can you sleep in french motorway services

Can I sleep in a caravan on my drive? [Solved] (2022) - FitnessCoached If you find this post useful, you can also treat us to a coffee at the bottom of this page- we promise to enjoy it while creating more useful content like this- we might even indulge in a biscuit (or two!). Its a beautiful country and being able to explore in our own vehicle allows us to explore as many chateaux, vineyards and beaches as we like! But you also should remember to take a break reagularly while driving longer distances. Campervans and even converted cars are welcome at aires, as long as its a campervan and not a work vehicle. budget Chris Allen. Updated: 16:31, 30 May 2019 A DRIVER was slapped with a fine after sleeping at a motorway service station in the middle of the night when he was too tired to be behind the wheel. without the need for electric. Probably something to do with historic problems with people overstaying their welcome/ leaving the caravan there while you go off in the car. Sometimes finding the aire can be a challenge. Motorways (autoroutes, indicated by signs with a blue background) have service areas at regular intervals (about 15km).Every rest area has at least a parking lot and toilets. Dont play loud music or be too rowdy- these are quiet places for people to enjoy their travels. generalpages and information about driving in France: Calais to eastern We are now in the fortunate position of being retired and so can please ourselves on the time a journey takes. Confused already? Camping and Caravanning Forums,Campsites,reviews,free classified ads, camping articles and newsletter plus loads more . Jan 2, 2008. When is the best time to arrive at an aire? budget However, our favourite aires are the ones with incredible views- like this one in the French Alps or the ones near famous historical places in France makes sightseeing even easier! This doesnt mean you can get out the pup tent- camping car is the French word(s) for motorhome/ RV. Top 10 UK Best Motorhome blogs youve (probably) never heard of! - Bziers) - Midi Pyrenees, A9 (Orange - hotel (**) - accessible both directions, Aire des Volcans d'Auvergne. I will have a wife and large dog with me. The only places I know for caravans to park overnight are either wild camping or actual campsites. Learn how to set up your motorhome for off-grid parking (wild camping) here. List of Service Areas on Motorway in France Service Areas A9: La Languedocienne. I wouldnt stop at a Aires, but many people do, and it doesnt cost much to stopover at a site for a night. Believe me, no-one is more security conscious than me - you should see the number of locks, alarms and tracking devices on our van - but I admit to some agnostic scepticism on this one! Just so there is no confusion weneed to explain a little more! Most Directly from the motorway A6 in Lyon you can change to the motorway A7 to go south in direction Marseille in France. Answer- we use a wonderful system called French Aires. My wife and I are recently retired police officers, so we are not of a nervous disposition but the idea of stopping is to get a good night's sleep before the following day's journey. Dont worry- we didnt know aires existed until we bought our first camper, so youre not alone! Fd. [Virtual Brochure] (Free - Clermont We generally use the app park4night.com to find aires or approved overnight motorhome places. "I dont really care who stops on an aire, if they get robbed or worse thats the chance they take" is quite a nasty sentiment in response to a reasonable reply. Only 17 kilometers long is the french motorway "Autoroute A3". We tend to avoid cities, but I believe aires close to popular locations cost more and are much more crowded. Can you stay overnight in an aire de service on a French motorway? In 20 years of caravanning in Europe its something we have never done. List of Service Areas on Motorway in France Service Areas A1: North-Motorway. List of Service Areas on Motorway in France Service Areas A3: Paris North-East. Many aires in the Alps only open April-November ish due to the snow closing roads. partners as an Once we witnessed three men attempting to break into nearby rigs (we chased them off)and twice there have been attempts on ours. Theres no way around it- if its shut, youre not getting electric that night. Vouill, Deux Svres (400 What to do on arrival at an aire in France. Try and speak a little French when you enter- it will warm the locals to you. Its a bit like BritStops in the UK. We also like the aires where you can stay for a couple of nights- its nice to have a break from driving and maybe get the motorbikes out to explore the area better. Heres everything you need to know about vanlife in Europe. Fairly common but there are usually enough alternatives for it not to be a deal breaker. Drinking water is eau potable in French, There is not always a place to go into the woods and relieve yourself either- many aires are like big car parks, You will occasionally see an Aire referred to as a camping car park. You can park your camping-car anywhere legally in France where you are allowed to park a car (i.o.w. to You must log in or register to reply here. You might be interested in these related posts: Watch the video explaining about French Aires. Water is