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French Aires- every little thing it’s good to learn about free motorhome stopovers in France


Planning to go to France with a motorhome or campervan? Need to keep in free or low cost in a single day stopovers as a substitute of pricy campsites? Then Aires is perhaps for you! In the event you’re questioning what’s a French Aire, right here’s every little thing it’s good to learn about how one can discover low cost or free in a single day stopovers as you journey– with out reserving something prematurely.

Don’t neglect to seize your FREE France journey guidelines under to assist maintain you organised.

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Discover France by motorhome utilizing French Aires

We love touring France in our motorhome. It’s a good looking nation and with the ability to discover in our personal car permits us to discover as many chateaux, vineyards and seashores as we like!

We not often have a route or itinerary deliberate out other than the tunnel or ferry, so with the ability to discover French aires as we go is ideal for us- it provides us the flexibleness to cease in an space for some time or drive someplace completely different if it takes our fancy. 

However HOW will we do that? How will we journey to a different nation with out reserving any in a single day motorhome parking stopovers prematurely? Reply- we use an exquisite system known as French Aires.

Confused already? No thought what I’m speaking about? Don’t worry- we didn’t know aires existed till we purchased our first camper, so that you’re not alone! On this submit, I’m going to share all about how one can discover, use and luxuriate in French aires together with your motorhome or campervan- and open up a complete new world of freedom for you.

NOTE: this can be a giant, in-depth information. If you wish to obtain it for FREE, click on right here


What’s an aire in France?

There are literally a number of forms of ‘aire’ in France.

Aire de service which means

An ‘aire de service’ is an ‘space of service’ or a service space, usually discovered on French motorways and infrequently have waste services and authorised parking bays for motorhomes.

They’re the identical as a service station within the UK and supply gas, bogs, eating places, a store and so forth and so forth. You’ll be able to typically purchase refillable gasoline from an aire de service too, though not all the time. There’ll typically be a merchandising machine for warm drinks and generally a microwave for public use too.

In an aire de service, you’ll typically discover motorhome disposal factors, the place you possibly can pay a few euro to empty your waste tank and bathroom, and refill with contemporary water. It’s not all the time clear if the water is appropriate for consuming or not; if unsure, don’t put it in your contemporary water tank or use chemical substances like this to make it secure for consuming.


In a single day Tenting Automobile parking French motorway

Are you able to keep in a single day in an ‘aire de service’ on a French motorway? Sure, typically it’s allowed. They typically have particular motorhome parking areas and there shall be an allowed time you’re allowed to remain for. This shall be displayed clearly on an indication someplace close by. If unsure, ask.

Simply bear in mind, it’s a motorway service station, so it’s not the nicest of locations to cease. Lorries will come and go in any respect hours too, so we solely use these once we’re determined.

To confuse you even additional, different forms of aire (that are those you’re in all probability searching for) are additionally sometimes called ‘aires de service’… so if you’re searching for good locations to cease, search for any which aren’t proper on a motorway- extra on this later!


Aire de repos

‘Aire de repos’ are additionally discovered on the sides of roads, and once more are authorised relaxation stops. You’ll typically discover campers and lorries parked up in these however there are not often any services, apart from a few picnic tables.

Once more, you possibly can keep in these aires in a single day, typically as much as 24 hours if you want, however once more, lorries will make noise all night time and also you’re fairly uncovered. We’ve stayed in these a few instances when actually drained, but it surely’s undoubtedly not our most popular possibility. 

There are additionally aires de jeu (playgrounds), aire de loisirs (rec space) and a number of other others. We all know, it will get complicated. We attempt to discover the aires BEFORE worrying in regards to the signs- extra on how to do this under!

French Aires- guide to motorhome overnight parking and free aires in France
One of many first aires in France we ever stayed in. It was beautiful- and so peaceable!

French aires- Tenting automobile park in France

These are the kind of aire in France you’re in all probability searching for. These are authorised motorhome (or tenting automobile) parking areas that are offered ALL OVER France, typically very near villages and cities.

They’re usually a carpark or giant gravel space, the place motorhomes are allowed to park in a single day, and even for a number of nights. Some are correctly marked out into bays, others are a free-for-all and you’ll park wherever and nevertheless you want!

Typically, these are run by the native council and are designed to encourage individuals to go to the world. They’re practically all the time effectively saved and welcoming, with indicators in French and infrequently English. If the indicators aren’t in English, the information shall be displayed in a method that’s pretty simple to grasp.

Most aires in France may have a store/ bar/ cafe inside simple strolling distance. Strolling to get contemporary French bread within the morning is one in every of our favorite issues about motorhoming round France.


What services do French Aires have?

