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Hi we are planning our first tour around france and trying to understand a bit more about where to stay. For some nights we are camping on sites. For other nights we are traveling and hoping to use 'aires' only I don't know what they are.
I think they are rest places? How long can you rest in them? Can you turn up at let's say 3am in the morning? Do you have to pay? who do you pay at that time in the morning? Can you have your breakfast in them? ie can you use your gas to make coffee?
Thanks Pete. I have now read the mini guide to aires on MHFacts which is brilliant. THe only question now remaining is can you enter them during the night? early hours of the morning just for about 3-5 hours?
There are no restrictions on when you arrive or depart an aire, thats one of the things that sets them apart from campsites.
Just make sure you make special efforts to respect and not disturb your neighbours if you arrive or depart outside 'normal' hours, ie keep the noise to a minimum, don't slam doors, over rev the engine or leave it running too long when close to other units.
Hi Stevensir
We use aires most of the time we are in France. Strictly speaking an "Aire" is just french for a "place". (In France you see various uses of the word "aire" : "aire de repos" - rest area, "aire de joux" - playground, "aire de sport" and so on) For us MHers, what we really mean are an "Aire de stationnement" ie parking or an "Aire de Service" where you can get fill and dump. To take answer your questions - yes, you can use them as rest areas and we do quite frequently for lunch, coffee stops, visiting towns etc but we also use them for overnighting if there are no restrictions, these will be posted on a notice and it is extremely rare in our experience to have an aire where you can't park overnight. Generally, a French town will install a Borne for water and dumping to attract MHers to their shops etc and it is then understood that there is a "carte blanche" to park near there. Sometimes there is a time limit and sometimes thare is a charge, these will be on a sign nearby. The method of paying varies, sometimes somebody collects the money (or not!), sometimes there is a ticket machine, sometimes you pay at a nearby campsite or at the town hall or the tourist office or the harbour master. It all depends on the location and the method will be signed. However, most Aires are free, though sometimes you have to pay for water etc. The thing is: the French make using aires very easy and the "camping-caristes" use them all the time. France is motorhome heaven, go and enjoy!
Oh, and if you do decide to go for it I recommend getting the "All the Aires France" book from Vicarious Books and don't forget to scan the huge database of Aires on this site
Finally, I wouldn't recommend turning up at 3am, you won't be very popular with your neighbours the next day! Also bear in mind that some of the more popular aires can be full by 4pm in the summer and at weekends
Bon voyage
Terry
Are there similar facilities through Germany / Switzerland / Italy?
Yes there are. In Germany and (German-speaking) Switzerland they are called "Stellplatz", see my Guide to Motorhome Stellplatz, and in Italy "Area di Sosta".
Best Regards,
Gerhard
______________________________________________________________ Euramobil Sport 585DS (C-class):
Thanks NorfolkCowboy; very informative for us novices.
Are there similar facilities through Germany / Switzerland / Italy?
We leave next weekend for 3 months, and I'm a bit worried about our budget for 'accomadation' since it'll sure add up on E20 a night campsites!
Steven
When in Germany get yourselves the Bord Atlas books about 20Euro, this lists all the stellplatz in Alphabetical order with some pics and full GPS co-ords, in German but very easy to understand, nearly all offer waste and toilet fresh water
Some terms which you may find useful, have a look in the downloads, I think there is a short list of German/English terms which are very helpful
Average 6-8Eur a night inc power
Kostenlos/ = free
Strom = Power
Entsorgung Toilet/waste dump
don't forget your 2 pin Euro plug, a lot of S/Platz are on the Euro 16 amp connector as we use in the UK but it is still in use
hi
as mentioned in other posts, all the aires france (vicarious books) is a must. if you want a decent pitch on a popular one try to get there around lunchtime, the ones departing will have just left or ready for leaving. we tend to do our journeys in the morning, and nearly allwaysget into a nice spot. unless you have just got off a ferry i cannot think why you would want to arrive at 3 am??. just go and enjoy it ,we think its great to be able to stay lovely locations for next to nothing,
tomnjune
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