robertandjean Posted August 15, 2020 Share Posted August 15, 2020 Suspecting new restrictions were about to be announced regarding travel to France we changed our plans and made a mad dash for the tunnel last Tuesday. We are so glad we did. Not worried about the quarantine on return in a months time, but needed to be over here before it was decreed that only essential travel was allowed, so our insurance would still be valid. Yes it is great to be back here and having the freedom to use the Aires network, as against the hassle of finding/prebooking sites at home. So far stayed on two Aires, very different from each other but both ones we like, having stayed on both before. First the no facility, parking only Aire right opposite the beach, at Sangatte where we stayed 3 nights. We have just stayed the odd night here in the past but the weather was so good we stayed longer this time (We carry a spare toilet cassette and van has fresh water capacity of 120 litres so can manage 3/4 days with no services). Aire was busy but always spaces and no charge.(Parking Herbert Latham, off D940) We are now spending a couple of days at an old favourite Aire St Claire at Neufchatel en Bray. This costs 12€/night but for that you get individual hedged hard standing pitches with grass at side plus electric hook ups, toilets etc. Space here is limited but still pitches available late Saturday afternoon on a bank holiday in France. Tomorrow we will move further through Normandy heading fo some small villages and Aires we have not visited before. As an aside interesting that on both these Aires many people had chairs, tables etc out, as we have often noted in the past despite comments on some forums that it is not allowed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted August 16, 2020 Share Posted August 16, 2020 The ’no chairs/tables, etc.’ rule-of-thumb will generally apply only when the ‘aire’ is part of a public car-park (which is commonly the case in France). The rule MIGHT apply to the Sangatte installation https://www.campercontact.com/en/france/hauts-de-france-02-59-60-62-80/sangatte/71196/parking-hubert-latham and here https://www.campercontact.com/en/france/normandie-14-27-50-61-76/herouvillette/111/aire-municipale https://www.campercontact.com/en/france/normandie-14-27-50-61-76/ducey/3465/aire-municipale But clearly should not apply at Neufchatel en Bray that (as is said on the following link) is essentially a campsite for motorhomes. https://www.campercontact.com/en/france/normandie-14-27-50-61-76/neufchatel-en-bray/21950/aire-de-camping-car-sainte-claire Other ‘tables & chairs OK’ examples would be the ‘pay’ aire at St. Jean sur Mayenne https://www.campercontact.com/en/france/pays-de-la-loire-44-49-53-72-85/st-jean-sur-mayenne/15569/aire-des-marchanderies and the free aire at Bouere https://www.campercontact.com/en/france/pays-de-la-loire-44-49-53-72-85/bouere/14233/aire-municipale This webpage https://www.vicarious-shop.com/blogs/vicarious-view/all-the-aires-guidebooks-by-vicarious-media states ...There are terms and conditions for the use of motorhome Aires as the campervan must actually be a campervan, not just a van with a mattress in the back, and must be 'self sufficient'. Camping is strictly prohibited, which means no tables and chairs outside and absolutely no tents...” but most people (at least most French people!) seem able to to decide when a degree of ‘camping’ will be acceptable/tolerated or when it won’t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancepar Posted August 16, 2020 Share Posted August 16, 2020 Well what we have noticed on our travels is...... Where the parking area is longish but narrow and around the edge of the Aire, peeps put furniture where they can't be seen ie in front or behind of the HoHo. If the marked areas are spaced well apart then canopies and the like are out. At some Aires the layouts are not marked out so go with the flow, you can see we are the odd one out - LH canopy, (lol) B-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted August 16, 2020 Share Posted August 16, 2020 We used Aires and their counterparts thoughout Europe for many years without anyone ever asking us to pull the awing in or remove chairs etc. I recall speaking to a Dutch couple who had been asked, along with some others who were hogging van spaces, not to use chairs outside on a very crowded Aire at Deauville harbour many years ago. To us it was common sense and courtesy to others not to be selfish and inconsiderate and we didn't stay long as it was too busy for our tastes! I have no doubt that others have found the same as we did - the application of common sense and consideration works well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicepix Posted August 16, 2020 Share Posted August 16, 2020 We do quite a lot of 'off piste' parking in France. In the absence of regulations posted on the site or aire there are few hard and fast rules surrounding what is and isn't deemed 'camping'. Putting tables and chairs out to be used should be deemed OK as long as they were put away afterwards and not left out overnight or while you go off elsewhere. After all, car users often bring picnic tables and chairs to picnic sites and other places. Awnings and steps should be retracted at night. Other than that and as long as you respect the locality and facilities you should be OK. We have never been asked to move on and I have stayed many times in places like picnic sites, parcours de peche (fishing sites), halte nautiques and bases de canoe / kayak and in some cases just parked on the road in a town alongside a marina (not the Morris type). f you get stuck just head for a large supermarket and find a quiet corner where you are not causing an obstruction. You get a tarmac base and more room than some dedicated pay for camping-car aires and in many