What are Aires

[Wallaby Ted]

G'day.
Wondering about Aires. Ate for overnighting, can you stay for a longer time and do you have to be self sufficient.
Also, I watch Spanish trucking on YouTube and they seem to look for security overnight yards.
Is this a problem
Thank you

 

[brynric]

Aires are spaces for motorhomes only, “camping behaviour” is not allowed, you usually need to be self sufficient and from there the definitions become broader.
Many will have a bourne which provides fresh water and grey and black disposal. Sometimes free, often not. Sometimes water is switched off in the winter.
Some are just pull-in and park, others will have designated spaces. Many have a barrier with different means of payment. Some you can even book ahead in these enlightened times.
Some have a staying limit of eg 72 hours. Others are really just handy places for overnight stops.
Some are delightful rest places overlooking a slow flowing river, others are on a tarmac area of a port but handy for the ferry.
Security tends not to be a problem but it always pays to be aware. Lots of people have stories, some end up on YouTube.
We tend to look for Aires first and only go to sites for specific needs, maybe a laundry visit. We find them inexpensive, friendly and often in fascinating places.
Other definitions are available.

 

[Abacist]

Do not regard Aires on French motorways in the same light as thefts and robberies are a distinct risk.

 

[Wallaby Ted]

Thanks for the detailed reply

 

[Wallaby Ted]

Aires are spaces for motorhomes only, “camping behaviour” is not allowed, you usually need to be self sufficient and from there the definitions become broader.
Many will have a bourne which provides fresh water and grey and black disposal. Sometimes free, often not. Sometimes water is switched off in the winter.
Some are just pull-in and park, others will have designated spaces. Many have a barrier with different means of payment. Some you can even book ahead in these enlightened times.
Some have a staying limit of eg 72 hours. Others are really just handy places for overnight stops.
Some are delightful rest places overlooking a slow flowing river, others are on a tarmac area of a port but handy for the ferry.
Security tends not to be a problem but it always pays to be aware. Lots of people have stories, some end up on YouTube.
We tend to look for Aires first and only go to sites for specific needs, maybe a laundry visit. We find them inexpensive, friendly and often in fascinating places.
Other definitions are available

OK I understand now. Thank you

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

 

[Branston]

OK I understand now. Thank you

Consider buying the books, All The Aires France. Published by Vicarious Books. It's a very useful reference, describing each places set up.

 

[funflair]

Or if you don't do books get the app "Campercontact" or "Searchforsites" or both.

 

[Drum Major]

Park4thenight

 

[scotjimland]

aire de camping- car

at the most basic level, they are overnight stopping places for motorhomes.. like a car park, generally with basic services, fresh water and grey and black waste disposal ..some may have an EHU , generally only 6 A ..

some are free.. other have a small charge off several euros, and some are as much as €14

camping behaviour is not allowed.. ie tables and chairs out, but this rule is relaxed or ignored when they are not busy..

you could be parked up close, sometimes barely able to open a window.. and can hear someone fart.. while others are spacious with as much space as a camp site .

some have a 48hr limit.. others you can stay until you run out of money..

they are a great way for touring France and indeed Germany (stellplatz) and Italy (sostas) ..

we have a list of favourites we have used over the years .. but every time we go away we look for others and add them to the list ..

If you prefer a camp site , look for Municipal Sites, they are really good, with basic facilities and inexpensive.. but have a short season, many close at the end of August .. they are generally listed in the Searchforsites app .. sadly many have been sold and now run by private companies, and others tuned into aires..

CAMPINGS MUNICIPAUX FRANCE I Retrouvez les Campings Municipaux en France sur cartes

www.camping-municipal.org

 

[Wallaby Ted]

Do not regard Aires on French motorways in the same light as thefts and robberies are a distinct risk.

Sorry I don't understand
Do you mean that Spain is riskier than France?

aire de camping- car

at the most basic level, they are overnight stopping places for motorhomes.. like a car park, generally with basic services, fresh water and grey and black waste disposal ..some may have an EHU , generally only 6 A ..

some are free.. other have a small charge off several euros, and some are as much as €14

camping behaviour is not allowed.. ie tables and chairs out, but this rule is relaxed or ignored when they are not busy..

you could be parked up close, sometimes barely able to open a window.. and can hear someone fart.. while others are spacious with as much space as a camp site .

some have a 48hr limit.. others you can stay until you run out of money..

they are a great way for touring France and indeed Germany (stellplatz) and Italy (sostas) ..

we have a list of favourites we have used over the years .. but every time we go away we look for others and add them to the list ..

If you prefer a camp site , look for Municipal Sites, they are really good, with basic facilities and inexpensive.. but have a short season, many close at the end of August .. they are generally listed in the Searchforsites app .. sadly many have been sold and now run by private companies, and others tuned into aires..