normally 1 for 50 litres or something similar. After that we're in holiday mood, want to sit outside and relax with a glass of wine, and so we find a campsite. However, if there isnt a space, assume that outside seating/ awnings are prohibited. We take the same sensible precautions and none of us have ever had a problem. [Reception] . Overnighting On French Motorway ServicesCaravanning and Camping Abroad. We try to find the aires BEFORE worrying about the signs- more on how to do that below! Feel free to add them onto my Facebook page or join our Motorhome Facebook group here. Free overnight parking for motorhomes? or would i just be better/safer going on a proper site just off the motorway, any thoughts appreciated. There are some excellent Aires - but some you'd obviously want to avoid - and some actually have facilities for caravanners to overnight such as specialised bays, with picnic table and litter bins, and decent showers in the service area. Sleep Inn is one of a number of brands owned by Choice Hotels International, and can be found mainly in America. Seriously- youd pay a fortune for a hotel room with a view like that! Some aires have restrictions on what you can empty into them, especially if theyre on the fosse system. Fd. Sleep Inn - Motorway Services, Sleep Inn | service station info As far as I know, professional anaesthetists get well paid to master this tricky science - do the thieves have such qualifications? These are the aires where we spend a day or two to unwind and relax between driving (if its allowed). As an affiliate About-France.com may receive a small commission on A75 It is on the north-east side of the capital city Paris. Often, these need to be purchased from an approved location (like the local bar! The website is supported by our readers, so if you buy through links on this site we may earn a commission- at no extra cost to you. Good for you percy, for the sake of a fiver why anyone would not choose an overnight campsite is beyond me??? The first thing to do, before you put the kettle on, is to go read the signs and pay anything due. To remove Motorway services car park rules explained | startrescue.co.uk Some are. Germany Motorway Service & Rest Area Do not struggle with sleep while driving! List of Service Areas on Motorway in France Service Areas A6: Paris - Lyon. If youre desperate, look for an aire which doesnt need tokens, but ideally youll want your motorhome to be able to survive a night (or two!) Walking to get fresh French bread in the morning is one of our favourite things about motorhoming around France. ), shops, bars or beaches. If in doubt, ask. We recently met a guy from Switzerland (whilst in Spain) who introduced us to the Passion France thing. Great question David! All opinions remain our own. service restaurant, fast food restaurant. They are normally a car park or large gravel area, where motorhomes are allowed to park overnight, or even for several nights. You might be able to use aires de repos- I doubt anyone would check. Prefer listening/ watching video? I am sure Val will be along to suggest one that she often uses not far from Calais. There are many motorways in France. Dont leave any rubbish or litter. We never have them planned in advance- we always find them en-route. Since 1979 motorway service stations must - by law - provide a minimum of two hours' parking free of charge. If you want to download it for FREE, click here, Absolutely- as long as you follow the rules. We have always tried to plan our holidays so that we end up on a proper campsite which are usually a lot quieter than a motorway service area. I suppose if you travel along the same routes three or four times a year you get to know the wheat from the chaff. Check this against the info from park4night or a book- rules change and the rules on the sign are the most up-to-date. If youd like to get FREE motorhome and road trip checklists, you can find them here. Aires arent campsites- theyre overnight stopovers. If I had fallen asleep, dog tired after a long drive and a couple of glasses of wine then to find I'd left a window open with my wallet to hand, I would awake feeling very sick and with a real headache. Thanks again Sarah X. They cannot be booked or reserved in advance. All rights reserved, Planning to visit France with a motorhome or campervan? Aire du Poulet de Bresse Ibis All these have shower facilities, and lots of other people overnighting. Sleep Over In French Services - Caravan Talk and we look at the reviews. When you arrive, drive slowly and get your bearings. We're like Tim and Cary - and for all the same reasons - with the same precautions, although we only ever stop over on our first night. The hardest part is often figuring out how to pay for your stay at a French Aire. self-service, snack. The motorway A8 in France, called La Provenale, is a west-to-east motorway in the south of France going to Italy. It is a very difficult one to answer. Once the alarm on the car was activated and the other occasion my wife awoke to see a man trying to force the window next to our bed. Viewpoint, many facilities, nature trail, Its also safe to be disposed of in septic tanks or fosse, meaning we have more options to dispose of our toilet responsibly. 