Aires : Little Gems

[robertandjean]

Hi,

Some of you may remember that around this time last year we setting going the 100 best aires. As this post met with universal approval (!!!), we thought we would set something similar going this year.

The idea this time is to make a collection of those aires in France that are, well, real little gems. If you like maybe also include France Passion stopovers.

To start the ball rolling here is one we called at couple of weeks ago:

Ouzour-Sur-Trezee (Dept 45). This is real find. Near canal in parkland setting with the following facilities: Spotless clean toilets and showers, hook-ups, hard standing, water and empty points. All of which are free!!!

Nice town just up road. Open from April 1 to Oct 31. Stay limited to 48 hours. Only downside the marked spaces are car width and therefore if full can be tight.

Any others?

[foxy]

All right I`ll give you a couple, but if I can`t get on them there will be trouble.

1 Brezzolles. Region 28 Eure-Et-Loire. just outside the village, lovely little spot next to the lake. Unlimited stay, fresh water point and waste disposal. The village has a little supermarket with wine and beers at cheep prices.We use it as a stopover going south.

2. Mery sur Cher in region 18 Cher. Electric Hook up, Toilet (V Clean) Fesh water point and waste disposal. They have started charging for this one 5 euros. At the moment a warden comes round to collect, but in future it will be entranced through a barrier, probably using a debit or credit card.

 

all right I`ll give you another.

 

3.Laruns. Region 64 Pyrenees- Atlantiques. Nr the town centre. Fresh water and waste disposal by means of a payment tower. Toilets adjacent, if you are sneakey do as the French do and get the water from the tap in the toilet block, but I didn`t say that. Stunning scenery surrounds.

[robertandjean]

Hi,

Thanks for those Foxy. Have been to two you mention, Brezolles and Laruns and agree both are gems. Will certainly visit the other you mention some time next year. To keep the ball rolling and to encourage the rest of you to share some of yours (in the true spirit of the aires) here is another:

La Redorte (Dept. 11) This small aire (max 8 spaces so arrive early) is right on banks of Canal du Midi, so ideal for either a relaxing couple of days or canal side walks. There is no charge to stay overnight or for services but waste water run-off difficult to drive on to. Lit at night.

So keep 'em coming.

[A W]

robertandjean,

What a great idea.I wish this system was better used by the Brits.

Here's a couple to kick off with:

1.St Pol De Leon(Dept 29).This be be familiar to people travelling by ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff.The aire is a winter boat park and in the summer quite a big aire which is only a few feet from the sea.You can easily spend a day relaxing there watching the birds and the tide.

2.Primel Tregastel(Dept 22)which is a small fishing village on the eastern side of the bay of Morlaix.The aire is on a quay jutting out into the sea so is not child friendly but is unbeatable for views.Across the cove is a seaside car park where you can stay for 48hours

Good luck with your list

[foxy]

Got me going now.

1. Trigance. Dept 83 Var. Now this is a real stunner 10 places with electric last time we were there it was 5 Euros. The views are fantastic and the small village adjacent well worth exploring. Not far from the Gorges du Verdon. Can be a bit tight but I have a Cheyenne 696 and I got up no problem.

 

2. St Remy De Blot. Dept 63 Puy-De-Dome. Again this is a cute one near a ruined castle again good views and very peaceful. The village is really small and nearby was a small restaurant. The waste and water was via a tower. cost 2 Euros for the services only. parking was free.

[maggyd]

Where do we get a book on Aires? and when is the best time to order one for next year? Thanks. (lol)

[Guest JudgeMental]

maggyd - 2007-11-11 4:03 PM

 

Where do we get a book on Aires? and when is the best time to order one for next year? Thanks. (lol)

 

http://www.vicarious-shop.co.uk/index.php

[robertandjean]

Hi again,

Regarding the Aires book then we always buy in France in Spring (from newsagent, or large supermarket) and find the best one to be "Le Guide National de Aires de Services Camping-Cars). Yes its in French but is easy to follow. Do not forget the excellent French web site www. campingcar-infos.com

But returning to the main theme of this thread then thanks Foxy for a further two. Have been a couple of times to Trigance and agree the views are stunning. Another nice vilage site with views is

Saint-Clar (Dept 32). This has individual hardstanding pitches, surrounded by grass, and as well asthe great views the town is really nice with arcades. A small toilet block, with shower, is provided together with the usual services. OK so shower might not be up to Caravan Club standards but is clean and all this costs nothing!

