All the Aires France

Product Information

Motorhome travel is a restful experience. The knowledge that you’ve got everything you need with you takes the stress out of travelling, which is just as well because French aires can vary enormously in the facilities they provide. These can be practical parking areas to make it easier when visiting towns, villages or cities or maybe close to nature, for example beside a pretty canal or lovely lake. They could be at a ski resort or alongside the beach or even at a tourist attraction, such as a Chateau or other historic monument. It really depends on who is running them. Commercial camping aires in France can cost upwards of €10-12 and you might have to pay extra for services. Aires de camping are for the use of motorhomes, campervans and other self-contained motor-caravans such as RV’s or overland vehicles, otherwise known as a camping car in Europe. There are lots of apps to help you find free motorhome camping across Europe. Our favourite is Park4Night, which has thousands of aires detailed on their app.

Salles Curan: A view of Lake Parloup – the largest lake in the Midi-Pyrenees - and sheltered parking makes this the perfect place to relax in hot weather. The cycle path in Le Touquet goes via the motorhome aire along the coast to the town Western France Aires are operated and funded by the French government, with the key objective of keeping the country’s roadways free of parked vans. When you arrive, drive slowly and get your bearings. Some aires have signed entrances/ exits, others don’t. Can you stay overnight in an ‘aire de service’ on a French motorway? Yes, often it is allowed. They often have specific motorhome parking areas and there will be an allowed time you are allowed to stay for. This will be displayed clearly on a sign somewhere nearby. If in doubt, ask.Towing caravans, or those wanting to sleep in a tent, car or other vehicle which is not self-contained, are not allowed to use aires for overnight stopovers. The maximum length of time you can stay will be depending on the rules of the Aire. Some Aires will have a noticeboard that specifies the maximum stay length. When travelling in France by campervan or motorhome, it’s important to remember a few key things. Firstly, you’ll need an international driver’s license (a UK driving license is classed as an international license) to drive your motorhome in France. Secondly, an insurance policy is also required. Often, these are run by the local council and are designed to encourage people to visit the area. They are nearly always well kept and welcoming, with signs in French and often English. If the signs aren’t in English, the info will be displayed in a way that’s fairly easy to understand. Aires symbolise the freedom of motorhoming. You are welcomed into local communities, where you can stay overnight at unique locations only available to motorhome travellers. These are a luxury, not a right, so park your campervan sympathetically to your neighbours, use the service point and facilities responsibly and always abide by the RESPECT rules:

Customer submissions help to improve the guides and all comments, both good and bad, are read and where possible acted upon. DIRECTIONS: From CAMBRAI take N43 EAST to CATILLON SUR SAMBRE. Take N43 thru village & cross CANAL, turn immediately RIGHT after BRIDGE to the AIRE next to the canal. The French love motorhoming, and aires have been developed over the years to encourage motorhomes and campervans to visit rural parts of France where tourism wouldn’t normally be found. This brings money into the area and encourages local commerce, as motorhomers stop for a drink in the local bar and spend money in the shops. Motorway Aires are generally noisy, they can be very busy and often unsafe for overnight stops. Think about motorway services and lay-by’s in Britain and you’ll get the gist. 4. Why don’t we stay overnight on Motorway Aires? A classic French aire; room to pull in on the flat with space alongside for table and chairs How to find aires in FranceThe Mayor of the town dictates the rules and the length of stay and a sign will be displayed showing the details. 11. What Facilities Are There? Aire de repos’ are also found at the sides of roads, and again are approved rest stops. You’ll often find campers and lorries parked up in these but there are rarely any facilities, except for a couple of picnic tables.