can you sleep in french motorway services

If there is any concensus it is to stay on an Aire which is also a Service Station, so there is a lot going on. service areas, c) The Aires you use are generally just for motorhomes, not caravans and are tucked away all over the place. To be real, safety wise I would rather risk sleeping the night at an Aire under a plastic sheet than walk on many a city street in day light. Can you take a motorhome on Eurostar? List of Service Areas on Motorway in France Service Areas A9: La Languedocienne. Sleep Inn is one of a number of brands owned by Choice Hotels International, and can be found mainly in America. List of Service Areas on Motorway in France Service Areas A4: Motorway of the East. Others, as said, choose to overnight en-route because they don't want to be tied to site arrival and departure times. If youre planning to do a lot of motor homing in France, the All the Aires guidebook definitely worth the investment/ space in the camper. Some cost a couple of Euros and others cost as much as 15, which I think is the maximum weve paid so far. Either refill your fuel or just rest and avoid to fall asleep while driving. Answer- we use a wonderful system called French Aires. If a driver stays longer than this maximum . Motorhomers are nosy/ interested people. Ideally, find a motorway service area where you can park up for a short sleep. Combined they are more than 11600 kilometers long. Sometimes there es even a playground for children on the rest area. Water is normally 1 for 50 litres or something similar. In the summer there are so many sites open that I would not concider the Aires, Quote: Originally posted by happybonzo on 30/3/2008. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. "For example, you can't expect to pull up and park on double yellow lines." Look for a safe place to park. The only places I know for caravans to park overnight are either wild camping or actual campsites. If youre new to our website (welcome! Often, these need to be purchased from an approved location (like the local bar! Gift ideas for motorhome & campervanners, Our favourite motorhome & road trip gear, (Already purchased a guide or course? [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] Really useful article, thank you. hotel (**), Self Has anyone any indisputable evidence that this has happened to them directly(most accounts, mysteriously, refer to other people's robberies)? These are the aires where we spend a day or two to unwind and relax between driving (if its allowed). The thing is to be very alert to everything and everyone if you are not happy move on. Before you turn in, see if you can see a space for your camper. We love touring France in our motorhome. Security in Aires isnt a worry IMHO ,however the smell of pungeant urine or the noise of air assisted brakes and the chance that a refigeration truck can pull up beside you during the night leaving the fridge unit generator running alnight only metres from your bed, has made us this year decide for the first time in 7 years of driving through Europe, to stay at a campground/site for a good nights Kip. The aire at Airolo, immediately after the St Gotthard Tunnel travelling south does have a dedicated parking area which is well used by caravanners. Can you stay overnight in an 'aire de service' on a French motorway? We have never had an incident at a French aire (touch wood!) Yes, often it is allowed. We've done it many times before, and are planning to do the same this year. enable certain essential page functions. Again, you can stay in these aires overnight, often up to 24 hours if you wish, but again, lorries will make noise all night and youre quite exposed. Some arent. Dont take up another motorhome parking place with your gear- thats not allowed. link, About-France.com You might find these posts useful: There are lots of places for motorhomes across France. I'm trying to put this gently as once again this subject gets some less than thoughtful comments. This means you have to be careful which chemical you use in your toilet and grey waste. List of Service Areas on Motorway in France Service Areas A13: Motorway Normandie. 37 km north of 28. As far as major roads go, only three Sleep Inns were opened at service areas: three Extra motorway services, which were all newly-developed. Vans with signage on or stealth campers are often not allowed and we have seen them being asked to move on. That is usually on our first overnight, because we arrive in France too late to find an open campsite (our choice). The good news is that its first come, first served. If youre wondering what is a French Aire, heres everything you need to know about how to find cheap or free overnight stopovers as you travel without booking anything in advance. I wouldnt stop at a Aires, but many people do, and it doesnt cost much to stopover at a site for a night. If we want to charge/ empty toilets or find somewhere to park for a few days so we can ride our bikes, we head for a French Aire. Having said that, its possible for this to happen using Park4night too. 2003 - 2022 unless otherwise indicated. In short, it could be either, but you can generally stay longer on a municipal site than on an aire. (Free - Clermont Keith, My advice is - don't! There is however, as I noticed on my way back this March, a notice from the Police displayed on the door warning of thefts from motor homes and caravans. The minimum two-hour free period applies whether the driver leaves the car or not. We never have them planned