French Aires with a motorhome or campervan- everything you need to know!

Everything you ever wanted to know about using French aires with a motorhome or campervan! We love aires in France, but there are some things to know which will make your life easier!
LINK TO FULL POST: www.wandering-...
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Here are our tips and tricks for finding French aires for your motorhome, the different types of aires in France, how to use them, how to use the facilities and how to stay safe.
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I left my job to tour Europe in a motorhome. When not touring, we review motorhomes, ride motorbikes, pick up after our cocker spaniel puppy and enjoy spending time outdoors. Our home-base is a boat- a bit different from motorhome life!
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#motorhome #aire #campervan #travel #france
Title Music: Go Around the World- Happy Republic

[@MikePearcePhoto]

We've used the Park4Night app in the UK all this year (2019) and nearly always found somewhere for the night. We've also found that an increasing number of local councils are realising that providing free or very cheap overnight parking for motorhomes is a good thing for their local economies. Brecon in Wales leads the way - most of their car parks are free overnight from 6pm to 8am. We've also stayed in the middle of Windsor, just under the castle walls for £2 per night and in the centre of Ely in Cambridgeshire.

[@WanderingBird]

Fantastic! So glad local councils are cottoning in like they do in mainland Europe. We loved Brecon too

[@ianhewlett647]

Help! Im confused, you have a trailer so is it just towing caravans the aires have an issue with or any form of trailer ie your motorbike trailer or car on a trailer or even an A frame car? is there anyway to know where a trailer may be accepted (excluding motorways)

[@lynnesmith-p7b]

Wiring in french campsites may not be well earthed - use a tester plug priority a droite also exits for side roads in some french towns and villages use the town and village aires motorway aires may be risky

[@richardwarner5491]

Excellent info - Thank you

[@wfdTamar]

I've done 3 month summer trips in France (in 2019 & 2022). Both hot summers and I found the rules about not using awnings, chairs etc on aires were flouted (and that seems accepted) often when it's hot. I tend to do what I see French campers doing, or if the aire is more secluded, some leeway is possible. I would suggest not buying flouro levels. Basically, don't do anything that would bother residents. Some of the 'rules' you can see the sense of (no tables and chairs), but others are a little befuddling (curtains inside the windscreen = ok, screens on the outside of the windscreen = not ok). Re: security. I found if you're within sight of a main road, you're more likely to get the idiots beeping their horns at you when they drive by. Also carparks in bigger towns seem to attract yobs. Anything from late night chatter to circle work around your van for sport. Another thing to watch for is the recycling bins which are often to one side of the aire and make for a very noisy wake up call when the bottles go in. Generally though France is excellent (particularly away from popular areas), far superior to the UK which can be a bit of an ordeal in a motorhome.

[@weebolddavy]

Many thanks, not yet been across the channel in our 'van yet. We have found this so useful, gives us a good starting point in making our plans.

[@WanderingBird]

So glad you found it useful. Don't forget to check out the website (wandering-bird.com)- loads more info there.

[@gailh3048]

Useful video, thank you. Camping car park aires let you book a space in advance. There’s an annual fee for this (think it’s about £20).

[@paulmartin1094]

I've used ccp since it's inception,find it a great site for France,many newly built sites at reasonable price,I usually keep my card topped with50euros and rarely have problem finding a space,you can also check daily availability on ccp website

[@ImplyDods]

I have camped in tents for 50 years ( just buying a motorhome) and have never had anything stolen even though you cannot lock anything up. No way I will be worried in a motorhome. In my experience the vast majority of people either wants to do no harm or actively welcome you and make you feel comfortable. People in general are awesome 🙂

[@chrisdenison6550]

Great video as always - why are not Caravans accepted eg ours is fully self contained- toilet, shower solar, 2000w inverter, storage of grey water etc etc. cheers Chris

[@WanderingBird]

I have no idea! I think it's so you can't drive off and leave your caravan there... probably something to do with gypsies sadly.

[@steadycamuk1]

Its because you are not allowed to camp, camping must be done at a campsite not an AIRE. Because you are putting legs down on a caravan you are setting up a temporary "permanent" session. Motorhomes are only stationary and then move off. Even with Motorhomes your not supposed to put your awning and its legs down or get your camping chairs out. Some motorhomes have brackets on the side of the motorhome so the legs are not on the ground.