28. We've done it many times before, and are planning to do the same this year. Can you take a motorhome on Eurostar? | Advanced RVs euro, I dont beleive all aires in europe stink of urine only the ones ive overnighted at, and as you are probably aware selecting an aire with a caravan area or a clean and quiet aire is a gamble as it might be full once you get their - this has happened to me every year for the last seven years .If their was a website on aires or rastplatzs in europe it would help. The whole point of aires is flexibility and freedom. service areas, c) . If there are lots of negative reviews, we keep looking for another place. Some cost a couple of Euros and others cost as much as 15, which I think is the maximum weve paid so far. Clermont Ferrand **, A75 (Free - Clermont There are also aires de jeu (playgrounds), aire de loisirs (rec area) and several others. You can do it, and we do - but I have to say only when we don't have any choice. You need to check carefully when youre looking for an aire to stay at. The motorway A11 in France is also called The Oceanic, because it starts south of Paris directed to the alantic ocean. ), which is fine unless you arrive when that location is closed. The only places I know for caravans to park overnight are either wild camping or actual campsites. About 8000 kilometers of them are toll roads where you have to pay for driving on the motorway. hotel (**), Self In the summer there are so many sites open that I would not concider the Aires, Quote: Originally posted by happybonzo on 30/3/2008. If the sign says its allowed and if other people are doing it, then go ahead. There is however, as I noticed on my way back this March, a notice from the Police displayed on the door warning of thefts from motor homes and caravans. [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] Starting at a crossing at motorway A1 the A2 goes north-east to the border of Belgium. Motorway service areas and hotels in France - About-France.com A lot of the aires are really quiet and make for easy targets. 26. this message, click. List of Service Areas on Motorway in France Service Areas A7: Lyon - Marseille. As far as I know, you are not allowed to stay overnight at a motorway services, although maybe you can if you pay. An HGV driver has told me that this is possible. Motorway services france : Service areas - ASFA - Autoroutes Then, we look on the app for aires with photos (so we can see the length of the spaces and see if our motorhome and trailer will fit!) We have stayed in them too for the same reasons Val A has said. Driver slapped with 200 fine for sleeping at motorway services in I know this subject has been 'aired' (sorry!) Vans with signage on or stealth campers are often not allowed and we have seen them being asked to move on. I noticed there was a security vehicle doing the rounds. Most aires do not allow caravans. thanks. Can you sleep in your car if you have been drinking? Some are properly marked out into bays, others are a free-for-all and you can park wherever and however you like! These are the type of aire in France youre probably looking for. They often have specific motorhome parking areas and there will. [Company Listings] Hi, i just wondered if anyone can offer any advice on overnighting on an aire on the french motorways. Kat | Motorhome Travel blogger | This post may contain affiliate links, The ONLY North Coast 500 Itinerary & Route PLANNER You Need, 50 EPIC Campervan Gift ideas (they actually want!). Most aires do not allow caravans. They often (but not always!) driving in France, don't forget to carry a fluorescent jacket And a Safe to sleep at French Services? UKCampsite.co.uk Caravanning and Hi Kat, great information again. This will be clearly signposted at the aire and people DO check- dont overstay your welcome. However, our favourite aires are the ones with incredible views- like this one in the French Alps or the ones near famous. Click here to see our Privacy and Disclosure Policy. Weve stayed in these a couple of times when really tired, but its definitely not our preferred option. Aire de la Baie de Somme (and others) have dedicated caravan areas, with no pungent smell of urine, no refrigerated units, and are regularly patrolled by the Gendarmes - so we choose to stay there because we'd have to alter our journey times otherwise. How long can you stay at motorway services? - Most service areas have the following facilities: - Wooded picnic areas - Children's play areas - Nursery areas Worth knowing: - The pleasant, convenient rest areas along France's motorways are designed to encourage motorists to take regular breaks. We have overnighted at the Baie de Somme Aire, this in January,one other unit (Brit) turned up during the night. Most of the aires weve used in France use the same electric connectors as we use in the UK. We love helping motorhome & campervan owners make the most of their time on the road, whether youre a complete motorhome newbie or planning a long tour of Europe. 