whisturx Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Just heard from a friend en route to Portugal that the Capbreton aire has large boulders across the entrance. So if you were expecting to stop on your way to Spain or Portugal , you will be disappointed ! They stopped in the entrance as no where else to park at the time of night they arrived. Forge Les Eaux aire is the same . Not sure whether it's to deter gypsies or mess left by motorhomes with the water turned off for cassette cleaning ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 On-line entries for the Capbreton ‘aire’ (example here) http://www.campingcar-infos.com/Francais/cci.php?numero=991 mostly indicate that it will be closed from mid-November through March - though this might mean unavailability of the ‘services’ rather than the inability to park there. This entry for Forges-les-Eaux http://www.campingcar-infos.com/Francais/cci.php?numero=622 also indicates ‘closure’ from mid-October to mid-March, but there’s the following (GOOGLE-translated) comment from a French motorcaravanner who visited the aire in November 2016: "On Thursday 17 November we visited the reception area of ??Forges les Eaux - macadamized and able to accommodate forty campings cars. We found on the billboard that water and electricity services were not active from 15 October to 15 March. What we understood perfectly. But blocks of stone were however installed to obstruct the two possible entries ....! We hurried to call the Tourist Office as advised on the sign, but the hostess, very friendly however, was obviously not aware. She gave us a cell phone number ... but without success. ... answering machine. The hostess reminded us some time later to inform us that the area was also closed on the same dates. Yet nothing specified it anywhere else ....! How does a city ranked the most beautiful village in France, does not leave the campsite caristes enjoy even out of season, this city called tourist and thermal? We are mostly independent and do not need any special services for a few days. I sent a mail to the Mayor, Michel Lejeune, via the website of the town of Forges les Eaux to suggest the opening of the area in all seasons .... but still unanswered. ..! Loss of profit for the city and its trade .... Well pity ....” The blocking of the entrances to the parking area may have something to do with the renovation and reopening in 2016 of the campsite that’s on the opposite side of the road - but that’s just pure speculation... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david lloyd Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 whisturx - 2017-01-13 6:39 PM Just heard from a friend en route to Portugal that the Capbreton aire has large boulders across the entrance. So if you were expecting to stop on your way to Spain or Portugal , you will be disappointed ! They stopped in the entrance as no where else to park at the time of night they arrived. Forge Les Eaux aire is the same . Not sure whether it's to deter gypsies or mess left by motorhomes with the water turned off for cassette cleaning ! Yes, some friends overnight end there just recently on their way down (presumably before the entrance was blocked off) with three French Motorhomes and we're all moved in early next morning. For those also hoping to stop over at the aire at Sanlucar de Barrameda in Spain this has also been closed. There are various stories as to why but for certain the behaviour of some motorhomers and the abuse of what was a really great place to stay a few days had some bearing on the decision. I have also been told by various fellow travellers in the past couple of weeks that many of the previously tolerated unofficial Aires in Portugal have been closed and one person was moved on by local fishermen at Huelva with the explanation that a group of them had travelled to England in their campers and were made to feel most unwelcome by locals when they tried overnighting on car parks and harbour areas on the south coast - all of them receiving PCN's at some car parks. So, they were making a stand against British registered motorhomes in their area. If they had relayed the story to me my response would have been not to take it personally as that would happen to us also! Unfortunately, as more and more of us head south it is getting quite congested and inconsiderate behaviour or misuse/abuse of those facilities that are provided will only be tolerated for so long. Enjoying the sun though. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snail Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Despite what vicarious books says cap breton usually is closed from December to march, we stopped at Ondre plage ok but no services Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.