Planning to go to France with a motorhome or campervan? Wish to keep in free or low cost in a single day stopovers as an alternative of pricy campsites? Then Aires is perhaps for you! When you’re questioning what’s a French Aire, right here’s the whole lot it is advisable learn about the right way to discover low cost or free in a single day stopovers as you journey– with out reserving something prematurely.
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Discover France by motorhome utilizing French Aires
We love touring France in our motorhome. It’s an exquisite nation and with the ability to discover in our personal car permits us to discover as many chateaux, vineyards and seashores as we like!
We not often have a route or itinerary deliberate out other than the tunnel or ferry, so with the ability to discover French aires as we go is ideal for us- it offers us the pliability to cease in an space for some time or drive someplace completely different if it takes our fancy.
However HOW will we do that? How will we journey to a different nation with out reserving any in a single day motorhome parking stopovers prematurely? Reply- we use a beautiful system referred to as French Aires.
Confused already? No concept what I’m speaking about? Don’t worry- we didn’t know aires existed till we purchased our first camper, so that you’re not alone! On this publish, I’m going to share all about the right way to discover, use and luxuriate in French aires together with your motorhome or campervan- and open up a complete new world of freedom for you.
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What’s an aire in France?
There are literally a number of forms of ‘aire’ in France.
Aire de service that means
An ‘aire de service’ is an ‘space of service’ or a service space, usually discovered on French motorways and sometimes have waste amenities and authorized parking bays for motorhomes.
They’re the identical as a service station within the UK and supply gasoline, bathrooms, eating places, a store and so forth and so forth. You’ll be able to usually purchase refillable gasoline from an aire de service too, though not at all times. There’ll usually be a merchandising machine for warm drinks and generally a microwave for public use too.
In an aire de service, you’ll usually discover motorhome disposal factors, the place you may pay a few euro to empty your waste tank and bathroom, and refill with contemporary water. It’s not at all times clear if the water is appropriate for consuming or not; if doubtful, don’t put it in your contemporary water tank or use chemical compounds like this to make it protected for consuming.
In a single day Tenting Automotive parking French motorway
Are you able to keep in a single day in an ‘aire de service’ on a French motorway? Sure, usually it’s allowed. They usually have particular motorhome parking areas and there might be an allowed time you might be allowed to remain for. This might be displayed clearly on an indication someplace close by. If doubtful, ask.
Simply bear in mind, it’s a motorway service station, so it’s not the nicest of locations to cease. Lorries will come and go in any respect hours too, so we solely use these after we’re determined.
To confuse you even additional, different forms of aire (that are those you’re in all probability on the lookout for) are additionally also known as ‘aires de service’… so whenever you’re on the lookout for good locations to cease, search for any which aren’t proper on a motorway- extra on this later!
Aire de repos
‘Aire de repos’ are additionally discovered on the sides of roads, and once more are authorized relaxation stops. You’ll usually discover campers and lorries parked up in these however there are not often any amenities, apart from a few picnic tables.
Once more, you may keep in these aires in a single day, usually as much as 24 hours if you want, however once more, lorries will make noise all night time and also you’re fairly uncovered. We’ve stayed in these a few occasions when actually drained, however it’s positively not our most well-liked choice.
There are additionally aires de jeu (playgrounds), aire de loisirs (rec space) and several other others. We all know, it will get complicated. We attempt to discover the aires BEFORE worrying concerning the signs- extra on how to do this beneath!
French aires- Tenting automotive park in France
These are the kind of aire in France you’re in all probability on the lookout for. These are authorized motorhome (or tenting automotive) parking areas that are offered ALL OVER France, usually very near villages and cities.
They’re usually a carpark or massive gravel space, the place motorhomes are allowed to park in a single day, and even for a number of nights. Some are correctly marked out into bays, others are a free-for-all and you may park wherever and nonetheless you want!
Typically, these are run by the native council and are designed to encourage individuals to go to the world. They’re practically at all times properly stored and welcoming, with indicators in French and sometimes English. If the indicators aren’t in English, the data might be displayed in a method that’s pretty straightforward to grasp.