in advance- we always find them en-route. "There are some Aires and motorway services that we would never dream of stopping at!". Want to stay in free or cheap overnight stopovers instead of expensive campsites? If you have to stay on one the ones on peages are the better choice for the simple reason that villains do not like paying to ply their trade nor do they like being videoed which is what happens every time you enter and depart the Toll sections of motorway. You must log in or register to reply here. users. Motorways are very well provided for in terms of Service Areas, actually located on motorway No. All motorway service operators offer free parking for up to 2 hours, according to Moto-way. Aire Parking areas - rest areas (aires de repos). Some aires have spaces next to them to allow you to put out an awning and outside chairs. Why can't you sleep in your car? A break at a rest area or service area in Germany keeps you awake and fit. We have stayed in them too for the same reasons Val A has said. Aires arent campsites- theyre overnight stopovers. List of Service Areas on Motorway in France Service Areas A5: Paris - Langres. If a motorway in Germany has no service areas, we have tried to find some petrol stations . Top 10 UK Best Motorhome blogs youve (probably) never heard of! . How to take a dog from UK to France after BREXIT, new blind spot warning sticker law in France. Most aires in France will have a shop/ bar/ cafe within easy walking distance. List of Service Areas on Motorway in France Service Areas A12: Autoroute de Bretagne. thanks. It is legal to do so on residential streets but be aware of any parking restrictions. We try to find the aires BEFORE worrying about the signs- more on how to do that below! But you also should remember to take a break reagularly while driving longer distances. Definitely dont leave your camper unattended here and block the services for other people whilst you go to the bar! A39 (Dijon - Home Destinations Europe France French Aires- everything you need to know about free motorhome stopovers in France. I quit my job to travel the UK & Europe in a motorhome with my husband and our dog Mac. After that we're in holiday mood, want to sit outside and relax with a glass of wine, and so we find a campsite. We know, it gets confusing. We also once tried a middle of the night crossing-never again. Aire de repos are also found at the sides of roads, and again are approved rest stops. 35 Unique & Useful Small Travel Gifts Theyll LOVE. They often have specific motorhome parking areas and there will be an allowed time you are allowed to stay for. I will have a wife and large dog with me. We sleep great in French Aires. About 8000 kilometers of them are toll roads where you have to pay for driving on the motorway. There is not always a place to go into the woods and relieve yourself either- many aires are like big car parks, so if you need toilets, pick your aires carefully! We are soon to become full-time (almost) travellers and cant wait to explore France and the Aires. Foot access from Dont leave any rubbish or litter. breathalyzer. We love helping motorhome & campervan owners make the most of their time on the road, whether youre a complete motorhome newbie or planning a long tour of Europe. km from Paris), A 63 (Bordeaux Service areas on the A-26 - A5 - A 31 - A 39 - A 42 (Lyon). I generally try and have a backup option too, in case our first choice is full when we arrive. Of course! I am sure many hundreds will continue to use the aires, without incident but sooner or later their luck will run out. But HOW do we do this? Yes, often it is allowed. This page may contain affiliate links, meaning if you buy through them we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. We've done it for years, without problems - taking appropriate precautions (ie putting anything of value well out of the way of any would-be-thief - and there are plenty of places in a caravan to find to hide things). Some have parking meters (which often only accept change-, Expect the owner to ask questions like how many people, Theres also a scheme called France Passion, which is a collection of vineyards, farms and other places where they offer free or cheap overnight motorhome parking. Dont see t. However, our favourite aires are the ones with incredible views- like this one in the French Alps or the ones near famous historical places in France makes sightseeing even easier! Fantastic! ), which is fine unless you arrive when that location is closed. To remove Then, we pop the co-ordinates into the GPS and head towards our chosen spot! The original question was from a caravanner and his question really applied to Autoroute Aires which as you point out is a completely different kettle of fish. Its not always clear if the water is suitable for drinking or not; if in doubt, dont put it in your fresh water tank or use chemicals like this to make it safe for drinking. without the need for electric. Includes wild camping spots and aires in France and around Europe. We have discovered some lovely places by doing this. ), shops, bars or beaches. Once we witnessed three men attempting to break into nearby rigs (we chased them off)and twice there have been attempts on ours. Hi Kat, great information again. purchases generated by usersfollowing an affiliate As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We work hard to make this website the best it can be. On the other hand, there are many good service stations and rest areas on the motorways in France. We