City d Europe

[gwyntaxi]

Wissant's only just down the road, very quiet as off the autoroute but easy to find so would be my first choice.

There was a post on here 2years ago by funsters warning other to be aware that a Gang of Four were targeting the Wissant aire, and stealing bikes off the rear racks, didn’t seem to be interested in scruffy ones but apparently even removed bike covers locks and the bikes from their racks in the early hours, they had their bikes taken.

 

[orridge]

Cite de Europe is fine the travellers have been moved on so normal service has resumed (we were there this morning). Wissant is still popular and full by about 5pm each night. The aire at the Farm in Tardinghen has earthworks at the moment so only about 6 vans can fit behind the barn unless people start parking a bit better. However the new parking at Sangatte is great, plenty of room and you can see the channel boats no problem.

 

[EX51SSS]

Wasn't when I stayed there a while ago. The buses started up at about 6am and warmed up their diesel engines for 20 minutes or so. Not been back since I am afraid.

Must have been unlucky. There's only ever been one coach and that was at the other end of the car park. I've been on various days/ nights 4/6 times a year for the past 12 years.

 

[peterc10]

Must have been unlucky. There's only ever been one coach and that was at the other end of the car park. I've been on various days/ nights 4/6 times a year for the past 12 years.

That is strange. My visit was about 4 years ago from memory and the coaches were in the middle of the Aire, on spaces specifically marked on the ground as being for "Bus". There were 3 or 4 spaces for them from memory. Just gone on to Google Street view of the Aire and you can see 2 buses parked up and the other 2 "bus" spaces coned off. Are we talking about the same Aire?

 

[orridge]

That is strange. My visit was about 4 years ago from memory and the coaches were in the middle of the Aire, on spaces specifically marked on the ground as being for "Bus". There were 3 or 4 spaces for them from memory. Just gone on to Google Street view of the Aire and you can see 2 buses parked up and the other 2 "bus" spaces coned off. Are we talking about the same Aire?

Wissant Aire definitely still has buses which start at 6am in the morning, they were parked up last night.

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[Clarky]

However the new parking at Sangatte is great, plenty of room and you can see the channel boats no problem.

Thanks for the heads up.
That looks rather interesting and is probably a fair bit quieter than Cite Europe.
I assume that it is No.71196 on Camper Contact.
We do like a bit of a view as well.

Richard.

 

[orridge]

Thanks for the heads up.
That looks rather interesting and is probably a fair bit quieter than Cite Europe.
I assume that it is No.71196 on Camper Contact.
We do like a bit of a view as well.

Richard.

Yes 71196 the other one nearby on the map seems to be a duplicate and not there. Great views easy walk to good seafood bistro and walks up to the Cap which is really interesting as you can see all the craters from the shelling during WW2.

 

[Rumour and Innuendo]

We reckon the City Europe stop to be much safer than the Aire in town. Yes the town Aire has a barrier and is supposed to have security, but have heard a few have things nicked from there. On the other hand, City Europe has the police HQ overlooking the site and that includes CCTV. We stop maybe 6 times a year in and out and have never had a problem. We did see four undesirables at the entrance last September, but the police were there before we knew it!

 

[monzer]

@Rumour and Innuendo

What's the van in your avatar pic?

 

[mitzimad]

@Rumour and Innuendo

What's the van in your avatar pic?

if you right click on their avatar it shows as a compass calypso

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[Stealaway]

Wasn't there a spate of bikes being nicked from the back of vans at Gravelines as well last year?

 

[monzer]

if you right click on their avatar it shows as a compass calypso

Cheers. Off to google 'compass calypso'

 

[Rob Turner]

Wasn't there a spate of bikes being nicked from the back of vans at Gravelines as well last year?

Yeah, they tried to get mine, but failed. One of them would have had a headache and the other put Usain Bolt to shame.

 

[EX51SSS]

That is strange. My visit was about 4 years ago from memory and the coaches were in the middle of the Aire, on spaces specifically marked on the ground as being for "Bus". There were 3 or 4 spaces for them from memory. Just gone on to Google Street view of the Aire and you can see 2 buses parked up and the other 2 "bus" spaces coned off. Are we talking about the same Aire?

