Paying for an aire (1 Viewer)

keith

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Aug 25, 2007
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We have had both but it's the ticket machines that are most difficult if ypou don't speak or read the local language. Some require you to pay to enter then give out a ticket that has a number on that has to be tapped in to open the barrier when you want to leave.

It may be possible to use your C C to pay but the last time we used this method no charge was made on our card, so maybe they don't like foreign cards.
 

funflair

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Tokens?? now I am even more confused but glad I asked :doh:

Hi David

Some places you buy tokens in the town to get water from the Bourne or whatever the service point is called.

In our experience nearly every system is different which is what makes it so exciting.

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Forestboy

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Tokens?? now I am even more confused but glad I asked :doh:

:rofl::rofl:
Sorry didn't mean to confuse you the Flot Blue, Bourne call it what you will often only accept tokens if you need water but you can empty for free. A lot are outside campsites or near a tourist office . Then we will get a token or 2 even if we filled up on site before leaving so we have a small collection for emergencies. (y)
Hope that makes sense.
 

DBK

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You need to buy the All the Aires book from Vicarious Books. It has descriptions and advice on how to use the various machines. Tokens you will probably have to buy from a local shop.
 

Forestboy

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And some don't charge at all , I found several free ones and some where the only charge was for fresh water 10 mins for 2€


Had one this year two tokens for water but as soon as you released the trigger the bloody thing finished. Was filling into barrels so got caught on swapping the first barrel. Needed 4 barrels of water :eek: Learnt the hard way on that one didn't get caught with the next two tokens ;)
 

tambo

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Had one this year two tokens for water but as soon as you released the trigger the bloody thing finished. Was filling into barrels so got caught on swapping the first barrel. Needed 4 barrels of water :eek: Learnt the hard way on that one didn't get caught with the next two tokens ;)
Ha ha I never took any chances I kept the trigger running :) filled the 200 litre tank and then 4 20 litre drinking water bottles then I ran out of receptacles :p
 
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DavidG58
Feb 24, 2013
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You need to buy the All the Aires book from Vicarious Books. It has descriptions and advice on how to use the various machines. Tokens you will probably have to buy from a local shop.

Thanks DBK, we do already have the book

As you say it has advice, but what about these bloody token thingies

Are they the same all over the country? that would help

If you arrive after hours with no token, what do you do?

Are there some that you need a token just to gain access?

:D

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DavidG58
Feb 24, 2013
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:rofl::rofl:
Sorry didn't mean to confuse you the Flot Blue, Bourne call it what you will often only accept tokens if you need water but you can empty for free. A lot are outside campsites or near a tourist office . Then we will get a token or 2 even if we filled up on site before leaving so we have a small collection for emergencies. (y)
Hope that makes sense.


It helps a little thanks, when you say 'small collection' are there different tokens

I feel a need to get some tokens (just in case) (y)
 
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DavidG58
Feb 24, 2013
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Hi David

Some places you buy tokens in the town to get water from the Bourne or whatever the service point is called.

In our experience nearly every system is different which is what makes it so exciting.

I am too old to go looking for excitement, getting up in the morning is enough of a thrill :LOL:
 

vwalan

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usually you get them from the marie,s office . possibly a newsagent . they arent all the same .
but its not worth worrying about .

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tambo

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To be honest in the 13 days I was in france I never used my aires book once I just looked for the motorhome signs and followed them and never had to buy tokens either so wouldn't worry about it there's hundreds of them so if you go in to one and it doesn't suit just drive to another
 

s7ev0

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Hi David,

The tokens are all different and don't always fit from one aire to another. There's a page in the All the Aires books that shows what they might look like.

We needed water on one on a bank holiday weekend when the shops were shut, but we bought one from a French motorhomer on the aire, so we could fill up.

We'd recommend just going for it! As vwalan says, it's really not worth worrying about!

Steve :Smile:
 

Roryboys Dad

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The tokens are called Jetons and are usually bought from local Tabacs, Tourist Office, Mairie or perhaps Boulangerie.
It will tell you where and when to get them somewhere on the Borne or close by.

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DavidG58
Feb 24, 2013
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I am really grateful for the replies and reassurances

Will give it a go and report back

These tokens are concerning me though, I don't like uncertainty
 

Steve101uk

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There is usually a notice board at the aire and that will tell you where to buy the Jeton (Token). Its easy to work out even when its written in French. Failing that ask someone. Just say Jeton and they will know what it is you want.

I always fill up with water before leaving so I arrive with a full tank, just in case we have any difficulty getting water. (which we never have!) Its also worth making sure you have a hose pipe and some different sized fittings, but again 99.9% of them time I found the standard UK hozelock style fitting worked.

Now you can stop worrying about the tokens and start thinking about the wine..the food, the cheap fuel, the roads, the countryside, the peace.........
 
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Chockswahay

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We've rarely paid for water or even an aire in France. One trick I do is to take a watering can. It is much easier filling up 10 litres at a time plus you can park up 'before a French van takes the last space' LOL...

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brynric

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"I am determined to use more but still unsure of how it works"

The French are also unsure of how they work, there's always puzzled looks.
We are currently 4 days into our trip and these are the results

Le Crotoy 5€, parking ticket at machine.
Veulettes 5€, man called in evening
Etretat 8€, take ticket, drive in and pay on exit
Honfleur 10€, parking ticket.

Here at Honfleur it's packed (200vans) and a fairly scruffy car park but it's fantastic value to stay just a few hundred yards from the old town centre with views over the port.
Bayeaux tomorrow.
 
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DavidG58
Feb 24, 2013
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Now you can stop worrying about the tokens and start thinking about the wine..the food, the cheap fuel, the roads, the countryside, the peace.........

I have that bit well under control, but really appreciate the help on access issues

One thing I think we will do is not leave it too late arriving, there should be space and the shops will be open to buy the jeton

(y)

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scousebird

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I thought the point of these aires was that they were free but now I'm seeing they can cost up to 10 euros? Is that for one night?

Not all aires are free but we have found lots of them are. They also vary greatly in standard, facilities and space. Go with an open mind and if you don't like it when you arrive, move on. We have found some wonderful spots and explored towns & villages that we wouldn't have bothered with otherwise.

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tambo

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I thought the point of these aires was that they were free but now I'm seeing they can cost up to 10 euros? Is that for one night?
I found the free ones were the ones with only 2 or 3 vans on them ....The ones I liked.

The ones that charged were usually packed like sardines .....i just drove past them and usually another one within 30 mins

The campsites I used were €12 per night
 
May 7, 2011
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Hi , First time we went to an aire we bought 3 tokens /jetons thinking they would be the same at most aires, but now after 8 trips to france and been to quite a lot of aires we haven't found any machine that the the 2 extra ones fit, so only buy what you need , Or you could purchase these two jetons that don't seem to fit anywhere at a special price !! only joking :D ( too tight to give away or throw away:p). No doubt they will travel with us for the next few trips o_O.
Terry

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