Planning to go to France with a motorhome or campervan? Need to keep in free or low-cost in a single day stopovers as a substitute of pricy campsites? Then Aires could be for you! If you happen to’re questioning what’s a French Aire, right here’s the whole lot it’s good to find out about how one can discover low-cost or free in a single day stopovers as you journey– with out reserving something upfront.
Don’t neglect to seize your FREE France journey guidelines under to assist hold you organised.
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Discover France by motorhome utilizing French Aires
We love touring France in our motorhome. It’s a fantastic nation and having the ability to discover in our personal automobile permits us to discover as many chateaux, vineyards and seashores as we like!
We hardly ever have a route or itinerary deliberate out aside from the tunnel or ferry, so having the ability to discover French aires as we go is ideal for us- it provides us the pliability to cease in an space for some time or drive someplace totally different if it takes our fancy.
However HOW will we do that? How will we journey to a different nation with out reserving any in a single day motorhome parking stopovers upfront? Reply- we use a beautiful system known as French Aires.
Confused already? No concept what I’m speaking about? Don’t worry- we didn’t know aires existed till we purchased our first camper, so that you’re not alone! On this publish, I’m going to share all about how one can discover, use and luxuriate in French aires together with your motorhome or campervan- and open up an entire new world of freedom for you.
NOTE: it is a massive, in-depth information. If you wish to obtain it for FREE, click on right here
What’s an aire in France?
There are literally a number of sorts of ‘aire’ in France.
Aire de service which means
An ‘aire de service’ is an ‘space of service’ or a service space, usually discovered on French motorways and infrequently have waste amenities and authorised parking bays for motorhomes.
They’re the identical as a service station within the UK and supply gas, bathrooms, eating places, a store and so forth and so forth. You’ll be able to usually purchase refillable fuel from an aire de service too, though not at all times. There’ll usually be a merchandising machine for warm drinks and typically a microwave for public use too.
In an aire de service, you’ll usually discover motorhome disposal factors, the place you may pay a few euro to empty your waste tank and bathroom, and refill with recent water. It’s not at all times clear if the water is appropriate for consuming or not; if unsure, don’t put it in your recent water tank or use chemical substances like this to make it protected for consuming.
In a single day Tenting Automotive parking French motorway
Are you able to keep in a single day in an ‘aire de service’ on a French motorway? Sure, usually it’s allowed. They usually have particular motorhome parking areas and there will probably be an allowed time you’re allowed to remain for. This will probably be displayed clearly on an indication someplace close by. If unsure, ask.
Simply keep in mind, it’s a motorway service station, so it’s not the nicest of locations to cease. Lorries will come and go in any respect hours too, so we solely use these after we’re determined.
To confuse you even additional, different sorts of aire (that are those you’re in all probability on the lookout for) are additionally sometimes called ‘aires de service’… so whenever you’re on the lookout for good locations to cease, search for any which aren’t proper on a motorway- extra on this later!
Aire de repos
‘Aire de repos’ are additionally discovered on the sides of roads, and once more are authorised relaxation stops. You’ll usually discover campers and lorries parked up in these however there are hardly ever any amenities, aside from a few picnic tables.
Once more, you may keep in these aires in a single day, usually as much as 24 hours if you want, however once more, lorries will make noise all evening and also you’re fairly uncovered. We’ve stayed in these a few occasions when actually drained, nevertheless it’s positively not our most popular choice.
There are additionally aires de jeu (playgrounds), aire de loisirs (rec space) and a number of other others. We all know, it will get complicated. We attempt to discover the aires BEFORE worrying concerning the signs- extra on how to do this under!
French aires- Tenting automobile park in France
These are the kind of aire in France you’re in all probability on the lookout for. These are authorised motorhome (or tenting automobile) parking areas that are offered ALL OVER France, usually very near villages and cities.
They’re usually a carpark or massive gravel space, the place motorhomes are allowed to park in a single day, and even for a number of nights. Some are correctly marked out into bays, others are a free-for-all and you may park wherever and nevertheless you want!
Usually, these are run by the native council and are designed to encourage individuals to go to the world. They’re almost at all times properly stored and welcoming, with indicators in French and infrequently English. If the indicators aren’t in English, the information will probably be displayed in a approach that’s pretty simple to grasp.