PS Just been reading new issue of Which Motorcaravan and an article by Jo Vaughn drescribes some more little gems. It is the most supportive article on aires we have seen in this mag or MMM so well done Jo and come on the rest of the MMM team.

In meantime lets have some more gems.

 

[maggyd]

Thanks Judge :-D and thanks for the little gems All Ive made a note of them for when I get my book.

[kelly58]

On our last trip heading south towards Biarritz we found a lovelly area next to a fantastic lake an Aire Municpale at Parentis-en-Born N44* 20.649 W1* 05.932 9km  route du Lac south east of Biscarrosse D652 a free site with room for 20+ motorhomes just over the road from the lake with lovelly beaches secluded little bays great for swimming 20min walk from village shops fresh water and the usual dumping facilities max 8 day parking but by looking at the way the French motorhomes were parked they were there for a lot longer.

[Tomo3090]

There's a good one at Narbonne Plage. It backs onto the beach which is very long and sandy but when the tides out the sea is well in the distance, (a bit like Southport for anyone who's been there!).

 

There is a guy in a booth during the day and he turns on the water and opens the loos. There are waste dumps too. The cost earlier this year was 7 Euros per night. He goes home at about 7-ish so if you arrive late and go early then its' nowt! But you don't get "services" of course.

 

There are cycle tracks and good footpaths into Narbonne Plage which is about 1 mile away.

[robertandjean]

Another one close to Narbonne Plage, is at Gruissan (Dept. 11). There are three aires here but the one we prefer is the one next to the marina (Aire de 4 vents). Here you have marina views and a large marina to wander round with the interesting village of Gruissan within walking distance. Cost is €6.10/night inc. services. As at Narbonne Plage money collected on entry, with charging period from 1 March to 5 November. We were there three weeks ago and it was busy but with plenty spaces available.

Coming a little closer to home then Bevvron-en-Auge (Dept 14) in Normandy, east of Caen, is well worth a visit. This is one of the beau villages of France (think Costwolds with traditonal Norman style houses) with aire located just at rear of the village. Free services and overnight parking, but waste dump difficult to access. Not signed but follow parking signs on entry to village.

Come on folks keep 'em coming.

[ike]

Aire at Leucate Plage between Narbonne and Perpignan. Aire itself is a bit like a carpark but it's right next to the fabulous beach and the village is within walking distance. Can get windy , popular with windurfers, kite flyers etc. 6.50e per night with use of municipal site showers etc. Water, dumping facilities on the aire. Long stay acceptable. Campsite is very cheap too. Neris le Bain near Montlucon, next to a campsite, limited I think to 1 night ? 3e toilet, shower spotless. Borne for water, leccy top up. Very close to town, shops, casino, thermal baths.

[enodreven]

Hi,

 

Was this the list that we shared/compiled with those on www.motorhometoday.co.uk

 

 

 

robertandjean - 2007-11-09 7:51 PM

 

Hi,

Some of you may remember that around this time last year we setting going the 100 best aires. As this post met with universal approval (!!!), we thought we would set something similar going this year.

The idea this time is to make a collection of those aires in France that are, well, real little gems. If you like maybe also include France Passion stopovers.

To start the ball rolling here is one we called at couple of weeks ago:

Ouzour-Sur-Trezee (Dept 45). This is real find. Near canal in parkland setting with the following facilities: Spotless clean toilets and showers, hook-ups, hard standing, water and empty points. All of which are free!!!

Nice town just up road. Open from April 1 to Oct 31. Stay limited to 48 hours. Only downside the marked spaces are car width and therefore if full can be tight.

Any others?

[Mike B.]

Hi All

Try these:

1)Cleres dept.76 near Rouen with marked pitches, electrity,& services all free. Lovely village with super bird sanctuary

2)Objat dept 19. good stop en route for N.E.Spain. marked pitches with sec. barrier, showers, electricity, picnic area and grass verge alongside all pitches. Free pitches-1 euro for eletricity services etc

3)Les Eyzies dept 24 (Dordogne) Good aire right alongside river with marked pitches and grass etc. services 2 euros. Lovely village with prehistoric museum cut into cliffs. Good market on a Monday

 

have posted reports on these on website if you want to see piccies

Enjoy

Mike & Jackie

[enodreven]

Hi,

 

If it is part of the last listings for the best 100 aires? then we appear to be at 78 now, albeit I haven't had time yet to check for duplications

 

 

enodreven - 2007-11-15 8:41 PM

 

Hi,

 

Was this the list that we shared/compiled with those on www.motorhometoday.co.uk

 

 

 

robertandjean - 2007-11-09 7:51 PM

 

Hi,

Some of you may remember that around this time last year we setting going the 100 best aires. As this post met with universal approval (!!!), we thought we would set something similar going this year.

