bridie Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 New here, but already had LOTS of advice and help from my first posting. Many posts have mentioned the use of aires on the continent. I know that you can stop overnight at motorway aires in France, but there would appear to be a lot more to it than that judging by the number of folk who have mentioned them. Enlighten me please :-> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airstream Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Hi, Try https://www.vicarious-shop.com/Motorhome-Books/ Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spospe Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 An Aire, literally in French means “an area”. The word has come to mean somewhere where a motor van can stay overnight. What you get varies hugely, some places have only parking, some offer water and waste disposal, some include electricity, a few have showers (one we stopped at included a glass of wine). Often the Aires are free, sometimes there is a small charge for water, or electricity, or just to stay. The only constant factor is that there is no constant factors. We use Aires for (usually) Monday to Friday and find a nice ‘proper’ site for the weekend, one that has showers and washing machines etc. From the point of view of both noise and security we do not stay overnight on Motorway 'Aires' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homenaway Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 WelcomeI would suggest that stopping at an autoroute aire is NOT advised especially for an overnight stop! There are several websites that list aires suitable for overnight stops and we use several on each of our trips as well as occasional campsites if we want to stop more than one night. Look at campingcar-infos.com if you can understand a bit of French! We list all the places we have stayed at on our own website Enjoy your travels Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandyAndy Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 It it is Aires you want then you don't get much better than this site You may need to click to enter then in left column resercher un Aire or something like that http://www.campingcar-infos.com/index1.htm You can translate to english but for some reason it makes pictures remain small when you go to look at them. But that could just be me Good luck Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 bridie - 2012-01-10 8:18 PM New here, but already had LOTS of advice and help from my first posting. Many posts have mentioned the use of aires on the continent. I know that you can stop overnight at motorway aires in France, but there would appear to be a lot more to it than that judging by the number of folk who have mentioned them. Enlighten me please :-> Bridie It may well be that a forum member will be prepared to provide the comprehensive answer that your question deserves, but it will be a very long answer indeed! What I suggest you do is exploit the forum's Search facility to retrieve earlier discussions that should cover everything you might wish to know about 'aires'. Go to the box towards the top right of this webpage where it say "Welcome, bridie" and click on the Search button. In the "Keywords" box type the word aires In the "Filter by author" box type robertandjean From the options provided in the Date limit box, choose All posts Then click on the SEARCH button (Make sure you follow the above instructions EXACTLY ;-) ) This should retrieve a longish list of earlier forum threads (going back to 2006) that contain references to 'aires' and postings authored by forum-member robertandjean. There's a need to put a forum-member 'name' in the Filter by author box (otherwise the Search will be too general) and robertandjean has contributed to the majority of previous discussions on the subject. Despite the filter you'll get a lot of non-related stuff, so you'll need to look at the threads' titles to see which are most likely to be informative. If browsing through so much material proves disheartening, this February 2011 thread may be a useful 'taster'. http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=22455&start=1 (There's also a 2-page article - "The aires debate" - on pages 79/80 of the January 2012 issue of MMM magazine that you should find helpful.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 bridie - 2012-01-10 8:18 PM New here, but already had LOTS of advice and help from my first posting. Many posts have mentioned the use of aires on the continent. I know that you can stop overnight at motorway aires in France, but there would appear to be a lot more to it than that judging by the number of folk who have mentioned them. Enlighten me please :-> It seems that you may be confused about what aires are. There are aires on motorways ( in France ) which are simply somewhere you can stop for a rest, just like our motorway service areas. Some have fuel stations and restaurants, but many do not. These are the aires that, in general, are NOT recommended for overnight stops. The aires that most people on here discuss are purpose built parking areas, for motorhomes, in towns and villages which usually provide a water supply and waste dumping facilities, plus electric hook-ups in many cases. There is usually a nominal charge to stay on them but they are unmanned by any staff. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neillking Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 And vary from overcrowded noisy car parks to delightful riverside locations! 'Aires' is a very British/American short form that takes away much of the meaning, 'aire de ....' is the French way and may include aire de repos, aire de camping-car, aire de service, aire de stationnement, aire naturelle, aire de jeux, aire de roller-skate, etc, etc! Typically French, aires de camping-car are locally created and managed so are all very individual. The only way to 'get into' aires is to try quite a few preferably in different regions. There are printed and electronic guides and downloadable POIs to help you find them but in my experience not one of these guides is complete nor ever fully up to date though! We usually buy a guide in a French Supermarché when over there but always travel with POIs loaded in the sat-nav. Having been at this game for many years we have several favourites we aim for too. It's a subject that creates deep divisions of opinion, heaven knows why, we don't see heated debates about which shops to visit with posters saying 'avoid all independents, shop instead only in multiples' but we certainly do see that kind of argument about aires and campsites. I've been to duff aires and to duff campsites and also to some great examples of each, you'll have to make your own mind up about which is for you - and when. In France both are likely to be overcrowded in the peak holiday season especially if anywhere near water. