[Dave Flanagan]

Group going to Font in late February. We were planning on getting two mobiles in La Musardiere but we just found out they don't do them in Feb.

We are going from a Thursday to a Monday so getting a gite is very awkward assuming they won't do anything but Saturday to Saturday rentals. Is it worth seeing if any gite will be flexible?

The plan b is to camp/bivy in the forest, would this be a problem?

Fallback is Etap but we are reluctant.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

[tommytwotone]

Sure someone will correct me here, but I was under the impression that bivi-ing in the forest was a big no-no - no matter how diligent you are with water / toilet processes etc I seem to recall it was to be discouraged as it might encourage others who wouldn't be so careful.

More practically...

Give the Gites De France guys a call - they've always been OK with my schoolboy French, and from what I recall there are people there who are competant English speakers if you're not up to the lingo
There's still a free campsite near Bois-Le-Roi (IIRC the one near the racecourse?) isn't there?
3 in a Formule 1 is cosy, but works out cheap if it's only for four days.

[SA Chris]

I would go for the F1 option. Camping at that time of year could be very unpleasant.

[slackline]

Group going to Font in late February. We were planning on getting two mobiles in La Musardiere but we just found out they don't do them in Feb.

We are going from a Thursday to a Monday so getting a gite is very awkward assuming they won't do anything but Saturday to Saturday rentals. Is it worth seeing if any gite will be flexible?

The plan b is to camp/bivy in the forest, would this be a problem?

Fallback is Etap but we are reluctant.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Stayed in static caravans at Les Courtilles du Lido.

Train line/bridge nearby but never bothered me (i.e.  usually  ).

That said I just had a quick glance at the Rental rates and they only having listings for March through to September so may not be open.

Last I heard (some time ago) the bivvy site near Bas Cuvier had been closed, did stay at another one but I always struggle to find it on the maps, had a toilet block (i.e. drop pit with cubicle over the top).  Think its illegal to wild camp in the forest although you can find small bivvies dotted around.

[tommytwotone]

Group going to Font in late February. We were planning on getting two mobiles in La Musardiere but we just found out they don't do them in Feb.

We are going from a Thursday to a Monday so getting a gite is very awkward assuming they won't do anything but Saturday to Saturday rentals. Is it worth seeing if any gite will be flexible?

The plan b is to camp/bivy in the forest, would this be a problem?

Fallback is Etap but we are reluctant.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Stayed in static caravans at Les Courtilles du Lido.

Train line/bridge nearby but never bothered me (i.e.  usually  ).

That said I just had a quick glance at the Rental rates and they only having listings for March through to September so may not be open.

Last I heard (some time ago) the bivvy site near Bas Cuvier had been closed, did stay at another one but I always struggle to find it on the maps, had a toilet block (i.e. drop pit with cubicle over the top).  Think its illegal to wild camp in the forest although you can find small bivvies dotted around.

Yeah, the Cuvier bivi site closed years ago...too many folk abusing the maximum stay / maximum capacity rules. Sure people crapping in the forest all over the place didn't help.

Dubious about the accuracy of this, but a quick look round uncovered this site, which at least has some numbers for campsites:

http://www.rockclimbing.com/routes/Europe/France/01-_Paris_and_surroundings__Bleau_/Bleau___an_overview__do_not_add_routes_here_/

[T_B]

Fallback is Etap but we are reluctant.

Cost? Or not being able to cook? The Premiere Class in Nemours does quadruple rooms from €46. OK location for southern venues...

http://www.premiere-classe-nemours.fr/en/index.aspx

[Dave Flanagan]

Fallback is Etap but we are reluctant.

Cost? Or not being able to cook? The Premiere Class in Nemours does quadruple rooms from €46. OK location for southern venues...

http://www.premiere-classe-nemours.fr/en/index.aspx

Yeah cost and atmosphere. Got kicked out of the Etap for being 'dirty pigs'. It's not a great place to have a few beers. Thanks for all the suggestions. Climbing in the forest is out so. Free camping might be a good option if the forecast is okish. Otherwise Etap Premiere classe...

[fried]

There is a free campsite near Restant du long rocher just north of Bourron-Marlotte. I'm not sure if you have to notify someone in advance to use it. I believe it's run by la maison de forestiere, or it might be that it's near it. If you look on Bleau.info it's nest to the parking for Restant du long rocher.

[tommytwotone]

As we seem to get a few of these types of thread pertaining to Font trips / accommodation type stuff was thinking I'll do a trawl and collate the information onto an article for the Wiki...

[TobyD]

Last I heard (some time ago) the bivvy site near Bas Cuvier had been closed, did stay at another one but I always struggle to find it on the maps, had a toilet block (i.e. drop pit with cubicle over the top).  Think its illegal to wild camp in the forest although you can find small bivvies dotted around.

Yeah, the Cuvier bivi site closed years ago...too many folk abusing the maximum stay / maximum capacity rules. Sure people crapping in the forest all over the place didn't help.
[/quote]

i heard that this had recently reopened, with some sort of toilet arrangement. This was from someone in a refuge in spain however, so not necessarily the gospel

[slackline]

As we seem to get a few of these types of thread pertaining to Font trips / accommodation type stuff was thinking I'll do a trawl and collate the information onto an article for the Wiki...

Good idea, would fit in nicely here.

EDIT - Have started things off.

[lukeyboy]

There is a free campsite near Restant du long rocher just north of Bourron-Marlotte. I'm not sure if you have to notify someone in advance to use it. I believe it's run by la maison de forestiere, or it might be that it's near it. If you look on Bleau.info it's nest to the parking for Restant du long rocher.

I've stayed at the Bourron Marlotte one over the past few years, it is a (nice) field with a tap and a hut with a hole in the floor. Not been at this time of year though. It's here

[neil h]

most gites are pretty flexable this time of year, I dont stick to sat to sat, drop me an email, I might be able to sort you out