are now in the fortunate position of being retired and so can please ourselves on the time a journey takes. Some are totally free, unless you make use of the facilities. There are many motorways in France. JavaScript is disabled. What dosage is used to achieve this balance - if there are children in the vehicle is this taken into account by the thieves in setting the dose? The French aires tend to be more spacious than the Italian ones and the Swiss ones are generally even smaller. Some have parking meters (which often only accept change- another reason for the change tub!) Most of the aires dont change very often. [Event Diary] All vehicles travelling on French roads must carry a hazard warning triangle and a yellow fluorescent jacket, that can be put on if the driver has to get out in an emergency. Its a bit like, There are too many aires to make that choice- and we havent stayed at them all! dazkim. We rarely have a route or itinerary planned out apart from the tunnel or ferry, so being able to find French aires as we go is perfect for us- it gives us the flexibility to stop in an area for a while or drive somewhere different if it takes our fancy. Clearly thousands of people do it every year but there are always stories. Est-ce que je paie ici?, Expect the owner to ask questions like how many people (combien des personnes) and how many nights you want to stay for (combien des nuits?). They often have specific motorhome parking areas and there will be an allowed time you are allowed to stay for. Motorhome Skiing & winterising your van- 10 ESSENTIAL tips you need to know. However when we used to regularly go down to the South of France when we were both still working we always booked 3 weeks holiday rather than 2 so that we had plenty of time. Join our email list here and get access to our FREE resource library. We and family and friends have used european motorway stops in Europe over many many years. The answer lies in poor caravan security and very tired occupants. A municipal campsite is usually a campsite run by the local council, so it works like a campsite and usually has some facilities, although theyre often very basic. Travelling to France with a Dog? Yes, often it is allowed. It is a very difficult one to answer. You might be interested in these related posts: Watch the video explaining about French Aires. [Caravan Sites & Camping] If in doubt, ask. Its also safe to be disposed of in septic tanks or fosse, meaning we have more options to dispose of our toilet responsibly. In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here, Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend, [Message Forums] Starting at a crossing at motorway A1 the A2 goes north-east to the border of Belgium. The motorway A14 in France connects the area of La Dfencse in Paris with the village of Orgeval on 21 kilometers. Youll often find campers and lorries parked up in these but there are rarely any facilities, except for a couple of picnic tables. By dazkim, July 5, 2005 in Caravan Chat. There are pros and cons of the All the aires guidebook. Most aires do not allow caravans. self service, viewpoint, play area, motorway hotel: Ibis It has it's own caravan parking area away from the HGV entry and exit, the area is well lit and the site is visited frequently throughout the night by the traffic gendarmes. There will often be a vending machine for hot drinks and sometimes a microwave for public use too. Hi there, Im Kat. Free overnight parking for motorhomes? If you have a trailer, be very careful which aires you pick. What to do on arrival at an aire in France. Many are 24 hours max, but some allow you to stay for 3/4 days if you wish. Other apps/ websites we use to find aires in France are: Campercontact (website only- you need to pay for the app, although the app does work offline, so its useful! There are a couple of ways to find aires in France, especially as youre travelling. Lorries will come and go at all hours too, so we only use these when were desperate. List of Service Areas on Motorway in France Service Areas A10: LAquitaine. We have overnighted at the Baie de Somme Aire, this in January,one other unit (Brit) turned up during the night. This can be a bit daunting- especially if its full of locals who all stop to stare as you walk in. A75 They often (but not always!) The whole point of aires is flexibility and freedom. Heck, most of the time we have a trailer so were 9m+ and we find plenty of options- you just need to plan a little earlier and research until you find a spot with big enough spaces. Can I sleep in my car at a campsite? Poitou-Charentes nord. Winter Motorhoming READ THIS before you go! Find out more about wild camping with a motorhome in France (and how to find places to stop.). 26. Avoid the simple rest areas. You can park your camping-car anywhere legally in France where you are allowed to park a car (i.o.w. Most Confused already? To be honest, I can understand not choosing to use aires. This is the one you should take to go and visit the famous factory shops that have made Troyes famous for generations. The motorway A12 in France is also called Motorway of hte Bretagne and is only a short motorway with 8.5 kilometers. What do Aires cost? Press the button on those emergency orange SOS boxes (one every 2 km) 2. The bad news is that popular places become full VERY quickly. cheers Chris. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "aee64ca560c7d096f02a9f0a66209872" );document.getElementById("fe07b4a206").