Aires no camping activity

[Rachelc]

Hi we're about to embark on a trip to France and wondered how people find using aires. Is no camping activity what it says on the tin, i.e. you can't sit outside the van?

 

[9526]

Hi we're about to embark on a trip to France and wondered how people find using aires. Is no camping activity what it says on the tin, i.e. you can't sit outside the van?

Every Aire is different, some absolutely forbid camping behaviour, others seem to actively promote it.

Look at the reviews/pics and follow the locals behaviour (within reason )

 

[Rachelc]

Every Aire is different, some absolutely forbid camping behaviour, others seem to actively promote it.

Look at the reviews/pics and follow the locals behaviour (within reason )

Is there any way of finding out in advance the more camping friendly aires?

 

[9526]

Is there any way of finding out in advance the more camping friendly aires?

Try Link Removed (or download the app)

click on the map, then an aire icon, this will show reviews and photos.

Another app/website is www.park4night.com

edit, here’s a screen grab from a suitable one for camping behaviour (not my pic/van)

 

[Rachelc]

Try Link Removed (or download the app)

click on the map, then an aire icon, this will show reviews and photos.

Another app/website is www.park4night.com

Many thanks, I'll look at those.

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[Riverbankannie]

Use an app like Camper Contact read the reviews and look at photos. You can also put the GPS points iinto google earth and see satellite view. It’s rare to find an aire where you cannot sit out but you may not be able to deploy wind out awning.

 

[suavecarve]

Is there any way of finding out in advance the more camping friendly aires?

Stick a list up of where you think youre going and youll finf a number of different replies.
The first response from mickyc hit the nail on the head.
Think you cant and then when you do bring your chairs out then you got away with it.
Personally i can only think of one off the top of my head out of 2 to 300 where there was nowhere to realistically sit and eat your dinner outside the van. That was Mende and we sat in front of the van like everyone else

 

[Figaro]

......... and if your sitting out, you may need to move if someone wants to squeeze in beside you.
But most have somewhere to sit, a patch of grass nearby usually.

 

[rosalan]

It is well worth paying for Camper Contacts extras. It is free but payment gives all the info you could want which has usually been up to date, although the virus may have interfered.

 

[TheBig1]

remember aires are not campsites

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[klaatu]

I’ve found that sometimes CamperContact says that an aire does not allow camping behaviour, and when you get there it is clear that it does, when you read the published rules. I do like CamperContact, it’s the main app I use, but I’ve given up trying to get them to correct listings.

 

[maison]

Usually, sitting in chairs outside is unlikely to cause offence.

Putting out your awning or blocking parking places with your chairs will be objected to. It’s a matter of using common sense. If in doubt follow the lead of others.

 

[tribalbrit]

Many we have stayed on have had wooden tables and benches to use rather than your own.
Very often you'll see awnings out and washing hanging on the line.
Play it by ear everyone can be diferent to the next

 

[rosalan]

In Andalusia several 'Aires' have set up with a charge of around 10euros per night. You can more or less treat these like campsites, putting out your gear with no problems.
Aires are really places to park only, unless otherwise indicated, even though some have facilities like a camp. The police expect you to be able to move on if required to do so, without spending time putting things away. They are a wonderful asset to those of us wishing to mainly travel for extended periods on a budget and when occasionally people abuse this privilege, they sometimes get closed down.

 

[Rachelc]

In Andalusia several 'Aires' have set up with a charge of around 10euros per night. You can more or less treat these like campsites, putting out your gear with no problems.
Aires are really places to park only, unless otherwise indicated, even though some have facilities like a camp. The police expect you to be able to move on if required to do so, without spending time putting things away. They are a wonderful asset to those of us wishing to mainly travel for extended periods on a budget and when occasionally people abuse this privilege, they sometimes get closed down.

i'm planning on using a mixture of both campsites and aires as we are going for a couple of months, all being well, and I can't afford campsite fees every day. This is very useful thanks.

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[DBK]

i'm planning on using a mixture of both campsites and aires as we are going for a couple of months, all being well, and I can't afford campsite fees every day. This is very useful thanks.

The thing about French aires is most exist because French law allows sleeping overnight in a vehicle. "Camping" is an activity not covered by this law. This is why the CamperContact entries frequently say "No camping behaviour allowed". This is the default position for most municipal aires but in reality the law is not always enforced.

