Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravanning and Camping Abroad

Topic: Motorway Services

happybonzo

09/5/2011 at 6:46am
Location: Ndidis Kraal
Outfit: Laika Ecovip 100 & Quasar

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 20/6/2003

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4046
Tent Reviews: 2

Site Reviews Total:	39

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Most Motorway services are dismal places but Baie de Somme sets the standards as being a decent place to stop. Does anyone know of similar services?

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

warbis66

09/5/2011 at 7:03am
Location: Bristol
Outfit: Sungari 600 Icarus 600 with canopies!

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 10/9/2005

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3057
Tent Reviews: 8

Site Reviews Total:	28

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	1

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	5

Yes the one St mont michel is really nice. Cleanest loos ever and a nice landscaped garden area

-------------
France Lover

CaravanSkier

09/5/2011 at 7:32am
Location: Essex
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 28/12/2005

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 1004

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Some useful information can be found at:

http://www.abelard.org/france/motorway-aires1.php

-------------

CaravanSkier

09/5/2011 at 7:36am
Location: Essex
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 28/12/2005

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 1004

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Trying to get a direct link

Here

-------------

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

Val A

09/5/2011 at 8:00am
Location: West - North Yorkshire
Outfit: Swift Speedbird 490 Mondeo Estate

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 19/10/2004

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 18741

Site Reviews Total:	30

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	1
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	4
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

The new Aire at the end of the Millau viaduct is superb (except for the loos, and I've complained to the Mairie at Millau about them). The building itself is an updated version of a Caussenard Farm with vaults, beautiful stonework, and inside is architecturally superb. Outside is a lovely viewing gallery! 133

We also like the Aire at the Viaduct du Garabit, which has no service building, just an information bureau and a toilet block, but superb views, a picnic area, and a wide wall where you can sit overlooking the lake below and watch the osprey, buzzards and red kites hunting over the lake or over the pine woods.

Pictures being worth a 1000 words!

happybonzo

09/5/2011 at 8:49am
Location: Ndidis Kraal
Outfit: Laika Ecovip 100 & Quasar

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 20/6/2003

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4046
Tent Reviews: 2

Site Reviews Total:	39

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Thanks for that Val: I have now recovered from looking at those pictures - I hate heights. The thought of driving over them fills me with dread...

Berriow

09/5/2011 at 8:53am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 21/12/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3980

Site Reviews Total:	53

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	1

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	1

No, no, no. You are all wrong !!!

The very best is at Gueret on that little known free motorway E62/N145 that goes west to east across the middle of France - a lovely restaurant with a delightful outdoor terrace, a shop selling local crafts and produce, gardens and lawns, free wi-fi, and a real bookshop. It certainly beats Membury on the M4.

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

Val A

09/5/2011 at 9:07am
Location: West - North Yorkshire
Outfit: Swift Speedbird 490 Mondeo Estate

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 19/10/2004

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 18741

Site Reviews Total:	30

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	1
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	4
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Quote: Originally posted by happybonzo on 09/5/2011
Thanks for that Val: I have now recovered from looking at those pictures - I hate heights. The thought of driving over them fills me with dread...

Sorry Bonzo! I'm not good with heights either, but many years of visiting France have diluted my fears somewhat!

The Gueret services may come on to our radar if it's on a free part of the autoroute!

happybonzo

09/5/2011 at 9:11am
Location: Ndidis Kraal
Outfit: Laika Ecovip 100 & Quasar

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 20/6/2003

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4046
Tent Reviews: 2

Site Reviews Total:	39

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I'm now thinking of that bridge at St Nazaire. The useless curs slow down at the highest point to admire the view - ********s all of them

Granville

27/5/2011 at 11:22pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 05/8/2004

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 299

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Quote: Originally posted by Berriow on 09/5/2011

No, no, no. You are all wrong !!!
The very best is at Gueret on that little known free motorway E62/N145 that goes west to east across the middle of France - a lovely restaurant with a delightful outdoor terrace, a shop selling local crafts and produce, gardens and lawns, free wi-fi, and a real bookshop. It certainly beats Membury on the M4.

Agree this is an excellent service area. It does seem to suffer from a lack of customers though.

Aire des Harras et Aire de la Dentelle d'Alencon on the A28 Southbound are both quite nice.

Opensauce

27/5/2011 at 11:37pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4530

Site Reviews Total:	13

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

It depends on the motorway, on any main routes' ie A1, A10, A20, A6, A7 etc, the services will usually be heaving. The French don't seem to attach any importance to toilets which are generally inadequate & dirty.

Good tips are park before the fuel pumps as there won't be any room after them except miles from the main building & if you are a gal use the blokes bogs, if you are a bloke use a tree, its quicker.

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

Pennine Plodder

28/5/2011 at 5:11pm
Location: Wakefield West York
Outfit: Swift Basecamp+ Fo

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 28/5/2004

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1834

Site Reviews Total:	27

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	1
Site Reviews 2021:	1
Site Reviews 2020:	1
Site Reviews 2019:	3
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	3
Site Nights 2022:	10
Site Nights 2021:	7
Site Nights 2020:	3
Site Nights 2019:	15
Site Nights 2018:	0

Just to add my 2 bits worth. We've paused for a break and stayed overnight at various Aires on route to the Vendee and Central France. We've yet to visit one which doesn't beat any and all of the British motorway ones. There 's a lovely one north of Nantes heading for Rennes.

We cannot wait for the trip to start this year.

-------------
Some days are diamonds.......

iwalani

01/6/2011 at 9:25pm
Location: East Sussex
Outfit: Burstner Belcanto 525 TL + Santa Fe

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 15/10/2009

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 889

Site Reviews Total:	163

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	5
Site Reviews 2018:	6

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	21
Site Nights 2018:	25

We stopped at a nice one two weeks ago on the A25/E42, about halfway between Dunquerque and Lille. As we said to each other, "You know you're in France when you get a really good cup of coffee in a motorway service station, the loos are immaculate, ut have no seats!

-------------
Il vaut mieux vivre ses reves que rever sa vie

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravanning and Camping Abroad - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

8443 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder