What is the general etiquette for cooking outside at aires and camping car park type locations

[Tea Bag]

Yes.
Where we live many areas that had fixed barbecues have had them all removed due to the fire risks. Even smoking is not allowed in the country side my spanish neighbour told me.

Hi gus-lopez:
Very much like Here in Portugal,they are very strict about outside fires... NON. End of June July you have to have all your land Strimmed , if not you get a fine and if any council workers have to do it...you pay as well and the local council/GNR do patrols. In 2017 we were evacuated into Santa Comba dao as the fire had jumped the River Criz and came up the bank to us, burnt some of our land.Have photos of that and of us in our car and mo/ho cabbed up across from the Bombieros station.
Tea Bag

 

[Peregrinator]

Big No No, it's classed as camping which is not allowed, some Aires put facilities for BBQ, but most have been removed, read the signs, if you don't see a sign that says you can, then don't do it, we have seen locals complain for having chairs out, show respite for the locals, also take your waste with you, We always go around picking up all the rubbish and leave it cleaner then when we arrived, and put it in Black bin liners in appreciation for supplying the Aire, if you look after them, they will look after you.

Exactly. And whilst some say no cooking, others don’t mention it at all. So it is allowed.

I’m not going to light a charcoal barbecue under someone else’s window whilst parked on a tarmac carpark aire, with half a meter between units. But when I’m at an aire such as Milleray-sur-Seine where I get a big chunk of grass in my allotted area I will cook or eat outside.

They have printed a statement which say's, The "Aire de stationnement et de service" is designed for parking and providing essential services for travelers, not for recreational activities like barbecuing.

 

[Peregrinator]

This is France Government statement, it reads as follows: No, you cannot typically use chairs and tables at an Aire de stationnement et de service de La Mailleraye sur Seine, or any French aire for that matter. While these areas are designed for parking and brief stops, putting out chairs and tables is generally considered "camping behavior" and is not permitted on aires. Aires are intended for short stays, primarily for parking and using onboard facilities. If you require more space for activities like setting up chairs and tables, a campsite is the more appropriate option.

 

[AandL]

Our reason to get a 240v Bluetti type power pack is that we don’t like cooking inside our campervan. We generally set up a table outside and use a hob and Remoska and prepare the food.

We generally visit France, Spain and Portugal.

Is it generally acceptable to cook and prepare food outside when ‘wild’ camping in aires etc.

No do not set up anything outside.

 

[JHuwJ]

Thank you for all your responses.

I thought that it was generally the case that ‘camping’ was frowned upon.

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[Rog NotJane]

Where are these “rules” for Aires?

On the Campra site for one. The real difference is between parking and camping. Aires are overnight parking for motorhomes. Implicit in that is no chairs or cooking equipment outside the vehicle.

https://campra.org.uk/download/motorcaravan-overnight-parking-rules-on-an-aire/

That said, I think that the word aire is becoming overused and a lot of small municipal sites are now called aires but are not carparks, they're "small generally urban campsites run by local government bodies" and they allow parking not camping.

I think the main things when making the decision are common sense and consideration for others (and specifically don't imitate the French who often show neither . I'd particularly encourage being thoughtful about this is the UK where some councils are just embracing motorhome tourism and taking the piss might set that back.

 

[Just smiffy]

I break the rules everywhere, I always get a chair out wherever I am parked up….

 

[dunnah01]

I'm entitled so can ignore the rules. I will bleat about signs and height barriers being put up everywhere and be outraged that I can't live the 'lifestyle' promised in the sales brochure.

 

[jumar]

I break the rules everywhere, I always get a chair out wherever I am parked up….

Special case....but don't get that BBQ out..

 

[cyberyacht]

Do you do all your cooking inside the van?

Yes.

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[Langtoftlad]

Do you do all your cooking inside the van?

No I don't...
...don't cook
I use the restaurants, bars & cafés - which is what the place hope when they provide the aire .

 

[MarlyandMango]

Our reason to get a 240v Bluetti type power pack is that we don’t like cooking inside our campervan. We generally set up a table outside and use a hob and Remoska and prepare the food.

We generally visit France, Spain and Portugal.