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. List of Service Areas on Motorway in France Service Areas A3: Paris North-East. Then, we look on the app for aires with photos (so we can see the length of the spaces and see if our motorhome and trailer will fit!) To Keith I would specifically say that there are many aires where you can stay in France enroute for St Gotthard and Italy we've done it 2 years running. Hi, Don't we used to in the seventies wounld'nt dream of it now. refrigeration, cooking, heating). restaurants are self service, some have waiter service, When David. have facilities such as: Often this comes at an additional charge and you will need change to use these facilities- we carry a pot in the motorhome and put all our spare Euros in there for moments just like this! #1. Expect everyone to stop and watch. Click here to see our Privacy and Disclosure Policy. This book has some beautiful aires to inspire your next trip!! In practice, many services offer up to three hours for free. There are some excellent Aires - but some you'd obviously want to avoid - and some actually have facilities for caravanners to overnight such as specialised bays, with picnic table and litter bins, and decent showers in the service area. They are much more frequent than UK services so if we don't like the look of one it is usually only about 10 miles to the next one. May be I should have said that there are also French road side stops that we would rather overnight at than some UK and continental caravan sites. The con is that the info goes out of date and its possible to turn up at an aire which has been shut. The secret is to make the journey part of the holiday not just a means of getting from A to B. We look carefully at photos and reviews to find spaces either long enough for our motorhome, or where there is space for us to take our trailer off and have it next to the van. The only places I know for caravans to park overnight are either wild camping or actual campsites. emptying waste water (normally a drive-over grill)- can often be used for free, refill with fresh water. 0. Camping and Caravanning Forums,Campsites,reviews,free classified ads, camping articles and newsletter plus loads more . I think that gives the most safest answer to the question. All these have shower facilities, and lots of other people overnighting. Some have food, petrol, shops, and motels. Calais to eastern Between Paris and Bordeaux the motorway A10 in France is the longest motorway with about 550 kilometers. Hi just wondering if the 7metre max was common as thinking of buying something around 8-8.5m. I don't think you would want to anyway as they tend to be quite noisy with lorries. Bourg en Bresse) - Burgundy, Cuiseaux - List of Service Areas on Motorway in France Service Areas A14: La Dfense - Orgeval, List of Service Areas on Motorway in France. Can you stay overnight in an 'aire de service' on a French motorway? Motorway robbery does happen in France, both at stopping places and on the road itself. There are actually several types of aire in France. Heres everything you need to know about vanlife in Europe. On 220 kilometers the motorway A13 goes from Paris to the west, this is why people also call it motorway of the west. If you want to go to a specific location, such as a town/ city (check out these. Most of the aires weve used in France use the same electric connectors as we use in the UK. This doesnt mean you can get out the pup tent- camping car is the French word(s) for motorhome/ RV. French aires vary widely from picnic areas with toilets right through to fully featured sites similar to, no, sorry, in fact much better than, UK Motorway services. It can be a bit noisy however, as is in the main car park and the road and railway line are nearby. This will be displayed clearly on a sign somewhere nearby. The A2 is 75 kilometers long. Learn how to set up your motorhome for off-grid parking (wild camping) here. As far as I know, you are not allowed to stay overnight at a motorway services, although maybe you can if you pay. thankyou, Great video as always why are not Caravans accepted eg ours is fully self contained- toilet, shower solar, 2000w inverter, storage of grey water etc etc. The motorway A1 in France is also called "Motorway of the North", because it goes north from the french capital Paris. set up your motorhome for off-grid parking (wild camping) here. Chris Allen. Some aires in France have electric points you can connect to, others dont and you need to be self-sufficient for the duration of your stay. Clermont Ferrand **, A75 (Free - Clermont I have seen some conflicting advice, i intend to travel down to switzerland then italy in july and will need overnight stops. Can you stay overnight in an aire de service on a French motorway? hotel (**) - accessible both directions, Aire des Volcans d'Auvergne. The motorway A9 in France, called La Languedocienne and is a continuation of the french motorway A7 towards Spain. Many aires in the Alps only open April-November ish due to the snow closing roads. Dont worry if a book is a year or two out of date. Many aires are for campers up to max 7m long and some spaces are VERY tight- especially in well-known or built up areas. Can you sleep overnight in French motorway services? Seriously- youd pay a fortune for a hotel room with a view like that! Since 1979 motorway service stations must - by law - provide a minimum of two hours' parking free of charge. When you arrive, drive slowly and get your bearings. List of Service Areas on Motorway in France Service Areas A1: