Normandy. April 5th 2014.

[Polite]

Having being bitten by the (cyclo camping) bug along the Loire Valley last year, I am keen to cycle and camp in France again in early April. This time I'm travelling to Dieppe but returning from Caen. Two bits of advice from those who know please;
1. Will campsites be up and running that early and, if so, as plentiful and cheap as they are in July and August?
2. Any route suggestions? (I'm thinking Dieppe to Rouen (train to Bayeux) and cycle along some of the WWII Normandy beaches I haven't done before)
As always, thanks for all the good advice.

[andymiller]

You may find campsites that are open all year round, but as a rule of thumb most open for Easter weekend. Some only open in July and August. So no, not as plentiful - although in average cheaper.

eurocampings.co.uk has a good selection of sites with info on opening dates. These days very few campsites don't have their own website.

[looe]

Having being bitten by the (cyclo camping) bug along the Loire Valley last year, I am keen to cycle and camp in France again in early April. This time I'm travelling to Dieppe but returning from Caen. Two bits of advice from those who know please;
1. Will campsites be up and running that early and, if so, as plentiful and cheap as they are in July and August?
2. Any route suggestions? (I'm thinking Dieppe to Rouen (train to Bayeux) and cycle along some of the WWII Normandy beaches I haven't done before)
As always, thanks for all the good advice.

I been cyclo camping in France the last 3 years and I find that most campings open 15 June but I always found one as they are plentiful. I am going to cycle Loire Valley 2014, was it good? Any parts of it I should give a miss?

[Polite]

Looe here's my post about the Loire Valley;

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=78843

[looe]

Looe here's my post about the Loire Valley;

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=78843

Thank you so much

[simonineaston]

In your August post, Polite, you hint that you might get around to a longer description, with photos - did that ever happen and if so, can I have a look?

[Polite]

In your August post, Polite, you hint that you might get around to a longer description, with photos - did that ever happen and if so, can I have a look?

I didn't really add any commentary to the original I'm afraid. I'll put up a few snaps to it though. (I remember now, it says my photos exceed limit every time I try to upload so not possible - happy to email though or let me know where I'm going wrong).

[tatanab]

Camping in April -

I'd say do a bit more planning than usual. Estimate where you will be each evening, look for several campsites within say a 10 mile radius, check opening times with campsite web sites/tourist information office/town hall.

[frankconrad]

There is a campsite at Bayeaux that opens in April. It is a two hour ride from caen. You can make this your base to explore the normandy beaches. They is a big supermarket oppisite the site. If you visit the american cemetery at omaha beach you will need a lock to leave your Bike outside the cemetery.

[hamster]

I cycle-camped happily in Normandy last April - the municipal ones seemed to open on 1 April. Most seem to have an internet presence these days so it's easy to check. Others I passed generally seemed to be open on the stretch between Caen and Carentan. I'm sure that the timing of Easter has a little to do with it though.

The municipal site in Arromanches is in the town centre, quiet and 100m from a bakery and small supermarket. In April it was just us in the tent and 5 camper vans.

[roberts8]

I will be going the opposite way later in the year as I like to sleep on the overnight ferry and get an early start. Pegasus bridge at Ranville is worth a visit and you can pick up the Orne canal to the ferry.
My route will be inland and I wanted to check on the cycling possibilities over the pont normandie, do you have any info on it?

[al_yrpal]

I will be going the opposite way later in the year as I like to sleep on the overnight ferry and get an early start. Pegasus bridge at Ranville is worth a visit and you can pick up the Orne canal to the ferry.
My route will be inland and I wanted to check on the cycling possibilities over the pont normandie, do you have any info on it?

That bridge is horrible! The cycle lane is in the road with massive lorries thundering past. I rode along the pedestrian path which is off the roadway, its very bumpy but safer and I had to get off and push at some point. The approach roads on the Le Havre side are horrid too, again loads of poids lourds.

My preference would be Cherbourg to Caen with an expedition to Honfleur missing out the grim urbanised coastal strip in between.

Al

[roberts8]

Thanks Al.

I will take your advice.

[zonc]

As a few folks have said the Caen route is great and now has some very good cycle paths along the canal.most towns have campsites and we camped in farmers field - just asked, when my son and I explored the DDay landings and 'front lines' - this was a November 'bivvi' trip and we followed our noses and a used the historical DDay maps - and looking up sites such as http://goeurope.about.com/od/france/l/b ... dy-map.htm
. We headed: Caen, Thury Harcourt, Aunay s Odon, Estry, Mortain ( via Voie Verte route) and across to Isigny le Buat, Marcilly, Ducey and Pontaubault. back north east to Avranches and lanes to Abbey de Hambye,Mont Robin, Tessy sur Vire, Torigni, Caumont and back to Caen. we stuck to tiny routes and had a great journey. Enjoy.