don't know how much help I would be but things I have learnt
1.. the ferry prices was cheaper on caravan club to France but I traveled Dover to Dunkirk which is 100's cheaper than Calais and we camped in the north
2.. stock up on food as found that prices are very expensive and if you get hit with one of their thousands of National holidays at least your covered also very early risers get the bread
3.. get used to long life milk before you go so that your taste buds don't go into shock with the first early morning tea/coffee
4..We used the Municipal sites they are fantastic in my book and cheaper than the commercial ones even in off peak times ,we would travel as far as we wanted and set a time to look for a site in the nearest town that was on our journey or pick a place on the map see a town near there and look for the municipal site they are not bothered about pets or children...municipal prices ranged from 14 - 20 euros with elec
5.. top your petrol up as often as you can (supermarkets or motorway services) as they have 24hr services but they will only except CB (???) cards ( must be a french credit card)
6.. we drove mostly off of the toll roads the A roads run parallel to the motorways mostly but loved the villages we drove through and would have missed that on the motorways and saved a packet ( toll roads are mostly self service take a ticket at start then pay cash or card coming off)there are some that are attended by people but don't expect English speakers or a smile
7..learn some French as the locals will help you they where fantastic in the north also helps with the signs sound them out loud and you can roughly guess what they say and its a great game as you drive
8.. found it very easy to drive over there and found it hard to adjust over here
9.. every junction is heavily sign posted some not so clear on which way to go or straight on the junction with no warning
best to have an up to date map not sure how sat nav would be if it is like around here forget it as often found lorries stuck up a driveway
10.. found the web site Mr Itch gave Archie's campsite will give where and prices
can book the holiday packet with c&c club or caravan club but found it is more expensive even though you will know were and what you will be doing,going and getting...
11.. we had to change our electric socket to connect to their system you can get a an adapter ( talking about the outside power line
)
12.. the law on breathalyzers has been stopped but to be on the safe side they are cheep on E bay and carry 2 you never know if they have changed their minds
13.. you MUST keep high vis jackets on the back shelf for all travelers not just for the driver visible and if you have to get out of the car on the road/motorway put your coat on first !!!! even if the police have stopped you Jacket on first then get out of the car you will be fined if you even get out of the car to get it from the back go figure
14.. have a great time I loved it and planning more trips on my post of tour De France I copied ( not very well ) the compulsory equipment requirements list for different countries must haves
15.. don't forget to do your headlights again E bay and your GB sticker.... very expensive on the ferry
hope this helps and will answer any other question but think Manchester has far more experience and knowledge than me
16.. there is a member that lives in France and I am so sorry can not remember her name (that me off the guest list
) will hunt her down now