Matt Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Hi there,In September I plan to drive down to Lyon, France (881 miles) for the Grape Harvests. I've applied at http://www.apcon.nl and also looked at individual farms who I plan to contact soon, especially with "apcon" yet to reply. For this period I'll be provided with accommodation at the farm I'll beworking at. However, after this period I'd like to stay in France for abit, at least while I slowly make my way back up to the United Kingdom.What would be the best way to do this? What are hotel/bed&breakfastprices like in France? What are the laws regarding camping, etc? Also, has anyone had any success with the site I mentioned above?- Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted June 14, 2009 Author Share Posted June 14, 2009 I've actually secured a place and paid for the service with "apcon" - so far so good.Is there anything I should know for the drive down? If I was to spend some time in France before arriving at my place of work, what would be the best way to do so? Obviously if Im in a large city there will be hotels and the such, but is there any cheaper bed and breakfast style accomodation through France?Also how likely is it that once I've finished the harvest in southern France that I'll be able to follow harvests north, finding more work?Thanks again.Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5-element Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 How about Youth Hostels? Most have no age limit (although I have no idea how old you are!)Youth hostels are great, as you meet all kinds of people there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odile Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 was going to advise Auberges de Jeunesse too. Meet all sorts of nationalities, types, great fun. If you join the YHA in the UK you can use Auberges de Jeunesse in France. Bonne chance.see www.fuaj.org and www.hihostels.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitty Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 For your money to go further, have you thought about taking the train there and cycling back? It's not as hard as it seems, especially if you have quite a bit of time. French cycling is good fun - the camp sites are well serviced and easily found (take care to check which days they close). You can do about 70 miles on a good day (45 miles on an off day), taking into account the stopping off for breakfast, lunch and supper in roadside cafes. [:D] If you get a bit fed up of that, you can hop onto a train with your bike.The French are really good to cyclists - cars generally give you a wide berth - and because the French divide their fields by ditches rather than hedgerows, you can see for miles.I did it and it was great fun. Alternatively, cycle down there first (more campsites are open in the summer) and then you'll be really fit for the grape harvests (which is back breaking work, by the way). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 [quote user="Cathy"]then you'll be really fit for the grape harvests (which is back breaking work, by the way).[/quote]I agree - don't underestimate it - it's seriously hard work.Alsohave a look at www.couchsurfing.com could save you quite a bit of moneyand introduce you to 'real' French family life. We have a frenchstudent 'surfing' our couch for a couple of weeks this summer...to helpimprove his English. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 [quote user="Scooby"][quote user="Cathy"][/quote]IAlso have a look at www.couchsurfing.com could save you quite a bit of money and introduce you to 'real' French family life. We have a french student 'surfing' our couch for a couple of weeks this summer...to help improve his English.[/quote]Lets hope that he does doesn't confuse your daughter with a surfboard [6]Sorry about that, sometimes I cannot restrain myself, laughing apart surfcouching is a great idea, it didnt exist when I was travelling but I was invited to stay with families several times, some of these people, their friends and others that I made whilst travelling have since stayed with me in France.Its really rewarding once in a while to be able to repay the kindness of others even if indirectly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 LOL - I think my daughter would slap him [:D]I agree with youabout the amount you gain as a host...though I would love to be 21again and be free to wander off and travel the world! I feel veryenvious of my older son who is currently planning his gap year and keepmentioning to my OH that perhaps us 'oldies' should have a gap year too- between work and retirement... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odile Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Agree to both of you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Scooby.I waited till I was 45 before my gap year, the concept didnt exist when I was 25, except perhaps in the form "dropping out", etc.Now I am a real "drop out" and proud to be [:D]It was only a really bad dose of Falciparum Malaria that stopped my travelling then, I will definitely pick up where I left off in the not so distant future.Each and every one of us is probably free to wander if we really wanted to, most of the shackles that restrain us are of our own making. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.