Is Camping-Car Park as good as it sounds?

[Notts Archer]

I’m thinking of using the Camping-Car Park app when I go touring in a couple of weeks and know there are funsters out there that use it, but is it as good and reliable as it sounds?

 

[LaurenceT]

We're going over on Tuesday and we're taking a punt on it. I've loaded the card with enough for 6 nights according to their website, I'm still not totally sure about the difference between them and the historical method of just turning up and taking pot luck apart from the ability to check on available spaces.

 

[dunnah01]

100% reliable for the few times I've used it. It's creeping across Europe unfortunately but this must prove there is a healthy market for it.

 

[ctc]

We found that the best were usually ex municipal sites.

 

[Notts Archer]

We're going over on Tuesday and we're taking a punt on it. I've loaded the card with enough for 6 nights according to their website, I'm still not totally sure about the difference between them and the historical method of just turning up and taking pot luck apart from the ability to check on available spaces.

That sounds a good option. Thanks.

We found that the best were usually ex municipal sites.

Most of the municipal sites I’ve used in the past have been good but does the app indicate that they are ex-municipal or you find out when you get there?

100% reliable for the few times I've used it.

Thats sounds positive. Thanks.

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[LaurenceT]

Are they still subject to the "parking not camping regulations" ie not putting chairs out?

 

[ctc]

That sounds a good option. Thanks.

Most of the municipal sites I’ve used in the past have been good but does the app indicate that they are ex-municipal or you find out when you get there?


Thats sounds positive. Thanks.

Mainly asking neighbours or it was just a pleasant surprise.

 

[Steve101uk]

We use them. Generally very good. wifi often a bit weak but you get electric and water etc. I just top up as I need, usually add 15 euro at a time. I like that you can look on the app and see how many spaces are avalibale before you arrive.

 

[jumar]

We use them, they are fine for us, secure, fairly clean, in good locations and not costly at all...will use then again this year if we cross the border....

 

[Barti Ddu]

Only used one once last year in Saumur on the island in the middle of the Loire. Very easy and efficient. We arrived. We paid by credit card the correct amount for one night plus an additional 5 € for the card. The machine dispensed a card, barrier lifted, and in we went. We've got the card now should we use one again. Nice enough, but a bit overpriced, but good location. We'll use them again if the site is where we want to be, but wouldn't go seeking them out especially.

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[Littlewheels]

Are they still subject to the "parking not camping regulations" ie not putting chairs out?

The pitches tend to be on the generous side so chairs etc are not a problem,it’s wise to put them away when not in use.
l enjoy the facility of checking if space is available.

 

[huck999]

They are generally very good, but do check recent reviews.We have found many of the older ex municipal site to be run down and unloved. Same price to enter though - €10 - €15.
Wifi usually rubbish. Water and waste usually very good although black waste normally requires gauntlets and full ppe. No electric.
Best bit is that the locations are normally very good and you can often book a place ahead of arrival.
Money is taken when you leave, so you will need to top up card with sufficient funds before the barrier will open.
Everyone seems to leave at the same time, so getting to dump and fill may involve a wait most mornings.

 

[LesW]

Some even allow tents, I'm expecting to use some when I drive down to Portugal in my car next week.

 

[OwnedbyCollies]

We have used a few - mainly for transit stops. Wide variety of experiences - some brand new with fabulous facilities ( Villandry, Formerie) others quite basic and a little run down. We don’t have the pack privileges. Reassuringly, there is a good phone support (English speaking) for any problems.

On one of our first stops we could not get the barrier to lift to let us out - we tried everything then resorted to a phone call. The guy on the end of the phone could see us on camera and told us to drive closer to the barrier (I had stopped slightly short to let Andrew out to do the card)

 

[LaurenceT]

Another question, is the Pack Privileges a physical card only or can you just sign up online and use the app to book ahead?

Edit: just seen you can sign up online and the app will let you reserve in advance, not sure I'm going to bother for June.

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[Aly1]

I use them and they do vary a lot in space etc but are usually good. I am presently on a municipal site in La Chartre sur Loir for just under £12 a night, loads of room and a view of the river.

 

[Zigisla]

We used them for the first time this year. Found them to be good size pitches, water and electric are all included as is an often weak wifi. I did find them a tad expensive for what they are, but were often the only option in the areas we wanted. Found one for €13:60 opposite a campsite for €14:00 so guess where we went!!
Overall I would use them again because of the ability to book on the day and you know you can get in. Always read reviews though.

 

[Solwaybuggier]

Most of the ex-municipal sites we've been on have been labelled as Camping de Mon Village - they have a different symbol on the app map. They allow caravans and tents on but only in high season, whereas motorhomes can go on all the time they're open.

There are also some former municipal aires set up as CCPs - one or two we've seen have been a bit basic compared to the norm. We like CCPs, and as others have said the ability to monitor vacancies is useful. We've not so far bothered with the pack privileges, although probably would if we went at busier times. As already said, well worth checking reviews.

There's another scheme in France, which we've never used, but appears to link a lot of non-CCP aires, Aire Park Reservation - has anyone used it?

 

[DBK]

I've just done a count up and we've used 24 different CCP sites on this trip.

They do vary, we've been on some crackers but others, like the new one at Roscoff, are less attractive.

