Camping Aires in Europe for Motorhomes
Hi all,
We're perhaps interested in moving over to a Motorhome as we're regular European tourers, and one thing we've been told often is how cheap and easy it is to use the many stopover Aires in Europe rather than paying for Campsites.
We've recently returned and used 4 municipal sites (e15 to e24 cost pn) en-route which were just fine, pleasant, proper own pitch and pretty secure.
So by way of researching thought i'd do a google exercise and found and watched this video of 83 different Camping car Aires from 2011 :-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UdWqBp_dY4
Is this selection a fair reflection of what to expect ??
Appreciate the pics are 2011 and where the ones visited by them.
Comments
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It's a good selection and you can get prices for all those via Campercontact's website.
They are certainly cheaper than municipal campsites, but Aires that were once free of charge are not so common these days, and prices are going up - for instance with water and electricity the Aire at La Palmyre is now 12 euros a night - it's a good location but low on charm, but for many Motorhome owners location ranks higher than charm.
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You could have a look at Keith Chesterfield's YouTube channel here where you get a lot more detail on the individual Aires.
David
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Id suggest www.campingcar-infos.com as the 'definitive' European aires guide...where POI foles can be downloaded for your satnav.
there are currently around 8700+ aires listed for France alone and another 800+ for Spain.
however, the site is only in French (but is usable once ypu get the hang of it) and there is (somewhere on the net) an english written user guide.
there is also an app but, currently, only available for Android units....
sources like All The Aires are a subset of the above, but useful as most contain photos, directions etc....and gps.
golden rule, if it doesnt feel right, move on....other wise enjoy...
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Aires come in all shapes, sizes and qualities and there really isn't any rigid guide to them.
Whether we are 'packed like sardines' or having acres of green belt around us doesn't bother us - we've often stayed on both types.
It does cost considerably less to use Aires than campsites, I added it up and it cost around €55 for 28 overnight stops in April this year, but we stayed at some cracking Aires that would not appeal to many of you but will remain in our memories for a considerable time.
We don't need hook-up, toilets or showers as we have them onboard and swimming pools or 'entertainment' are not on our agenda.
Our criteria is to try to be within walking distance of a boulangerie in a morning or bread delivered on site, a Restaurant not too far, decent walking paths stretching for miles and, if on the coast, close to coastal paths and beaches.
We like a small beer in the fridge for an afternoon treat, a decent book/s on the Kindle and no barking dogs or screaming children within miles.
We like to move on regularly, perhaps a day or two or a weekend at most at each location around France, and never having to book in advance even during July and August, but always knowing we'll find somewhere to stop overnight wherever we are.
Many, but not all Aires, fulfil those wishes and that's why we prefer them although most of you will require different objectives
We accept everyone is different and have different ideas of what suits them – but as long as you and I return from France with a happy glow of contentment then both our ways of life have been worth living.
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We moved over to a MH last year and had our first tour in France this year. Before getting a MH we were like many people put off by staying on a "car park" however we knew from research they would be good for getting into towns and villages not accessible to stay in a caravan and for overnight stops en-route.
We were slightly worried about what to expect so did some googling and found Keith Chesterfields you tube channel mentioned by DK and also this one by Richard Clarke. Also we stayed at Canterbury to get a feel of what its like.
Mrs T was nervous for our first one as we arrived in Calais at gone 11pm and drove to the new Aire so it was dark but we found it OK, managed to get thru the machine at the gate and settled onto a nice HS pitch, no worries, felt really safe with lots of vans around and slept well.
Next day set off and found another Aire, free this time with hedged pitches in a small town near Chartres, absolutely great, again felt safe and secure. We mixed Aires with sites for the next 3 weeks about 60% aires 40% sites ranging from free to €16 for Aires and sites €20 to €45 for sites.
Not all are car parks and as yo can see from the pictures below for 0-13 € a night you can have a camp site type pitch for minimal cost. Not for everyone but I would say give it a go, if you dont like it fair enough lots of sites abroad and if out of season the asci scheme is good though we have never used it. As K&M say you have all your facilities on board, get a solar panel, refillable gas and the worlds your lobster, personally we love the Aires and the way of life, its like a mini adventure every day. On popular sites though you have to arrive early in high season....
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If you're primarily interested in Germany, then I recommend http://www.promobil.de/stellplatzsuche/
It lists almost 5000 motorhome halts in Germany and more in the rest of Europe. Photos, facilities, prices etc.. are all listed The site is in German, but is easy to translate.
We stayed in a good site in Dorsten, a few weeks ago. €8 per night. Large pitches and easy walk into city. EHU was either by meter (50 cent) or €1 for 8 hours (unmetered).
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well done Michael, nice to get a good report back of what you found after 'giving it a go'.
of course, a few folk are going to feel a bit apprehensive of 'aires' especially if theyve inly experienced the 'same old' at a formal club (either one) site...
'aire' just means 'area' in French and, as youve discovered, this can mean pretty much anything.....from a dusty old car park (weve done a few of those) to the garden of a Chateau.....even that was free for 48hrs...
with 8000+ in france alone, the rule has to be, if ypu dont like it, dont stay, theres another one in the very next village...
thanks again for your post, good to have another aires ally to add a bit more recent info for those seeking advice.
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The Aires vary depending on where you are - we are now near St Tropez and the Aires are mostly commercial and charge - because we are in a well developed tourist region. So we are using ACSI campsites.
If we went 20k inland there are great free Aires in the small villages - because these places are desperate for people to come and spend a few euros to keep the local shops/ bars going. So when we head inland we will use more Aires.
We do not actually save any money because we always feel we can treat ourselves to the duck and prawns in the supermarket when we have saved on site fees............
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I don't think I saw anyone call this out, it is a fantastic reference source on Aires for Motorhome owners :-
A little pricy but even so, we purchased both the France North and South books, & it was spot on for a brilliant Aire we then stayed at overnight just south of Clermont-Ferrand. That Aire cost nothing to stay on, had fantastic views, had a toilet, & the town restaurants were only a few minutes walk away !
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