Most aires in France may have a store/ bar/ cafe inside straightforward strolling distance. Strolling to get contemporary French bread within the morning is one in all our favorite issues about motorhoming round France.
What amenities do aires in France have?
They usually (however not at all times!) have amenities comparable to:
- emptying waste water (usually a drive-over grill)- can usually be used without spending a dime
- Empty bathroom
- refill with contemporary water. Ingesting water is ‘eau potable’ in French
Typically this comes at a further cost and you will have change to make use of these facilities- we stock a pot within the motorhome and put all our spare Euros in there for moments identical to this!
Some aires have restrictions on what you may empty into them, particularly in the event that they’re on the fosse system. This implies it’s important to watch out which chemical you utilize in your bathroom and gray waste. We use a product referred to as Solbio natural bathroom fluid, which is pure and doesn’t include dangerous chemical compounds. It’s additionally protected to be disposed of in septic tanks or fosse, that means we’ve extra choices to get rid of our bathroom responsibly.
Water is often 1€ for 50 litres or one thing related.
Do aires in France have bogs or bathrooms?
Often you’ll discover an aire in France with bathrooms, however not usually. Most aires anticipate you to be self-contained. After all, there might be bathrooms within the close by village or city, however not often on the aire itself.
There may be not at all times a spot to enter the woods and ‘relieve your self’ either- many aires are like large automotive parks, so in case you want bathrooms, choose your aires rigorously!
Electrical connectors
Some aires in France have electrical factors you may hook up with, others don’t and it is advisable be self-sufficient at some stage in your keep. A lot of the aires we’ve utilized in France use the identical electrical connectors as we use within the UK.
Some aires require tokens with a view to use the electrical. Typically, these have to be bought from an authorized location (just like the native bar!), which is ok… until you arrive when that location is closed.
There’s no method round it- if it’s shut, you’re not getting electrical that night time. When you’re determined, search for an aire which doesn’t want tokens, however ideally you’ll need your motorhome to have the ability to survive an evening (or two!) with out the necessity for electrical.
Discover ways to arrange your motorhome for off-grid parking (wild tenting) right here.
How lengthy are you able to keep at a French Aire?
That will depend on the Aire and is set by the native council. Many are 24 hours max, however some can help you keep for 3/4 days if you want. All the data might be on the signal within the aire.
Tenting Automotive park France
You’ll sometimes see an Aire known as a ‘tenting automotive park’. This doesn’t imply you will get out the pup tent- tenting automotive is the French phrase(s) for motorhome/ RV.
Tenting automotive park is a community of privately owned aires (most was once council run) which have now been taken over. One of the best factor about Tenting carparks is you may usually e book an area in advance- which makes utilizing aires a lot much less daunting!
Heading to France? You is perhaps focused on these associated posts:
How do you discover French Aires?
Ah- right here’s the magic of travelling and not using a plan. There are a few methods to search out aires in France, particularly as you’re travelling. We by no means have them deliberate in advance- we at all times discover them en-route.
Are you able to e book Aires prematurely?
No- or no less than very very not often. (Often, it’s attainable to e book on-line, particularly within the mountains in winter in case you’re going motorhome snowboarding.) The entire level of aires is flexibility and freedom.
The excellent news is that its first come, first served. The dangerous information is that well-liked locations change into full VERY shortly. So don’t wait too late to begin discovering someplace to cease, in case your first selection is full and it is advisable discover some place else to go.
NOTE: There’s a new France winter tyre law- learn extra right here
Watch the video explaining about French Aires
Want listening/ watching video? I share our ideas, plus some photographs/ movies of aires in France we’ve stayed in with our motorhome.
We hope you discovered the video helpful. When you did, we’d like it if you adopted us on Youtube. New movies with ideas for motorhoming and campervanning within the UK and Europe are launched weekly.
Aires tenting automotive France apps
We typically use the app park4night.com to search out aires or authorized in a single day motorhome locations. We determine whether or not we need to wild camp for the night time or whether or not we want amenities/ need to cost motorhome batteries and so forth.
If we need to cost/ empty bathrooms or discover someplace to park for just a few days so we will trip our bikes, we head for a French Aire.
