Is Camping-Car Park as good as it sounds?

[Neil S]

We use them when they're in a location we want to visit. As others have said, they vary enormously. Some are very good - others less so.

We have never booked, and I think its worth noting that, in popular aires where there are no marked-out pitches, such as the very popular and well-located aire at La Roque sur Ceze, it is possible that you could book a pitch, only to find no obvious, available space, on arrival.

If others have already parked and spaced themselves out with awnings etc, or if a large vehicle has taken up a disproportionate amount of space, you may not find room, without asking others to re-arrange themselves (this may or may not bother you). Certainly at La Roque sur Ceze, by late afternoon, the app was showing 6 of 28 places as being available. We were already on the aire and couldn't identify spaces where new arrivals would have been able to park without really squashing themselves in. We saw several other vans arrive at the barrier, look at the aire and drive away. I suspect that we would have done the same.

We can't really see the benefit in pre-loading the card. We just put our card in the machine and top it up sufficiently to get out of each aire.

All-in-all, we like Camping Carparks. While we do not seek them out, we are more than happy to use them.

If you have the privilege pack you can pre-book a pitch and it will be available on arrival
We reserved a pitch at Savine-le-Lac because the TDF was passing right past , on arrival the day before there were 3 french motorhomes trying to access the aire but there CCP cards wouldn't allow them entry
I rocked up in our then pilote P650 and I could see what they were thinking (We cant get in so this stupid Brit hasn't a chance) well the other half got out flashed CCP card against the reader and hey presto the barrier went up .
We got the very last space and with EHU

 

[wp1234]

I’m thinking of using the Camping-Car Park app when I go touring in a couple of weeks and know there are funsters out there that use it, but is it as good and reliable as it sounds?

I use them a fair amount on our our trips . In my opinion they serve purpose and are good value and are open all year round which is a bonus for me .Wish the UK would adopt the idea.

 

[bellabee]

Neil S Yes no problem if pitches are marked-out and identifiable - not so good, if they're not.

 

[nicholsong]

I have been getting the info together from the posts on here and it seems that the facilities offered are

A parking space

Water, dump for black and grey waste, maybe EHU, iffy WiFi

No showers/toilets

App for availability and reservations



Looking at these facilities in reverse order -

I have never failed to get on normal Aires
We are self-sufficient and do not use site showers/toilets
Water and dump facilities are available at many Aires, even en-route without staying.
Parking is available on normal Aires and many wild spots.

For us the extra facilities seem not to offer more than normal Aires.

It seems that they will be most attractive for those who want a no-frills campsite, which might be a bit cheaper although one poster above found a campsite opposite a CCP for only€1.40 more. And for those who want to know where they are staying tonight.

 

[Neil S]

Neil S Yes no problem if pitches are marked-out and identifiable - not so good, if they're not.

Ok I suppose it might happen I’m not to worried either way .
But on 6/7 times I’ve prebooked popular CCP aires when following the TDF I’ve never yet failed to get on

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[OwnedbyCollies]

Out of season the majority of CCP aires guarantee water and waste - invaluable when services on other aires are turned off due to risk of frost.

For the outlay of a few euros for the card - it’s a no brainer for us. We don’t pre load it - just top up enough for that nights stay.

 

[Neil S]

I have been getting the info together from the posts on here and it seems that the facilities offered are

A parking space

Water, dump for black and grey waste, maybe EHU, iffy WiFi

No showers/toilets

App for availability and reservations



Looking at these facilities in reverse order -

I have never failed to get on normal Aires
We are self-sufficient and do not use site showers/toilets
Water and dump facilities are available at many Aires, even en-route without staying.
Parking is available on normal Aires and many wild spots.

For us the extra facilities seem not to offer more than normal Aires.

It seems that they will be most attractive for those who want a no-frills campsite, which might be a bit cheaper although one poster above found a campsite opposite a CCP for only€1.40 more. And for those who want to know where they are staying tonight.

Yes some have showers / toilets
CCP camping Mon sites certainly do as they take caravans during the summer months

 

[Lenny HB]

We use them ocassionaly if they are where we want to be but they vary a lot some are quite good others are just a car park.
A bit expensive if you don't want the facilities like EHU & WiFi.

