Looking to broaden your horizons beyond the UK? There are plenty of beautiful holiday locations in Europe, with brilliant camping spots and countless activities to enjoy. My family and I purchased our folding camper with a view to using it in Europe, but I was unsure about taking my camper to Europe for several reasons.
Can I use my folding camper in Europe? You can use a folding camper in Europe. On most sites in Europe, you will have a pitch with electric, water and drainage as you would in the UK.
I’ve put together some things that you need to know when travelling in Europe. It’s really important that you read these as they really can make or break your holiday! Also, there are a few particularly nice places to stop in Europe, which I’ll tell you all about in this blog post.
Book a visit to Europe via Eurocamp, with tons of holiday types to choose from and unique benefits such as a refund guarantee and a “pay balance later” scheme which lets you book your trip now and pay for it later on. Explore all the possibilities and book your dream trip by visiting Eurocamp today.
Things To Know When Travelling In Europe
If you’re going to be taking your folding camper to Europe, it’s important that you’re aware of the speed limits, laws, and the documentation that you’ll need to take with you. Here are some quick things you need to know when taking your folding camper to Europe.
Find Out Your Speed Limits!
Whether you’ll only be travelling by car to and from your campsite or you’ll be exploring Europe by car throughout your holiday, it’s important that you know your speed limits. If you don’t know your speed limits, you can obviously end up in bother.
Speed limits differ, sometimes quite significantly, across Europe. For example, sections Germany’s main motorway doesn’t have a maximum speed limit for cars. However, if you’re towing, there is a maximum speed limit of 50mph. It’s important that you know about little differences like this so you don’t end up getting caught out!
Another example of where you really need to be aware of speed limits is France. When travelling in France, the speed limit will differ depending on your towing weight. There are also two different speed limits for all the motorways in France, regardless of whether you’re towing or not. There’s a lower speed limit in wet weather and for drivers who have held their licence for less than two years.
These little differences in speed limits can really catch you out if you don’t do your research in advance. In France, it’s said that the police are particularly strict when it comes to enforcing speed limits. French police can actually confiscate a UK driving licence, which could leave you stranded! This is a brilliant example of why you desperately need to know your speed limits before travelling to European country.
Are You Covered By Your Insurance?
If you’re travelling to Europe with your folding camper for any length of time, it’s important to make sure that your insurance policy covers you while you are away from home. Before touring Europe, check that your insurance policy will cover you, your car and your folding camper for the duration of the trip.
In most cases, your insurance will cover you for a certain period of time. For example, my insurance policy covers me for 180 days of European travel. This is obviously more than enough for most people, but if you’re hoping to tour Europe for longer, speak to your insurer. Some insurers will allow you to add more days to your cover to ensure your protected for the entirety of your trip.
Don’t just presume that you’re protected by your insurance. You must check. After all, it’s much better to be safe than sorry. And if you know that you’ll exceed the number of days that your policy allows for, speak to your insurer about adding more days. It’s not worth travelling without the protection of your insurance should the worst happen.
Make Sure You Have The Equipment and Documentation That You Need
Depending on where you are travelling in Europe, you might need to buy some extra equipment ahead of your travels. In some European countries, you have to carry extra equipment that will keep you and others safe.
To cover all European countries, you should take all of the following with you:
- First Aid Kit
- High-Visibility Jacket
- Self-test Breathalyser
- Fire Extinguisher
- Warning Triange
No matter where you’re travelling in Europe, there are also some really important documents that you should take with you. While you might never actually need these documents during your stay, it’s best to have them regardless:
- Driver’s Licence
- Vehicle Reg Document
- Passport
- Insurance Policy Documents
Keep all of the above documents in your car so you always have them with you when travelling in Europe. If you ever need them, you’ll always have them and not end up regretting the fact that you decided not to bring them.
Book a visit to Holland via Eurocamp, with tons of holiday types to choose from and unique benefits such as a refund guarantee and a “pay balance later” scheme which lets you book your trip now and pay for it later on. Explore all the possibilities and book your dream trip by visiting Eurocamp today.
