Searching for the aires (1 Viewer)

trevtherev

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Apr 2, 2015
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Have been reading on the forum about the aires in France and the various web sites to search for them and they sound very appealing and useful. This has been my first year as a MHmer and I intend to do a bit of touring in France next year. My question is what is the best way to search for the Aires once in France as my old iphones screen is so small and the writing is difficult to read. I have a tablet that has to be connected wi fi so cannot be used whilst touring, so I wondered how most people managed and what they used.
 

Southdowners

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You can get aires directories from Vicarious books. They're called All the Aires but we found that they don't include all of them - for that we use Campercontact which is online.

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9526

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For books you can buy the "all the aires" which should be titled "some of the aires" or,

As soon as you get into france, enter an Auchan (or similar) supermarket and purchase the French guide "aires du camping car" which contains more of them.

Get yourself a mifi and three data sim and you'll be able to use your tablet to access Link Removed
 

Rob and Val

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These people are great. Link Removed
If you become a member you can get the aires and a number of campsites on a USB stick, so you don't need Internet connection.

We are members and the information that they provide makes a trip to France all the more enjoyable.

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Flamenca

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Have been reading on the forum about the aires in France and the various web sites to search for them and they sound very appealing and useful. This has been my first year as a MHmer and I intend to do a bit of touring in France next year. My question is what is the best way to search for the Aires once in France as my old iphones screen is so small and the writing is difficult to read. I have a tablet that has to be connected wi fi so cannot be used whilst touring, so I wondered how most people managed and what they used.

I have a netbook with Microsoft Autoroute into which I have imported the aires POIs and when I want to see up to date specifics regarding an aire I use my tablet, connecting to the internet via a mifi with Three data SIM and use the Aires Campingcar-Infos Free App. In December I will buy a copy of Camperstop Europe 2016 to supplement the aires data.
 

Judge Mental

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Have been reading on the forum about the aires in France and the various web sites to search for them and they sound very appealing and useful. This has been my first year as a MHmer and I intend to do a bit of touring in France next year. My question is what is the best way to search for the Aires once in France as my old iphones screen is so small and the writing is difficult to read. I have a tablet that has to be connected wi fi so cannot be used whilst touring, so I wondered how most people managed and what they used.

no need for wifi if you download the offline maps. easiest way is just load a cheap satnav with all the free POI sets of Aires and sites available
 

DBK

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The campercontact app can use downloaded maps so it works without an internet connection. The maps are not as good as the online ones but they are useable.

I can only suggest trying a few apps and see which one you like but I would still get the aires books as they work off line and don't need charging!

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Badknee

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If your iPhone has a hot spot use that and tether your tablet to it.
 

GeebeeJaybee

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If you are on three network data access is included worldwide with no extra charges.
 
Dec 11, 2011
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1) Buy the 'All the Aires' books - you could perhaps wait until the next issue comes out in 2016!
2) While you are at home and on wifi download Maps.me to your tablet and then download all the French maps (and anywhere else you are going).
3) Sign up with searchforsites and upload some reviews of places where you have stayed this year. Then go to their download area and download the POI files to your tablet and open them with Maps.me
... that's probably all you will need!
 

TerryL

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I know everybody is offering all sorts of technical assistance to the OP here - and I admit to using much of it too.

However when looking for a particular aire, we've also usually found a signpost somewhere along the way, be it at the entrance to a village/small town or on various information signposts in the larger towns. We've even found a couple of aires that aren't listed anywhere. There's hundreds of them, all over the place.

My point is, keep your eyes open!
 
Jul 29, 2013
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I know everybody is offering all sorts of technical assistance to the OP here - and I admit to using much of it too.

However when looking for a particular aire, we've also usually found a signpost somewhere along the way, be it at the entrance to a village/small town or on various information signposts in the larger towns. We've even found a couple of aires that aren't listed anywhere. There's hundreds of them, all over the place.

My point is, keep your eyes open!
Yes quite agree use the books etc but there are usually signs on the road.
 

Bacchus

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One of the great things about aires is the freedom; often you'll be heading for one and see a nice place and just pull in!

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May 7, 2011
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Hi Trevtherev,
I use these site's before I go to France for my research on ones I think would suit me best on my route.
Link Removed
also http://www.searchforsites.co.uk/
and Link Removed
I also while I'm away in France , use a mifi on the 3 network so mostly have wifi when I want it.
so I can look up the various website , if my chosen aire is full or not suitable.
I also have a decent satnav & put in the gps co-ordinates for which ever aire I'm headed.
But as said before just keep your eyes open there's sign's like this
Link Removed

Terry FIDGET
 
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There is nothing easier than finding an Aire on the Camper Contact app, down loaded to the Tom Tom and driving straight to it.

You might find it in the All the Aires books (£30!!) and have a look what its like first.
 

magicsurfbus

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I use the free POI file for TomTom from the CampingCar-Infos website, but it's best used in conjunction with their free phone app or a few web searches at home for additional info before you set off.

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trevtherev

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Thanks for all the replies. I have bought a mifi and a cheap card to familiarise myself with the thing, been on several of the web sites advised and I feel better equipped for a trip next year. Thanks again.
 
Apr 22, 2013
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I have several list in the POI section of my satnav.
One is my personal list of Aires I have been to before and one I have had recommended.
I have the France POI file from Camping Contact. Its a couple of years old now, but I have split it into two list one marked as "motorhome only" and the rest.
Recently I have added the Germany and Spain files from CampingContact.

For armchair searching before we go I use https://www.aire-service-camping-car-panoramique.fr/ Its easy to move from one aire to a neighboring one to see what available in a particular area.
 

FJmike

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We always use a combination of the free POI from camping car info's and Camingcar magazines Aires book. Using the POI ensures we will not miss any new Aires as we always download just before departure. We use the book to see if there are Aires in the areas we want to visit and although the book is written in French it is easy to understand and is very comprehensive.

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suavecarve

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Just sent my cousin off with the new 2016 version of "all the aires" which is 25 bicker off amazon in a4 and is divided into 2 books (north and south France ) also downloaded the off line version of camper contact for £4.60. So for 30 quid they can easily go a year in France without paying for a thing to do with fees or water if they want. My last 3 months in France total less than a tenner with those 2 sources
 

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