Pulled in to the Aire, just before crossing the bridge travelling south. Towing caravan , expected it to be busy at lunchtime, and it was. As usual all caravan slots taken up by cars even though plenty of car sized spaces available. spotted one slot with one car, parked in the middle, so pulled in behind and drove to within a few inches of rear bumper.When I got out the back end of my caravan was causing an obstruction so I went to speak to the driver in front , who was sitting in her car. I know a little French so I said " excusez - moi, avant se vous plait"
Well that didnt go down well, she gave me such a mouthful!
So we had a little conversation , me in English, her in French. I was very calm, asking her to move forward 2 metres ,smiling and polite.
She was quite the opposite.After a minute or so , this French guy who was in a Motorhome, intevened and said .... Words to the effect of " move the effing car, this space is for caravans"
She moved.
Merci monseiur.
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Rudeness can be anywhere. We have found in a few places in France that the French love to bend the rules, hate to queue etc. Got stampeded by 100+ while "queuing" at Oceanopolis in Brest. My son got shoved very hard on purpose at Mont St Michel. But, this can happen anywhere.
If it happens again, try "Madame, pouvez vous s'il vous plâit déplacer votre voiture un peu?" That's all I can muster from my rusty French
I think you did the right thing to stay calm and polite, and good on the guy who stepped in. When my mum and dad went on holiday to Florida, they were queuing at an attraction when a lady pushed almost to the front. Several people muttered and tutted, but my dad called out in his best 'proper English' accent "Madam, please take yourself to the back of the queue!" He received a round of applause.
Yeh why do they do that? virtually every Aire I pull into, the caravan bays are full of cars, Why?? and you are right, they will not move, so now I just block them in with the van if possible, that usually makes the penny drop.
I think my choice of words may have been taken as an order rather than a request, but then my french is pretty basic.
Also people do the same in England at Service areas, the same people who park in Blue Badge slots when they dont have a badge .I think?
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
At least you made the effort to speako the lingo, we are heading that way in June so will see if she is still there did you stay on a site in the that region that you or anyone else could recommend please.
Most of the sites in Millau itself are lovely - in good situations alongside the river,and vary in price from 10 euros upwards with an ACSI Card (www.campingcard.co.uk) St Lambert is a nice one at 12 euros, and there are several others including Les Rivages which we like a lot at 14 euros.
In Riviere sur Tarn further up the Tarn river we like Les Peupliers, which is a Camping Cheques site. In between is the municipal site at Aguessac which many people like but it doesn't have enough facilities for us. We like a bar/restaurant/swimming pool on our sites.
We liked Les Rivages, if you go there, try and get a pitch right over to the left by the river, you will be rewarded with beavers at twilight, we saw them quite a few times. You can swim in the river, but I thought it was a bit cold.
We like to be near a town, as we eat in, or barbeque, it was ideal for this, and handy to get to everywhere.
Senior moment, you want to be on the open area near the river which is on the right of the site!
Anne
We've had riverside pitches, but we like those which are 'central' on the riverbank, just behind and to the right of the pebble beach. You can walk around the site and find the sort of pitch you like.
Les Peupliers have riverside pitches, too, but the vegetation in front of these has grown up and some have less view of the river than they used to do. We found a pitch with a good river view to the left of reception, and right up to the far end in the riverside corner - good view and good quiet pitch with no passing traffic.
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: Millau, did I use the wrong phrase?
did you stay on a site in the that region that you or anyone else could recommend please.
