke to one French Motorhomer who said they are just for commercial vehicles. Worth having them in your van, but don’t plaster them all over your van.
Really like your videos Kat. I’m still waiting for my camper van but watching your video giving me a good fleeting that I’ll be more confident in tackling a European trip when the time comes. Cheers
The snail farm is a great idea, but when we went it took us six hours to get in the entrance because there was a resident on the pedestrian crossing (joke)!
Those English islesin French supermarkets won’t have the usual stuff anymore, Brexit applies to them as well. I live in Luxembourg and our local ‘British’ store has to get all its stuff from Ireland now.
Great info Kat 👍told in a sensible down to earth way . The wife loves French supermarkets ( especially the big one in Saint Quentin) . We are planning .. but currently drinking chardonnay in a great little field right by the canal in Cropredy :-)
Spare bulbs - I don’t think it’s a legal requirement to carry spare bulbs, but it is illegal to drive with a faulty light, so it is good practice to carry spares. My dilemma is that all my rear lights are LED lights, which in theory last for years without needing to replace them; and they don’t take replacement bulbs like ordinary lights, and you need to replace a whole light fitting which costs £48 each plus £30 delivery from Europe as they’re not stocked in the UK. They are all individual lights (2 x indicator, 2 x tail/brake, reversing & fog light), so should I carry 3 spares (excepting the fog light isn’t essential) in the rare event of an LED failing (maybe never in 5-8 years or so) or if one happens to get damaged in a minor prang (oops, just happened in Scotland)? Any views?
Hello must take issue with the comment about the police stopping UK motorhomes, just not true. Lived in France and travelled in France for well over 15 years.Never a problem. You will get stopped for speeding , 30 KLM an hour is not 30 MLS an hour, so you will get stopped.So from experience must say the police are very helpful especially if you endeavour to speak some French.
Thanks for more great info. I'm a new subscriber and wondered if you have a video with your travel seat set up? ( the ones you're sitting on). I looked at a van tour from 3 yrs ago but it's different. We're planning our 2nd self build and would like a travel seat/sofa. Cheers. 🐻
Hi there - I have a swift 674 and it has the dropdown bed and 5 travel seat option. In this video where Kat is Sat you have two forward facing travel seats. You can remove a cushion and fold a panel which creates a gap in the L shape sofa for legs when sitting, but my girls prefer to leave it in sofa mode and loaf with their legs up 😁
Im planning to buy caravan and travel to europe, do I need insurance green card for my car and separate insurance for caravan to be road legal? I dont need extra insurance for thieft or fire, I just want to be road legal Thx
Well, you can still travel but they’ve changed the rules AGAIN and you need to quarantine when you return. There are also tests to do before you can cross the borders each way
We're in the early stages of planning a 5 week campervan holiday through France, Switzerland and Italy. Probably going in May 2025. Your videos are a great help. Thanks for taking the time.
Great video thank you. Initially tent campers then for 5 years as a Motorhomer we’ve taken our two young girls to France many times. Initially booking campsite for the whole trip but then started using Aires when out and about helped give us the confidence to use them. Now we think nothing of setting off without a booking so long as we know, if we have a specific destination in mind, that there is an Aire or maybe a campsite as backup. Although we travel in school holidays we’ve never had an issue with them being full. The only advice I would add is to have a good selection of water hose fittings including a male to male adapter which some Aire water points require. I had to borrow one from a fellow camper the first time I encountered this in Chamonix.
This applies to Spain as well as France - old RNs/Route National's. You will find that most of the original ones have been replaced by newer faster ones. The old ones will carry far less traffic, some almost no traffic at all. There will be the lay byes where you can spend the night in virtual peace. There is one near where I live that has a level lay-by above a river. You couldn't find a nicer place to stop. Some villages even provide free sites especially for motor homes with hook-ups for water and electricity. Never go near the coast in July or August.
Very good, I want to go to France in December for ninety days so I will need to start preparing now. Thanks for doing the videos.
You’re welcome. Should be good to go in December. Just keep an eye out for any new rules.
You could have gone for as long as you wanted before the Brexshit
Don’t panic over the blind spot stickers, I was in France a month ago and didn’t see a single van with any on, being a new thing I was looking for them, even the vans that are obviously well over 3.5t didn’t have them on. Spoke to one French Motorhomer who said they are just for commercial vehicles. Worth having them in your van, but don’t plaster them all over your van.
