French Aires
Hi All,
We are planning to take our Swift Lifestyle Motorhome to Spain via Eurotunnel this July. I plan to do about 300 miles into France the first evening,so we should be around the area of Chaumont on the A5 by about 01:00 - 02:00 in the morning. Can anybody help me with the etiquette when wanting to arrive on an Aire in the early hours of the morning.
Thank you in anticipation of your help.
Richard
Comments
-
I forgot to add on the hour, so it could be as late as 03:00 in the morning.
Richard
0 -
If its a motorway aire then I suppose people will be coming and going at all times of the day and night. However it would be best to try and make as less noise as possible and perhaps park a bit further away from others. If its a special motorhome aire the same applies but more so as some are quite small. If you try and squeeze in between other motorhomes I expect they won't appreciate being woken up!!!
David
0 -
Let me check please. Is the idea is to leave Norfolk at 4pm and drive a Motorhome 500 miles from home to Chaumont before stopping?
0 -
So is it not rear offside corner to the white peg??
0 -
If you are a long distance driver in the UK (Rep, Lorry Driver etc) then this distance driving will not phase you especially if you can swap drivers.
Done this many times but to be honest, we both now prefer to stop on a campsite about 16.00 and dive into a beer. Parking an inch from another MH on a busy aire at 04.00 might not go down too well
Good luck.
1 -
Thank you everyone for your replies. Certainly driving for 3 hours down to Folkestone then having about an 1 1/2 hour break from driving(check in,waiting,travelling on the train eating supper), then driving for another 4 or 5 hours into France doesn't phase me at all. Years ago when the children were little we drove to Cornwall without stopping, that was far more impressive than just my wife and I driving 8 hours on our own(with a break), my wife can drive if necessary. Back on the Aires, I think I will just drive until I have had enough or getting low on fuel,then just call into the nearest village or small town and park up for a few hours before resuming our journey to Spain. On the return journey we will be more casual and enjoy the towns, villages and countryside of france.
I am planning the A26,A5,A31,A6,A7,A9, route both ways,does anybody have any suggestions for must see places ? We enjoy walking, scenery, history and my wife would like some interesting shops while I reserve a table in the local restaurant/bar !!
Thanks again for your input.
Richard
0 -
I went to north eastern France at Christmas with my caravan and stayed on a couple of motorway aires, and had no problems. they're every 15 mins or so on the toll motorways (the French are encouraged to stop frequently), i don't know how busy it'll be when you go, but I suggest if one is busy/full, just go on to the next. I also saw a lot of MH's using laybys and public carparks going through towns & villages - it seems to be the norm over there. I was quite envious especially with the mountain top car parks - imagine waking up to those views!
Regarding the distance/length of time you'll be driving. i didn't have any problem and i was on my own. i just pulled in and did a brew or had a nap if i was tired or wanted a break. you'll find that driving over there is so much easier than here - a lot less stressful.
Have fun - you'll enjoy it
0 -
Hi All,
It's a bit late but just thought I would give you an update on our trip to Spain. We didn't need to disturb anyone on an aire in the early hours of the morning as I kept driving until the next morning. We had a break on the Eurotunnel then continued our journey with a few fuel stops and almost made the Mediterranean(about 750 milrs) before two hours shut eye and then a short hop over to Spain. It was a lovely easy journey over night(no idiot drivers,in fact very few drivers at all). We had a great time in Spain and then a casual drive back through France enjoying some great locations and sites.
Richard
0 -
I forgot to add, my wife did help with the driving,after I did the 2200 miles to Spain and back, she kindly did the last 15 miles home from the wedding reception we stopped at on our way home(apparently I had a beer !).
0 -
Good to hear of your update Richard - we are aiming to get to Lyon setting off at about 17.00 and travelling about 4 hours before hitting the tunnel - and its a good 7-8 hour drive without stops on the French side. Even though we share driving, Im not sure we could emulate your non-stop travelling and are thinking we will try to find an aire not too far from the tunnel and set off early the next morning. So I guess, i would tweak your original question and ask what is the earliest acceptable time to set off from an aire?
0 -
I would suggest if you use the big Aires on the toll roads, it wouldn't matter when you arrive or leave, just park towards the end out of the way and you will not disturb anyone. The smaller Aires in towns and villages,a slightly different scenario Another option is stop when you need fuel, most of the big supermarkets are 24 hour fuel but the supermarkets are shut, lots of big empty car parks all the way down.
I would mention if you are going through Lyon and not stopping, avoid rush hour or preferably avoid daytime altogether !
Enjoy your trip.
Richard
1 -
Hi Richard
The supermarket and fuel stop combo may well be a good solution - though Ive been checking out the new Aire in Calais also.
We would be stopping overnight at Camping International in Dardilly (Lyon) as we have family in Lyon - before moving on to our next stop. We would arrive before rush hour if we can set off early enough ... LOL
Jane
0 -
Jane
You should be able to do that easily, it's a lovely easy drive. When you need fuel, go to a nearby supermarket(there's plenty just off the motorway) there fuel is much cheaper. You can pick up some nice fresh food, then stop at an Aire with a nice view and enjoy......
Richard
0 -
The new Aire in Calais is very convenient for the tunnel and motorway system. We've used it about 4 or 5 times now and its been very quiet and secure during the night. Its a short walk to the sea front or the town centre is a 5 or 10 minute cycle away.
Don't be put off by some negative comments about the Aire on the Camper Contact App, they're from posters who object to paying the 10 Euro nightly fee (or any fee for that matter).
0 -
From Calais on the A26 after one hour you come to Aire Souchez then another 20 minutes to Aire Baralle near the Arras crossroads. Both are good for a few hours sleep and you can make use of the shower in the service station if you wish. Both have dedicated Caravan/Motorhome parking but depending on the day of the week you may find lorries parked there.
If you are approaching Lyon outside the rush hour my experience is that going South it’s a good gamble to go the old direct route towards the centre on the old motorway. Going North is more of a problem and you can get stuck.
Lyon is well worth a visit and the Indigo site is absolutely perfectly located both for access and for public transport.
0 -
Hi Dave
Thanks for this. Is there a deadline for arriving at the new aire? I had read somewhere that it was quite early, making late tunnel arrivals (say 23.00) difficult ?
0 -
Hi Jane and Ian
The Calais Aire is open for entry and exit 24hours per day. Access is via a simple (un-manned) credit or debit car booth where you key in your registration number and pay the 10 Euros. You can select your preferred information language via the key board. Drinking water and waste disposal points are situated on the free side of the entry barrier.
Another option we've used many times is the small site at the Bal Park Hotel at Tournhem Sur Hen approximately 40 minutes south of Calais just off the A16/26 route towards Reims (about 12 pitches but rarely all taken). 16 Euros per night including EHU and facilities. Its very quiet and the hotel restaurant is very reasonable. There's a narrow archway to negotiate in the village when approaching from Tournhem but its easily accessible with a 2.3M wide, 3 M high motorhome.
0 -
I arrived at the new Calais aire at 10:30pm when I used it in August and had no trouble getting in. The aire is very well illuminated so I drove in using sidelights only to minimise any disturbance to anyone.
Interestingly, there are two parking bays immediately outside the entrance to the aire and the following morning I noticed two french MHs parked up FOC - they had obviously arrived even later than we did.
1