The argument for the campsite being only one Euro more doesn't always add up. Arrive at the Aire at 5 pm leave the next day at 4 pm only one days charge, the campsite would have charged you for two days.

I never keep anything on the card you can enter OK then just top up with the exact amount when you leave.

 

[maison]

We have now spent 37 nights on their Aires.

Most are very good. Only on one occasion did we decide to move on. That was one of their recently taken over Aires which was just a huge car park, no divisions and motorhomes packed in like sardines.

Here are a few photos of some of their Aires.

Sorry about the duplicate pic.

 

[maison]

Are they still subject to the "parking not camping regulations" ie not putting chairs out?

No.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Parrot Face]

Good to have but we found that some of the ACSI sites close by might be the same price but have better facilities. This was the case in Millau recently.

 

[Skez]

Not a fan. The main advantage cited by most is the ability to book a pitch in advance - something we dislike doing!
But , if this is important to you then they are becoming a valuable resource.
To me they seem like campsites, but without the facilities campsites offer, yet not significantly cheaper than you can get some ACSI sites for.
I think we're in the minority, as many people seem to love them.

 

[autorouter]

Are they still subject to the "parking not camping regulations" ie not putting chairs out?

I think on most aires chairs and table just outside are OK, but nothing else. They want to stop you putting up awnings and staking a windbreak round your 'pitch', that kind of thing.

 

[maison]

Good to have but we found that some of the ACSI sites close by might be the same price but have better facilities. This was the case in Millau recently.

Yes, I agree. Some ACSI sites are around the same price but not so many in the 2022 book. Many are more expensive.

We use a combination of Camping-Car Aires, “conventional“ Aires, Municipal sites and ACSI.

One thing we have found is that ACSI sites are often in remote areas, ie not near a town or village, where Camping-Car Aires are often right on the edge of a village with local shops, bars and restaurants.

One of the great things about motorhoming is that there is something available for everyone. Quiet rural sites, “all singing, all dancing” sites, and many in between.

 

[Jenben]

I find them useful , they vary in terms of how they look and where they are - like everywhere we stay.

I don’t really like campsites a lot of the time abroad as you have to time your arrival to when reception is open or wait for it to open, you often have to show (or leave) an identity card and card details.

It all feels a bit of a faff which I don’t mind if I want to stay in a campsite for a few nights but often we may only stay one.

With CCP and other credit card aires - where you pay for a 24 hour period - I simply turn up and use our card to gain entry and park up.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Camdoon]

Only used one once last year in Saumur on the island in the middle of the Loire. Very easy and efficient. We arrived. We paid by credit card the correct amount for one night plus an additional 5 € for the card. The machine dispensed a card, barrier lifted, and in we went. We've got the card now should we use one again. Nice enough, but a bit overpriced, but good location. We'll use them again if the site is where we want to be, but wouldn't go seeking them out especially.

Was there 8 days ago - our mistake was to get my son to jump out the van and use the card but there is another censor for the van which with the steep run down we were not triggering. Live and learn etc.

 

[maison]

That sounds a good option. Thanks.

Most of the municipal sites I’ve used in the past have been good but does the app indicate that they are ex-municipal or you find out when you get there?


Thats sounds positive. Thanks.

They are usually referred to as “Camping mon Village” on the App.

 

[royandsharont]

I’ve never used these but have just downloaded the App & registered, all free, so far. When I’ve looked at what is available near a place a list comes up, it appears to show the number of places with a lesser number in bold to the left e.g 11/18 2/9 as seen in the photo below. Are my thoughts correct that these figures are saying 18 pitches with 11 free at that moment in time etc?

Also am I right in thinking I can buy the card in advance to be posted & add any amount of credit to it or just rock up, buy the card at the machine & add credit there before leaving when I know the full cost of the stay or must I add credit when buying the card too?

If you buy your card at the machine can you add it to your account on the App to be able to link the privileges etc & book in advance?

cheers

 

[DerryW]

We've used them a few times, more than adequate for our needs.