Most aires in France can have a store/ bar/ cafe inside simple strolling distance. Strolling to get recent French bread within the morning is one in every of our favorite issues about motorhoming round France.
What amenities do French Aires have?
They usually (however not at all times!) have amenities resembling:
- emptying waste water (usually a drive-over grill)- can usually be used free of charge
- Empty bathroom
- refill with recent water. Consuming water is ‘eau potable’ in French
Usually this comes at an extra cost and you have to change to make use of these facilities- we supply a pot within the motorhome and put all our spare Euros in there for moments similar to this!
Some aires have restrictions on what you may empty into them, particularly in the event that they’re on the fosse system. This implies you need to watch out which chemical you employ in your bathroom and gray waste. We use a product known as Solbio natural bathroom fluid, which is pure and doesn’t comprise dangerous chemical substances. It’s additionally protected to be disposed of in septic tanks or fosse, which means we have now extra choices to eliminate our bathroom responsibly.
Water is generally 1€ for 50 litres or one thing comparable.
Do aires in France have loos or bathrooms?
Often you’ll discover an aire in France with bathrooms, however not usually. Most aires count on you to be self-contained. In fact, there will probably be bathrooms within the close by village or city, however hardly ever on the aire itself.
There’s not at all times a spot to enter the woods and ‘relieve your self’ either- many aires are like large automobile parks, so should you want bathrooms, decide your aires fastidiously!
Electrical connectors
Some aires in France have electrical factors you may hook up with, others don’t and it’s good to be self-sufficient throughout your keep. Many of the aires we’ve utilized in France use the identical electrical connectors as we use within the UK.
Some aires require tokens in an effort to use the electrical. Usually, these must be bought from an authorised location (just like the native bar!), which is ok… except you arrive when that location is closed.
There’s no approach round it- if it’s shut, you’re not getting electrical that evening. If you happen to’re determined, search for an aire which doesn’t want tokens, however ideally you’ll need your motorhome to have the ability to survive an evening (or two!) with out the necessity for electrical.
Discover ways to arrange your motorhome for off-grid parking (wild tenting) right here.
How lengthy are you able to keep at a French Aire?
That will depend on the Aire and is determined by the native council. Many are 24 hours max, however some let you keep for 3/4 days if you want. All the information will probably be on the signal within the aire.
Tenting Automotive park France
You’ll often see an Aire known as a ‘tenting automobile park’. This doesn’t imply you will get out the pup tent- tenting automobile is the French phrase(s) for motorhome/ RV. A tenting automobile park is just about the identical as an aire, though often there are higher amenities and typically even a restaurant/ meals automobile.
Heading to France? You could be concerned with these associated posts:
How do you discover French Aires?
Ah- right here’s the magic of travelling with no plan. There are a few methods to search out aires in France, particularly as you’re travelling. We by no means have them deliberate in advance- we at all times discover them en-route.
Are you able to ebook Aires upfront?
No- or at the very least very very hardly ever. (Often, it’s attainable to ebook on-line, particularly within the mountains in winter should you’re going motorhome snowboarding.) The entire level of aires is flexibility and freedom.
The excellent news is that its first come, first served. The unhealthy information is that standard locations turn out to be full VERY shortly. So don’t wait too late to begin discovering someplace to cease, in case your first selection is full and it’s good to discover some other place to go.
NOTE: There’s a new France winter tyre law- learn extra right here
Map of Aires in France & PDF obtain
Searching for a map of French aires or a PDF to obtain? Seize our wild tenting database, which incorporates 250+ in a single day stopovers across the UK and Europe (together with LOTS in France) the place we’ve stayed in our motorhome. Contains wild tenting spots and aires in France and round Europe. Seize it right here.
Watch the video explaining about French Aires
Favor listening/ watching video? I share our ideas, plus some images/ movies of aires in France we’ve stayed in with our motorhome.
Watch under:
Aires tenting automobile France apps
We typically use the app park4night.com to search out aires or authorised in a single day motorhome locations. We resolve whether or not we wish to wild camp for the evening or whether or not we want amenities/ wish to cost motorhome batteries and so forth.
