Overnight stays in France

Andy and Michelle replied on 04/04/2021 11:23

Andy and Michelle

Posted on 04/04/2021 11:23

We're "hoping" to be able to travel to the south of France later this year in our motorhome. Of course our hopes raise & fade like the tide at the moment! We haven't taken the MH before and would be very grateful for members' advice about overnight stays on the way down. For the first trip we just want the convenience of an overnight stop. We've read that some motorway service stations might be good enough for an overnight but wondered what members thought? Probably want to stop somewhere near Reims or Troyes. Many thanks in advance for any advice.

75 replies

replied on 08/04/2021 23:33

Posted on 08/04/2021 23:20 by SteveL

I can see it, and it would not interest us either as anything other than a parking spot. I don’t think anyone is denying that such Aires exist. Just that there are a lot of very nice ones as well.

Posted on 08/04/2021 23:33

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replied on 09/04/2021 08:06

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replied on 09/04/2021 08:47

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replied on 09/04/2021 09:15

Posted on 09/04/2021 09:04 by

Just our limited experience W2G but its obvious if a cash strapped council can get visitors in with little or no imput from themselves they will and 20 or 30 euros a day from paying customers in low season.wont keep them open. That site above was a "typical" municipal that had gardeners and cleaners presumably council employees and a manager that called in a couple of times a day to book people in and collect money. None of thats required if visitors are happy with a car park and no facilities. Incidentally it was not unknown for motorhomes to make a quick exit around 4:30 after showering and battery charging safe in the knowledge that the manager wasnt due until 5..

I dont suppose its common but we have seen it and on privately owned sites too where the owners take the 3 hour lunch

Posted on 09/04/2021 09:15

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JVB66 replied on 09/04/2021 09:34

Member

JVB66

Caravanner from Hertfordshire

Posted on 09/04/2021 09:34

Some years ago when Folkestone Racecourse site was open ,it was quite regular for those coming off the tunnel or ferries to do an overnight and use the facilities ,then before the staff came on duty leaving without paying

Single couple Site staff on UK club sites without barriers ,will quite often have M/Cs come in and dump and fill, JK will not be aware that some M/C owners will be quite aware that sites as JK is on this year the staff will not be "on duty" for several hours during the day ,may even not be on site as allowed off site when not on duty

Just thought i would mention the UK as when talking about UK someone will mention Over There

allanandjean replied on 09/04/2021 10:02

Member

allanandjean

Caravanner from Cornwall

Posted on 09/04/2021 10:02

"Just thought i would mention the UK as when talking about UK someone will mention Over There"

Seems all you have done is comment on the behaviour oh MH?

These people must have amazing planning abilities to be able to plot all their illicit stops during their trips.

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JVB66 replied on 09/04/2021 10:11

Member

JVB66

Caravanner from Hertfordshire

Posted on 09/04/2021 10:02 by allanandjean

"Just thought i would mention the UK as when talking about UK someone will mention Over There"

Seems all you have done is comment on the behaviour oh MH?

These people must have amazing planning abilities to be able to plot all their illicit stops during their trips.

Posted on 09/04/2021 10:11

Seems so ,and a big sign outside club sites helps, as some retired now wardens advised, another "method?"used if a site has barriers is/was "can we have a look round ,my wife or.partner cannot walk far would it be ok to drive round"

not often caravans need a dump/ fill

SteveL replied on 09/04/2021 10:20

Member

SteveL

Motorhomer from Nottinghamshire

Posted on 09/04/2021 10:20

Unfortunately there are those who will always try and avoid paying. Not sure how they expect the services to continue, possibly they are not bothered. Many years ago we were tenting on a small municipal out of season. We had been there 3 days and not seen anyone. Arriving back early and going to the facilities found they were being cleaned, so nipped back, got some money and went to settle up. I mentioned to our neighbour, who was there before we arrived, that an attendant was on site if they wished to settle up and they were not best pleased. Over the years we have posted payment through the door, or visited the Mairie. Now a days it tends to be barriers and card payments.😀

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