Furthaire Reports.

[robertandjean]

Now back in U.K. so just thought updating on remaining aires visited might brighten us up and help us keep going until we return to France next month.

After leaving Mortange-sur-Grionde we called in for a lunch stop at St Seurin Duzet (dept 17) which is just up the coast. This aire is in a very nice spot overlooking a small harbour, at base of village; this is one we will return to. Cost is 6.8€/night including hook-up. From here went to Le Chateau D'Oleron, as we had not visited the island previously. Le Chateau we found an interesting town to visit with walks round the walls, interesting port quarter with converted painted fishermans huts and nice square. The aire however, we did not like as much. It is an old camp site on the coast road about 1km from the edge of the town (well signed, GPS N45.8964, W1.20219). It still has very much the feel of a camp site (maybe why we not so keen!) with a mix of hardstanding and grass pitches. Many of the hardstandings are however difficult to drive onto, being raised up with no ramps; in end we stayed on marked pitches on old car park. There are toilets and showers (did not use so do not know what condition were in) and hook-ups to each pitches; cost 8.5€/night. Free wi-fi in town centre from TO; there is also free daytime parking in car park just off main square if you want to drive rather than walk into town. Would we go back? Yes although not our favourite aire really enjoyed town.

Next stop was Niort (dept 79). This is a pupose built aire right in town centre, with hedged pitches in walled garden style setting, but some of these are a little tight for larger vans. Easy walk over river to castle, shops, bars etc. Free wi-fi at Bar du March opposite market hall. Aire was almost full (early March) and only 8 hook-ups for 16 vans so need to take splitter and long hook-up lead. Cost 7.2€/night. Will return.

On way to Niort were intending to stop at Vernoux-en-Gatine(dept 79) but chose not to as all grass pitches which were muddy and all services, including hook-ups were turned off. This aire is in a nice setting, very much like a CL and in summer a nice place if you just want to sit and chill out. From Niort moved to another town centre aire this time at Thouars (dept 79) Now this is an aire on a car park and the spaces set aside for motorhomes are very close together. So if this style of aire is not for you do not come here. On the upside setting is very good right next to town walls which are illuminated at night and an esay walk to town centre. This is a free aire for both parking and services.

Last stop was a meet-up with friends at Fecamp (dept 76); sayed on the marked motorhome parking on the Quai Sadi Carrott. Now this is a nice situation, overlooking marina and easy walk to town centre. But spaces are both very narrow and short, so be warned! New marked spaces in parking de la Matture, just opposite TO, are better but no view. There is a new service point in this car park (water 2€) and free wi-fi in TO; parking in both places is free. Fecamp very interesting with plenty places to visit.