 

[DBK]

I’ve never used these but have just downloaded the App & registered, all free, so far. When I’ve looked at what is available near a place a list comes up, it appears to show the number of places with a lesser number in bold to the left e.g 11/18 2/9 as seen in the photo below. Are my thoughts correct that these figures are saying 18 pitches with 11 free at that moment in time etc?

Also am I right in thinking I can buy the card in advance to be posted & add any amount of credit to it or just rock up, buy the card at the machine & add credit there before leaving when I know the full cost of the stay or must I add credit when buying the card too?

cheers

View attachment 623919

The first figure is the number of vacancies. It is usually accurate but we found one where it was way out but that was unusual. Be careful if there are only 2 or 3 left. These will be the ones next to the bins or dump point.

You can buy a card at most of their sites but a few small ones without facilities don't offer this. I'm not sure you have to add money the first time but you do have to link it to a credit/debit card. You also need to verify the newly issued card by holding it up to the machine after it has spat it out. This links it to your account. Just follow the instructions on the screen. This is of course more easily done if you select English as the language at the first step.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Notts Archer]

think you can keep your space if you buy the Pack'Privileges (because you've already booked the space) - it certainly looks that way, but we've not bought it so far.

That’s the way I read it but I don’t think the benefits of a Privilege card would be used much in my case.

 

[Notts Archer]

If its listed as Camping Mon site on the app then its an ex municipal that CCP have taken over

Thanks Neil S.

 

[Notts Archer]

use them a fair amount on our our trips . In my opinion they serve purpose and are good value and are open all year round which is a bonus for me .Wish the UK would adopt the idea.

Thanks wp1234, I’ve registered and will use them, subject to location, when we tour next month.

 

[Notts Archer]

You can buy a card at most of their sites but a few small ones without facilities don't offer this. I'm not sure you have to add money the first time but you do have to link it to a credit/debit card. You also need to verify the newly issued card by holding it up to the machine after it has spat it out. This links it to your account. Just follow the instructions on the screen. This is of course more easily done if you select English as the language at the first step.

Thanks for the info DBK.

 

[royandsharont]

Thanks DBK but once you’ve bought the card at the site machine how does it know what my account is that I have just created online today via the App. I don’t see how it links them without me having to tell it my account number or email etc. Or is it just me

In fact just checked via the App and my account does not have a unique number, just my email, password and mobile phone number, so how does it link the newly bought card to my old created account. I expect if I bought a card via the App in advance of travel it would do it. Any ideas

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Neil S]

Thanks DBK but once you’ve bought the card at the site machine how does it know what my account is that I have just created online today via the App. I don’t see how it links them without me having to tell it my account number or email etc. Or is it just me

In fact just checked via the App and my account does not have a unique number, just my email, password and mobile phone number, so how does it link the newly bought card to my old created account. I expect if I bought a card via the App in advance of travel it would do it. Any ideas

My account certainly shows my card number

 

[Lenny HB]

In fact just checked via the App and my account does not have a unique number, just my email, password and mobile phone number, so how does it link the newly bought card to my old created account. I expect if I bought a card via the App in advance of travel it would do it. Any ideas

If you buy a card from a machine you have to enter your address and email, so providing you use the same email & address it will link them.

 

[royandsharont]

Thanks Lenny HB & DBK I’ll add my address to my account then and decide whether to get the card before travel or when we first use it

 

[Gillygrim]

I've just downloaded the App and tried to register. It's telling me my email already exists. I noticed when downloading that a link to PassEtapes came up and I already have an account with them. Are they the same company or affiliated in some way ? I've forgotten my password for PE and haven't had the promised email to reset it. I hate all this tech stuff - bring back slates and a piece of chalk......

 

[LaurenceT]

I've just downloaded the App and tried to register. It's telling me my email already exists. I noticed when downloading that a link to PassEtapes came up and I already have an account with them. Are they the same company or affiliated in some way ? I've forgotten my password for PE and haven't had the promised email to reset it. I hate all this tech stuff - bring back slates and a piece of chalk......

Pass'Etapes is the name given to the card issued by Camping-CarParks.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}