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Topic: Recommended Aires

Di+Glyn_W

07/7/2013 at 3:00pm
Location: Ashford Kent
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Hi,

is there a list or webpage anywhere with recommended Aires/service stations in France?

We are off to the Ardeche in a few weeks; we've been before but I often wonder whether anyone keeps such a list, perhaps with GPS co-ordinates. We've stopped at some really good service areas, but also stopped at some we wished we hadn't!

So - is there one...??! Or can we all construct one on this site with recommendations? Webby??

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Glyn W.

What if the Hokey Cokey really is what it's all about....?

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David Klyne

07/7/2013 at 4:18pm
Location: Milton Keynes
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They are all listed in the Michelin Road Atlas of France but of course without comment..

Val A

07/7/2013 at 4:22pm
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Google has some reviews of some Aires - which is a starting point. Perhaps we should all start adding them on there!

OliverDay

07/7/2013 at 4:45pm
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What type of aire do you like?

I find all the Aires de Service (Service Stations) are pretty much the same. Petrol station, clean toilets and restaurant, with large tarmac parking area. Therefore no real reason to have a recommended one - just stop if you need one.

When it comes to Aires de Repos (rest areas) they can vary considerably. I put notes into my satnav if we find a particularly nice one - normally with a panorama or nice picnic area or play areas when the children were younger. I can suggest a few if this is the sort you are after. My favourites tend to be the ones where you can drive off the tarmac on to a gravel and grass area and find a picnic spot under a tree all while still on the autoroute.

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Ollie

2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup

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

Di+Glyn_W

07/7/2013 at 9:41pm
Location: Ashford Kent
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Quote: Originally posted by OliverDay on 07/7/2013
What type of aire do you like?

I find all the Aires de Service (Service Stations) are pretty much the same. Petrol station, clean toilets and restaurant, with large tarmac parking area. Therefore no real reason to have a recommended one - just stop if you need one.

My favourites tend to be the ones where you can drive off the tarmac on to a gravel and grass area and find a picnic spot under a tree all while still on the autoroute.

Quote:

Hi Ollie,

it's always handy to know where the service areas are; but then I am a bit OCD about planning! But I have to say that your piccy has made me jealous - we haven't stopped at one like that! But it is the sort of thing I was thinking of - clean toilets,facilties etc. Stopped at one on way down to the Ardeche two years ago - looked okay when we got there, but toilets knee deep in pooh. Awful.

I see you're off to Les Ranchisses - we're there during summer hols, and can't wait.

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Glyn W.

What if the Hokey Cokey really is what it's all about....?

OliverDay

07/7/2013 at 10:26pm
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Yes, we are at Les Ranchisses from the beginning of August for nearly 2 weeks, so might see you there.

I think you'll find the Aire de Service nearly always have clean toilets in the part directly after where you pay for your fuel. If necessary we'll drive in use the toilets and straight out. The Aire de Repos can be decidedly dodgy, but we have noticed that they have been better in recent years. Often the disable one are the better ones for the ladies!

The picnic areas tend to be at Aire de Repos and away from the tarmac parking areas. I'll have a look at my notes to see what aires I'd suggest and post back in the next few days. I assume you'll be travelling via Troyes, Beaune and Lyon.

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Ollie

2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup

franbee

07/7/2013 at 10:26pm
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The service stations with fuel and restaurants are sometimes better than the 'mini' ones for quality of toilets.

When we are travelling on the autoroutes we tend to start looking in good time for our stop, then drive into, (and sometimes out of!) the next 2 or 3 places, until we find somewhere suitable. The signs beforehand tell you if there's a picnic area, but sometimes it's very small, or full.

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

Di+Glyn_W

08/7/2013 at 9:22pm
Location: Ashford Kent
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I think perhaps we may have been simply unlucky! We have stopped at one or two cracking stops but I always forget to put them in my satnav!

Ollie - yep, we're down there the same time! Staying at Blackhorse Farm the night before we leave, early ferry, then overnight stop at the municipal at Tournus. A bit of a drag after an early start but means day two can be a bit more relaxed!

This is our second time there - love it!

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Glyn W.

What if the Hokey Cokey really is what it's all about....?

OliverDay

08/7/2013 at 10:35pm
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The following links are for Aire de Repos that we have found to be good for a picnic stop - assuming you have your own french stick and fillings. They are not fuel stations where you can buy food. I've only linked to a couple on each day. I hope you find them useful.

Have you booked at Tournus? We stayed there last year and arrived to find a massive queue at the gate. If you have booked you can drive past the queue and straight in. But check your booking as they release any reserved places at 6pm and the queue is waiting for pitches to be released. Nice campsite though and worth the walk into town.

Between Calais and Tournus
Aire de Repos de Villecheti - A26

Aire de Repos de Monderville - A5

Between Tournus and Montelimar
Aire de Repos d'Auberives - A7

Aire de Repos de la Bornaron - A7

Aire de Repos de Bras de Zil - A7

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Ollie

2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup

rong

09/7/2013 at 8:02am
Location: Broadway Worcs.
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Thank you for all of the very interesting information. However, beware of autoroute service area fuel prices. If travelling on the A75 which is the autoroute between Clermont Ferrand and Montpellier please note that it is free all the way apart from the Millau bridge toll. Also at Exit 12, in about 3 minutes there is a Carrefour Hypermarket for fuel at ordinary prices and shopping, of course. No height barriers so motor homes can enter. There is also a Courtepaille and Buffalo Grill. There are other good snack / light meal places in the Carrefour foyer but avoid the Eris restaurant.....not so good.

If anyone needs advice on the this region, just ask. We live near here

Di+Glyn_W

10/7/2013 at 8:43am
Location: Ashford Kent
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Ollie....

yes - have booked at Tournus...we have two vans travelling so wanted to make sure we had somewhere 'secure' to stay overnight.It looks like a nice site! And thanks for the links.

Hi rong - thanks for the info, appreciated!

Regards

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Glyn W.

What if the Hokey Cokey really is what it's all about....?

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

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