 

[Gaston aires]

We have used aires extensively in Europe. Awnings are a no no but sitting outside is generally OK. Some city aires are very small and you can be parked closer than you like at times. Just use your loaf.
Sometimes it works in your favour though, Making space when aires are busy like in Burgos El CID weekend.
Make sure you install a good app, like search for sites or camper contact, worth their weight in gold.
Phil

 

[FIDGET]

Hi Rachelc, as said before put p a list of where you think you might be headed & what sort of surroundings you would prefer , & I'm sure someone will come up with a lot of recommendations.
by surrounds I mean , i.e. near town or village with restuarant etc , or near water lake river canal , or rural , somewhere to take dog for walks .
Terry

 

[ctc]

Some sites have pitches some are just parking for motorhomes, just be sensible.

 

[Rachelc]

Hi Rachelc, as said before put p a list of where you think you might be headed & what sort of surroundings you would prefer , & I'm sure someone will come up with a lot of recommendations.
by surrounds I mean , i.e. near town or village with restuarant etc , or near water lake river canal , or rural , somewhere to take dog for walks .
Terry

thanks, next week we are off to Normandy via the channel tunnel, will have a dog and 2 kids. We are planning to visit WWII sites, so near points of interest / beaches/ dog walks would be great in that region!

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[DJL220]

thanks, next week we are off to Normandy via the channel tunnel, will have a dog and 2 kids. We are planning to visit WWII sites, so near points of interest / beaches/ dog walks would be great in that region!

Let us know how you get on and if you find any nice site as I'm thinking of going that way soon

 

[busby]

Is there any way of finding out in advance the more camping friendly aires?

Campercontact app tells you.BUSBY.

 

[tribalbrit]

Mont Saint-Michel is a must visit in Normandy, you can stay overnight in the car park was 8 Euros the last time we were there, few years ago though, just let them know you wish to stay when paying for parking.

 

[Clarky]

There are these sort of aires:-

Then there are these sort of aires:-

As always do what the Romans French do and you won't go far wrong.

Have a great trip.

Richard.

 

[SHABBINS]

Hi we're about to embark on a trip to France and wondered how people find using aires. Is no camping activity what it says on the tin, i.e. you can't sit outside the van?

Hi Rachel’s, We are sat out on grass in the blistering sun just south of Orleans on a wooded aire. Yesterday sat on a picnic style riverside aire at Oissel no problems.

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[nicholsong]

There are these sort of aires:-
View attachment 406102View attachment 406103View attachment 406104View attachment 406105

Then there are these sort of aires:-

View attachment 406106

As always do what the Romans French do and you won't go far wrong.

Have a great trip.

Richard.

I think the pics Richard has posted illustrate very well what is done, and accepted, very well.

His second pic next to the disused canal is one of our favourites.

The system of parking nose-to-tail is our preference as one is not intruding on anyone else's space alongside ones own MH and it gives more privacy. Next to a canal or river is favourite, but often that is where they are most frequently found.

Geoff

 

[chaser]

We must have been on hundreds of Aires, and unless packed in like the last photo have never been on one where you can't have a table and chairs out, just a matter of space , never been told we couldn't either.
But saying that ,that's not meaning awnings and mats and fence's and stuff.

 

[Helen Ariel]

thanks, next week we are off to Normandy via the channel tunnel, will have a dog and 2 kids. We are planning to visit WWII sites, so near points of interest / beaches/ dog walks would be great in that region!

We are on our 1st European tour and weren't sure of the etiquette. So far we've been on 2 aires on the North Coast quend plage chairs and tables out and le crotoy where we saw tables, chairs, awnings and bbq so we had a gas bbq last night it was lovely and friendly and we chatted with our neighbours.

 

[FIDGET]

Like Clarky ,
here's a couple of photos of various aires

beside the Loire free aire

old campsite turn into an aire free but paid services towards brittany

small aire outside a fire station free water & 10 mins electric

free aire on edge of town

 

[nicholsong]

We must have been on hundreds of Aires, and unless packed in like the last photo have never been on one where you can't have a table and chairs out, just a matter of space , never been told we couldn't either.
But saying that ,that's not meaning awnings and mats and fence's and stuff.

Are you using the word 'awning' to describe a wind-out canopy or a tent-style erection with walls? Both have been used on MH forums.

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