A New Adventure in France

Last year’s adventures gave us the taste for camper van life and travels so we looked at how we could do more of that, mindful still of the Covid situation and now needing to think about post Brexit limitations, i.e. being restricted to spending only 90 days out of 180 days in the Schengen Area which comprises most of the EU countries plus a few others. We researched the options for long stay visas and the only possibility was a long stay tourist visa for France which allows you to stay in France for 12 months. You still have the 90 out of 180 day limits for travel to other Schengen countries, but can then come back to France rather than having to return to the UK. We went through the visa application process which involved providing lots of documentation/ evidence at the French consulate’s agency in Wandsworth and, most importantly it seemed (and not unreasonably), private medical insurance to ensure you’re not a burden on the French health system. There were a couple of things and froings along the way but the visas were granted and we headed home from our UK travels to get ready for the off.

On the day of departure we set off with plenty of time in hand and having prepared for every possible requirement we’d read about and that the French might pick up on.

1. Covid requirements – evidence of a negative PCR test prior to travel, proof of double vaccinations and signing a declaration to confirm those requirements had been complied with. The PCR test results and declaration were duly uploaded to the Eurotunnel system ahead of travel.

2. EU restrictions on import of food – we would usually travel with some supplies in the fridge to get us started or for breakfast or lunch, e.g. milk, eggs and cheese. Dairy and meat products as well as vegetables cannot now be imported so we decided to play safe and didn’t take anything or even switch the fridge on.

3. Rules on importing other items – we’re towing the trailer so fully expected to have to be subjected to a full check and to have all our belongings turned out on the tarmac. We’d packed accordingly and had paperwork for everything, e.g. original sales invoice for Joe’s motorbike to prove we weren’t importing any goods.

We arrived at the Eurotunnel terminal in good time and went straight to passport control, Joe not seeing any need to follow boarding letter protocols! We were surprised and perhaps even disappointed that we were waved through by both the British and French passport control and customs with no interrogation or inspection. The only document we were asked to show was the negative PCR test, but no proof of double jabbed status. For the Brits, perhaps it was the euphoria of the England – Denmark football result the night before. For the French perhaps it was just too early in the day….

Having gained some time we were even able to get on an earlier train and be on our way, obviously with nothing that we could eat for breakfast until we arrived in France. An uneventful journey, with a stop for provisions on the way, and we arrived at our first destination of Bayeux, in Normandy, just after lunch. We’re staying at the municipal campsite in Bayeux, just on the edge of town and with the spires of the cathedral visible from our pitch. Looking forward to exploring the town and this area in the coming days.