France in September

bigjim
bigjim Posts: 780
edited August 2013 in Tour & expedition
Anybody mad enough to join me?
It’s my intention in September to fly to Paris and then ride down to Toulouse before flying back to the UK.
I’m estimating about 10 days for 500miles. I will be taking camping gear and will hopefully mix up camping with the odd night in a small hotel or B&B. Will also consider no camping at all.
I’m not in a great rush and will therefore average about 50 to 60 mile days. I will avoid Paris itself completely. I’m not a city lover and will be happy mooching around small towns or villages after a day on the bike. I’m not fussy with food so will have a basic cook-set for breakfast porridge etc or a simple evening meal but will very be happy to eat out. I try to tour as light as possible, as at 14 stone I have enough of me to lug up a hill/mountain as it is.
I’m a 60yr old guy based in Manchester UK. Fit enough for 80+ mile days unloaded but not looking to do anything like that on tour.

Comments

  • dilemna
    dilemna Posts: 2,187
    Most campsites in France close end of August/early September, certainly by 2nd week of Sept as owners go on an end of season holiday so you might be struggling for some where to camp unless you wild camp. Municipal camp sites MIGHT be open but not sure. Cheap Chambre d'hotel owners might shut up as well. More might be opne later in the south as it is warmer longer. There's always Formule1 though. Why not ride to Paris or from Calais or where ever you land in France?
    Life is like a roll of toilet paper; long and useful, but always ends at the wrong moment. Anon.
    Think how stupid the average person is.......
    half of them are even more stupid than you first thought.
  • bigjim
    bigjim Posts: 780
    edited August 2013
    I've done France in September for the last two years and found hotels, campsites open. I'm flying into France and would rather head south for the weather. It was pretty wet and wild in the North last year. I'm also considering flying to Nantes and heading south now.
    Calais is not a convenient jumping off point for those of us in the North of the UK.
    Cheers for advice. Jim.
  • durhamwasp
    durhamwasp Posts: 1,247
    Most campsites from my experience will still be open in September and will begin closing mid/late October so you shouldn't have too many problems.

    http://www.camping-municipal.org/ is the site to check, especially if you are looking for basic cheap sites with a hot shower!
    http://www.snookcycling.wordpress.com - Reports on Cingles du Mont Ventoux, Alpe D'Huez, Galibier, Izoard, Tourmalet, Paris-Roubaix Sportive & Tour of Flanders Sportive, Amstel Gold Xperience, Vosges, C2C, WOTR routes....
  • mrc1
    mrc1 Posts: 852
    We've used campsites up to October and even Novemeber. They can be like a horror film (totally deserted - creepy shower blocks) but I'm sure you'll find ones that will be open.
    http://www.ledomestiquetours.co.uk

    Le Domestique Tours - Bespoke cycling experiences with unrivalled supported riding, knowledge and expertise.

    Ciocc Extro - FCN 1
  • As mentioned above, campsites are usually open well into October, especially on more popular routes. You can always check ahead - http://www.campingfrance.com is usually a good place to start.