Where to go in October (1 Viewer)

PeteS

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Hi
We pick up our new to us motorhome on Monday next week and have a couple of weeks off to christen it in October. I've been looking all day trying to work out where to go but most of France seems closed. Any ideas ?
 
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PeteS

PeteS

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Never stayed in one so not sure what to expect. I'll have to try I suppose

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Robert Clark

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Aires in France are still open
Many free and much quieter and in better locations than campsites.
See Campercontact for details

Thousands of reviews from real visitors too
 
Mar 21, 2010
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NEVER stayed in an "aire" You don't know what you have been missing. Buy "Camperstop" which has all the aires in Europe a brilliant buy.

colyboy
 

funflair

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Germany Mosel or Rhine are very nice and the vines on the Mosel could be starting their Autumn colours so very pretty.

Plenty of Stellplatz to stay in along the way, campsites only any good if you want a longer stay and if they are open.

Martin

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tonka

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Never stayed in one so not sure what to expect. I'll have to try I suppose

So very varied... Some are actually old campsites...
Some are just car parks and others have views to die for..
Never judge aires until you have been on a few..
Do a search on youtube, some of the videos on there will give you an idea.. (y)

Here is one by "our Keith"..
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBtX3WOsgChwP3OZu3_IIDw
 
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PeteS

PeteS

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A space next to the road where you can park up stay the night. Sometimes with toilets and bins, they are all over europe

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Shrimp

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Never stayed in one so not sure what to expect. I'll have to try I suppose

Aires are very easy, but the 'All the Aires' book from Vicarious Books, find the Aire that you fancy and turn up!
That's it, some charge for everything some charge for parking & everything else is free.
You will find some fantastic places!
 

Shrimp

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Ok, i give up. Whats an Aire ?

An Aire can be part of Tarmac car park in a French town or Ville, it can be a lovely spot by a river/canal/lake or even within site of the sea. They are all over France (& other countries-different names) you turn up, park in designated spot, pay-some are all free-enjoy yourself. An Aire can range from 2 or 3 vans up to the hundreds! Nearly all have water, black & grey dumps some have hook-up. You can find some with all the above & free!
Note tho, they are not campsites, some will not tolerate chairs & tables nor anything on the ground, some have picnic areas attached, then you can sit out & 'camp'.
We were on an Aire earlier on when the Tour de France came thro, we had a female Police every morning leading up to the big day making sure we were all parked properly and her parting shot was always "No Camping" no one listened!

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Robert Clark

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ah, Sounds dodgy. Dont flash your lights :D
An aire is a designated place for Motorhomes to park overnight.
Facilities vary from site to site, but often include water and dump facilities.
Some are located in prime locations in beautiful towns and villages.
Some are converted camp sites.
Some charge a modest fee - many are free.
 

obanvanman

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Download the ACSI app on your tablet or you can subscribe and get a camp site book.
Try it on line, you can add your requirements, and it will show you all of the sites that are open.
We are going over in October and were surprised at just how many there are.
 

jimiol

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Hi
We pick up our new to us motorhome on Monday next week and have a couple of weeks off to christen it in October. I've been looking all day trying to work out where to go but most of France seems closed. Any ideas ?
Pete, apologies if I have this wrong but are you new to motorhomes? If so before venturing abroad stick local with the new to you van make it all works and you no how everything works.
Aires in France are great but not many have electric, do you have solar or atleast a second leisure battery?
If you are an experienced MH owner then Aires are fantastic if not try campsites or wild camping in the uk first.
Enjoy the new MH
 
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PeteS

PeteS

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Pete, apologies if I have this wrong but are you new to motorhomes? If so before venturing abroad stick local with the new to you van make it all works and you no how everything works.
Aires in France are great but not many have electric, do you have solar or atleast a second leisure battery?
If you are an experienced MH owner then Aires are fantastic if not try campsites or wild camping in the uk first.
Enjoy the new MH
Been using motorhomes (vw camper) since the 70s but have had a short stop for 10 years, in January we bought a Hymer and we will collect our new one Monday. I travel a lot on a M/C mainly Africa Asia.
Some good advice though I will need to get use to the new one and will be looking for an extra leisure battery and solar pannels
 
Jan 8, 2013
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Whats an Aire

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Or follow us - Leaving 27 Sept

So just what are Aires De Service? Well, they are a network of stopping places specifically designed for motor homes or camping cars as the French call them. In most instances they are run by the local town council or ‘Mairie’ but there are also private Aires, auto route Aires, Aires within the proximity of campsites, Aires de Stationement (an Aire for parking, but no facilities) and Aires on farms and vineyards.

