After so much world war, we are drawn further afield by motor home to Barfleur, a tiny coastal town at the tip of the Cotentin. Here, the enormous tidal range becomes quite clear to us for the first time, because at low tide the entire harbor basin is dry. In Normandy, the difference between low and high tide is sometimes as much as 15 meters, and the impressive backdrop of miles of exposed beaches is particularly worth seeing here. The people live with and from the sea and so we are happy to enjoy fresh seafood this evening.
Barfleur has the reputation of being the place to eat the best lobster, and we put it to the test. The campground where we parked our motorhomes is just a few minutes' walk from the small harbor, where several restaurants have settled that offer seafood in particular.
Especially lobster and scallops are caught and collected here and so it is not surprising that we find them on the menu at an acceptable price. After the meal the short digestive walk does us good. Today we conclude the evening with a glass of wine in the fully integrated rental motorhome and curiously examine the interior.
What are the differences between the two models of our motorhomes?
Both motorhomes are based on vehicle chassis from renowned manufacturers. While the Hymer is based on a FIAT, the Bürstner is based on a Citroen.
In the fully integrated model, the motorhome is completely rebuilt starting from the chassis, i.e. the base plate, and there is no sign of the original vehicle.
The cab of the fully integrated motorhome is spacious and has a unique look due to its large dashboard. A fully integrated motorhome usually has no door or only one door in the cab. You go in and out through the door just inside the living area.
The semi-integrated motorhome cannot deny its origins, the cab clearly shows its van heritage. The living area of a semi-integrated model begins visibly behind the driver's cabin, but in recent years it has been possible to design this transition so that it is almost imperceptible.
In both motorhomes, the driver and passenger seats can be turned and made part of the dining area. The fully integrated model also has its sleeping area in the rear, but the layouts of the motorhomes are varied and anyone thinking of becoming a motorhome owner has an almost unlimited number of variants to choose from. For us, the evening ends with the realization that there are enthusiasts for both variants of the motorhome and the question of integrated and partially integrated is a fundamental question that will probably be discussed forever in camping circles.