Then, we glance on the app for aires with photographs (so we will see the size of the areas and see if our motorhome and trailer will match!) and we have a look at the opinions. If there are many adverse opinions, we maintain on the lookout for one other place.
Finally, we discover someplace we just like the look/ really feel of. I typically try to have a backup choice too, in case our first selection is full after we arrive.
Then, we pop the co-ordinates into the GPS and head in direction of our chosen spot!
Different apps/ web sites we use to search out aires in France are:
- Campercontact (web site only- it is advisable pay for the app, though the app does work offline, so it’s helpful!)
All of the Aires guidebook
There are professionals and cons of the ‘All of the aires’ guidebook. The largest professional is that you simply don’t want entry to the web with a view to discover someplace to remain. That is VERY helpful whenever you’re within the Alps and may’t get a sign.
The con is that the data goes outdated and it’s attainable to show up at an aire which has been shut. Having mentioned that, it’s attainable for this to occur utilizing Park4night too.
When you’re planning on doing a variety of motor homing in France, the All of the Aires guidebook positively definitely worth the funding/ house within the camper.
Don’t fear if a e book is a 12 months or two outdated. A lot of the aires don’t change fairly often. Having mentioned that, we at all times want to search out French Aires on-line in order that we will learn current opinions and be taught any updates (comparable to closing for upkeep or shutting down.)
Are aires in France open all 12 months?
Some are. Some aren’t. You’ll want to examine rigorously whenever you’re on the lookout for an aire to remain at. Many aires within the Alps solely open April-November ish because of the snow closing roads.
What to do on arrival at an aire in France
Generally discovering the aire is usually a problem. You’ll want to search for an indication of a motorhome over a waste disposal point- usually in black or blue.
- Whenever you arrive, drive slowly and get your bearings. Some aires have signed entrances/ exits, others don’t.
- Earlier than you flip in, see in case you can see an area on your camper. These locations are sometimes very troublesome to show round in. If doubtful and also you’re travelling with another person, allow them to out to go take a look earlier than you commit.
- Anticipate everybody to cease and watch. Motorhomers are nosy/ individuals. Don’t be intimidated.
- Decide your spot and park up.
- The very first thing to do, earlier than you place the kettle on, is to go learn the indicators and pay something due. Learn how lengthy you may keep and what the principles are. Examine this in opposition to the data from park4night or a book- guidelines change and the principles on the signal are essentially the most up-to-date.
When is the most effective time to reach at an aire?
If you wish to go to a particular location, comparable to a city/ metropolis (take a look at these prime 10 cities to go to in France), then I like to recommend arriving by lunchtime, earlier than everybody else turns up- particularly in case you are travelling throughout July/ August (peak summer season months in France). Many well-liked aires get loopy busy and by 2pm they are often fully full.
Free in a single day parking for motorhomes? What do Aires price?
Some are completely free, until you make use of the amenities. Some price a few Euros and others price as a lot as 15€, which I believe is the utmost we’ve paid up to now. We are likely to keep away from cities, however I imagine aires near well-liked areas price extra and are rather more crowded.
The right way to use French Aires- what are the principles?
- Aires are first come, first served. They can’t be booked or reserved prematurely.
- There might be a time restrict you might be allowed to remain for, notably if the aire is free. This might be clearly signposted on the aire and folks DO check- don’t overstay your welcome.
- Some aires have areas subsequent to them to can help you put out an awning and out of doors chairs. If the signal says it’s allowed and if different persons are doing it, then go forward. Nonetheless, if there isn’t an area, assume that outdoors seating/ awnings are prohibited. Aires aren’t campsites- they’re in a single day stopovers.
- Don’t take up one other motorhome parking place together with your gear- that’s not allowed.
- You probably have a trailer, be very cautious which aires you choose. We glance rigorously at photographs and opinions to search out areas both lengthy sufficient for our motorhome, or the place there’s house for us to take our trailer off and have it subsequent to the van. Many aires are for campers as much as max 7m lengthy and a few areas are VERY tight- particularly in well-known or constructed up areas.
- Don’t play loud music or be too rowdy- these are quiet locations for individuals to get pleasure from their travels.
- No tents. Ever.