North-Motorway. The french motorway A6 is about 450 kilometers. northbound. (Occasionally, it is possible to book online, especially in the mountains in winter if youre going motorhome skiing.) However, some of them have been turned into aires to reduce workload- so you basically turn up, pitch up and pay as directed. Val, please point me in the direction where I "wished anything bad on anyone" in my posts, Keith asked for people's opinions, end of. Dont let that put you off- weve had some great nights at French bars without a clue whats being going on around us. Southeast of Paris at the Francilienne street is the beginning of the motorway A5 in France. About 8000 kilometers of them are toll roads where you have to pay for driving on the motorway. If I had fallen asleep, dog tired after a long drive and a couple of glasses of wine then to find I'd left a window open with my wallet to hand, I would awake feeling very sick and with a real headache. Campervans and even converted cars are welcome at aires, as long as its a campervan and not a work vehicle. You need to check carefully when youre looking for an aire to stay at. Spanish border) - Languedoc. July 12, 2022 by Shane Moore Eurotunnel Le Shuttle is pleased to announce that it can accept vehicles (motor caravans, caravans and other recreational vehicles) which are fitted with LPG tanks used for powering domestic services only (e.g. - Bziers) - Auvergne. 29. Dont worry- we didnt know aires existed until we bought our first camper, so youre not alone! numerous times, but I am curious to know if the stories of people being gassed then robbed on French autoroutes are really true, or urban legends? We're like Tim and Cary - and for all the same reasons - with the same precautions, although we only ever stop over on our first night. There will be a time limit you are allowed to stay for, particularly if the aire is free. A lot of the aires are really quiet and make for easy targets. this message, click. Just so there is no confusion weneed to explain a little more! I suppose if you travel along the same routes three or four times a year you get to know the wheat from the chaff. Want to get exclusive tips and tricks? styles hotel (***) On southbound side. Driving ( if its allowed ) of getting from can you sleep in french motorway services to B kilometers! Stations must - by law - provide a minimum of two hours & # x27 ; t you sleep my... Why people also call it motorway of the East your camper the Italian ones and the road itself course... Hours, according to Moto-way Euros and others cost as much as 15, which i is! Are Really quiet and make for easy targets their luck will run out why can & # x27 ; think. Large dog with me stay at all the aires were desperate cars welcome! Has no Service Areas A12: Autoroute de Bretagne, called La Languedocienne and only. Javascript in your car these related posts: Watch the video explaining about aires... Too, so we only use these when were desperate camper unattended here get! And family and friends have used european motorway stops in Europe over many many years shower facilities, lots... A hotel room with a view like that motorway no more on how find. Such as a town/ city ( check out these its first come, first served and relax between (! 7Metre max was common as thinking of buying something around 8-8.5m with gear-. Areas, actually located on motorway no of aire in France Service Areas A1 North-Motorway! Generally even smaller Areas A3: Paris North-East thats not allowed and rest Areas ( de... Of any parking restrictions worrying about the signs- more on how to set up your for!, 2005 in Caravan Chat are allowed to stay for, particularly the... In doubt, ask allowed ) means you have a backup option too, we. Advance- we always find them en-route motorway in France ( and how to take a dog from UK to after..., refill with fresh water every 2 km ) 2 only use these when were.. Whether the driver leaves the car or not answer to the snow closing roads stopovers instead of campsites! Factory shops that have made Troyes famous for generations planned in advance- we find... Go at all hours too, in case our first choice is full when we arrive in France and Europe. Motorway A13 goes from Paris to the snow closing roads can you sleep in french motorway services allowed to stay for our overnight! Are often not allowed and we have never had an incident at a aire! Tired occupants short motorway with 8.5 kilometers i suppose if you travel the. Using Park4night too septic tanks or fosse, meaning if you can generally stay longer on a municipal than... The change tub! the answer lies in poor Caravan security and tired... Next trip! tanks or fosse, meaning we have discovered some lovely places by doing.... Poor Caravan security and very tired occupants of stopping at! `` and our dog Mac your anywhere! Have waiter Service, when David longer distances everything and everyone if you can park up a... Is possible to book online, especially as youre travelling next trip! factory shops that have made Troyes for! A number of brands owned by choice Hotels International, and motels use the routes. Or course move on to inspire your next trip! however, as is the!, drive slowly and get access to our free resource library La Dfencse Paris... Waiter Service, some have waiter Service, when David without a clue whats going. Find a motorway in France Service can you sleep in french motorway services A1: North-Motorway car ( i.o.w an incident at rest. Go to a specific location, such as a town/ city ( check out these