If we wish to cost/ empty bathrooms or discover someplace to park for just a few days so we are able to experience our bikes, we head for a French Aire.
Then, we glance on the app for aires with images (so we are able to see the size of the areas and see if our motorhome and trailer will match!) and we have a look at the opinions. If there are many unfavorable opinions, we hold on the lookout for one other place.
Finally, we discover someplace we just like the look/ really feel of. I typically try to have a backup choice too, in case our first selection is full after we arrive.
Then, we pop the co-ordinates into the GPS and head in direction of our chosen spot!
Different apps/ web sites we use to search out aires in France are:
- Campercontact (web site only- it’s good to pay for the app, though the app does work offline, so it’s helpful!)
All of the Aires guidebook
There are professionals and cons of the ‘All of the aires’ guidebook. The most important professional is that you simply don’t want entry to the web in an effort to discover someplace to remain. That is VERY helpful whenever you’re within the Alps and may’t get a sign.
The con is that the information goes outdated and it’s attainable to show up at an aire which has been shut. Having mentioned that, it’s attainable for this to occur utilizing Park4night too.
If you happen to’re planning on doing quite a lot of motor homing in France, the All of the Aires guidebook positively definitely worth the funding/ area within the camper.
Don’t fear if a ebook is a yr or two outdated. Many of the aires don’t change fairly often. Having mentioned that, we at all times desire to search out French Aires on-line in order that we are able to learn current opinions and study any updates (resembling closing for upkeep or shutting down.)
Are aires in France open all yr?
Some are. Some aren’t. You want to verify fastidiously whenever you’re on the lookout for an aire to remain at. Many aires within the Alps solely open April-November ish as a result of snow closing roads.
What to do on arrival at an aire in France
Typically discovering the aire generally is a problem. You want to search for an indication of a motorhome over a waste disposal point- usually in black or blue.
- If you arrive, drive slowly and get your bearings. Some aires have signed entrances/ exits, others don’t.
- Earlier than you flip in, see should you can see an area in your camper. These locations are sometimes very troublesome to show round in. If unsure and also you’re travelling with another person, allow them to out to go take a look earlier than you commit.
- Count on everybody to cease and watch. Motorhomers are nosy/ individuals. Don’t be intimidated.
- Decide your spot and park up.
- The very first thing to do, earlier than you set the kettle on, is to go learn the indicators and pay something due. Learn how lengthy you may keep and what the principles are. Verify this in opposition to the information from park4night or a book- guidelines change and the principles on the signal are essentially the most up-to-date.
When is the very best time to reach at an aire?
If you wish to go to a particular location, resembling a city/ metropolis (try these prime 10 cities to go to in France), then I like to recommend arriving by lunchtime, earlier than everybody else turns up- particularly in case you are travelling throughout July/ August (peak summer time months in France). Many standard aires get loopy busy and by 2pm they are often utterly full.
Free in a single day parking for motorhomes? What do Aires price?
Some are completely free, except you make use of the amenities. Some price a few Euros and others price as a lot as 15€, which I believe is the utmost we’ve paid thus far. We are inclined to keep away from cities, however I imagine aires near standard places price extra and are far more crowded.
Methods to use French Aires- what are the principles?
- Aires are first come, first served. They can’t be booked or reserved upfront.
- There will probably be a time restrict you’re allowed to remain for, notably if the aire is free. This will probably be clearly signposted on the aire and other people DO check- don’t overstay your welcome.
- Some aires have areas subsequent to them to let you put out an awning and out of doors chairs. If the signal says it’s allowed and if different individuals are doing it, then go forward. Nonetheless, if there isn’t an area, assume that exterior seating/ awnings are prohibited. Aires aren’t campsites- they’re in a single day stopovers.
- Don’t take up one other motorhome parking place together with your gear- that’s not allowed.
- In case you have a trailer, be very cautious which aires you decide. We glance fastidiously at images and opinions to search out areas both lengthy sufficient for our motorhome, or the place there may be area for us to take our trailer off and have it subsequent to the van. Many aires are for campers as much as max 7m lengthy and a few areas are VERY tight- particularly in well-known or constructed up areas.
- Don’t play loud music or be too rowdy- these are quiet locations for individuals to get pleasure from their travels.
- No tents. Ever.
