Camping-Car Park

[ArDachaidh]

I joined some years ago but have never used them. However, our next winter trip will take us down through France so I’ve been looking at possible overnights or maybe several nights somewhere we can go cycling. We tow a small trailer for our recumbents and I see you have to pre-book. Any comments, advice?

 

[barryd]

I joined some years ago but have never used them. However, our next winter trip will take us down through France so I’ve been looking at possible overnights or maybe several nights somewhere we can go cycling. We tow a small trailer for our recumbents and I see you have to pre-book. Any comments, advice?

You don't have to prebook pitches on CCP Aires. Unless you are saying because of the trailer you do but I am not aware of that rule. I certainly never booked any. Just turned up. You can however use the website to see how many spaces are left which is live and in real time.

 

[YeoBlade]

As Barry said, pre-booking is an option, extra cost I think, if you want a guaranteed place, else wing it.

 

[TJBi]

In that case, if that is what you are finding, not that we have, you are going to be restricted on where you go for the sake of a few quid! Enjoy...

<snip>

When you consider what some CL's are charging now for pitches with hookup the CCP Aires are pretty good value. You would be hard pressed to find a CL or site in the UK with electric included now for £10-£15 which is what most of the CPP Aires charge. Many of them are £30 now here.

I haven't found myself too restricted as yet. Plenty of aires in France.
Not comparing with CLs, and certainly not with anywhere providing EHU because EHU is of little interest to me.

 

[barryd]

As Barry said, pre-booking is an option, extra cost I think, if you want a guaranteed place, else wing it.

I believe you need to purchase the privilege pack to pre book. I could be wrong but I found last summer in the peak season that sites we were on were showing full but there were still places left. I wondered if people had booked them and then just not turned up.

 

[barryd]

I haven't found myself too restricted as yet. Plenty of aires in France.
Not comparing with CLs, and certainly not with anywhere providing EHU because EHU is of little interest to me.

We probably stayed on more wild spots and free Aires than we did CCP aires last summer. I Was worried they would just take over everywhere but that doesn't seem to have been the case. A Lot look like old municipal sites to me. Just like the traditional aires, some are good some are awful. The EHU could well be useful for many though if you are out of season. I remember that being an issue in France in Late October and November finding places with EHU.

 

[YeoBlade]

Yes I've stayed at quite a few that are ex municipal sites, they're probably happy to pass the running responsibility over to CCP. And still a reasonable price, not £40-50 like in the UK.

 

[barryd]

Yes I've stayed at quite a few that are ex municipal sites, they're probably happy to pass the running responsibility over to CCP. And still a reasonable price, not £40-50 like in the UK.

Its a pity they never came to the UK. I think CCP looked at it but it wasn't viable. There used to be a CAMC site in the northern lakes near Cockermouth that was very similar. Well it was a bit more upmarket than a CCP site but its offering was similar with just pitches, services and EHU. So it was cheap. No showers or toilets etc.

Dockray Meadow Club Campsite

Dockray Meadow is a Club Campsitein Lamplugh that welcomes both caravans and motorhomes. Enjoy a site open to both members and non-members.

www.caravanclub.co.uk

It shut down though. It would be great to have a network of sites like that here that were just for motorhomes and caravans that didn't require staff, showers, toilets, bars and all the other stuff. With the increased numbers of vans now on the road you would think it would be viable.

 

[TeamRienza]

I don't think booking would be necessary, particularly in winter. It is probably more to do with people bringing large trailers and cars given that normally each pitch has just enough space for the motorhome.

A potential advantage to CCP Aires is that water should be available all year, whereas some ordinary sites switch water off over winter.

The privilege pack in my experience of using CCP is only going to be of use in high summer or certain very popular smaller locations like Nantes. Also potentially useful if you like the security of knowing that a pitch will be available or an event is on nearby such as le tour.

Davy

 

[Canalsman]

I have never encountered that, but I don't really see a problem if that is the case. CCP are not expensive and the facilities are good.

It certainly does happen. I wonder how keen local traders are on such restrictions and the effect it has on their trade.

 

[Moped]

I believe you need to purchase the privilege pack to pre book. I could be wrong but I found last summer in the peak season that sites we were on were showing full but there were still places left. I wondered if people had booked them and then just not turned up.

With the privileges pack you can pre book an aire which you prepay for and once on you can come and go as you please until the expiry time of your paid for booking.

That may explain the empty day time pitches.

You cannot come and go as you please without the privileges card pre booking pre payment process.

And you cannot come and go as you please during your stay on a free or even paid for municipal aire as if you do you may not find a pitch on your return.

A major privilege card advantage.

We always pre book regardless for this reason. To be honest we would pre book anyway to provide certainty.

 

[GMJ]

It was €29 a year for the Privilege club I think.

 

[barryd]

With the privileges pack you can pre book an aire which you prepay for and once on you can come and go as you please until the expiry time of your paid for booking.

That may explain the empty day time pitches.

You cannot come and go as you please without the privileges card pre booking pre payment process.

And you cannot come and go as you please during your stay on a free or even paid for municipal aire as if you do you may not find a pitch on your return.

A major privilege card advantage.

We always pre book regardless for this reason. To be honest we would pre book anyway to provide certainty.

Thanks for explaining that. However I remember on a couple of large and busy CCP Aires that we were on which were showing full on the app there were a handful of pitches empty all night. One that sticks in mind was the large Aire at Lac du Bourget.

We never felt the need to have to book in advance and not being able to leave with the van was never an issue as we have the scooter. In the main it worked well for us last summer but they are a bit hit and miss. I didn't like the Bourget Aire. Too big, noisy and just lacking that friendly smaller traditional Aire atmosphere.