Part 1: Bruges – Cabourg
France is always a popular holiday destination with our tenants. Apart from the endless variety between countryside, city and water, which is of course endless, the facilities for motorhomes are very well organized in France. This time we have chosen to share a route along the west coast to the south of France. We have collected some practical tips for you and we will start this blog with them. Then we will take you en route to the south of France, via the west coast with historic places such as Ypres, sporty beaches, nice campsites and motorhome pitches, cities such as Honfleur and Tourquet-Paris-Plage. We end part 1 at the Flower Coast. The route has been compiled based on the experiences of motor home owners. Bon voyage!
Staying overnight:
... of course you do in a camper van Camperhuren.nl. Are you going with your partner, family or friends, you will always find a motorhome that suits you.
… on campsites and motorhome pitches. You can easily find an overview of campsites and motorhome pitches via the . app Camper contact, the books and app from ACSI and the ANWB. You can also join various groups on social media such as Camper place with a view on Facebook.
… in rural areas. You can park your motorhome at (wine) farmers in the most beautiful locations. If you are a member of FrancePassion you get an overview of all locations.
… in parking lots. We advise you to assess well in advance whether your parking space is a safe place to spend the night. You can ask the local tourist office about the best parking space at your destination to park the camper for the night.
Bruges, the start of the route to the south of France
On our way along the west coast to the south of France, our first stop is the capital of Belgium, Bruges. In the historic atmospheric city center of Bruges, you immediately get an impression of this idyllic place during a short break from your journey. The entire city center is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. You can park your motorhome in the city (paid) to view the city's high lights:
- The big market. This square has been the heart of the city since the Middle Ages. Horse-drawn carriages are now available on the former market to offer the many tourists a pleasant ride through the city. You will also find the beautiful terraces of the city here.
- Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde. The only beguinage remaining in Bruges is still inhabited and managed by a monastic community. You are welcome in this courtyard, provided you keep the peace.
- Bruges almshouses. These are small complexes, usually in the shape of a courtyard, surrounded by white-painted houses. Most almshouses are nowadays intended for the elderly.
- The Belfry of Bruges. The belfry is the tallest building on the Grote Markt. The Bruges belfry dates from the thirteenth century. You can climb the 83 meter high tower to enjoy the view over Bruges.
- The Halve Maan brewery. Almost all beer brewers have disappeared from the city center. It is all the more fun to take a tour of this brewery. Get acquainted with typical Belgian beer such as Brugse Zot and Straffe Hendrik.
You probably can't escape buying a piece of chocolate in one of the 50 chocolate shops before walking back to the camper.
Bredene
From the city to the Belgian coast. In Bredene you can choose from several nice campsites. For a night by the sea, a simple place at a favorable rate on a motorhome is a practical solution. Campsite Warande offers such a place and there is also something to play for young kids. A bike ride to Ostend for a quick visit to the harbor is also an option from this campsite.
Knokke
If you have teenagers, Knokke is a perfect alternative to Bredene. The vibrant nightlife of this seaside resort is very popular with the young. Before the party starts, you can rent bicycles on the boulevard of the Zeedijk, if you don't have your own. Knokke has atmospheric streets and beautiful nature around the place for an afternoon of cycling and then settle down on the beach and have a drink at the popular Monroe Beach Club. In the evening eating and dancing at Beach Club Number one.
Westhoek
Do you want to immerse yourself in the history of the first world war? Then you drive the camper to the Westhoek. The war past can be felt everywhere here. In Diksmuide you will discover the story of the infamous Trench of Death. You experience what it was like to fight in a trench. In Ypres, a city walk along rebuilt sights from the 1st World War in combination with the Flanders Field museum is highly recommended. Every day at 20 pm, under the vaults of the Menin Gate, the impressive de Last post blown.
After this special experience you can spend the night nearby at a beautiful motorhome with various amenities, Camper point Hooge Crater to continue the next day along the west coast to the south of France.
Normandy
If you drive further along the coast, you will see the white cliffs rising along the French coastline. If you're lucky you'll see the same kind of craggy coast from Dover on the other side of the channel in Calais on a clear day. There are several motorhome pitches on the water with a magnificent view. Consult the Campercontact app for a nice place to spend the night with your camper.
Taking the family to the landing beaches
In Normandy you relive the second world war by seeing the landing beaches and the endless grave fields. Through Normandy Tourism you discover everything about the history of Normandy in a special way. They offer various excursions for children, where you can visit the memorable places in a jeep or with a kayak.
Little Paris in summer
Tourquet-Paris-Plage is a must on your road trip along the west coast to the south of France. It is a picturesque town with beautiful half-timbered houses and villas. A bit outdated, but here you can still find the elegance of the belle epoque. At the end of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, many Parisians and British built chic cottages. You can enjoy strolling through the different neighborhoods here. There are also many good restaurants and cozy shops, where you can buy local food and souvenirs. Do you want to completely relax? Then pay a visit to the extensive sandy beach directly in front of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage. You can enjoy a refreshing dive and there are all kinds of water sports to practice. There are some camper pitches on the edge of the town where you can spend the night while enjoying a beautiful view.
Chalk cliffs of Etretat
If you continue on your way, it is worth parking your camper at Etretat. Étretat is known for its 3 natural arches and white chalk cliffs towering over the Atlantic coast. These natural wonders are free to visit, as are the pebble beaches. Its famous arches and cliffs inspired Claude Monet and other impressionist painters in the 19th century.
Honfleur
As you make your way up the west coast to the south of France, you will pass through Le Havre and continue towards beautiful small towns and seaside resorts. the giant motorhome parking Aire de Camping-Car envision you when you arrive at the quaint harbor town of Honfleur. After you have parked the camper on the edge of the town, the sea shanties will be sung to you when you enter the harbor town. The pleasant atmosphere is mainly caused by the beautiful old buildings that are located around the harbour. The idyllic town makes you forget about the uninviting motorhome pitch. Ideal to spend a night and eat delicious fish on a terrace in the harbor.
Charming seaside resorts on the Flower Coast
In the section between Le Havre and Caen you drive between Cabourg and Honfleur the Flower Coast. Here you can stop or a campsite on the beach can be found in elegant seaside resorts such as Deauville, Trouville-sur-Mer, Houlgate and Dive-sur-Mer. Here too, the atmosphere of the Belle Epoque is still visible through the stately construction of the large villas and the beautifully preserved half-timbered houses. The beach is wide and there is a lot of entertainment for small children due to the many play equipment that is available. For the kite surfers this is a nice place to go into the water. Do you want to get away from the coast? Then send to 1 of the 10 most beautiful places in the interior of Normandy, Beuvron-en-Auge.