Camping Car Parks avoid getting ripped off

[orridge]

Just to let people know if you drive into a Camping Carpark and immdediately leave you are still charged for minimum 5 hour rate.

We went to stay at the CCP at Souppes-Sure-Loing https://www.campingcarpark.com/en_GB/reviews/souppes-sur-loing and the pitches were all over grown, rutted and some filled with water.

There was hand written signs saying to park on the path and the sanitary facilities were not opened, there was only one battered old transit van parked up so we left And went elsewhere.

After speaking with Customer customer support they would not refund the euro 5.50 for the 8 minutes we stayed on the site and did not use any facilities so left a sour tast after trying to use CCP for the first time.

 

[Ivory55]

What it’s always saying on here how wonderful france is and the Uk a rip off

 

[MisterB]

We have noticed that CCP seem to be taking over a few Aires that were originally free. The last one we went to, we actually parked outside and walked in to the check the 'facilities', we decided not to stay and moved onto somewhere else, that incidentally was free (quelle surprise lol), the only difference was no EHU on the free Aire.

 

[orridge]

I should have added will do that in future before going in. We are staying at a campsite in Amboise in the Loire valley and the CCP site right next door to looks a million times better than the first one we visited.

 

[Arnside037]

We thought about joining the Camping Carparks but decided against it as they ony appeared to have 300 sits, many of which weren't in the areas that we wanted to visit. So far there have been plenty of other aires available to us and we have been over here in France for five days. (Four of the days off grid and full cloud cover has meant that we have no battery power left so its had to be a pitch with ehu for today.) Forecast isnt that good either, grump grump. Just have to drink more wine and calvados.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Wizz]

We recently stayed at 4 different Camping Car Park sites, in the South West of France, our first experience of using them. We paid between 8 Euros and the most expensive @13 Euros to stay. This last one included a 20% discount at the local golf course ,a discount of 18.5 Euros, (which we made use of) which made this particular stop very cheap. We found each of the sites very good, clean and tidy, with decent pitches.
We will certainly be using the company again when next visiting France.
If memory serves me correctly, I think there is facility just to use their services, electric, disposal facilities, bins etc for a minimal time for which they charge an entrance fee around 5.5 Euros. This may be why the OP was charged a fee...

 

[Chuns]

They have always struck me as being helpful, friendly, and very customer-centric, though I have never encountered that. I wouldn't mind betting a letter or email to their headquarters will get you a refund. If you do so, please let us know how you get on.

 

[emjaiuk]

Just to let people know if you drive into a Camping Carpark and immdediately leave you are still charged for minimum 5 hour rate.

We went to stay at the CCP at Souppes-Sure-Loing https://www.campingcarpark.com/en_GB/reviews/souppes-sur-loing and the pitches were all over grown, rutted and some filled with water.

There was hand written signs saying to park on the path and the sanitary facilities were not opened, there was only one battered old transit van parked up so we left And went elsewhere.

After speaking with Customer customer support they would not refund the euro 5.50 for the 8 minutes we stayed on the site and did not use any facilities so left a sour tast after trying to use CCP for the first time.

Sorry, but I don’t consider that a rip off. You go past the barrier you pay. In 8 minutes you could have serviced your van, and if you just want to have a look, walk in. I’ve been using CCPs regularly for several years and I don’t recognize your description of a CCP, I think you must have been very unlucky. Did it match the online description on their website or app?

 

[DBK]

Just to let people know if you drive into a Camping Carpark and immdediately leave you are still charged for minimum 5 hour rate.

We went to stay at the CCP at Souppes-Sure-Loing https://www.campingcarpark.com/en_GB/reviews/souppes-sur-loing and the pitches were all over grown, rutted and some filled with water.

There was hand written signs saying to park on the path and the sanitary facilities were not opened, there was only one battered old transit van parked up so we left And went elsewhere.

After speaking with Customer customer support they would not refund the euro 5.50 for the 8 minutes we stayed on the site and did not use any facilities so left a sour tast after trying to use CCP for the first time.

That's not a typical CCP site but they do vary and it pays to check before entering. We will be using a few on our trip starting next week. I wouldn't let your experience put you off.