Is it generally acceptable to cook and prepare food outside when ‘wild’ camping in aires etc.

Have used many Camping Car park sites and never had an issue as i dont cook inside or use aires. Prefer the security and facilities at Camping Car park sites for very little cost

 

[Lenny HB]

Have used many Camping Car park sites and never had an issue as i dont cook inside or use aires. Prefer the security and facilities at Camping Car park sites for very little cost

Camping Car Park sites are Aires.

 

[Just smiffy]

Special case....but don't get that BBQ out..

Don’t own one and will move if someone close lights one up….

 

[MarlyandMango]

Camping Car Park sites are Aires.

Ok i dont use Aires that are town car parks or motorway stops where there are no or little facilities or any other similar places

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[Peg Star]

I decided to have a look and see what the CampingCar Parks web site says, you can view the regulations for each site on the app but they are all in French.

Re tables and chairs it says,

Can I set up a table and chairs?​

Whether you can set up a table and chairs depends on the regulations of the stopover area:

• If the area follows "parking" regulations: Setting up outdoor furniture (table, chairs, awning, etc.) is not allowed to maintain the primary parking function.
• If the area follows "camping" regulations: You are generally allowed to set up outdoor furniture, as long as it does not exceed your pitch and remains respectful of other users. However, we recommend checking the local regulations displayed on-site or on the app.

Re BBQ's and general cooking it says,

Can I use a barbecue?​

Gas and charcoal barbecues are prohibited on all stopover areas. Electric barbecues and planchas are also not allowed.

I too have been studying the CCP rules and read the same a couple of days ago - some of the sites on the app have the ‘rules & regs’ in English and like you say most in French, however I cannot find anything anywhere confirming ‘parking’ or ‘camping’ regulations. The document for the Mon Village site I looked at still said ‘parking’ (was just general rules - nothing to do with getting chairs out etc) so non the wiser where this information will be.
We understand a lot of the areas are really so you can go and enjoy local eateries but unfortunately I’m veggie so not really compatible with French cuisine - even if appears veggie it is no doubt spiked with ‘gizzards’ somewhere along the line!! .
If there is at least a little bit of allocated ground around us we plug in griddle or hob .

 

[jongood]

Ok i dont use Aires that are town car parks or motorway stops where there are no or little facilities or any other similar places

This is another issue again, the britsh mh fraternity haven the word aire to mean somewhere to sleep in a motorhome, when it pretty much means area of. You actually want an Aire de Camping Car. So aire de jeux is a playground, aire de stationment means car park. The one you dont want to be on is Aire des gens de passage

 

[jongood]

Camping Car Park sites are Aires.

Tbf many of them are ex municipal camp sites and everyone seems to take a more relaxed view. I generally take my lead from the locals as Im never going to push it more than the french.

 

[Coolcats]

I’m not about BBQs. Just cooking. I don’t want to be at 40 degrees c, and then start cooking inside.

Haven’t you got air conditioning

 

[Fraser1203]

We were in the aire at Gérardmer last week, cheek to jowl with other MHs, and managed to get our chairs out at the side, having a pique-nique in the blazing sun, no cooking involved. An old French couple came marching over and told us no camping-behaviour allowed. She crossed the aire to a couple opposite us who were struggling with what looked like a long pasting table and told them the same, everyone's arms flailing

So not allowed...

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[MisterB]

Have you considered getting a Cadac and a Cadac trio ? Prior to trying to all electric, we could use our low pressure Cadac away from the motorhome using the Trio ....great at picnic spots if you want to utilise the picnic benches etc as it's LPG then there should be no issues re naked flames spitting embers or charcoal ashes starting fires.

Its also one of those few times in my opinion that the benefits a power pack could bring if you were to use an electric grill/BBQ/George Foreman etc away from the van, at the picnic table or sat by a river, lake or even the beach if it's not too windy !! BUT there's always going to be a Debbie Downer telling you not to, if it's not prohibited then it's allowed in my mind, just be sensible....