27. What to do if you breakdown on a French motorway The con is that the info goes out of date and its possible to turn up at an aire which has been shut. 30. It has it's own caravan parking area away from the HGV entry and exit, the area is well lit and the site is visited frequently throughout the night by the traffic gendarmes. We use a product called Solbio organic toilet fluid, which is natural and doesnt contain harmful chemicals. Want to stay in. This book has some beautiful aires to inspire your next trip!! thankyou, 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. online rates for hotels near the following towns on, About-France.com Just remember, its a motorway service station, so its not the nicest of places to stop. Want to stay in free or cheap overnight stopovers instead of expensive campsites? The minimum two-hour free period applies whether the driver leaves the car or not. Dont take up another motorhome parking place with your gear- thats not allowed. great information about French Aires. Winter sports and winter holidays in France. You can print ALL this info. A10 (Paris - Yes, often it is allowed. Either refill your fuel or just rest and avoid to fall asleep while driving. List of Service Areas on Motorway in France Service Areas A8: La Provenale. French aires vary widely from picnic areas with toilets right through to fully featured sites similar to, no, sorry, in fact much better than, UK Motorway services. No- or at least very very rarely. All have toilets and most have picnic tables and children's . To be real, safety wise I would rather risk sleeping the night at an Aire under a plastic sheet than walk on many a city street in day light. Definitely dont leave your camper unattended here and block the services for other people whilst you go to the bar! By dazkim, July 5, 2005 in Caravan Chat. If not, there will be signs making it easy to understand what you need to know. Aire French Aires with a motorhome or campervan- everything you need to know! emptying waste water (normally a drive-over grill)- can often be used for free, refill with fresh water. 31. There are a couple of ways to find aires in France, especially as youre travelling. If you have to stay on one the ones on peages are the better choice for the simple reason that villains do not like paying to ply their trade nor do they like being videoed which is what happens every time you enter and depart the Toll sections of motorway. The bad news is that popular places become full VERY quickly. - Bziers) - Auvergne. Travelling late at night on ferries suits us and a road side stop allows us freedom to traval when we choose rather than be tied to site arrival and departure times that don't always suit our plans. These are approved motorhome (or camping car) parking areas which are provided ALL OVER France, often very close to villages and towns. You can often buy refillable gas from an aire de service too, although not always. hotel (**), A40 (Macon- Spanish motorway service areas | Practical Caravan Forums Travelling to France with a Dog? 29. Can you sleep overnight in French motorway services? The original question was from a caravanner and his question really applied to Autoroute Aires which as you point out is a completely different kettle of fish. northbound. The aire at Airolo, immediately after the St Gotthard Tunnel travelling south does have a dedicated parking area which is well used by caravanners. We and family and friends have used european motorway stops in Europe over many many years. Some have food, petrol, shops, and motels. Ive read about municipal campsites in France, are they classed as Aires or something different? 25. How to take a dog from UK to France after BREXIT, new blind spot warning sticker law in France. can you do it?, and more importantly is it safe? Others, as said, choose to overnight en-route because they don't want to be tied to site arrival and departure times. . Buy the Official guide for camping & caravaning in France every site is listed there. Occasionally youll find an aire in France with toilets, but not often. [Competitions] The good news is that its first come, first served. 24. There are pros and cons of the All the aires guidebook. Aire de la Baie de Somme would probably score 8 and a half/10 on Percy's scale -. However when we used to regularly go down to the South of France when we were both still working we always booked 3 weeks holiday rather than 2 so that we had plenty of time. Website: www.sleepinn.com. The motorway A9 in France, called La Languedocienne and is a continuation of the french motorway A7 towards Spain. Put it this way, some aires we have a great feeling about and happily leave our motorhome for a few hours while we go and ride our motorbikes. Most of the reported problems seem to be on the autoroutes south of Lyon which won't really affect you. That depends on the Aire and is decided by the local council. Dont worry- we didnt know aires existed until we bought our first camper, so youre not alone! In practice, many services offer up to three hours for free. In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here, Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend, [Message Forums] The Aires you use are generally just for motorhomes, not caravans and are tucked away all over the place. Yes, often it is allowed. Confused already? David. There will often be a vending machine for hot drinks and sometimes a microwave for public use too. road trips - On a long drive in France are there places to shower and Many popular aires get crazy busy and by 2pm they can be completely full.

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