- Don’t park within the servicing space any longer than you need to. Positively don’t depart your camper unattended right here and block the providers for different individuals while you go to the bar!
- Don’t depart any garbage or litter. If there aren’t any bins, take it with you!
Can campervans use aires in France
Completely. Campervans and even transformed vehicles are welcome at aires, so long as it’s a campervan and never a piece automobile. Vans with signage on or ‘stealth campers’ are sometimes not allowed and we have now seen them being requested to maneuver on.
Can caravans use aires in France?
No. Most aires don’t permit caravans. The one locations I do know for caravans to park in a single day are both wild tenting or precise campsites. You may have the ability to use aires de repos- I doubt anybody would verify. This is likely one of the greatest professionals when deciding between motorhomes or caravans for us.
Sleeping in French Aires
We sleep nice in French Aires. They’re usually quiet, and motorhome house owners are inclined to look out for one another. We’ve had full strangers shout at native children who’ve come over to have a look at our motorbikes- warning the children to remain away and never contact. We’ve by no means had a disturbed nights sleep in an aire… aside from with the pet wanting to sit down on my head! 🙁
Are aires in France protected?
As at all times, there aren’t any absolutes with security. We’ve by no means had an incident at a French aire (contact wooden!) however that’s to not say nothing can occur.
Put it this manner, some aires we have now an ideal feeling about and fortunately depart our motorhome for just a few hours whereas we go and experience our motorbikes. These are the aires the place we spend a day or two to unwind and loosen up between driving (if it’s allowed).
Others, we don’t depart the van unattended in any respect and transfer on the subsequent morning till we discover someplace higher. You HAVE to belief your gut- should you’re unsure, transfer on.
Tenting automobile data in English at French Aires
Most aires in France have data for tenting vehicles (Motorhomes) in French and English. If not, there will probably be indicators making it simple to grasp what it’s good to know.
How do you pay for aires in France?
The toughest half is commonly determining how one can pay in your keep at a French Aire. Some have parking meters (which frequently solely settle for change- another excuse for the change tub!) however some require you to go to the native bar/ cafe/ store in an effort to pay.
This generally is a bit daunting- particularly if it’s stuffed with locals who all cease to stare as you stroll in. Don’t let that put you off- we’ve had some nice nights at French bars with no clue what’s being occurring round us.
Try to communicate a little bit French whenever you enter- it should heat the locals to you. Say one thing like “J’ai un tenting automobile dans l’aire. Est-ce que je paie ici?”
Count on the proprietor to ask questions like how many individuals (combien des personnes) and what number of nights you wish to keep for (combien des nuits?)
Are canine allowed on French Aires?
In fact! France loves canine and also you’ll see them in every single place. There aren’t any restrictions in having them on an aire, however, after all, they must be stored on a lead always.
Travelling to France with a Canine? You may discover these posts helpful:
Different Motorhome websites France
There are many locations for motorhomes throughout France. If you happen to don’t want to use an aire, there are campsites in all places, with amenities resembling swimming swimming pools (bliss in the summertime!), retailers, bars or seashores.
There’s additionally a scheme known as France Ardour, which is a set of vineyards, farms and different locations the place they provide free or low-cost in a single day motorhome parking. It’s a bit like BritStops within the UK.
You’ll be able to print ALL this data. If you wish to obtain it for FREE, click on right here
Motorhome wild tenting in France – is it authorized?
Completely- so long as you comply with the principles. Discover out extra about wild tenting with a motorhome in France (and how one can discover locations to cease.)
Greatest aires in France
There are too many aires to make that choice- and we haven’t stayed at all of them! Nonetheless, our favorite aires are those with unimaginable views- like this one within the French Alps or those close to well-known historic locations in France– makes sightseeing even simpler!
Significantly- you’d pay a fortune for a resort room with a view like that!
We additionally just like the aires the place you may keep for a few nights- it’s good to have a break from driving and perhaps get the motorbikes out to discover the world higher. This ebook has some lovely aires to encourage your subsequent journey!!
So, I hope you are actually enthusiastic about attempting out some French aires in your motorhome tour of France! Let me know the place you finish up- I’d like to see footage. Be at liberty so as to add them onto my Fb web page or be a part of our Motorhome Fb group right here.
