Aires

Polly

Guest
Hia
I always tell our students if they have a question even if they think it is silly just ask

So I am here with my question

I have not wild camped as yet possible because I am on my own without the protection of a big dog :D:D

But
Can you fill me in with what the protocal is of European Aires
eg when do you arrive ---- what to expect---- what to pay ------what I should know -------- what I should do -----can you stay there all day------ how long can you stay-----what happens if it is full :eek::eek: etc etc etc

waiting on your sensible answers :D:D:D
 
Hi Polly,
We usually arrive late afternoon - many aires have time limits, 12 - 24 hours etc. - try to park directly under a light -
Introduce yourself - some aires are free to stay on, faciities, extra - some charge regardless of whether facilities are an option or not - some are excellent, some are rubbish. Best to give a rough route on this site then I & others will be able recommend any that we are aware of in the areas that you are passing through. Hope this helps.

Dezi
 
Hi Polly.

The protocol is quite easy, there isn't one !!!

In respect of some of your questions in truth it depends where you are.

You will find in France as an example particularly during the 'season' that a lot of coastal touristy spots will restrict the amount of time you can stop typically 48 hours, and there is normally a ticket machine costs seem to vary but anything from 3 to 7 euros a night.

In the countryside things a a little lower key with no restrictions and often free....In essence you can stop as long as you want.

A lot of aires have 'flot bleus' which are a sanitary station, normally to dump the black waste and grey waste it is free, again dependant where you are it may cost 3 euros to take aboard 10 mins of water or an hours electricity.

In terms of an aire being full, in best part of two years full timing all over France, this has happened I think twice. Often people muck in and and people park on the approaches etc and no one seems to get upset.

I will share an example, when I visited Oradour Sur Glane which is popular all year around because of the village, People on pitches pulled well to one side so in effect two vans were occupying a pitch designed for one van.

If you are thinking of taking your van to France and I suspect from your questions you have reservations re the aire thing that you will make a social mistake, because you dont know what to expect. Let me assure you hand on heart you would be worrying about nothing.

I find the French curious, when they spot the GB plates, but if you make the effort to say Bonjour and speak a bit of the lingo irrespective of how schoolgirlish, They are the most welcoming people and fellow campers in the world.

Before you know it they are sharing pastis, and telling the secrets behind cassoulets etc...

Please, Please dont have any reservations totally unfounded.

Btw I have a German Shepheard I can rent complete with pet passport:D

regards

Channa
 
We find that it is better not to leave it to late to find somewhere, especially the popular places as these can get full, also theres nothing worse than trying to find somewhere in the dark. Think about what time people are likely to be moving off, thats the time to arrive & get the best spots. There are no rules as such but remember you are not camping just overnight parking & you shouldn't really set up camp as you would on a campsite such as leaving tables, chairs, BBq, awning etc..... esoecially in Spain as the police might move you on. Best countries for beginning wild camping are France & Germany, if you have a sat nav there are loads of sites where you can download the aires or stelplatz. Couple of sites to look at CAMPINGCAR INFOS & FURGOVW the first one does have some comments in English but there are lots of pictures of the aires. The second one is a Spanish site, zoom into the area you are interested in then if you click on the stopping place you get a small pic & a link to a Spanish forum (use Babelfish to translate anything you don't understand)

Big thing is don't worry about it, most people you meet will be friendly & helpful. When we have wildcamped in Spain & Portugal there is always somebody who will tell you where you can fill up with water & empty your toilet. Ask any question you like there is always somebody who can help with the answer.

We are off in 10 days & can't wait, especially as the Euro is a bit lower than last year :D
 
No worry Polly,
I can only second all the previous posters.
Aires are nearly always unmanned; or they are free (most) or you pay in a ticket machine, or sometimes someone comes to collect the fees ussually in the morning.
Fellow mh'rs are mostly gentle people. Don't expect the French to understand English -but they'll generally polite and do their best. No problems with most of the Belgians (the Flemish), Dutch and Scandinavians: they all speak English (more or less :rolleyes:).
The Vicariuous book about the aires is good.
Provide yourself with Michelins 'Atlas routier et touristique'. Have a look on (as mentioned before) on CAMPINGCAR-INFOS there are some comments in English. A better thing to do is to print the demartemental lists of our site or those on Camping Car en Liberté,voyages,aires,stationnement,fêtes,villages... look for "BTS" and mark those with a text marker in the Michelin-atlas. (this will keep you busy for several hours ;))
No problem for wilding either, only keep away from the major cities :eek:
Allez-y ma chère; n'hésitez pas de poser votre soucis ;)
Toujours le votre,
Leo
 
hi,
we tend to do as the french do, if there are any rules ignore them. if you are heading for a popular aire (seaside) its best to arrive late morning, others are just leaving , and you have a better choice. as for length of stay some say just one night, but to the french that means as long as you like,suppose it is their country though. sure you will enjoy it we will be back there april.
tom
 
Yipeeeee..we too are off soon, 2 weeks on Thursday to be exact..Won't be back till end of April. :D
We don't have a dog, but we do have a notice that says we have a dog :rolleyes:, and I leave a dog bowl outside at night :cool:
Not sure whether it convinces any 'would be ' intruder, but I feel better about it. . lol

jackie ;)
 
Jacques le foot said:
Yipeeeee..we too are off soon, 2 weeks on Thursday to be exact..Won't be back till end of April. :D
We don't have a dog, but we do have a notice that says we have a dog :rolleyes:, and I leave a dog bowl outside at night :cool:
Not sure whether it convinces any 'would be ' intruder, but I feel better about it. . lol

jackie ;)
Click to expand...

I really feel a business opportunity looming here :) www.rentmyhound.co.uk lol

In two years I only once had a potential situation just outside Agen with kids playing music and smoking wierd baccy.....a couple shouts from my pal and they disappeared into the ether never to be seen again and a good nights sleep was enjoyed.;)

Channa
 
Keep meaning to pop into poundland for some doggie type stuff, such as a bowl & thick chain to leave by the door :rolleyes:, another tip from a Norwegian we met down in Spain was to leave an old pair of shoes by the door to look as if somebody is in the van (you can always have them pegged down or a bit of string tied to them in case a real dog tries to run off with them) :D
 
I thought it was a big WHITE dog that you had;)

Anyway, with your BWD there is no need for pet passport:D

Jon
 
Sorry Polly, I don't mean to hi-jack your thread but can I add a query? I understand that many Aires require specific tokens to use the facilities, where do you buy them?
 
Jetons (tokens) are often available from the tourist information. It tends to be in the more popular areas that you need tokens, there are plenty of free aires with free water, there are the odd few with free electric as well. Look on the link for the Campingcar Infos site, although in French it has details about any charges etc. just look for Stationnement Gratuit. Often you find aires that you have to pay for have free water, theres nothing to stop you driving in to fill up then finding a free aiire to stop at.
 
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:confused: ??? We've used lots of Aires..and never come across this one!! Where did you hear this?, and in what country?
Jackie;)
 
I meant, that I'd never heard of tokens being needed to access services on an aire. We have only ever found them to be either free, or needing Euros.
Jackie;)
 
Yorkshirepudding said:
Hello Jacques, I recall reading it in "All the Aires France" if I'm not mistaken.
Click to expand...

Some of the aires do require 'jetons'(tokens) to obtain water electricity etc often the tourist information or mairie is where you can buy them sometimes local bars and tabacs

Channa
 
Yup, just checked. It does state "less than one quarter of service points listed require tokens". Some (Flot Bleu) take credit cards!
 
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