Beautiful Regions In Europe That Accept Folding Campers
There are some truly stunning places that you can stop in Europe. Places packed with fun things to do but also easily accessible with your folding camper.
Brittany, France
As you might be aware, Brittany is one of the most popular holiday regions in France. Well known for its megalithic monuments, there’s plenty to explore and do in Brittany. Whether you want to swim in some of the most beautiful waters in Europe or explore Brittany’s stunning islands or quaint towns, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy.
I haven’t personally stopped in Brittany, but it’s a very popular location. It’s easily accessible from the UK, which is ideal when you’re travelling with your folding camper. You can travel to Brittany from Plymouth, Poole and Portsmouth by ferry which is obviously the best option if you’re wanting to take your folding camper with you.
There are countless campsites in Brittany, but here are some very popular campsites:
- Le Châtelet Campsite
- Les Mouettes Campsite
- Château de Galinée Campsite
Le Châtelet Campsite
Le Châtelet is a lovely campsite in Brittany, France. It’s a relatively small campsite when compared with some of the larger campsites located nearby, but there are several reasons that this site is highly recommended:
- Easy access to the beach
- 1 mile from Saint-Cast-le-Guildo
- Lake for fishing
- Children’s play area
- Outdoor pool
- Spacious bar with fantastic sea view
- Pitches have electricity
Le Châtelet only has 216 pitches, so it’s a well-connected relaxing location where you won’t feel like there are too many people. Additionally, St Malo is only 20 miles away, so you won’t have a long journey once you’re off the ferry.
If you’d like to find out more or book a stay, you can do so by visiting Eurocamp Independent, the Eurocamp website for holiday-makers travelling to Europe with their own tent, caravan or motorhome. Or in your case, folding camper!
Les Mouettes Campsite
Les Mouettes is a lively campsite in Brittany, France, with plenty to do for families. Whether its the three waterslides, summer concerts or the spa complex, there’s something to draw in every member of the family.
Again, there are plenty of reasons that this campsite is highly recommended:
- A short walk from the nearest beach
- Little over a mile walk from Carantec
- Wonderful sea views
- Plenty of activities for all of the family
- Large camping pitches with extra privacy
- Wide variety of pitch types
There are several types of pitches available at Les Mouettes. You can get:
- Pitch with electricity, water and drainage
- Pitch with electricity, water, drainage and private bathroom
- Pitch with electricity, water, drainage, private bathroom and picnic table
Les Mouettes is approximately 10 miles away from the nearest port in Roscoff. Thankfully, this means it won’t take you long to get to the campsite and set up once you arrive in Brittany!
If you’d like to find out more or book a stay, you can do so by visiting Eurocamp Independent, the Eurocamp website for holiday-makers travelling to Europe with their own tent, caravan or motorhome. Or in your case, folding camper!
Château de Galinée Campsite
Château de Galinée is a peaceful family-run campsite in Brittany, France. This fantastic campsite is located in the 35-acre manor house garden of a beautiful Château. Within the Château, you’ll find a gorgeous bar as well as a games room. If you enjoy spending time in and around a pool, you’ll love the campsite’s incredible pool complex, featuring heated pools and waterslides for the children!
Why choose this campsite? There are numerous reasons to recommend this site:
- Fantastic pool complex
- Private pitches seperated by hedges and trees
- Lovely restaurant serving great french cuisine
- Plenty of activities for children
- Close to brilliant coastal walks
This campsite is approximately 17 miles away from St Malo and therefore the nearest ferry port. Again, this means you only have a short journey to the campsite once you arrive in France.
If you’d like to find out more or book a stay, you can do so by visiting Eurocamp Independent, the Eurocamp website for holiday-makers travelling to Europe with their own tent, caravan or motorhome. Or in your case, folding camper!