 

[denisejoe]

We use a combination of CCP and other aires. It just depends where we are when we decide to park up or whether we actually need EHU which is only if it's very cold and we want to use the fan heater and oil filled radiator - our heating and hot water is gas only or we need to top up the batteries after several days of grey and gloomy weather.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pappajohn]

I assume they have your bank details?
If not tell them to whistle.
To get your money back go on another CCP but cover your number plates (assuming it's auto number plate recognision cameras)

 

[Charente16]

In many cases the local Communes' are still responsible for the maintenance of CCP sites and by French local gouvernment thinking, holiday makers' should not arrive until the 15th of May and depart by the 15th of September! At least those are the times our local municipal run campsite is open.

I use CCP aires, by preference, because I know everything I need will be working. The Sanitary Blocks in some 'Mon Village' sites are only open during the main holiday period - see above......

 

[emjaiuk]

I assume they have your bank details?
If not tell them to whistle.
To get your money back go on another CCP but cover your number plates (assuming it's auto number plate recognision cameras)

That’s nonsense. Its not. If you don’t have credit on your card you don’t get out.

 

[Chuns]

pappajohn, the way it works is that you load your account with a few Euros, and when you present your card at the barrier it checks that you have enough credit (and if you don't you can add money right there), and if you do it lets you in. You present your card at the exit, and your account is debited the appropriate amount. Covering numberplates achieves nothing, it is the use of the card that is the 'key'.

 

[Dorwyn]

You just have to get used to how it works. It is not a rip off organisation, if it were they would have no customers. You've been charged on the assumption that you have used their facilities. Contact them for a refund, and explain that you did not understand their system. You may be lucky, or you can just put it down to experience. I avoid them because I prefer to use free ones if available. That doesn't mean I will never use them. And posting that on here is bound to be pounced on by the French haters and gives the wrong impression to others who don't know the system.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[huck999]

We love the sites.
Plenty of reviews to check before booking, not only their own pages but search4sites and camper contact etc.
Souppes-sur-loing reviews clearly state that this is a bare-bones site that has recently been taken over from the Mayorie.
No doubt it will be improved in time.
Dont let one site cloud your experience. Most are excellent.

 

[adonisito]

Yes, we’ve visited at least a dozen CCP sites, most are absolutely fine. A bit pricier than other aires but convenient and safe. As above says, check on Park4nite or similar first.

 

[VXman]

A couple of things...

1. I don't get this 5 hour thing. As far as I knew you get 24 hours from the time you enter. If you leave after 8 minutes then tough.

2. I wasn't aware that any had toilet facilities. I thought it was electric, water, waste and wifi. Or by sanitary do you mean chemical toilet empty point?

They do vary a bit in the way they are maintained but they are maintained by local operators not centrally.

We have had a few issues like when we couldn't get out due to a malfunctioning gate. Or we had credit but it didn't recognise it. Or when we were told we could leave during our stay to drive out for a meal but then it charged us twice. But on all occasions we have found thier customer services on the phone excellent and always sorted out refunds etc.

 

[emjaiuk]

A couple of things...

1. I don't get this 5 hour thing. As far as I knew you get 24 hours from the time you enter. If you leave after 8 minutes then tough.

2. I wasn't aware that any had toilet facilities. I thought it was electric, water, waste and wifi. Or by sanitary do you mean chemical toilet empty point?

Stays are per 24 hours from arrival time. There is a reduced rate for a 5 hour rest or short term parking, which also allows use of all facilities.

Some are ex municipal campsites and retain the original campsite facilities.

 

[Lenny HB]

the way it works is that you load your account with a few Euros, and when you present your card at the barrier it checks that you have enough credit (and if you don't you can add money right there), and if you do it lets you in.

That's not the way it works, you don't need any credit on your card to get in but you can't get out until you have topped up your card. That's what we do just put on the card what we need to get out.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[DerryW]

On the odd occasions we've used CCP found the sites more than sufficient for our needs. nice and clean, secure, quite and value for money. Will defiantly be using again.

 

[Lenny HB]

I've used them a few times when needed but they are often expensive for what they are.
They vary a lot no set standard.
The last one we used was just a fenced off area of a car park, absolute crap.

 

[Ivory55]

When we used to go, the price of an acsi site with all amenities it wasn’t worth going anywhere else

 

[pappajohn]

That’s nonsense. Its not. If you don’t have credit on your card you don’t get out.

pappajohn, the way it works is that you load your account with a few Euros, and when you present your card at the barrier it checks that you have enough credit (and if you don't you can add money right there), and if you do it lets you in. You present your card at the exit, and your account is debited the appropriate amount. Covering numberplates achieves nothing, it is the use of the card that is the 'key'.

Never having used one i assumed it would be an ANPR system linked to an account.

