Aire Du Baie de la Somme - MH parking closed

[TomCz]

Might be old news but, we arrived here today and found that the Motorhome area has been closed, looks like some construction work going on.

 

[Gaston aires]

You could try Le,Crotoy. It’s not too far away.
Phil

 

[TomCz]

Thanks for the info, have settled in the lorry park for tonight, only 1 fridge unit at moment so relatively quiet

 

[tonka]

We have stayed many times over the years and never an issue HOWEVER there have been reports of thefts and break ins so just be on guard
Although it's on a motorway there is a minor road at the back and easy to get access.

 

[HKF]

We called in there today and were also there a couple of weeks ago. A couple of weeks ago, you couldn't get down to the MH, car or car/caravan parking at all because of the construction work. We were surprised to see that the car and car/caravan parking areas were open and looking good.

As a note of caution, we were there today with a large car and 8 x 4 trailer and parked in the car/caravan section, which is the last section on the road down. It was a little tight to get into because of the bend and the raised concrete kerbs so, whatever you do, if you're in a MH don't go further down than the MH section (when it opens). I don't think you'd get a MH in the car and car/caravan sections and there is nowhere to turn round if you get stuck!! You'd have to reverse all the way back. Not a great design, so please bear this in mind. I hope this helps

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[scousebird]

We had an attempted break in while overnighting there a few years back, Alan & the bloke from the caravan parked in front of us chased him off. We've never been back.

 

[jongood]

We had an attempted break in while overnighting there a few years back, Alan & the bloke from the caravan parked in front of us chased him off. We've never been back.

As have many others, I really don't get why people take the risk when there are almost always proper Aires near by in nicer places, takes 10 minutes to get from Autoroute to Le Crotoy etc

 

[DDJC]

As have many others, I really don't get why people take the risk when there are almost always proper Aires near by in nicer places, takes 10 minutes to get from Autoroute to Le Crotoy etc

We always get into a proper site, and always one that has decent rating on ACSI or Alan Rogers. Rarely use Aires, and definitely never use any sort of unauthorised stopping place or lorry park. Wilding is not for us. Rather pay 30 euro and feel safe.

 

[scousebird]

As have many others, I really don't get why people take the risk when there are almost always proper Aires near by in nicer places, takes 10 minutes to get from Autoroute to Le Crotoy etc

We have since used aires in the area.

 

[emjaiuk]

As have many others, I really don't get why people take the risk when there are almost always proper Aires near by in nicer places, takes 10 minutes to get from Autoroute to Le Crotoy etc

Probably because they don’t see a perceived risk. We’ve used Baie de Somme almost every trip since it opened, and never had even a suggestion of a problem. We find it convenient, quiet and usually easy to access, plus the fact that there’s safe off-lead dog walking.
Having said that, when travelling we use motorway Aires, and have done for 30/40 years, again without any problem whatsoever

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[jongood]

Probably because they don’t see a perceived risk. We’ve used Baie de Somme almost every trip since it opened, and never had even a suggestion of a problem. We find it convenient, quiet and usually easy to access, plus the fact that there’s safe off-lead dog walking.
Having said that, when travelling we use motorway Aires, and have done for 30/40 years, again without any problem whatsoever

Each to their own but I really don't get it. At le Crotoy for 9 euros ( yes just gone up and new barriers) you get a huge peaceful place on the estuary with lots of pleasant walks and a nice little town with a really nice Boulangerie ( and 2 others) and lots of restaurants on your doorstep and its peaceful.

 

[emjaiuk]

Each to their own but I really don't get it. At le Crotoy for 9 euros ( yes just gone up and new barriers) you get a huge peaceful place on the estuary with lots of pleasant walks and a nice little town with a really nice Boulangerie ( and 2 others) and lots of restaurants on your doorstep and its peaceful.

So are you suggesting that if we are on a time limited trip to the South of France or Northern Spain, we should use some of that time to divert off the autoroute rather than spend the night in what we consider a pleasant rural free stop, that has everything we need. As you say, each to his own.