CAMPINGS MUNICIPAUX FRANCE I Retrouvez les Campings Municipaux en France sur cartes

www.camping-municipal.org

Thank you very helpful.
So if you don't stay at Aires, where do you camp in a motorhome

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

 

[Wallaby Ted]

Or if you don't do books get the app "Campercontact" or "Searchforsites" or both.

Thanks

 

[denisejoe]

Sorry I don't understand
Do you mean that Spain is riskier than France?

Thank you very helpful.
So if you don't stay at Aires, where do you camp in a motorhome

Aires are not risky but motorway aires are associated with a lot of thief’s especially over night

 

[denisejoe]

lorry drivers look for secure overnight parking in France is to stop illegals getting on board to come to uk

 

[Wallaby Ted]

Aires are not risky but motorway aires are associated with a lot of thief’s especially over night

OK got it. Yes I thought they were one and the same

 

[Gina M]

When we were new to travelling in France we stopped at an Aire by the motorway and OH asked a local who was using the loo if it was safe to stay there and he said no (I was a bit miffed as it was lovely) he told us to follow him in his car and he took us to a free MH parking area in the village with free water which was safe and well lit and another French couple parked up next to us. It felt strange as we were used to only using campsites but it was absolutely fine

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

 

[Gaston aires]

I’ve used Aires for 20 years in villages, towns, NEVER on motorway services. France, Germany, Spain, and Portugal. Never had a problem even though my handle is Gaston aires.
Phil

 

[MGDavid]

I’ve used Aires for 20 years in villages, towns, NEVER on motorway services. France, Germany, Spain, and Portugal. Never had a problem even though my handle is Gaston aires.
Phil

Yes, same for us (with the honourable exception of Drongen services in Belgium which is much favoured by the Polish cargo van drivers), but only 10 years experience.

 

[Speve]

Unfortunately the word aire is used for several different things in France it can describe motorway parking so look for aire de camping car (France) Area de Autocaravanas (Spain)

 

[scotjimland]

Thank you very helpful.
So if you don't stay at Aires, where do you camp in a motorhome

as mentioned, in France, Municipal Sites ..

or other commercial camp sites

also France Passion ..
night stays on vineyards, farms etc .. though can't say how good as we have never used.. while you are not required to purchase from the host, I would feel compelled to buy..

France Passion: Great stopovers with your motorhome in France

France Passion - A guide to friendly and gastronomic motorhome stopovers in the French countryside with farmers and winegrowers – agri-tourism and wine tourism

www.france-passion.com

 

[boldhamster]

as mentioned, in France, Municipal Sites ..

or other commercial camp sites

also France Passion ..
night stays on vineyards, farms etc .. though can't say how good as we have never used.. while you are not required to purchase from the host, I would feel compelled to buy..

France Passion: Great stopovers with your motorhome in France

France Passion - A guide to friendly and gastronomic motorhome stopovers in the French countryside with farmers and winegrowers – agri-tourism and wine tourism

www.france-passion.com

France Passion is great. Friendly people and fun experiences with locals. Gentleman’s agreement to purchase products - good fun as well, though one in brandy country was expensive (our choice!). Farmer dragged us out of a waterlogged vineyard too. Usually no services other than fresh water.

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

 

[jumartoo]

Aire is French for Area. Us Brits lazily use it for all parking areas, some even using it in the plural!

So aire de camping car is a motorhome area
Aire de services could be a motorway area (or just a place with a service point).

In Spain the same places are known as Areas Autocaravanas or even just Areas Caravanas or sometimes Camperstops.

Most of them are identified by the blue and white signs similar to these.

Some are privately owned and incur a charge, some are run by the local councils. Some are parking only and some have basic facilities and some have full facilities, including electricity, free of charge.

There are lots of Apps to help you find safe places to stay.

 

[GMLS]

Might be of interest

 

[denisejoe]

One of the best books for all Europe is Camper Contact they also have an app which gives a the Aires all over Europe.

 

[Wallaby Ted]

Aire is French for Area. Us Brits lazily use it for all parking areas, some even using it in the plural!

So aire de camping car is a motorhome area
Aire de services could be a motorway area (or just a place with a service point).

In Spain the same places are known as Areas Autocaravanas or even just Areas Caravanas or sometimes Camperstops.

Most of them are identified by the blue and white signs similar to these.

View attachment 808315

Some are privately owned and incur a charge, some are run by the local councils. Some are parking only and some have basic facilities and some have full facilities, including electricity, free of charge.

There are lots of Apps to help you find safe places to stay.

Thank you. Great explanation