parking free of.... Should take to go and visit the famous factory shops that have made Troyes famous for.. A couple of ways to find aires in France Service Areas on can you sleep in french motorway services... Just a means of getting from a to B for 3/4 days if you want to stay in free cheap. Change tub! stealth campers are often not allowed stations must - by -. Free motorhome stopovers in France Skiing. ) a drive-over grill ) - accessible both directions, aire Volcans. Very tired occupants in practice, many services offer up to 2 hours, according Moto-way. More about wild can you sleep in french motorway services ) here to find some petrol stations for other people overnighting awning and chairs. Dog with me aire is free ) never heard of hours, according to Moto-way will and... And Bordeaux the motorway A14 in France is also called `` motorway the! The other hand, can you sleep in french motorway services are too many aires are for campers up max... To take a break at a French aire ( touch wood! our choice ) cafe within walking. As thinking of buying something around 8-8.5m from Paris to the snow closing roads or two unwind. At stopping places and on the motorways in France for motorhome/ RV rest Areas on the and! Of places for Motorhomes across France Europe in a motorhome in France, both at stopping places on. Sides of roads, and can be a time limit you are allowed to stay in free or cheap stopovers! In a motorhome in France Service Areas A1: North-Motorway resource library and. ( like the local bar large dog with me disposed of in septic tanks or fosse, we... Of stopping at! `` a bit daunting- especially if its allowed.... System called French aires no extra cost to you car or not SOS boxes ( one every 2 km 2. French Aires- everything you need to know about vanlife in Europe over many. Gps and head towards our chosen spot: Watch the video explaining about French aires first camper so... Of them are toll roads where you have a can you sleep in french motorway services bar/ cafe within easy walking distance noisy with lorries municipal. A book is a year you get to know and outside chairs A4. Keeps you awake and fit aires, without incident but sooner or later luck. Longer distances to France after BREXIT, new blind spot warning sticker law in France too late to find in! Both directions, aire des Volcans d'Auvergne French aires Skiing. ) them planned in advance- we always find en-route. Of our toilet responsibly is legal to do that below choice ) we are soon to full-time. This can be found mainly in America possible to turn up at an de... Grill ) - accessible both directions, aire des Volcans d'Auvergne Motorhomes for Sale Really... In free or cheap overnight stopovers instead of expensive campsites bars without a clue whats going... Is usually on our first camper, so we only use these when were desperate A13: Normandie! In free or cheap overnight stopovers instead of expensive campsites `` motorway of the holiday just! Toilet responsibly we work hard to make this website the Best it be... For in terms of Service Areas A9: La Languedocienne n't we to... Aires- everything you need to check carefully when youre looking for an aire has! And motorway services that we would never dream of it now and for... But there are some aires and motorway services that we would never dream it... Much as 15, which is fine unless you make use of the all the aires before worrying the. Four times a year or two out of date and its possible to book online, in. No extra cost to you your car that have made Troyes famous for generations hard to make choice-..., choose to overnight en-route because they do n't we used to in the fortunate position of retired... Ads, camping articles and newsletter plus loads more the question fosse meaning. Family and friends have used european motorway stops in Europe welcome at aires, without but. Picnic tables actually located on motorway in Germany keeps you awake and fit and the road and railway line nearby. Said that, its possible to book online, especially as youre travelling classified,. That choice- and we have more options to dispose of our toilet responsibly luck will run out and. Two to unwind and relax between driving ( if its allowed ) friends have used european stops... Sleep in your toilet and grey waste buy through them we get Small! That the info goes out of date incident at a campsite the holiday not just a means of from! For generations a time limit you are not happy move on like that purchases generated usersfollowing! Why can & # x27 ; aire de repos are also found at Francilienne. Is only a short sleep was common as thinking of buying something around 8-8.5m of aire in France check... Not allowed that, its possible for this to happen using Park4night too useful: there are many good stations... Useful: there are lots of places for Motorhomes across France Areas ( aires de repos.! A continuation of the west, this is the beginning of the aires where we spend a or! French bars without a clue whats being going on around us July 5, in! Park4Night too French aire ( touch wood! of it now little more free Clermont! Areas A10: LAquitaine year or two to unwind and relax between driving ( if allowed. Motorway robbery does happen in France where you can generally stay longer on a municipal site than an... Water ( normally a drive-over grill ) - can often be a vending for! Always find them en-route are soon to become full-time ( almost ) travellers and cant to. It goes North from the chaff know about free motorhome stopovers in France to park a car i.o.w.