The idea this time is to make a collection of those aires in France that are, well, real little gems. If you like maybe also include France Passion stopovers.

To start the ball rolling here is one we called at couple of weeks ago:

Ouzour-Sur-Trezee (Dept 45). This is real find. Near canal in parkland setting with the following facilities: Spotless clean toilets and showers, hook-ups, hard standing, water and empty points. All of which are free!!!

Nice town just up road. Open from April 1 to Oct 31. Stay limited to 48 hours. Only downside the marked spaces are car width and therefore if full can be tight.

Any others?

[Vernon B]

I think your motives are admirable Robertandjean but I think your Little Gems will soon be populated with Little Bug**rs.

 

Vernon

[robertandjean]

Enodeven:

Well if you like we can think of it as 100 best aires continued, but decided to run it under a different format this time as:

Little gems might suggest a focus on those really special ones.

This time sticking just with France.

Some people were not very supportive last time, hope might be more receptive this time.

Veron:

Thanks for message of support but not sure what you mean by "little b***". Do you think some of aires suggested might not be so good (and yes there are some poor ones)? Well if these do come up we feel sure they will be spotted and all of us forewarned. Or do you mean that those who were unhelpful last time might be again? Well if they are we will just ignore them and carry on building what we think is becoming an excellent and free resource,

Mike and Jackie:

Thanks for your 3. Agree Cleres is a real gem. Will certainly will visit when in these regions again. (Small world we live in nearby village)

 

One more:

Chateau-Larcher (Dept 86) Nice country setting on individual hard standings surrounded by grass, like top quality CL. Nice walks, round lakes and to medevial village. Cost 2€/night inc. hook-up and all services.Well signed from N10, but final approach is narrow.

 

Looking forward to more gems.

[Vernon B]

robertandjean - 2007-11-16 9:30 PM

 

Veron:

Thanks for message of support but not sure what you mean by "little b***". Do you think some of aires suggested might not be so good (and yes there are some poor ones)? Well if these do come up we feel sure they will be spotted and all of us forewarned. Or do you mean that those who were unhelpful last time might be again? Well if they are we will just ignore them and carry on building what we think is becoming an excellent and free resource,

 

 

Looking forward to more gems.

 

No, unfortunately I meant that your well meaning idea will probably lead to an over use and abuse of a limited selection of the Aires network. The survival of these resources depends upon self regulation and individual responsibility and there is all ready a lot of evidence to show that those characteristics are in short supply from some of our fellow motorhomers.

 

Vernon

[robertandjean]

Vernon,

Thanks for the clarification. Yes it is true some people do abuse the aires, by emptying toilets in wrong place, overstaying stated time, leaving early morning to avoid payment etc. All we can hope is that those of us on this forum are not party to such things. Regarding mention here leading to too many people using these aires then given small proportion of British vans we meet on the aires (away fom north coast and routes to Spain) then I would not worry. We met no more than half a dozen during two months staying only on aires during this September and October. We should also remember that the reason the communities set up aires is to generate income for the shops etc in the town so in many ways the more vans that stay the better.

Mention of the north coast allows me to add another to the list, again little used by British vans and where we were with only one other van for a couple of times last year in July!

Ault (dept 80). Take D940 from Le Treport towards St. Valery sur Somme. Aire is signed to right on D19 at entry to Ault. Hardstanding, no charge to stay, 2€ for servives and nice walks to Ault sea front, if a little steep and next resort of Onival. A coastal aire that is not overcrowded in summer and town seems a little run-down in places so sure would welcome a few extra visitors from U.K.

 

[zulurita]

Paimpol, Brittany although aire is very busy. There is one amongst trees with the service borne at the entrance and a short walk to the marina, shops etc. lovely market on a Tuesday.

There is also further mh parking just down the road from this aire to the left of a car park, again this was full in Sept when we were there. We did get into the first one as we arrived about 10.30 just as one or two were leaving.

