Aires in France

[rvdmikej]

Hi! I have just asked this question in a reply to the 'Say Hello' forum. However, I think this is probably the correct place to get answers, so I'd be really interested in opinions on aires in France. My wife Cynthia and I are headed over the Channel in early October, and the thought is to use aires quite a lot. I guess that security might be an issue, especially when there are reports on TV of people being anaesthetized during the night and robbed! Not that we'll have much worth taking!

Cheers!

Mike J

[wendy]

We have stayed on an aire - did intend using more, but not always convenient. We would not stay on an aire on a motorway, but those tucked away in little villages have always seemed quite nice to us. The one that we did stay on was fine apart from the fact that it was Saturday night and the local youths thought that the area around was a race track, but that didn't last all night. There were several other vans there and it felt quite safe. I think that if you don't feel comfortable with the situation, go elsewhere.

The small municipal sites are generally very good value, although in October many of them will be shut.

The 'France Passion' sites are quite good and cost nothing, although you do have to pay €30 for the book to be able to find them.

We have also stayed on the dockside in Dunkerque and Marine Parade in Dover.

Ask away if you think that I can help anymore and I'll do my best.

[Pauline]

Hi Mike

Dougie had asked about Aires a while ago and I found the website below, but you do need to be able to read French or to translate the pages to English.

www.campingcar-infos.com/index1.htm

it seems to have information and maps for many of the free 'Aire de Service' sites in France.

We've never used an Aire for an overnight stay but have used them for daytime breaks or while waiting for a ferry. Like Wendy says, for an overnight stay if there are other vans there you would probably feel safer.

[wendy]

Just remembered that we stayed on a really nice aire at St Valery sur Somme, but you probably won't be going that way. It was purpose built for parking motorhomes during the day or overnight. It was well signed through the town and had water (€1 for 100 litres) and a toilet emptying point. I think the cost for parking was about €4 for 24 hours and it was 5-10 minutes walk from the town. We would definitely stop there again.

[rvdmikej]

I'd just like to thank those who have responded so far on this thread. I feel we might use suitable aires for overnighting.



Mike