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 Topic: Motorhome `Newbies` in France
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Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
24/5/2014 at 7:49am
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Many motorhome aires, signposted 'aire de campingcar' as you go into towns now charge either with a barrier or coin in slot facilities but you will often see 'unofficial' motorhome parking areas in tourist places with motorhomes parked for free. If others are parked there then ok for you.
Otherwise you can park overnight almost anywhere. probably better off motorway though in town carparks & supermarket carparks are a good bet as well.
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24/5/2014 at 8:06am
Location: Staithes
Outfit: Vantage Neo
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'All the Aires' vicarious books. France is geared up for Camping Cars and seem to be welcome everywhere. As Michell8 says go for aires du camping cars and don't overnight at aires de service.
Always have a couple in mind and you will find somewhere to stop.
Quite a few are free.
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Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
24/5/2014 at 8:39am
Location: Near Stand Road Chesterfield
Outfit: Pilote Reference P716 LPR
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We use Aires in France for almost all of our overnight stays.
The Aires are found in almost every village and town throughout France and most range from free up to around €10.
Many have a differing amount of facilities on site – waste water and cassette disposal points, rubbish bins, fresh water can cost up to €2 for 100 litres/ten minutes, if Ehu is available expect to pay a couple of Euros for a few hours of electricity – Aires usually have some or all of these facilities.
There is no hard and fast rules of what to expect on each site but some free Aires have all the facilities while some of the higher price Aires have almost none.
There are books, USB sticks ( www.campingcar-infos.com ) and many internet sites with information about Aires and what facilities they have and it depends on how much or how little you want to invest in getting information about Aires.
The Bible of Aires is 'All the Aires France Edition 4' (from Vicarious Books) which has details of 2,700 Aires and most people take this book in the early days of their MH travels.
Do not use Motorway Aires for overnight stops, they are okay for short stops, as they are not as safe as Aires in towns and villages.
Campsites can be used if you want guaranteed facilities, such as showers, but they are overpriced compared to any Aire.
France is very MH friendly and you should have no trouble finding anywhere to stay overnight at that time of year.
Here you can find examples of Aires, and other clips related to France, that I videoed in June/July last year –
www.youtube.com/user/Keithchesterfield
If you're going by Eurotunnel and/or taking a dog there are videos that might be of use to you amongst the clips
Post last edited on 24/05/2014 08:45:32
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24/5/2014 at 10:54am
Location: Hants
Outfit: VW T4 Home conversion
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Do not use Motorway Aires for overnight stops, they are okay for short stops, as they are not as safe as Aires in towns and villages.
Rubbish. we and many other people use Autoroute Aires for overnighting and have done for years. The thing to keep in mind is common sense.
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Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
27/5/2014 at 8:52am
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Quote: Originally posted by VWT4Transporter on 24/5/2014
Quote:
Do not use Motorway Aires for overnight stops, they are okay for short stops, as they are not as safe as Aires in towns and villages.
Rubbish. we and many other people use Autoroute Aires for overnighting and have done for years. The thing to keep in mind is common sense.
Common sense would suggest that the first statement is broadly correct. A motorway services is never going to be as 'safe' as parking in a town or village. Thieves go where they can find most victims & can effect a quick getaway. Which more likely to be a motorway services than a town or village.
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27/5/2014 at 9:20am
Location: Dumfries
Outfit: 2022Coachman565+VIP
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Quote: Originally posted by VWT4Transporter on 24/5/2014Quote: Do not use Motorway Aires for overnight stops, they are okay for short stops, as they are not as safe as Aires in towns and villages.
Rubbish. we and many other people use Autoroute Aires for overnighting and have done for years. The thing to keep in mind is common sense.
We stayed in our caravan on a road side aire on the A63 south of Bordeux and during the evening we had unwanted visitors , we moved on immediately
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27/5/2014 at 12:40pm
Location: Hants
Outfit: VW T4 Home conversion
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Quote: Originally posted by neil and lena on 27/5/2014
Quote: Originally posted by VWT4Transporter on 24/5/2014Quote: Do not use Motorway Aires for overnight stops, they are okay for short stops, as they are not as safe as Aires in towns and villages.
Rubbish. we and many other people use Autoroute Aires for overnighting and have done for years. The thing to keep in mind is common sense.
We stayed in our caravan on a road side aire on the A63 south of Bordeux and during the evening we had unwanted visitors , we moved on immediately
Where were you parked? Its like I said, you need to use common sense, park up near others or if pushed even near the trucks. Can be a bit noisy but it isnt that bad.
Weve been travelling in and through France since the 70's, always overnighting en route in Autoroute Aires and never ever had a problem, same as thousands of other people.
We never overnight anywhere near a large city, thats asking for trouble, nor anywhere where we are alone.
In a campervan we can park up next to the Service areas without any problems.
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Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
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