Loire Valley, France
Yet another popular region of France is the Loire Valley. If there is any wine fans reading, you might be aware that the Loire Valley is famous for its world-class wines. Whether you want to visit a vineyard or two, explore some of the region’s historic towns or visit the iconic châteaux, you’re in for a holiday jam-packed with picturesque scenes if you visit the Loire Valley.
I have yet to visit a campsite in the Loire Valley, although it’s on our list of places to visit. The Loire Valley is very popular, but you’re in for a long journey from the nearest port. The closest port to The Loire Valley tends to be Caen, which is as far as 250 miles from some of the most popular Loire Valley campsites. If you’re comfortable driving while towing your folding camper, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem. And it’s more than worth it for the wonderful adventures you’ll enjoy once you reach your destination.
The Loire Valley is one of the largest regions of France, spanning 170 miles. That means there’s plenty of lovely campsites in this area of France. However, here’s 3 highly recommended sites:
- Parc de Fierbois Campsite
- Le Château de Chanteloup Campsite
- Les Bois du Bardelet Campsite
Parc de Fierbois Campsite
Parc de Fierbois is a lively campsite located close to the town of Tours in the Loire Valley. This a large campsite surrounding an elegant château packed with plenty of things to do for all of the family. The site has a brilliant pool complex, a skate park and also an exhilarating tree top adventure course.
Why choose Parc de Fierbois?
- Brilliant pool complex ideal for the whole family
- Great activities for children, including skate park and tree top adventure
- Spacious, shaded pitches surrounded by a forest
- A large lake, with carp and roach to catch
- All the sport facilities you can handle: Tennis courts, a football pitch, Badminton court, and so much more!
While this site is located close to a town (Set Maure de Touraine), it’s approximately 190 miles from the nearest port in Caen. This is a fairly long drive once you arrive in France, but it’s more than worth it!
If you’d like to find out more or book a stay, you can do so by visiting Eurocamp Independent, the Eurocamp website for holiday-makers travelling to Europe with their own tent, caravan or motorhome. Or in your case, folding camper!
Le Château de Chanteloup Campsite
This is a relatively small and peaceful campsite ideal for those that just want to stay on a relaxing site. The campsite has a newly renovated bar and excellent WiFi coverage, which you don’t get on a lot of campsites in France! Alongside a beautiful swimming pool, there’s a lovely farmyard restaurant and direct access to a lake ideal for fishing.
Why choose Le Château de Chanteloup?
- Located close to the famous town of Le Mans
- Newly renovated facilities, including new bar
- Relaxing pool area
- Small campsite with only 110 pitches
- Access to a lake for fishing
- A playground for children
- Sports including volleyball and boules
This gorgeous campsite is approximately 110 miles from Caen, the closest port. Again, this is a fairly long journey once you arrive in France but it should be fine as long as you know your regulations and speed limits!
If you’d like to find out more or book a stay, you can do so by visiting Eurocamp Independent, the Eurocamp website for holiday-makers travelling to Europe with their own tent, caravan or motorhome. Or in your case, folding camper!
Les Bois du Bardelet Campsite
Another small yet relaxing campsite, Les Bois du Bardelet lies in the heart of the countryside. As you can see from the image above, it’s a truly beautiful site surrounded by trees and vast acres of fields. On site, you’ll find two indoor aqua complexes, a bar, a lovely restaurant and much more.
Why choose this campsite?
- Surrounded by the beautiful countryside. The views are truly stunning
- Plenty of fantastic facilities, including a bar and two aqua complexes
- Close to the vineyards of Sancerre, perfect for wine lovers looking to sample local produce
- Spacious pitches where you have your privacy
- Plenty of activities to enjoy in the surrounding areas, including canoeing
Les Bois du Bardelet is approximately 250 miles from the nearest port in Caen. Again, this is quite a distance but isn’t too bad if you’re comfortable driving in France.
If you’d like to find out more or book a stay, you can do so by visiting Eurocamp Independent, the Eurocamp website for holiday-makers travelling to Europe with their own tent, caravan or motorhome. Or in your case, folding camper!
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