Be warned they are getting popular with the French! You can see how full they are on the app but if you want a popular one it may be necessary to book which you can only do 48 hours in advance although the app shows an alternative way for same day booking but I think this incurs charges and I haven't used it.

We only booked one, for last night at Roscoff which gave us a short trip to the ferry this morning after emptying the cassette. It wasn't full but was probably 75% full. We've been on a couple which were full, this was on weekends.

 

[Notts Archer]

Thanks for all the responses particularly as they tend to be positive. I’m not too bothered on whether there is wifi or not and even some ACSI sites have some interesting waste disposal systems. As for waiting to empty when leaving I have found that at club sites over here can be just the same.
I’ve been convinced to give a go and start with enough credit for a couple of bookings.
Would I be correct in saying that, like aires if you drive out for the day you ‘loose’ your spot and will need to book in again, assuming there is a place?

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[DumfriesDik]

We’re in France now and have used a couple of them. Both good.
The second one we booked on the day so we had a pitch. You have to pay an annual fee for this service.
It’s been mentioned before, if you go in and come out, you will be charged a dumping fee. So, if you’re not sure go in on foot and check it out, don’t drive round!!

 

[Solwaybuggier]

Would I be correct in saying that, like aires if you drive out for the day you ‘loose’ your spot and will need to book in again, assuming there is a place?

I think you can keep your space if you buy the Pack'Privileges (because you've already booked the space) - it certainly looks that way, but we've not bought it so far.

 

[cb_stalbans]

Do the sites that are ex-municipal campsites have shower and toilet blocks available still? Or are the old toilet and shower blocks locked up and cannot be used?

 

[DBK]

Thanks for all the responses particularly as they tend to be positive. I’m not too bothered on whether there is wifi or not and even some ACSI sites have some interesting waste disposal systems. As for waiting to empty when leaving I have found that at club sites over here can be just the same.
I’ve been convinced to give a go and start with enough credit for a couple of bookings.
Would I be correct in saying that, like aires if you drive out for the day you ‘loose’ your spot and will need to book in again, assuming there is a place?

There are 2 rates for paying. A 5 hour rate and a 24 hour rate. The clock starts when you enter and if you leave before 5 hours are up you pay the lower rate. If you stay longer you will go onto the 24 hour rate.

You can leave before your 24 hours are up and return without extra charges, assuming you then leave before the 24 hour period is up otherwise it will start charging you for the next day. The app shows your current stay to the minute so you can see when you need to leave.

If you want to go shopping and return to the same spot you would need to leave something behind. However, if the site fills up while you are away you won't be able to get back on unless you have booked it. It's unlikely to fill up but it can happen.

 

[DBK]

Do the sites that are ex-municipal campsites have shower and toilet blocks available still? Or are the old toilet and shower blocks locked up and cannot be used?

Most are closed, except the Mon Village ones. These are usually only open in July and August be we found one which had the toilet block open in April.

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[denisejoe]

We're going over for a month and put some money on it when we went over last time which we didn't use so there's enough on the card for 5 or 6 nights on CCP. I certainly won't be putting a large sum on again but will pay as we go. We're happy to use them if they are where we want to be but also happy to use other aires or municipals.

 

[Stoosal]

Used a few times. Provide usual services but are just the same as various other Aires. You can book a space using the privileges scheme but not an allocated space ie if you leave for the day you can’t reserve your pitch. Same as most Aires in that ‘camping’ is not allowed unless it is particularly specified that you can eg barbecues/awnings etc.
Seem to be more and more of theses sites. I can only assume for most towns getting a company to run their aire will generate revenue for them without the hassle of having to do it themselves and still attracts visitors into their town. It’s a win/win for them.

 

[DumfriesDik]

Worth mentioning that there is a payment machine and a different machine to lift the barrier.

When you book on the day the 24 hour period starts with your booking, not when you enter the site.

When booked in advance, ignore the payment machine, just show the barrier you membership card.

I called the help line and it was excellent. I have a lot of confidence with CCP.

Best of luck.

 

[bellabee]

We use them when they're in a location we want to visit. As others have said, they vary enormously. Some are very good - others less so.

We have never booked, and I think its worth noting that, in popular aires where there are no marked-out pitches, such as the very popular and well-located aire at La Roque sur Ceze, it is possible that you could book a pitch, only to find no obvious, available space, on arrival.

If others have already parked and spaced themselves out with awnings etc, or if a large vehicle has taken up a disproportionate amount of space, you may not find room, without asking others to re-arrange themselves (this may or may not bother you). Certainly at La Roque sur Ceze, by late afternoon, the app was showing 6 of 28 places as being available. We were already on the aire and couldn't identify spaces where new arrivals would have been able to park without really squashing themselves in. We saw several other vans arrive at the barrier, look at the aire and drive away. I suspect that we would have done the same.

We can't really see the benefit in pre-loading the card. We just put our card in the machine and top it up sufficiently to get out of each aire.

All-in-all, we like Camping Carparks. While we do not seek them out, we are more than happy to use them.

 

[Neil S]

That sounds a good option. Thanks.

Most of the municipal sites I’ve used in the past have been good but does the app indicate that they are ex-municipal or you find out when you get there?


Thats sounds positive. Thanks.

If its listed as Camping Mon site on the app then its an ex municipal that CCP have taken over

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