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordThornber Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 neillking - 2012-01-11 12:04 PM It's a subject that creates deep divisions of opinion, heaven knows why. My personal take on it Neil is that some users of Aires and some of sites are blinkered to their use. Aires are beautiful, clean, free, easy to get on, stay as long as you like, free water and electric. Wrong - as most of us know. Sites are 100% safe & secure, cheap, spotlessly clean, bags of room. Also wrong, as most of us know. If folk posted balanced, fair and accurate descriptions about both aires and sites, in my view there woudn't be such intolerances about individual requirements and needs for how we spend time in our vans. I won't be holding my breath. Martyn ( a committed site user - not site preacher) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neillking Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 LordThornber - 2012-01-11 12:21 PM ... balanced, fair and accurate ... Crikey now there's a thought! I won't be holding my breath either. We Brits do seem prone as a nation to very black and white views and to trying to impose them on others, it seems worse in this time of stress than it was before. I'm very aware of and a fan of a 'costs and benefits' view of the world but endless posts trying to put all the pros and cons is tedious to say the least and I suspect not well received anyway. I do try to express personal opinions without saying mine is the only way forward, I'm sure others will tell me if that doesn't come across! Back to the main point though, I find a life stretching one's comfort zone and enjoying multiple and maybe new experiences is altogether more satisfying than one hiding in a favourite hole! (I think!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cattwg Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 bridie - 2012-01-10 8:18 PM I know that you can stop overnight at motorway aires in France:-> Opinions on the use of aires vary greatly, as you will discover from the replies that your post will generate. However something that I think we are all agreed on is "do not overnight at aires on motorways". It is not safe to do so. From posts on this and other forums it is known that people have been robbed on motorways aires. Cattwg :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridie Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 Cattwg - 2012-01-11 5:38 PM Opinions on the use of aires vary greatly, as you will discover from the replies that your post will generate. I have been a member of a caravan related forum for a number of years and am used to "strongly held views" on almost every aspect of caravanning (and beyond). So, I feel quite at home in here. (lol) As far as I'm concerned, ALL help and advice is welcomed with GREAT THANKS . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertandjean Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 As one of the most pro aires user on here, we would say go for it, sell the caravan, buy a motorhome, cross to France and start using the aires de service/stationment. Yes not all are great, but many are; certainly do not stay on aires on motorway aires (these are not dedicated aires for camping-cars, motorhomes). As others have stated camping-car infos is a great web site, but i-campingcars.fr is also good. For a published book, then Le Guide National de Aires de Service Camping-Cars, is in our opinion the best guide available, much better than the British "All the Aires" book; buy in France from Easter onwards. If you have a particular region/department you have in mind to visit let us know and we will give you some of our favourite aires to set you going, maybe with an emphasis on those which are like camp sites (well that should keep everyone happy!!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Jones Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 neillking - 2012-01-11 12:04 PM In France both are likely to be overcrowded in the peak holiday season especially if anywhere near water. Very true Neil - I'd only add, though, that when a campsite says "Full," it's FULL, and you won't be allowed in, whereas when an Aire is "Full" you can usually squeeze one more van in somewhere - I'm sure that, like me, you've often watched in amazement as the French practise their "advanced sardine packing (or parking!)" No way to spend a holiday, but it does mean you can always stop and sleep SOMEWHERE! :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Tony Jones - 2012-01-11 9:44 PM neillking - 2012-01-11 12:04 PM In France both are likely to be overcrowded in the peak holiday season especially if anywhere near water. Very true Neil - I'd only add, though, that when a campsite says "Full," it's FULL, and you won't be allowed in, whereas when an Aire is "Full" you can usually squeeze one more van in somewhere - I'm sure that, like me, you've often watched in amazement as the French practise their "advanced sardine packing (or parking!)" No way to spend a holiday, but it does mean you can always stop and sleep SOMEWHERE! :-D ... but don't try this when there are a lot of Dutch on the site ... they really, really, really do not like you to spoil their view or ask them to move their cr*p so you can park up next to them .... 8-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caddies104 Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Never quite got my head around Aires, Municipal yes but not Aires, must of looked at the wrong ones.. e.g. We were stopping at Fort Mahon Plage on a site not far from the sea, costing around 13 euro per night, which includes hook up, showers, toilets, bar , small shop, and a free tennis court and clean and tidy. Just down the road about 400 yards was the Aire costing 8 euro, which had nothing except very close neighbours, just did not see the point, but that' s just me. I understand it saves 5 euro but !!!!!! (?