 

[chaser]

So are you suggesting that if we are on a time limited trip to the South of France or Northern Spain, we should use some of that time to divert off the autoroute rather than spend the night in what we consider a pleasant rural free stop, that has everything we need. As you say, each to his own.

We always call here when passing, although never stopped for the night, but it always seems so quiet that I would be happy to stay, we have parked on loads of motorway Aires in the days before being on here with all the scare story's, and never seen any problems.

 

[Tigertom]

We always get into a proper site, and always one that has decent rating on ACSI or Alan Rogers. Rarely use Aires, and definitely never use any sort of unauthorised stopping place or lorry park. Wilding is not for us. Rather pay 30 euro and feel safe.

You may not have been broken into but 30 euros a night sounds like robbery to me

 

[DangerMousy]

So are you suggesting that if we are on a time limited trip to the South of France or Northern Spain, we should use some of that time to divert off the autoroute rather than spend the night in what we consider a pleasant rural free stop, that has everything we need. As you say, each to his own.

Our trips are also time limited (typically 2 weeks, very occasionally 3) but for us its worth taking a short diversion off the motorway to find somewhere nicer to stay. We use motorway stops for lunch breaks but wouldn't really want to stay overnight at them. Looking at aires and France Passions there's usually somewhere not too far away which doesn't add too much time to the overall journey.

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[Lenny HB]

We always get into a proper site, and always one that has decent rating on ACSI or Alan Rogers. Rarely use Aires, and definitely never use any sort of unauthorised stopping place or lorry park. Wilding is not for us. Rather pay 30 euro and feel safe.

Wilding is often safer than sites, there is a big difference between a remote wild spot or a nice aire to a Motorway stop. I can't understand why anyone would ever want to stop on a motorway.

 

[BoldonLad]

Each to their own but I really don't get it. At le Crotoy for 9 euros ( yes just gone up and new barriers) you get a huge peaceful place on the estuary with lots of pleasant walks and a nice little town with a really nice Boulangerie ( and 2 others) and lots of restaurants on your doorstep and its peaceful.

Doesn't it depend on circumstances? We have a 350 mile drive to Tunnel. Our typical approach, if heading South, is, take a late Tunnel Crossing, and, stop for a sleep at Baie de Somme (typically arriving after 22:00 and leaving 08:00. So, the scenery, walks etc, don't count, we just want accessible and quiet. Under different circumstances, we choose an attractive Aire, or a Site.

 

[Camdoon]

We find the Base de Somme a great place to stop as we m25 mid afternoon, x-over by 6 French time and down there by 8, park up, adjust clocks, phones etc - up early next morning and through Rouen before the traffic. Don't need anything more and far safer than meandering down some lane adjusting to the wrong side of the road. Le Crotoy is our last night stop when a nice bowl of moules just rounds things off.

 

[Camdoon]

Doesn't it depend on circumstances? We have a 350 mile drive to Tunnel. Our typical approach, if heading South, is, take a late Tunnel Crossing, and, stop for a sleep at Baie de Somme (typically arriving after 22:00 and leaving 08:00. So, the scenery, walks etc, don't count, we just want accessible and quiet. Under different circumstances, we choose an attractive Aire, or a Site.

Great minds etc

 

[pjay]

We've had a rest stop before at Baie de Somme services before, its a pleasant enough place but our go to place for an overnight transit stop is a free car park at Nouvion, a few kms northeast of there just off the A16 on Rue de la Mairie.
Nice little car park next to the community hall and a Carrefour express and Boulangerie just around the corner.
50.21123 1.78027

Pete

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[jongood]

Doesn't it depend on circumstances? We have a 350 mile drive to Tunnel. Our typical approach, if heading South, is, take a late Tunnel Crossing, and, stop for a sleep at Baie de Somme (typically arriving after 22:00 and leaving 08:00. So, the scenery, walks etc, don't count, we just want accessible and quiet. Under different circumstances, we choose an attractive Aire, or a Site.

It does but there have been lots of reports of people being robbed on motorway aires over the years and Baie de Somme has been mentioned many times.

Wherever you stop there are no guarantees but IMO some are riskier than others.

