Suggestions for Aires (1 Viewer)

[Paulypaul]

We are going on our first trip in the van down to Spain and although we have "All the Aires" & "Campercontact" I was wondering if anyone has some recommendations about specific Aires?
We plan to get off the train and do about 4-5 hours on day one which should take us down to Chartres area for the first night then on day 2 we will head down to Irun so may go all the way or stop short a couple of hours.
It's all in the book and app but personal recommendations are far better.
Thanks,
Paul

 

[bigtree]

Marboue, just a bit further on than Chartres.

 

[Tanya_and_Mick]

Tonka's Western route to Spain

My often used, mostly toll free, route into Spain and to Benidorm in particular.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Tonka’s route has some suggested stop points

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[Paulypaul]

Thank you

 

[Boringfrog]

I don't like driving after dark in France so always try and get to an Aire before dusk.
1st night Val de Reuil, just South of Rouen. 2nd, Marboué as stated earlier. 3rd Vivonne, 4th an early start and try and push down to Hondarribia, Spain. I do use minimal Tolls.

 

[Lenny HB]

Have a look at my trips (links in my signature) I to take photos of all the Aires we stop at with coordinates.

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[Paulypaul]

Again, thanks very much to you all.

 

[peterc10]

Chartres to Irun in a day is doable, but I am not sure I would want to go that far. What's the hurry? We normally take 3 days at least to get to the Spanish border.

What time of year are you going? Are you using toll roads or trying to avoid them?

 

[tonka]

Marbou is a definite recommendation, nice spot.. But allow for the traffic as the ring rd can be busy and Marboue is 1/2 hours south once you hit the start of the N10.
Also if winter travel it gets dark early and they have very little street lights and no cats eye's. All adds to make driving a bit harder.
Chartes to Irun is a long drive, more than i would attempt if going non toll and in winter.
Either way Good luck, watch the weather forecast and have back up (safe) stopovers..

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[Mike800966]

Might I just add that Vivonne is lovely, right in the corner of the town square, interesting on Market Day!
Mike & Ann

 

[Paulypaul]

We are going down for christmas and although in a truck I would get down as far as I could every day using 9 or 10 hours driving time, I have a co pilot who is adamant she wants to be plotted up round about 14.00 each day. Suits me fine but I'm the sort that likes to have a plan of sorts, hence the post. Thanks to all who replied.

 

[DBK]

Given the time of year and it will be dark by five I suspect most places will all look the same soon after you arrive.

But if you want to push on a bit beyond Chartres you could consider the aire at Meung sur Loire.

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[rosalan]

Suits me fine but I'm the sort that likes to have a plan of sorts, hence the post. Thanks to all who replied.

The trouble with plans, they can go wrong and add stress. There really are so many possible Aires to stop at, why not decide when it is time to stop then look and see where there is close by. We have encountered some wonderful places using this criteria. Anyhow, the publican in the bar opposite Marbou seems a miserable chap unless he has moved on.

 

[Paulypaul]

I think we will aim for 4 hours drive on the Sunday when we get off the train then do 4 or 5 hours a day from then on. Like others have said, there's no rush and it would be nice to see a bit of the places we stop at.

 

[jumar]

Park4Night might give you some additional help to decide where to stay.....the reviews are always read before we choose......happy travels....

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[Parrot Face]

Marbou is a good recommendation. Also Bonneval as its not quite as far. Irun is too far and you will probably need to think about another stop. We always use Verteuil sur Charente, its free , has toilets and if you phone up or take a 5 minute walk to the mayors office you can get 16 amp electric for 2 euros. A lovely quiet location with a delightful town and chateau about 5 mins away.

 

[Paulypaul]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll definitely have a look.

 

[tonka]

I think we will aim for 4 hours drive on the Sunday when we get off the train then do 4 or 5 hours a day from then on. Like others have said, there's no rush and it would be nice to see a bit of the places we stop at.

When we do a winter trip its usually leave when light, 8-9am stop when dark 4pm ish..
December in central France can be very cold, poor weather etc. Fingers crossed you have a dry / warmer trip

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[Paulypaul]

When we do a winter trip its usually leave when light, 8-9am stop when dark 4pm ish..
December in central France can be very cold, poor weather etc. Fingers crossed you have a dry / warmer trip

That's pretty much what we thought we would do..if the weather is too cold we may just try to not dordle too much and get down towards warmer climates, after all, it's why we're going down to Beni and that coast.

One question, so we still need one of those marker boards for the bike rack even though it'll be folded up and nothing on it?

Thanks, Paul

 

[rosalan]

If you re not taking bikes, why not remove the bike rack?

 

[Paulypaul]

Cause I don't really want to start taking the van apart to remove the bike rack?

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[tonka]

It's not a problem. Just fold it up. . No need for marker board Afaik. I never used one and been lots of times with a rack folded flat.

 

[Paulypaul]

It's not a problem. Just fold it up. . No need for marker board Afaik. I never used one and been lots of times with a rack folded flat.

That's what I thought cause you wouldn't imagine it could be classed as rear projection? Might have to put the bikes on the back on the way home to make room for wine in the garage?

 

[jumar]

That's what I thought cause you wouldn't imagine it could be classed as rear projection? Might have to put the bikes on the back on the way home to make room for wine in the garage?

Then it required to display the rear marker board.....mine is on permanently weather carrying bikes or not. one less item to stow away.

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[Paulypaul]

Then it required to display the rear marker board.....mine is on permanently weather carrying bikes or not. one less item to stow away.

Exactly, I'll take the marker board just in case we do end up freeing some garage space.