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwendolyn Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 My understanding is that the request for info on Aires arose from a request elsethread for advice on switching from caravan to motorhome? Then the subject of Aires arose. I have camped / caravanned / motorhomed in various outfits all my life… yes, even before 1980 as one poster stated on the other thread. There IS no one “best” way. It’s all a compromise. Some posters will urge ditch the caravan, stay on Aires, avoid sites; others, keep the caravan … and so on …. for ever…. Do it YOUR way. Work out what YOU want from your trips [my way would not suit some; may be right for others; perfect for none]. If you ask… we have: a small panel van; a tow car and small caravan; and a range of tents, and a trailer in which to dump the camping gear … from all that, we use whatever suits us, for whatever trip, for wherever we want to go, at whatever time we want … and we prefer sites to Aires – which exclude us anyway if we use our caravan or tent. Just love the “camping” [loosely] lifestyle, whatever form it takes. When you have worked out how you want to travel, see what you want to see, do what you want to do - choose the outfit that approximates best to what suits you [sir!] And only then work out if Aires are right for you. Emphasis on YOU throughout that last paragraph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1footinthegrave Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 We make extensive use of Aires ( not motorways though ) but also sites when needed, depends what you want. Stay somewhere like Blois, Metz, Bayeux, or Le Mans, right in the heart of a city, hows that for convenience for a bit of city sightseeing, or some of the rural ones down the Dordogne, or the Loire, and many other regions of France. Don't overlook the Municipals though which offer astounding value for money, and very convenient locations in many instances. Also get the ASCI book for more flexibility. The beauty of France is you will be tripping over Aires, or sites almost everywhere you go. Yes some are less than desirable or even downright crap, Boulogne sur mer Aire comes to mind for me at least on our last trip being right on the edge of the main road, but it was a lifesaver for just an overnight stop, and handy for a visit to one of the largest Aquariums in Europe, be selective though and you can find some real gems. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly58 Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 A site I kidnapped earlier may be of helphttps://picasaweb.google.com/104053866066524016059?authkey=Gv1sRgCMKW4YLfi6KuhgE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly58 Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 A site I kidnapped earlier may be of helphttps://picasaweb.google.com/104053866066524016059?authkey=Gv1sRgCMKW4YLfi6KuhgE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 1footinthegrave - 2012-01-12 6:15 AM Yes some are less than desirable or even downright crap, Boulogne sur mer Aire comes to mind for me at least on our last trip being right on the edge of the main road, but it was a lifesaver for just an overnight stop, and handy for a visit to one of the largest Aquariums in Europe, be selective though and you can find some real gems. ;-) Which one are you referring to there are two Aries at Boulogne we stayed on the one on the cliff top on the D940 last September, very pleasant quiet night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1footinthegrave Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 lennyhb - 2012-01-12 10:31 AM 1footinthegrave - 2012-01-12 6:15 AM Yes some are less than desirable or even downright crap, Boulogne sur mer Aire comes to mind for me at least on our last trip being right on the edge of the main road, but it was a lifesaver for just an overnight stop, and handy for a visit to one of the largest Aquariums in Europe, be selective though and you can find some real gems. ;-) Which one are you referring to there are two Aries at Boulogne we stayed on the one on the cliff top on the D940 last September, very pleasant quiet night. That illustrates the point perfectly,about one mans meat etc, yes it was that one. I'm not saying it was a bombsite, but it was a long walk to anywhere, the Aquarium in particular, and traffic noise was intrusive, perhaps OK if you are a heavy sleeper. Much better methinks to go down to the casino car park for access to the town now they have put M/home parking prohibited signs on the dockside and everywhere else it seems down there. Was disappointed to find the same prohibition in Le Touquet town and sea front, but a much nicer Aire down at the Yacht club, now that was very peaceful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neillking Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Parking prohibitions and aires seem to often go hand in hand at honeypot locations and new aires now often coincide with new 'stationnement reglemente' signs. This seems to be extending backwards into towns where aires and free parking have existed side by side but free/unregulated on-street and town square parking still seems commonplace away from the main holiday spots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 You cant turn up on a campsite at 3 in the morning or leave at ungodly hours as well....You can on an Aire Aires to us are simply a convenience, somewhere to park up and get your head down. We prefer to breakfast out in the sunlight and fresh air so prefer campsites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 1footinthegrave - 2012-01-12 11:34 AM lennyhb - 2012-01-12 10:31 AM 1footinthegrave - 2012-01-12 6:15 AM Yes some are less than desirable or even downright crap, Boulogne sur mer Aire comes to mind for me at least on our last trip being right on the edge of the main road, but it was a lifesaver for just an overnight stop, and handy for a visit to one of the largest Aquariums in Europe, be selective though and you can find some real gems. ;-) Which one are you referring to there are two Aries at Boulogne we stayed on the one on the cliff top on the D940 last September, very pleasant quiet night. That illustrates the point perfectly,about one mans meat etc, yes it was that one. I'm not saying it was a bombsite, but it was a long walk to anywhere, the Aquarium in particular, and traffic noise was intrusive, perhaps OK if you are a heavy sleeper. Much better methinks to go down to the casino car park for access to the town now they have put M/home parking prohibited signs on the dockside and everywhere else it seems down there. Was disappointed to find the same prohibition in Le Touquet town and sea front, but a much nicer Aire down at the Yacht club, now that was very peaceful. I suppose it is how you view things, I am a light sleeper can't stand traffic noise we spent a Saturday night there very peaceful perhaps you were just unlucky, as for a long walk it's only 1.4km to the Aquarium about 15min that's a short walk to us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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