 

[MisterB]

We were in the aire at Gérardmer last week, cheek to jowl with other MHs, and managed to get our chairs out at the side, having a pique-nique in the blazing sun, no cooking involved. An old French couple came marching over and told us no camping-behaviour allowed. She crossed the aire to a couple opposite us who were struggling with what looked like a long pasting table and told them the same, everyone's arms flailing

So not allowed...

In those circumstances, I would consider moving away from the van and taking my chairs and picnic with me !!
If you're away from your van it isn't camping it's having a picnic ....

 

[jumar]

We are currently parked, yes parked in a large grassy area in Galicia, adjacent to a wonderful beach..
We haven't got a Table and chairs out and have just eaten our lunch in the comfort of our MH....so no laws broken there.

If we were to have arrived at the very same location in our car, took out a table and chairs and ate our lunch, no law broken..we are having a Picnic...

Regarding the comment by MisterB about using a power bank to cook on, great idea.In fact to go one better, I used my hook up cable (Black) Eurozone van, and plugged into my 220v outlet in the garage, I then set the induction hob up 25m.away in a designated Picnic area, with Picnic benches and tables..what law am I breaking there.

 

[yodeli]

obliged me to take the national roadsthey are all in French.

Send me a pic and I'll tell you what it says!

Hi all!
You're English so : On aires I would say, follow the rules written on the aire signs.
If you think you are able to argue with the municipal police ... in FRENCH , it's up to you, but you'de rather have good reasons. Mainly you'd better not be responsible of setting fire.
We are all very tired with the lack of attention of the tourists in France. It costs desasters, lives, countryside being destroyed, with their animals.

At this period, deffo NO Barbecue, NO hob , no nothing being hot. If you park up on dry grass with a very hot engine , you already are a danger for the surroundings.

IF you are on tarmak then make sure (REALLY SURE!!!!) that all is cold when you're finished

I was on the road going to Spain to take my school friend, completly tied up because of her 2 shoulders being broken, to the Spanish frontier where her SIL was to pick her up and take her to Miami Playa, where she lives.

Different accidents on A61 then on A9 obliged me to take roads instead of motoways. When I wanted to go back to my place from La Junquera, a huge fire was taking place on the A61. It took me a 9,5 hours drive while 5 hours would have been enough to do both ways. The fire lasted 4 days , and what set it? A barbecue not properly extinguished. Wind, which is very frequent in this region, didn't help.

Every year we have to face fires mainly set by human lack of attention. Ciggies in car just flying away though the car window.

Can you please in summer try to be more careful. When there's wind and it's dry around you please forget about barbecue. A small pleasure which can turn other people's life into a nightmare.

Won't annoy you anymore (this year) with my way of lecturing you! Please , think twice!

 

[yodeli]

I’m not about BBQs. Just cooking. I don’t want to be at 40 degrees c, and then start cooking inside.

And .... How about having a salad?

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[jumar]

Well said Frankie...

 

[vzac]

I decided to have a look and see what the CampingCar Parks web site says, you can view the regulations for each site on the app but they are all in French.

Re tables and chairs it says,

Can I set up a table and chairs?​

Whether you can set up a table and chairs depends on the regulations of the stopover area:

• If the area follows "parking" regulations: Setting up outdoor furniture (table, chairs, awning, etc.) is not allowed to maintain the primary parking function.
• If the area follows "camping" regulations: You are generally allowed to set up outdoor furniture, as long as it does not exceed your pitch and remains respectful of other users. However, we recommend checking the local regulations displayed on-site or on the app.

Re BBQ's and general cooking it says,

Can I use a barbecue?​

Gas and charcoal barbecues are prohibited on all stopover areas. Electric barbecues and planchas are also not allowed.

It will tell you at the entrance of a cca as to the code of practices you are allow d to or otherwise. Generally if the site is an ex municipal campsite then you can but if purely an aire no.

 

[pandas]

Haven’t you got air conditioning

Or much else

 

[Simon Meadwell]

So can you get chairs out etc on municipal sites taken over by ccp?

 

[vzac]

So can you get chairs out etc on municipal sites taken over by ccp?

Depends on the individual site regs. They show it on the app and on the sign at the entrance as to what can or not be used. Generally though ex camp sites are allowed camping practice.

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