we did it! picked a site from the all the aires book and did our first free overnighter, BUT - as we didnt practice first re how it would actually work, getting undressed, making the bed up etc (its a small camper simlar size to a vw) AND because the tunnel crossing was delayed by 2 hours it led to a few giggles and acts of contortionism (if thats a word?)
anyway, we survived and and actually enjoyed it !!!
Quote: Originally posted by dinkum on 04/4/2013Love that Stepwagon Dave ! Making us very impatient to get over to France again. Need an updated Aires book myself.
thanks. to be honest, the stepwagon is better than i thought, it actually drives like a car aswell in terms of handling, i know its prob too small for most, but as we're only using it to get to the static and days out here and there, it suits us perfectly. we just need to change the exhaust as its a bit too sporty and noisy for us and it could have done with a fifth gear, but other than that i am really pleased with it. with an awning it would be ideal for a young family to spend a bit more time in it. we were looking at a nissan elgrand, but the hondas supposedly bullet proof 2l petrol engine and the overall vehicle height (under 2m) swung it for us.
i was a bit unsure as to the worth of the aires book to be honest, mainly because we didnt intend stopping for too long or using the camper for the 'grand tour', however it really is a useful purchase even for the limited number of aires we will probably end up using, just using it to find a couple of aires en route that meet our 'needs' will more than pay for itself
We have used a number of Aires and some of them are, like campsites, better than others. But there are some really lovely ones out there, better than campsites, and free into the bargain, so carry on finding them!
Quote: Originally posted by Ina on 06/4/2013
We have used a number of Aires and some of them are, like campsites, better than others. But there are some really lovely ones out there, better than campsites, and free into the bargain, so carry on finding them!
they're not all free unfortunately!! even if you don't use the electric/water etc. some still charge for overnight stops. we have been trying to look for aires which are where we travel through or would like to go to first, secondly they must have decent toilets (we only have a very small camper with no toilet etc) and thirdly preferably free! when weve got the hang of this campervanning lark, we will probably start to look further afield - my current view is that if we have to pay then we might aswell be on a campsite with showers aswell as toilets!!!
Plenty of French tourist areas have 'unofficial' aires, ie a parking area on the edge of a village where motorhomes park free, no facilities but a nice area. Popular seaside towns are now putting barriers on their aires with credit card entry facilities, some have toilets & others coin in slot operation for water/waste tip/ehu.
There are also 'overspill' areas that still need to be paid for. For example Montalivet on SW coast has some serviced m/h pitchs at front of camping municipal & 2 other areas, non serviced. The area near the beach often resembles a traveller camp with m/h's packed together on stony hard standing.
Apart from tourist areas with signs forbidding it you can park overnight anywhere in France with a motorhome.
Quote: Originally posted by Dave Beverley on 06/4/2013
Quote: Originally posted by Ina on 06/4/2013We have used a number of Aires and some of them are, like campsites, better than others. But there are some really lovely ones out there, better than campsites, and free into the bargain, so carry on finding them!
they're not all free unfortunately!! even if you don't use the electric/water etc. some still charge for overnight stops.
No, I realise that you have to pay on quite a few of them, but not that much, unless you are in a very popular area. What I meant to say was that some are really lovely AND free into the bargain, not that all are free. You sometimes don't write exactly what you mean which is what happened in this case.
If you're anywhere in Burgundy, a nice-looking one is at St Gengoux-le-National, right on the Voie Verte (Green Way for cycling, old railway). Have cycled past it many times, but never actually stayed there, although friends of ours have, and they said it was really nice. And it has toilets, in the old railway station building.
It's a great way to discover France, and you do get some Aires where there are no campsites, therefore more choice on where to stay.
We are heading off down the Romantic route in June and if anyone has tested the stopovers I am all ears. Do's n don'ts? Costs? etc.. All advice / comments welcome.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: First time in french overnight aires
