We are seriously considering camping in Languedoc this summer even though we appreciate that it is a long drive from any of the northern French ports, but at present we are rather unsure which of those ports to choose as they all have good points.
When you live in the Midlands UK as we do then you have to factor in the 5 hour drive from where we live to any of our ports in England, including the Tunnel. OK, we could make it to Dover for about noon and be across the channel with the hour added on by approximately 2.30 to 3 pm and ready to drive a few more hours until stopping for the night somewhere.
The downside to the Dover/Calais crossing is that you more or less have to go near to Paris – not through it of course, but around it, and that could well end in a substantial delay because of heavy traffic.
Alternatives we have a plenty, and the first one on the list is an overnight sailing to St Malo from where you can start your long journey as fresh as a daisy to camping in Canet Plage near to Perpignan. Is there a downside to that? Oh yes! The cost alone is huge so we ruled that one out immediately.
Next is an overnighter to Caen which docks about 6.45 am French time but even this is ludicrously expensive at £440. We’re trying to save money, not spend it!
So it’s time for a rethink here, and suddenly the Dover/Calais option, which is included in the price of the holiday, seems a jolly good idea because all it really means is that we need an overnight stay somewhere going and on the return leg. Accommodation in French guest houses is far, far cheaper than a night on the ferry by the sound of things!
If you have never been camping in Languedoc then you’ve missed out big time as this area has some of the best beaches in France; possibly some of the best in Europe too.
Where we are going to stay is very close to Perpignan but we will be right on the coast whilst Perpignan is just a few Kms inshore, and both are very near to the French/Spanish border where, I must admit, goods in the shops are a tad cheaper than camping in south of France.