We are leaving UK in our converted micro camper for a month in Europe. It's an unbelievably tight budget we are on but that hasn't stopped us yet. We have heard of Aires across Europe and some cheap campsites that are about but now we need to record where they are and the ones to miss.
Any advise would be great. Priceless in fact. At a last resort we may pay the Aires book but is so over priced it's a last resort.
Thanks again
John n Becky
Johnandbeckysbigeuropeanadventure.wordpress.com
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Hi - two or three nights in a free Aire equals two nights on a camp site (This is almost peak season) or the 'All the Aires France ' book or the Camperstop Europe book!! As the latter has 8910 camperstops, it's a no brainer really! Or use any of the free websites.
If you want some ideas in various countries, click on 'My Homepage' above and have a look at our blogs.
Hpe you have a fantastic time!
Take your pick. I have red squirrels, hoopoes, wi fi, acres of space, shady trees, swimming pool, and better showers than I have at home for £14 a night. The motorhomes down the road have white lines on tarmac in a section of car park for a fiver.
GET THE APPS JOHN! I cannot stress this enough! They are FREE! And BETTER than the camperstop euro book. Many times the apps have got us out of the s**t at 9pm when the book pointed us in the direction of a closed down aire, also there's loads more aires in the apps. The apps we use are:
"Park 4 night" and "Aires campingcar" they even navigate you there via Google maps!
I would choose campsites over Aires, for the very reason Berriow mentions.
Can't find the blog link, but when are you going? If late season then you may find an ACSI guide useful - campsites for as little as 11 euros per night.
www.campingcard.co.uk
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
My favourite Aire so far is on the Ile D'oleron at St Denis D'oleron on the northern tip of the island - €9 a night including electric and showers (used to be the municipal campsite) - if there is only two of you I would agree that municiple campsites offer better value. - a lot of campsites also offer a nightstop deal for motorhomes arriving after 6pm and leaving before 10am which afford you use of facilities.
The free app's are great just do a search within 10km of your location when you get tired or find somewhere interesting.
Have a great trip.
------------- It's only an expensive hobby when it's parked on your Drive....use it, love it , live it.
As far as sites to miss is concerned, if you're not looking for super luxury, then most municipal sites are fine. Some are good, and some are excellent, but there's only ever been one, in thirty-odd years of camping and caravanning, that we wouldn't go back to - and that one has now been taken over by new private owners and is much improved (but also more expensive).
Some municipal sites are very cheap, others in popular areas, by beaches for instance, are more expensive, so do some research before you go.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
The guy from camping-municipal.org died last year. It would make a fantastic retirement project for someone to take over his work.(It also means his site isn't being updated at present).
One muni that's worth a mention is the one at Chatillon sur Loire, which was privately owned for a while and a bit neglected but has been a proud muni for 2 years now. Lovely site, right on the river and a short walk into town.
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.