They can be large (150+) purpose built parks with all facilities down to tiny spots that accept only 1 or 2 vans at a time. The variety is immense. It is not the same as a campsite, far from it, some locations close to the tourist haunts and along the coast are extremely popular and units can be parked very close together, sometimes only a few feet apart but you’ll soon get used to this and it’s also a great way of meeting your fellow motor homers or ‘camping caristes’.

Once you get into the ‘Aires mood’ you’ll wonder why you bothered with campsites, although you’ll need a fully equipped motor home because showers etc are rarely provided, it’s using your motor home for what it’s designed to do. If you don’t have full facilities on board, don’t worry, there is a way round this, book into a site every now and then to use the shower and laundry facilities between using Aires.
 
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EX51SSS

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Pete, apologies if I have this wrong but are you new to motorhomes? If so before venturing abroad stick local with the new to you van make it all works and you no how everything works.
Aires in France are great but not many have electric, do you have solar or atleast a second leisure battery?
If you are an experienced MH owner then Aires are fantastic if not try campsites or wild camping in the uk first.
Enjoy the new MH
I've just got one leisure battery and no solar panel and I've stayed on Aires for 3/4 nights (lots limit time but some are run by the local Captinierie (summat like that) near rivers etc.
We did 5 nights on Lac du Der and no problems. Started a treat and no electric hook up. However, I do agree that worth testing here first especially as you're new to motorhoming but nothing ventured, nothing gained. Go for it. Many reference points. Camperstop, All the Aires (from Vicarious Books), France Passion, ACSI (discounted camp sites) but probably closed in October. Driving is so easy but one rule, they drive on the other side. Not a problem except when you've had a good overnight and you drive whilst it's quiet.
 
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Cross the channel Dover then turn right and work your way along the North Coast of France down to perhaps Honfleur. There are lots of Aires and you will find some sites open. Le Touquet will be open and there are some great walks, cycle tracks to explore and of course it will fairly quiet. Another favourite place is Etretat (lunch at the Casino) where there's a site and Aire side by side. St Valery en Caux. Baie de la Somme etc. Hardlelot Plage. We've done it the other way from Caen and then crossed back and ended up at the NEC for the show. You do need reasonable weather to fully enjoy but for a first outing and somewhere different give it a try.
 

EX51SSS

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Cross the channel Dover then turn right and work your way along the North Coast of France down to perhaps Honfleur. There are lots of Aires and you will find some sites open. Le Touquet will be open and there are some great walks, cycle tracks to explore and of course it will fairly quiet. Another favourite place is Etretat (lunch at the Casino) where there's a site and Aire side by side. St Valery en Caux. Baie de la Somme etc. Hardlelot Plage. We've done it the other way from Caen and then crossed back and ended up at the NEC for the show. You do need reasonable weather to fully enjoy but for a first outing and somewhere different give it a try.
Firstly check the weather. If good in Normandy and brittany, then do that. If not, look at Central Massif or Eastern France and possibly the Black Forest.

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Jan 8, 2013
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Where are you off to steal stealawa?

I wish I knew? ------ I ought to start thinking about it!
We have a trip for a month early in the year and another late on.

I thought about Brittanny but that would depend on the weather forecast.
If the weather not looking good then somewhere south. We love Germany so maybe Bavaria befor it gets too cold.
I've read some good things on here this year about the Alsace - That could be a plan.
 
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PeteS

PeteS

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A man after my own heart. The only rough plan we have is to find the sun so possibly down to Slovenia or Croatia but if the Alps are snowy then Spain. Stopping in aires in France on the way

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May 12, 2011
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If you are heading into Normandy, try Pontorson about 5 miles south of Mt St Michel. Acsi site is open in October and the aire is 2 minutes walk away in the Carrefour car park, personal choice then.
 

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