 

[MichaelT]

I've used them a few times when needed but they are often expensive for what they are.
They vary a lot no set standard.
The last one we used was just a fenced off area of a car park, absolute crap.

Was waiting for that remark

They like all sites/Aires etc. vary but the majority we have used are like described above, of a good standard, most have EHU and wifi if you want it, they all have inclusive services, generally secure and you can look on the web to see how busy they are. Costs do vary but would not say they are expensive but obvisouly more than a free one.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Wizz]

A couple of things...

1. I don't get this 5 hour thing. As far as I knew you get 24 hours from the time you enter. If you leave after 8 minutes then tough.

2. I wasn't aware that any had toilet facilities. I thought it was electric, water, waste and wifi. Or by sanitary do you mean chemical toilet empty point?

They do vary a bit in the way they are maintained but they are maintained by local operators not centrally.

We have had a few issues like when we couldn't get out due to a malfunctioning gate. Or we had credit but it didn't recognise it. Or when we were told we could leave during our stay to drive out for a meal but then it charged us twice. But on all occasions we have found thier customer services on the phone excellent and always sorted out refunds etc.

This lift from the CCP Web site may answer your question.
And yes, some do have toilets which can be accessed with the members entry card, by touch system.

 

[599]

Just to let people know if you drive into a Camping Carpark and immdediately leave you are still charged for minimum 5 hour rate.

We went to stay at the CCP at Souppes-Sure-Loing https://www.campingcarpark.com/en_GB/reviews/souppes-sur-loing and the pitches were all over grown, rutted and some filled with water.

There was hand written signs saying to park on the path and the sanitary facilities were not opened, there was only one battered old transit van parked up so we left And went elsewhere.

After speaking with Customer customer support they would not refund the euro 5.50 for the 8 minutes we stayed on the site and did not use any facilities so left a sour tast after trying to use CCP for the first time.

ppes-sur-loing and the pitches were all over grown, rutted and some filled with water.

There was hand written signs saying to park on the path and the sanitary facilities were not opened, there was only one battered old transit van parked up so we left And went elsewhere.

After speaking with Customer customer support they would not refund the euro 5.50 for the 8 minutes we stayed on the site and did not use any facilities so left a sour tast after trying to use CCP for the first

Sorry, but I don’t consider that a rip off. You go past the barrier you pay. In 8 minutes you could have serviced your van, and if you just want to have a look, walk in. I’ve been using CCPs regularly for several years and I don’t recognize your description of a CCP, I think you must have been very unlucky. Did it match the online description on their website or app?

he went to 1 out of over 300 you are bound to come across a few the . ones they have taken over from the municipal sites are still being changed to accommodate m/h's like this one electric /water wifi 9.99 euros if people say they are expensive they must be touring on a shoe string this is one make hard standing these are our aires we have stopped on so far

Sorry, but I don’t consider that a rip off. You go past the barrier you pay. In 8 minutes you could have serviced your van, and if you just want to have a look, walk in. I’ve been using CCPs regularly for several years and I don’t recognize your description of a CCP, I think you must have been very unlucky. Did it match the online description on their website or app?

 

[599]

this is a camping car park overlooking the alps the rest just random photos

 

[Neil S]

A couple of things...

1. I don't get this 5 hour thing. As far as I knew you get 24 hours from the time you enter. If you leave after 8 minutes then tough.

2. I wasn't aware that any had toilet facilities. I thought it was electric, water, waste and wifi. Or by sanitary do you mean chemical toilet empty point?

They do vary a bit in the way they are maintained but they are maintained by local operators not centrally.

We have had a few issues like when we couldn't get out due to a malfunctioning gate. Or we had credit but it didn't recognise it. Or when we were told we could leave during our stay to drive out for a meal but then it charged us twice. But on all occasions we have found thier customer services on the phone excellent and always sorted out refunds etc.

We used this one in 2021 , it had really modern clean seated toilets and showers accessed by swiping your CCP card , I've used about 20 of their aires and never had a bad one yet

 

[Solwaybuggier]

The Souppes sur Loing CCP is actually not a CCP proper, it’s a Camping de Mon Village - ie it’s an ex Municipal campsite. On their website & app, they do distinguish the 2 categories. We stopped there just after it converted several years ago and it was very much “just being worked on”! Shame really as the municipality closed down the old canalside aire at the same time.

Our experience is most CCPs are good standard but there are certainly exceptions. The reviews on the app (mostly in French) do give a pretty realistic perspective on individual CCPs.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}