Unless there's more than one Aire at Cite Europe. Perhaps it's the day. We park there in the way into France and on the way out. They might be marked but doesn't necessarily mean that they're exclusive to buses. I can't remember actually looking at any markings in the floor but they were at the far end and a decent distance.
We've parked up at around midnight going out and not got up till we awake around 8/9.00 and on way back but that wouldn't be the 6.00 time but only ever seen one coach not any buses. Its directly across from Carrefore supermarket

 

[Rumour and Innuendo]

Cheers. Off to google 'compass calypso'

Yep! A Talbot based Compass Calypso. Just had the cab sorted by Custom Camper UK and now about to start on the back. We love the little thing (5.5 mtrs)

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[peterc10]

Unless there's more than one Aire at Cite Europe. Perhaps it's the day. We park there in the way into France and on the way out. They might be marked but doesn't necessarily mean that they're exclusive to buses. I can't remember actually looking at any markings in the floor but they were at the far end and a decent distance.
We've parked up at around midnight going out and not got up till we awake around 8/9.00 and on way back but that wouldn't be the 6.00 time but only ever seen one coach not any buses. Its directly across from Carrefore supermarket

There is only one Aire in Cite Europe, but that was not the one I was referring to. Have another look at my post #24 again. It was in reply to a post from @Markas which I quoted, who was suggesting that the Aire at Wissant was quiet. So my comments about buses were about the Aire at Wissant not Cite Europe.

 

[138go]

We always use Watten, it’s very quiet and quite handy.

 

[EX51SSS]

There is only one Aire in Cite Europe, but that was not the one I was referring to. Have another look at my post #24 again. It was in reply to a post from @Markas which I quoted, who was suggesting that the Aire at Wissant was quiet. So my comments about buses were about the Aire at Wissant not Cite Europe.

Many apologies as I misread the post. I must admit that I don't use Wissant in preference to Cite Europe. Many apologies

 

[monzer]

View attachment 275723

Yep! A Talbot based Compass Calypso. Just had the cab sorted by Custom Camper UK and now about to start on the back. We love the little thing (5.5 mtrs)

Very nice looking van, I did think it was a Talbot at the front end. Love Talbots

 

[Clarky]

We always use Watten, it’s very quiet and quite handy.

After reading good reports on here about Watten we tried it on our way home a few weeks ago.
Very pleasant and quiet aire that has been extended so now has quite a lot of space.
The small town is not much to get excited about but the aire is beside a canal with the occasional barge slipping past.
It's certainly a lot more peaceful than Cite Europe.
Although the road is very good it's still a fair way from Calais.

Richard.

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[MichaelT]

Cite de Europe is fine the travellers have been moved on so normal service has resumed (we were there this morning). Wissant is still popular and full by about 5pm each night. The aire at the Farm in Tardinghen has earthworks at the moment so only about 6 vans can fit behind the barn unless people start parking a bit better. However the new parking at Sangatte is great, plenty of room and you can see the channel boats no problem.View attachment 275646 View attachment 275647 View attachment 275648 View attachment 275649

Says page no longer available in camper contact though it does recognise 71196 when you search on it.

 

[orridge]

Says page no longer available in camper contact though it does recognise 71196 when you search on it.

I updated the duplicate with CC which they removed but 71196 should still show on the map. You cannot miss it either coming over the Cap from Escalles or on the Coast road from Sangatte as there is only one road by the sea next to the Cemetery so it was Dead Quiet.

 

[two]

The Cemetery?

 

[Clarky]

The Cemetery?

Any aire beside a cemetery is fine with us.
The neighbours are quiet and generally don't give any trouble.

Richard.

 

[MichaelT]

Any aire beside a cemetery is fine with us.
The neighbours are quiet and generally don't give any trouble.

Richard.

And they are generally centrally located in the dead centre of town

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[Clarky]

And they are generally centrally located in the dead centre of town

No hilarity if you please.
This could be a grave issue.

Richard.

 

[two]

Spooky.

 

[mitzimad]

Any aire beside a cemetery is fine with us.
The neighbours are quiet and generally don't give any trouble.

Richard.

and theres usually a water tap inside the gate

 

[jockaneezer]

..and like most of the popular aires, folks are just dying to get in there.

 

[Minxy]

Nothing wrong with parking near cemeteries ... we have often done this when looking for a night stop, they're usually on the edge or just out of town, on a quiet road with car parking, 'free' water occasionally and it's one place that the yobbos in their cars don't tend to congregate at during the night .... or those looking for 'romance' ! At some you get flowers all year round ... although they may be plastic!

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