We will be towing our Pathfinder for the first time in France and have never really used service stations or motorway stops when we have travelled there before.
Do people know if they have the large bays like we do here for towing vehicles...this is probably a silly question and I am sure they do however we have only stopped in 'aires' which have never been that spacious. Merci.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
The best way to park at a French motorway services when towing caravan/trailer is thus:- dont follow signs to parking, follow signs to fuel pumps(even if you dont want fuel)as you go in you will observe that before the pumps is a large empty area, park anywhere here to one side(preferabley the side away from the truck pumps)by doing this your rig will be in full veiw while you go in the services for toilet/coffee if you wish to fuel up do so when you are ready to go.
If you follow the parking sign at a busy services you risk being unable to park & if you do park ok your rig will be out of veiw(inviting thieves)while you use the services.
------------- Sell my camper? I'd rather eat school semolina!
We always park with the lorries and one of us stays with the caravan while the others go into the service area and then swap. As we are usually travelling at the weekend there is normally plenty of space. We did try following the sign for caravans once but the area was full, difficult for manoevring and we ended up back on the motorway without the stop we needed.
Susie
------------- Live every day as if it's your last - don't waste it
I'm, surprised to read the first two replies. I've been travelling to France with a caravan for 8 years now and have never ever had a problem with parking. I've used both service areas and aires in this time. In fact I think they are far superior to our services. If you have managed in the UK you will certainly manage in France.
I don't disagree with what Martyn says in his first paragraph. This does seem to be a popular forecourt layout. The trouble here is that when leaving the forecourt you tend to be on the exit road so if you can't get parked as described then you are stuck. Also picnic aires don't have petrol.
harryb
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Maybe it is because we tend to go at the very height of the holiday season and at the weekend. We have always found the services between Caen and either Brittany or the Vendee to be absolutely heaving with incredibly long queues for both fuel and the loos!
Susie
------------- Live every day as if it's your last - don't waste it
Services on main autoroutes can be absolutely heaving on weekends in the holiday season & it can be difficult to get parked if you are towing, also you can end up a long way from the actual services building on large services. This is inconvinient as you do really need to go separately so you dont leave your vehicle unattended.
I wouldnt say security is a massive problem but thieves are about & my method seems to work most of the time.
It also helps to avoid services between 12-2pm as the French do like to stop for lunch. Also the road is clearer at those times.
------------- Sell my camper? I'd rather eat school semolina!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Would agree with above post about avoiding them between 12 and 2 we try and stop about 11ish hubby has something to eat and I make up sarnies etc for the girls and myself that we can eat in the car we then stop again about 2.30 when everything is quieter.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Services and towing a trailer
