First Time Camping

There are over 25000 campsites in Europe, and over 12,000 campsites in France alone. Needless to say, European campsites vary massively in quality, but many offer standards and service which are genuinely impressive, and every year many first timers having taken a few hesitant steps, thereafter never look back!

For first timers, France really takes a lot of beating, and you don’t need to travel far to soak up authentic French experiences. For many, a ferry from Dover to Calais is the obvious, and often most cost effective choice. Ferries on this route operate throughout the day and night, and it’s definitely worth considering a crossing at night – these can be much cheaper. Eurotunnel’s quick and convenient but can be prohibitively expensive for daytime travel with a caravan or motorhome – but again, overnight journeys are worth looking at.

Calais doesn’t really have much of interest, other than a couple of large hypermarkets, the large Cité Europe shopping complex and an astonishing number of 24 hour UK managed cash and carry outlets.

However, you don’t have to travel far to reach some delightful countryside, and some excellent campsites.

La Bien Assise (FR62010), just 15 minutes drive from Calais is a well-established member of the prestigious Les Castels group. This is a group of around 50 fine sites, all of which originally developed in the grounds of chateaux and manor houses. The history of La Bien Assise goes back to the 16th century, and the site’s new owners are very proud of their excellent site, noted for its large grassy pitches, good facilities and excellent restaurant, La Ferme Gourmande.

A little further south you’ll find Le Chateau de Gandspette (FR62030) tucked behind the dense forest of Eperlecques. This site is a member of the Sites et Paysages de France group. Sites in this group are generally smaller, less commercial and quite rural in character, and Le Chateau de Gandspette is no exception. A five minute walk from the site leads to the World War 2 bunker (Blockhaus,) from where German scientists sought to launch V2 rockets at UK targets.

The whole area is heavily wooded and borders the Audomarois National park, a delightful area of marshland and canals where you can hire canoes or rowing boats and happily while away an afternoon or two.

The cathedral city of St Omer is also little known but well worthy of a visit. The cathedral itself dates back to 1561 and is one of the finest French Gothic monuments north of the River Somme.

And we’ve not mentioned the superb coastline stretching to the north and south of Calais. So, for a first time trip to the continent, there’s really no need to travel much further.

See also: About the Guides | View the Guides | About Alan Rogers

First Time Camping

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