hi we are going to vendee from dunkerque last friday in july. the ferrie docks at about 6 pm and wont to travel about 1 hour and stop at a rest area how safe is it and will we get in as there is 4 caravans in our party are we better stopping at campsite
many thanks alan
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We stopped at a campsite in Isques - just south of Boulogne - about 45/60 mins from Dunkerque. After the worrying stories of folk staying at Aires and being robbed, we couldn't see any point in chancing it. I know others say they've never had a problem but.... If you decide to stay on an Aire - then the one just south of Calais - I believe it's called Les Deux Caps (sp?) has a well lit, if small, parking area with fuel and restaurant facilities. It's on the top of a hill.
The service stations on the autoroutes sell maps with all the aires and what services are available at each one. On the subject of safety in aires do a search on here and you will find loads of different opinions.
There is an 'aire' on the autoroute between Calais and Boulogne (unfortunately can't remember the name), where they encourage caravans to stay overnight - it even has hook-ups which you can access with a coin. The showers are good, and there is a restaurant which stays open until very late. This might suit you, and it's obviously a safe place to stay.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Val. It's the Aire des Deux aps I think. We've stayed there before, and we recommend that one as a night halt for guests coming here too. It's as safe as anywhere that's NOT a campsite.
Just remember, it's the Aire des Deux Caps - referring to Point Griz Nez and Point Blanc Nez - just on the nearby coast. We visited the two Points, with my Dad on a day trip and he was very moved by the war memorial on the top, being an ex-soldier! It had some lovely fresh flowers in place, even on a day in May.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
The French Aires are safe, especailly if you are in a group, we have stopped at them no end of times with no issues. Just make sure you do not pull in next to a refrigerator truck as they will keep you up all night.
Also try to avoid the ones very near Paris (or any other major city), but your common sense will tell you if it is safe, if it is a well lit site, then no problems, the best are the one affiliated with the petrol stations, as there are always people about (assuming you travel on the motorway)
We are going Dover to Calais in June, we arrive in Calais at I think it is 4.40pm.
After looking at this post we are interested in staying at this aire could anyone tell me exactly where it is. I have got a route from the AA website which shows you the aires but there is no mention of this one.
We have never stopped at an aire but going by the response on here this one sounds as safe as a campsite.
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Topic: over night stop