[@Mauriceok]

Excellent video again, thank you

[@WanderingBird]

Glad it was helpful

[@paulmartin1094]

Personally I would never recommend using Aires du service or Aires Du repose on any French autoroutes,they are not safe for overnight stops,there are numerous occasions of tourists being robbed overnight when sleeping,not a scare story, I've travelled Europe since the 1970's both for work and pleasure,and have witnessed many robberies.Aires du camping cars are as you say situated in many areas in France and are usually safe and welcoming,either free or up to 10/12 euros.Many apps available these days,Dutch and German apps most useful as they tend to be the most frequent travellers in Europe.

[@TheEmediaSolutions]

I have been robbed twice using them.

[@coratheexplorer1824]

@@TheEmediaSolutions omg scary

[@fidelcastro9579]

I love France but the crime is terrible.

[@timdaniel5395]

.... and very often just an insurance scam. We've never, ever, had a problem nor heard of anyone else having a problem. Don't let this nonsense or worse, hearsay, put you off !!

[@mikepreece6773]

For France try All the Aires and Germany The Stellplatz books.

[@rodhepburn6177]

i use camper contact only a fiver a year

[@ianthomson6064]

Thanks for the great content, as ever, Kat. Just one quick question ... Are you able to leave the Aire for an hour or so (eg an evening shop at the nearest hypermarket) or, do you have to stay put until you leave the following day?

[@coratheexplorer1824]

When paying for water or toilet inside, Aires do I use euro coin or euro paper

[@WanderingBird]

Coins. Carry a selection, but especially 1€ ones.

[@neil27pearson]

Many thanks great info.

[@mikelidvall9049]

Hi there. Loving your content. I am soon going to live/ travel/ work from a motorhome. I want to tow my motorcycle so I can explore etc as you do. I have some questions. Do you have any issues parking at paid campsites as you take up more space? Do you need to cover your bikes when travelling in bad weather, how do you do that so the bikes and cover remain intact? How do you secure the bikes to stop theft when on the trailer? Thanks in advance...

[@vincentcornelius4468]

Are cars allowed in Aires when either flat towed or on a trailer?

[@TheJohnnydriver]

yes of course subject to availability

[@mscarollee41]

We are having our first trip outside the UK in our VW camper in a few weeks. I've looked at all your videos etc. for finding Aires, e.g. with Park4Night (which we've used numerous times in UK) but I'm wondering if there is a particular app or website where you can provide the route you'll be taking (Dieppe to a village 68km from Limoges), number of overnight stops required and specify e.g. no motorways, tolls etc. and the app will suggest where there are Aires en route. If there isn't such a thing, there should be!!

[@hoojamaflicks]

have you done a video on yr bikes, trailer setup etc? very interested in that! couldn't see one in yr list of videos.

[@WanderingBird]

Not yet- it's one of many we need to do!! :) Anything particular you'd like to know??

[@hoojamaflicks]

@@WanderingBird I've been looking for a solution like this myself. in terms of video info content, things like, which trailer you chose and why, loading and unloading, ease of driving with it attached etc would be great! and some info on yr bikes, do you ride away from the camper for a few days sometimes, general approach to how yr biking is integrated into yr travelling. cheers!

[@sirfulham]

Thank you. Really useful information.

[@bradaltemeyer4472]

Wow, Fort Wayne Indiana, that brings back some distant memories. (I have a cousin over near Elkhart/ where we lived back in the 1970's) Elkhart is one of the RV production centers around there. There is a area near there that is special because the land moves, technically people stand on really thick vegetation over a very old lake bed, (yes, the earth moves under your feet). Hope you enjoyed your time in the Mid-West (Chicago also has the only submarine in a museum anywhere in the world / a German U-Boat)

[@nectonos0725]

ES TODA BOA AIRES

[@dannyjameson302]

Are there places that allow you to park or stay for weeks?

[@spacegreycoralred]

Are you allowed to pop up a Campervan roof?

[@WanderingBird]

On an aire? Sure. It’s an approved overnight stop

[@stevecon3951]

Great info thank you

[@gereshomeE]

Well said! ☺

[@Neptune76710M]

Nul .....