 

[DangerMousy]

We've had a rest stop before at Baie de Somme services before, its a pleasant enough place but our go to place for an overnight transit stop is a free car park at Nouvion, a few kms northeast of there just off the A16 on Rue de la Mairie.
Nice little car park next to the community hall and a Carrefour express and Boulangerie just around the corner.
50.21123 1.78027

Fab tip thanks - just saved it to my map for future reference
We usually head a bit further south on our first night (we usually stop at the Intermarche in Sées) but Nouvion looks ideal in case we want something a bit closer to Calais....and Google suggests it should only add around 10 mins driving time.

 

[HKF]

As a follow on to my post above, for anyone it might help, here's a map of the designated parking areas at the Aire du Baie du Somme (MH parking currently being revamped). You'll see how tight the car/caravan/trailer section is right at the end of the road. There is no way to tune round in this road so, if you're in a MH, please don't go past the MH section entrance. If you do, you'll have to reverse all the way back. Also, when we went two days ago, we were in a large car with an 8 x 4 trailer. I really wouldn't want to try to get anything much bigger than a 14' caravan in there, as the turn is quite tight and there are raised concrete kerbs. And, even with our small rig, we were taking up more than one space!! It's a bad design and, on a busy day, I really wouldn't want to get stuck

 

[mikebeaches]

We have frequently stayed overnight at Aire du Baie de la Somme, in the quiet caravan parking area down the little lane.

It is so convenient and flexible in terms of arrival and departure times. The area we use is quite park-like with fine views, picnic tables and well away from the service centre. My avatar pic was taken there. Obviously, catering, loos and showers are available if required.

We frequently see both the police and security vehicles cruise around the parking area.

It's the only service station we have ever stayed overnight on, and I have heard of occasional issues for some.

Perhaps we've just been very fortunate.

​

 

[Jonno1103]

Doesn't it depend on circumstances? We have a 350 mile drive to Tunnel. Our typical approach, if heading South, is, take a late Tunnel Crossing, and, stop for a sleep at Baie de Somme (typically arriving after 22:00 and leaving 08:00. So, the scenery, walks etc, don't count, we just want accessible and quiet. Under different circumstances, we choose an attractive Aire, or a Site.

Our journey to the south coast takes around 6 hours with a rest stop. I'd never contemplate the tunnel or Dover, I want a nice cabin on a ferry and a decent kip before a long drive the following day.

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[georgio]

There are some lovely places up and down

 

[HKF]

Our journey to the south coast takes around 6 hours with a rest stop. I'd never contemplate the tunnel or Dover, I want a nice cabin on a ferry and a decent kip before a long drive the following day.

I'd love to do that but dog-friendly cabins are like gold dust

 

[Jonno1103]

I'd love to do that but dog-friendly cabins are like gold dust

I think the 2 new Spanish ships which also call at Cherbourg have twice as many pet friendly cabins as the others. The kennels are better placed on deck 7 too. Normandie II & Bretagne II will be similar.

 

[NoName]

Might be old news but, we arrived here today and found that the Motorhome area has been closed, looks like some construction work going on.

Frustrating but the same in LOCRONAN Brittany. The aire is controlled by a private company but cards do not work (several French Moho’s tried and tried phoning). The good news is that opposite are two car parks, one for 200 and the other for 600 ; popular place in the summer, being one of the 157 designated Beautiful villages. Local Marie closed, as x3 of us wanted to know if we could use the car parks, local shop keepers said yes and local gendarmes drove in but ignored us.

 

[emjaiuk]

Wilding is often safer than sites, there is a big difference between a remote wild spot or a nice aire to a Motorway stop. I can't understand why anyone would ever want to stop on a motorway.

There are autoroute Aires which rival any normal aire. When we used to go to Spain regularly we usEd to use the A61/A62, and their aires in particular are superb. Our kids have taken part in archery, kayaking, shooting amongst other things at the Canal de MIDI aire. There’s also a brilliant museum on the history of the canal.
of course there are motorway stops which I wouldn’t use, as there are municipal Aires where I’taken one look and turned round and gone. Over the years I can think of a few campsites which I wouldn’t go within a 100 miles of again.
As has been said, each to his own, but I think it’s a mistake to blindly reject all motorway stops.

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