Travel in France
Hi. I intend to visit my family in Bozel (French Alps) during June/July. I've driven the route before so I'm reasonably comfortable with driving in France along the autoroutes (Calais/Reims/Lyons/Albertville) and some of the more rural route nationals but I haven't towed a caravan abroad. Indeed this will be the longest tow to date. Clearly, the journey will be significantly slower and longer in duration and rest stops will be essential.
I've read of some disturbing attacks experienced by British tourers resting up on autoroute aires but what of Campings Municipaux? Are these sufficiently secure and comfortable? Or should I concentrate on finding commercial resort sites? I'd like to hear from experienced tourers.
By the way, I'll be travelling alone with two dogs.
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Campsites of any type are subject to crime, just like anywhere else. Resort sites may have security guards, dog patrol, etc., and if these make you feel more comfortable then perhaps that's the way to go. However, most people would have no problem staying overnight on an Aire outside of the main cities and problem areas or on a municipal site anywhere at all. I think it's all down to 'perception of risks'. To me France (even with all the recent problems) is a much safer area than many places in Britain might be!
Here is a website which gives you all the municipal campsites - and many now have their own website, so you can look and make up your mind as to their relative safety.
To find other sites have a look at either campingfrance.com, or eurocampings.co.uk (not Eurocamp)
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Allen, it's about 600 miles and can be motorway almost all the way if you wish. How about three x 200 mile days with overnights at the town sites at Chalons en Champagne and then Beaune, They are both busy,well used sites and you will have no risk of being isolated, unsafe or alone. But if would prefer two x 300 mile days then the natural stopping place would be the town site at Langres - again with plenty of people around you.
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We have towed thousands of miles and stopped at many many municipal camp sites over the last twenty five years. In fact we prefer them for their simplicity and often quirky nature. To pull up, site your self and have somebody collect the money later, or next morning is what makes France. Unfortunately they are a dying resource as more and more of them are sold off to private companies
In all those years and sites we have never felt threatened or unsafe. Certainly from what I have read do not stop overnight on motorway aires.
It depends on what you want, we tend these days to drive for no more than 150 miles a day, avoid motorways except on Sundays and enjoy the countryside. Benefit of being retired I suppose and lots of time to do it.
Enjoy your trip
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As far as I know there have been very few substantiated accounts of theft from municipal or other sites in France (Val's story a year or so ago excepted). We have no hesitation in staying on them and habitually leave chairs, barbecue etc out while away for the day and they're always still there when we return (of course it may be that no self respecting thief would be seen dead with our tatty old equipment....)
If we did have something stolen we would just accept it and carry on. They're only objects which can be replaced. A physical attack would of course be different but here again except for some of the lurid "I was gassed" apocryphal tales I'm not aware of this being reported on sites.
We would not however overnight on motorway aires or similar.
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I think EuroTraveller's got it just about right for stop overs. If you did stop at Beaune then there is a restaurant on site and an easy walk into town.
One thing to consider these days is the proliferation of speed reducing humps etc. that many small towns and villages are putting in. So if travelling along National or non autoroutes you may come across these more than expected and with a caravan they do jiggle you about somewhat.
You shouldn't have any problems staying on a municipal, we never have and many others on here say the same.
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Enjoy your tour in France. We have stopped in many, many municipal sites over the years and thoroughly enjoyed them but they are fairly simple and basic. Have you thought about buying the Clubs Touring France guide. It lists 3500 different camp sites in the country for £15
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We have stayed in many Municipal Sites. Don't worry use them. They are usually in or very close to a town/village allowing you to walk for your evening meal/drink. There are some gems: sadly a number now seem to have been privatised eg the one in St Chinian. I commented on the way that speed bumps etc in France are on the increase after a trip there in Sep last - my post was headed 'Is driving in France the pleasure it used to be', seems to have gone into the ether since the 'Discussion' section was updated!
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Many thanks. As you rightly say, overnighting on aires is basically down to a perception of risk and finding sites which are neither too busy nor deserted. In either instance my dogs would soon let me know if they are disturbed or become anxious - be it a prowler or a badger! I will look at the three websites you mention.
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This really appeals to me. I have overnighted in nondescript edge of town hotels at both Chalons and Beaune but found the town centres fascinating. If I can time my arrivals carefully both would offer walking for my dogs even if not free-running. Lancers, may be pushing a first journey but I will bear it in mind for another day. Many Thanks.
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That is precisely the level of confidence I am looking for. Many thanks
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