Coming to Normandy by ferry with your caravan

Nine out of ten of our campers come from abroad, and many of them by boat. Here is what we tell people on the phone, more or less every week, between March and October.

Two ports, two rhythms

Cherbourg is 88 km from the campsite, an hour’s drive on the N13. Crossings from Poole, Portsmouth and Ireland arrive here, and the road is easy: dual carriageway almost all the way, without going through any towns.

Ouistreham, the port for Caen, is closer: about 65 km, just under an hour. The crossing comes from Portsmouth. The only thing to watch out for is the Caen ring road, best avoided at rush hour when you are towing.

With both about an hour’s drive away, choose your crossing time first, not the port. Arriving in daylight is better than a closer port at two in the morning.

Arriving late is not a problem

Night crossings sometimes drop passengers off at impossible hours. Let us know your ferry times when you book: we will arrange your arrival accordingly, so you will not have to manoeuvre in the dark without knowing where to go.

The campsite is five minutes from the N13, on a country road. The last kilometre is taken at walking pace, but it is perfectly manageable with a caravan.

Driving on the right while towing

• Extension mirrors are compulsory in France whenever the caravan is wider than the towing vehicle.
• The first roundabout is the tricky moment: take it slowly, everyone behind you will understand.
• On the N13, the speed limit is 90 km/h when towing.
• The little roads of the Bessin are narrow and lined with hedges. Satnavs are keen to send you down them: ask us for the route from your port instead.

Leaving your caravan here between stays

Many of our British and Dutch campers do not take their caravan home. They leave it in our caravan storage area, and come back the following year with just the car.

The sums add up quickly once you count the cost of a return crossing with a caravan in tow. This service cannot be booked online: it is arranged on a quote basis, by writing to us directly.