 

We also went to L'Arqouest (the point) where you can get a boat to the Island. Here there is a lot of parking and a part of it is set aside for motorhomes plus the last car parking area had the height barrier removed and this was full of motorhomes. We stayed here two nights and had a spot close to the beach.

[Usinmyknaus]

St Gondon, Aire Municipale, on the D951 West of Gien on the Loire. Delightful setting next to village pond by the turning for "Coullons". Picnic table provided for meals overlooking the pond. Free water and waste disposal (black and grey) and recycling, no charge for parking for 3 vans, max 24 hours. Very friendly locals made us welcome, including an official who visited us in the morning to tell us how pleased he was to see us and give us info on local sites and businesses.

 

Excellent boulangerie just a few minutes walk - best croissons and pain au chocolate I've ever had (and I've tried a lot). Good traditional butcher just a few minutes further on. Tabac/ News/Restaurant was closed (Monday) when we were there. Small supermarket/deli on main road in about 1 mile but rather poor selection and not good quality in my opinion.

 

Lovely old church worth a visit and don't miss the excellent public park "Aire de Loisir du Deversoir", brilliant for a picnic by the river.

 

NB Very close to road which can be noisy especially during the day and also near to the (well-screened) recycling point. If either factor bothers you then fill up with water, dump your waste and decamp to the second aire (unserviced) which is a flat area of tarmac and gravel, shaded by trees, situated across the little road from the cemetery at the end of Rue du Petit Clou, which is on the left, off the D951, immediately before the Mairie on your right as you travel East towards Gien.

 

It was an excellent overnight stop for us.

 

Bob

[Cattwg]

Hi Robertandjean,

Another one for the list. We have used this aire on two occasions when heading south to Spain for 'winter sun'. The last time was the winter of 2005.

BERNOS-BEALAC: On the LHS about halfway through the village, heading South. Look out for the upright canoes! Its about 80miles North of Pau.

Free overnight parking with dump facilities. Jetons from nearby Renault garage for water and electricity - although we did not actualy purchase these. There’s parking for about 8 Motorhomes.

It's a lovely aire, in a dell by a river and canoeing club. Woods on three sides. Good for an overnight stop.

When we used it we were joined on both occasions by one other (French) Motorhome.

Regards Cattwg

 

[A W]

Here's an Aire for people who don't like Aires!!

Its at Plougonvelin(Dept 29) west of Brest.

Its the size of a small campsite and each pitch has a hook-up.There's the usual borne etc and the last time we stayed it was on a pay and display basis at 5€.

Just down a hill is a really nice beach and a big fort just offshore.

The great attraction for this aire is the view of the entrance to Brest harbour.There can be a little aircraft noise from a mlitary base across the bay.

[ned]

right here are couple more for you guys!

 

Tarbes near Carcasonne. This aire is on the Canal de Midi bank in tarbes centre. Most of the spaces are under big trees giving plenty of shade. Chance your arm and go down to the lock and you can just tuck into the hedge and watch all the hire boats with Brits of board try and get through their first lock. Very entertaining. There is water and waste disposal but no electric. Go in sept/nov and you can help them pick the grapes in the vinyard and then join them to get quietly sozzled in the evening. Quiet and peaceful and also that word we all like to hear FREE!

 

Next La Suze sur Sarthe--- 11 km south of Le Mans,

. Great when going down to the Vendee, Dordogne ect. You can make it in a day from Calais nor Le Havre. Turn left just before the bridge. 100m down the car park next to the river and turn in behind the brick building. There is water, waste and if you look carefully on the corner of the wall of the building at about 2m high is a box with 12 electric points. You may need an extra cable if there is only room in the far corner. Super view. There is an excellent swimming complex behind the campsite (300m). The town has all the facilities plus some excellent bars. Bus every 30mins for Le mans or a railway station Ikm from the centre of the town. Lovely walks along the river. Good for two or three days stay, Price 3 Euros.

 

Finally a gem amongst gems.

 

Madames. A campsite right out in the boondocks south west of Cholet. A beautiful restored Mill. Restaurant on top and small bar below waste and fresh water and electricity. Its' not in the books! Madam will cook you a 5 course meal but you won't know what it is until you sit down-- no choice. shadey, on the side of the river very very peaceful. But here is the rub it's so good that I wont tell you where it is. Price a contribution to the church roof 3Euros

 

Oh! try Stanay 30 kms south east Charleville Messieres good stop if you are going to the Moselle. On the canal electric and everything else 6 Euros

 

 

This should keep you going