A really helpful video. Thanks Kat 😊
Really like your videos Kat. I’m still waiting for my camper van but watching your video giving me a good fleeting that I’ll be more confident in tackling a European trip when the time comes. Cheers
Excellent! I'm pleased you find them helpful x
The snail farm is a great idea, but when we went it took us six hours to get in the entrance because there was a resident on the pedestrian crossing (joke)!
😂😂- ok, this made me laugh :)
Those English islesin French supermarkets won’t have the usual stuff anymore, Brexit applies to them as well. I live in Luxembourg and our local ‘British’ store has to get all its stuff from Ireland now.
Good helpful video we are going to France for our first ever trip abroad in our motorhome in Aug
Awesome! Let me know how it goes
Great info Kat 👍told in a sensible down to earth way . The wife loves French supermarkets ( especially the big one in Saint Quentin) . We are planning .. but currently drinking chardonnay in a great little field right by the canal in Cropredy :-)
So helpful and clear, thank you!
You’re very welcome 🙃
Spare bulbs - I don’t think it’s a legal requirement to carry spare bulbs, but it is illegal to drive with a faulty light, so it is good practice to carry spares. My dilemma is that all my rear lights are LED lights, which in theory last for years without needing to replace them; and they don’t take replacement bulbs like ordinary lights, and you need to replace a whole light fitting which costs £48 each plus £30 delivery from Europe as they’re not stocked in the UK. They are all individual lights (2 x indicator, 2 x tail/brake, reversing & fog light), so should I carry 3 spares (excepting the fog light isn’t essential) in the rare event of an LED failing (maybe never in 5-8 years or so) or if one happens to get damaged in a minor prang (oops, just happened in Scotland)? Any views?
Great information, thank you!
You’re welcome
Useful as ever 👍💙❤️
Glad it was helpful ☺️
Hello must take issue with the comment about the police stopping UK motorhomes, just not true. Lived in France and travelled in France for well over 15 years.Never a problem.
You will get stopped for speeding , 30 KLM an hour is not 30 MLS an hour, so you will get stopped.So from experience must say the police are very helpful especially if you endeavour to speak some French.
Glad you’ve been fortunate. Others I know, as well as ourselves, have not been so lucky sadly.
And as of today, quarantine on returning from France! D'oh!
Uh, I know. 🥺😢 So frustrating.
Do lay-bys count as wild camping in these countries who have banned it? I would think not but you never know🙄🙄
Thanks for more great info. I'm a new subscriber and wondered if you have a video with your travel seat set up? ( the ones you're sitting on). I looked at a van tour from 3 yrs ago but it's different. We're planning our 2nd self build and would like a travel seat/sofa. Cheers. 🐻
Hi there - I have a swift 674 and it has the dropdown bed and 5 travel seat option. In this video where Kat is Sat you have two forward facing travel seats. You can remove a cushion and fold a panel which creates a gap in the L shape sofa for legs when sitting, but my girls prefer to leave it in sofa mode and loaf with their legs up 😁
Where do I find link please?
Im planning to buy caravan and travel to europe, do I need insurance green card for my car and separate insurance for caravan to be road legal? I dont need extra insurance for thieft or fire, I just want to be road legal
Thx
Are we now able to travel to France? my understanding is you would need to isolate for 10 days on the return?
Well, you can still travel but they’ve changed the rules AGAIN and you need to quarantine when you return. There are also tests to do before you can cross the borders each way
NOW you have to have a UK sticker not a GB.by law !
But what about Covid-19 in France?
hi kat how do u select on p4n paid app the vineyards ect
Hi- you mean like France Passion or Brit Stops? You can't- those are different apps/ books that you'll need to purchase.
@@WanderingBird sorry no I have paid park 4 night app how do I select winery and farms
Is it safe for a woman to travel in a motorhome alone in Europe?
France, Portugal, Spain - yes!
Belarus? Meh
Why has France banned wild camping near the coast?
Been that way for years. Plenty of people do it, but it’s technically illegal. Just move on if asked.
Why would you go to the English isle in France 😂😂😂. Live a little.
Don't count on it, the worst has yet to come.
Sadly, you’re possibly right. It’s beginning to get political… 😔😔