cases can access water, EHU and waste disposal via the camping-car service point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 This article from the “Le Monde du Camping-Car” magazine covers motorhome rules and regulations in France. https://www.lemondeducampingcar.fr/pratique/reglementation/tout-savoir-sur-la-rglementation-du-camping-car/151754 The part relevant to this forum thread advises about parking as follows ...Motorhomes can park wherever cars can park, except where specifically prohibited. Be sure to respect the signs. Once you are parked, it is possible to sleep in your motorhome, as long as you do not camp on public roads. This means that if you are on a parking area, you should not take any exterior accessories out of the motorhome. No levelling ramps, garden furniture, awning, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cattwg Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 To mis quote Saint Augustine we use the maxim “When in France do as the French do” or in many instances the Dutch and Germans. As has already been said using common sense and being considerate will usually avoid problems. Cattwg :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertandjean Posted August 17, 2020 Author Share Posted August 17, 2020 First thanks Derek for your informative response. Recall from when was a regular contributor you always provided useful web based links. To be clear re putting out chairs etc was not advocating this is allowable or sensible on all Aires just putting record straight that it is possible on some Aires if it looks appropriate. A second point worth making would seem to be to dispel the notion held by some that all, or at least the vast majority of Aires are car parks. We have visited many Aires most of which are purpose made for motorhome, or perhaps it is just these type we tend to aim for. We are at present, for example on the Aire at Quillebeuf-sir-Seine which consists of six set out hard standings on edge of “village green” with River Seine one side and church on other, certainly not a car park. No charge for staying overnight, 3€ for water.(Town is historic if a little run down and industry other side of river means some noise but not enough to worry about). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 It is almost certainly the case In France that, where a 'service pedestal' has been installed for motorhome usage, adjacent parking will more often than not be on a public car-park. For Francophones this link lists downloadable documents describing a motorcaravanner's rights and obligations. https://www.univdl.org/brochures-et-guides/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertandjean Posted August 17, 2020 Author Share Posted August 17, 2020 Derek Uzzell - 2020-08-17 1:32 PM It is almost certainly the case In France that, where a 'service pedestal' has been installed for motorhome usage, adjacent parking will more often than not be on a public car-park. For Francophones this link lists downloadable documents describing a motorcaravanner's rights and obligations. https://www.univdl.org/brochures-et-guides/ Not so sure about the universality of the public car park notion. Thinking of Aires in just a couple of northern departments then Grenay, Mark, Montreuil, St Venant,Richbourg, Bertry, Le Cateau Cambresis, and Watten are as best we recall all Aires specific for camping cars, not part of a public car park. None are private and most do not charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 robertandjean - 2020-08-17 4:56 PM Derek Uzzell - 2020-08-17 1:32 PM It is almost certainly the case In France that, where a 'service pedestal' has been installed for motorhome usage, adjacent parking will more often than not be on a public car-park. For Francophones this link lists downloadable documents describing a motorcaravanner's rights and obligations. https://www.univdl.org/brochures-et-guides/ Not so sure about the universality of the public car park notion. Thinking of Aires in just a couple of northern departments then Grenay, Mark, Montreuil, St Venant,Richbourg, Bertry, Le Cateau Cambresis, and Watten are as best we recall all Aires specific for camping cars, not part of a public car park. None are private and most do not charge. There are many variations on the principle of 'Aires de Stationment' and, being French, local 'rules' seem to apply to many so it pays to read the notice board - if there is one - as they all differ! Similar principles seem to appy to German and Spanish Motorhome parkings and in many years and countless stays - some in wonderful settings - other en route overnighters less glamourous - we never had any problems whatsoever. We always paid what was askd either in a machine or when it was asked for and tried hard to behave sensibly - even the dog! We always made sure we had an ample supply of Euro coins as it was easier than faffing about with a card if there was a choice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertandjean Posted August 21, 2020 Author Share Posted August 21, 2020 Now on Aire at Honfleur, arrived a couple of days ago mid morning so able to find front pitch overlooking basin and obtain ehu, stil 11€/night. Does get very busy end day but feel very safe as in our own little bubble. Mainly French vans, but also reasonable numbers from Germany, Belgium, Holland and Italy.but only one or two others from UK. Town itself bus but again feels safe as face masks to be worn at all times, inside and out, and have seen no one not doing. Moving n in morning further inland, but would say if happy to quarantine on return and happy with your travel and van insurance then a couple of weeks n France might be better than prebooking expensive sites in UK! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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