- Don’t park within the servicing space any longer than it’s important to. Undoubtedly don’t depart your camper unattended right here and block the companies for different individuals while you go to the bar!
- Don’t depart any garbage or litter. If there aren’t any bins, take it with you!
Can campervans use aires in France
Completely. Campervans and even transformed automobiles are welcome at aires, so long as it’s a campervan and never a piece car. Vans with signage on or ‘stealth campers’ are sometimes not allowed and we’ve seen them being requested to maneuver on.
Can caravans use aires in France?
No. Most aires don’t permit caravans. The one locations I do know for caravans to park in a single day are both wild tenting or precise campsites. You would possibly have the ability to use aires de repos- I doubt anybody would examine. This is among the largest professionals when deciding between motorhomes or caravans for us.
Sleeping in French Aires
We sleep nice in French Aires. They’re usually quiet, and motorhome house owners are likely to look out for one another. We’ve had full strangers shout at native children who’ve come over to take a look at our motorbikes- warning the children to remain away and never contact. Now we have by no means had a disturbed nights sleep in an aire… apart from with the pet wanting to sit down on my head! 🙁
Are aires in France protected?
As at all times, there are not any absolutes with security. Now we have by no means had an incident at a French aire (contact wooden!) however that’s to not say nothing can occur.
Put it this manner, some aires we’ve a terrific feeling about and fortunately depart our motorhome for just a few hours whereas we go and trip our motorbikes. These are the aires the place we spend a day or two to unwind and calm down between driving (if it’s allowed).
Others, we don’t depart the van unattended in any respect and transfer on the following morning till we discover someplace higher. You HAVE to belief your gut- in case you’re unsure, transfer on.
Tenting automotive data in English at French Aires
Most aires in France have data for tenting automobiles (Motorhomes) in French and English. If not, there might be indicators making it straightforward to grasp what it is advisable know.
How do you pay for aires in France?
The toughest half is commonly determining the right way to pay on your keep at a French Aire. Some have parking meters (which frequently solely settle for change- another excuse for the change tub!) however some require you to go to the native bar/ cafe/ store with a view to pay.
This is usually a bit daunting- particularly if it’s stuffed with locals who all cease to stare as you stroll in. Don’t let that put you off- we’ve had some nice nights at French bars and not using a clue what’s being happening round us.
Attempt to communicate a bit of French whenever you enter- it would heat the locals to you. Say one thing like “J’ai un tenting automotive dans l’aire. Est-ce que je paie ici?”
Anticipate the proprietor to ask questions like how many individuals (combien des personnes) and what number of nights you need to keep for (combien des nuits?)
Are canine allowed on French Aires?
After all! France loves canine and also you’ll see them in every single place. There are not any restrictions in having them on an aire, however they have to be stored on a lead always.
Travelling to France with a Canine? You would possibly discover these posts helpful:
Different Motorhome websites France
There are many locations for motorhomes throughout France. When you don’t want to use an aire, there are campsites in all places, with amenities comparable to swimming swimming pools (bliss in the summertime!), outlets, bars or seashores.
There’s additionally a scheme referred to as France Ardour, which is a set of vineyards, farms and different locations the place they provide free or low cost in a single day motorhome parking. It’s a bit like BritStops within the UK.
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Motorhome wild tenting in France – is it authorized?
Completely- so long as you comply with the principles. Discover out extra about wild tenting with a motorhome in France (and the right way to discover locations to cease.)
Greatest aires in France
There are too many aires to make that choice- and we haven’t stayed at all of them! Nonetheless, our favorite aires are those with unimaginable views- like this one within the French Alps or those close to well-known historic locations in France– makes sightseeing even simpler!
Significantly- you’d pay a fortune for a lodge room with a view like that!
We additionally just like the aires the place you may keep for a few nights- it’s good to have a break from driving and perhaps get the motorbikes out to discover the world higher. This e book has some lovely aires to encourage your subsequent journey:
So, I hope you at the moment are enthusiastic about attempting out some French aires in your motorhome tour of France! Let me know the place you finish up- I’d like to see footage. Be happy so as to add them onto my Fb web page or be part of our Motorhome Fb group right here.
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