Does anyone know if you can still free camp in Motorhomes on the road between the Bassin de Thau and the sea, between Agde and Sete? We are heading down in six weeks and would appreciate an up to date view.
Many thanks.
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I have not been past since early last year but I understand that the authorities had a bylaw or something that allowed one nights/days stop to let people to get water and power on route. Truth is when we stopped there some had been there for weeks - the police are supposed to check it and can impose fines. I guess if it is being abused changes can occur. What a great spot though - beautiful beaches. Pity caravans can't use it.
Safe journey to you.
We passed through last year too. There are car parks, but tall campervans have a limited area. I don't remember any restriction on camping, but the facilities were all locked up when we were there, so you would need your own. The car parks were busy, and there's no sea view, so although we had a lunch stop, and a walk over onto the beach, it wasn't very enticing.
We were passing there is summer 2014 and all spots were taken for the vans - we thought it was a travelers site at first but Dutch people pointed us to the notice boards that were written in Four languages and they explained that you had to pay at the dispenser for water or power - the toilets and wash facilities were stainless steel and well kept then. It was quite a walk to the sea but the beaches appeared to be cleaned with machine to pick up all the rubbish. Not where we would care to spend a lot of time but free. Sete is really nice but parking is a nightmare - all underground.
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Thank you for your replies, but I don't think you are referring to what I am enquiring after. We don't mean the car parks or the new Aires. We mean the free camping (parking spaces) on the side of the road. No facilities whatsoever (we don't need them for five days). Just motorhome, rocks, then beach.
oh - right, blooming heck they go on for miles - I don't think they would start charging for them would they?
The road on route between Carnot Plague and St Cyprian is the same - Free parking absolutely crammed with vans and cars many using it to go Kite surfing. All down that coast are miles of Sandy beaches.
If you've not been for a few years, then that is the section that has changed. The road has been brought inland, there is a cycle path nearer the beach. Lots of free car parks, then concrete sea defences with the beach on the other side.
I do remember the old set up where you parked end to end on the road side, it's been gone about 3-4 years, maybe more.
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Don't discount the car parks, they are free. And you can access the beach via steps up and down the concrete. The concrete shelters you from the wind too. Why not drive along and have a look?
We were there last September and it was as franbee says: where that road used to be there is now a cycle path all the way from Marseillan Plage to Sete. I know, 'cos we cycled it, more than once! It's been like that for about 3 years or so now. The road is now further inland and there are no views of the sea and no parking either! There are the Aires though and when we've cycled past, there have always been a number of motorhomes there.
------------- Ina
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If that coastal roadside doesn't appeal to you then the ultimate free seaside camping spot is not far away - beachfront on the Mediterranean with miles of sea and sand at the Plage de Piemanson, south of Arles. There 's no road between you and the sea - just acres of free parking where the dunes meet the sea. Take your own water supply and a shovel to dig a deep hole. Some of you will love it there and others will be horrified . It's worth the drive down there through the Camargue to have a look.
The French seem to be gradually clamping down on the free seaside MH parking. The section we visit most, Baie des Anges between Antibes and Cagnes sur Mer, used to be packed with regular MH users. We stay on a campsite, but walk along the beach several times a day, as well as cycling up and down the road. They have built barriers to stop them going on the beach, though there is a new carpark, with a height barrier, and now the police seem to be moving them on too.