They typically (however not all the time!) have services equivalent to:

  • emptying waste water (usually a drive-over grill)- can typically be used without cost
  • Empty bathroom
  • refill with contemporary water. Consuming water is ‘eau potable’ in French

Typically this comes at a further cost and you will have change to make use of these facilities- we stock a pot within the motorhome and put all our spare Euros in there for moments similar to this!

Some aires have restrictions on what you possibly can empty into them, particularly in the event that they’re on the fosse system. This implies it’s a must to watch out which chemical you employ in your bathroom and gray waste. We use a product known as Solbio natural bathroom fluid, which is pure and doesn’t include dangerous chemical substances. It’s additionally secure to be disposed of in septic tanks or fosse, which means we’ve got extra choices to eliminate our bathroom responsibly.

Water is generally 1€ for 50 litres or one thing comparable.

france motorhome travel planner
Travelling to France? Plan your journey the simple method. Click on to be taught extra about our full France street journey journey planner

Do aires in France have bogs or bogs?

Sometimes you’ll discover an aire in France with bogs, however not typically. Most aires count on you to be self-contained. In fact, there shall be bogs within the close by village or city, however not often on the aire itself.

There may be not all the time a spot to enter the woods and ‘relieve your self’ either- many aires are like massive automobile parks, so in case you want bogs, choose your aires rigorously!


Electrical connectors

Some aires in France have electrical factors you possibly can hook up with, others don’t and it’s good to be self-sufficient throughout your keep. Many of the aires we’ve utilized in France use the identical electrical connectors as we use within the UK.

Some aires require tokens with the intention to use the electrical. Typically, these should be bought from an authorised location (just like the native bar!), which is okay… until you arrive when that location is closed.

There’s no method round it- if it’s shut, you’re not getting electrical that night time. In the event you’re determined, search for an aire which doesn’t want tokens, however ideally you’ll need your motorhome to have the ability to survive an evening (or two!) with out the necessity for electrical.

Learn to arrange your motorhome for off-grid parking (wild tenting) right here.


How lengthy are you able to keep at a French Aire?

That is dependent upon the Aire and is set by the native council. Many are 24 hours max, however some will let you keep for 3/4 days if you want. All the information shall be on the signal within the aire.

French aires can either be big gravel unmarked parking areas, or tightly packed into bays. We prefer aires in France like this- easier to park with our trailer.
French aires can both be massive gravel unmarked parking areas, or tightly packed into bays. We favor aires in France like this- simpler to park with our trailer.

Tenting Automobile park France

You’ll often see an Aire known as a ‘tenting automobile park’. This doesn’t imply you will get out the pup tent- tenting automobile is the French phrase(s) for motorhome/ RV. A tenting automobile park is just about the identical as an aire, though often there are higher services and generally even a restaurant/ meals automobile.



How do you discover French Aires?

Ah- right here’s the magic of travelling with no plan. There are a few methods to seek out aires in France, particularly as you’re travelling. We by no means have them deliberate in advance- we all the time discover them en-route.

Are you able to guide Aires prematurely?

No- or a minimum of very very not often. (Sometimes, it’s attainable to guide on-line, particularly within the mountains in winter in case you’re going motorhome snowboarding.) The entire level of aires is flexibility and freedom.

The excellent news is that its first come, first served. The unhealthy information is that standard locations turn out to be full VERY rapidly. So don’t wait too late to start out discovering someplace to cease, in case your first selection is full and it’s good to discover some place else to go.

NOTE: There’s a new France winter tyre law- learn extra right here


Map of Aires in France & PDF obtain

Searching for a map of French aires or a PDF to obtain? Seize our wild tenting database, which incorporates 250+ in a single day stopovers across the UK and Europe (together with LOTS in France) the place we’ve stayed in our motorhome. Contains wild tenting spots and aires in France and round Europe. Seize it right here.

wild camping database
Click on to seize the wild tenting & aire database

Watch the video explaining about French Aires

Want listening/ watching video? I share our suggestions, plus some images/ movies of aires in France we’ve stayed in with our motorhome.

Watch under:


Aires tenting automobile France apps

We usually use the app park4night.com to seek out aires or authorised in a single day motorhome locations. We determine whether or not we need to wild camp for the night time or whether or not we’d like services/ need to cost motorhome batteries and so forth.

If we need to cost/ empty bogs or discover someplace to park for a couple of days so we are able to trip our bikes, we head for a French Aire.

Then, we glance on the app for aires with images (so we are able to see the size of the areas and see if our motorhome and trailer will match!) and we take a look at the opinions. If there are many unfavourable opinions, we maintain searching for one other place.

Finally, we discover someplace we just like the look/ really feel of. I usually attempt to have a backup possibility too, in case our first selection is full once we arrive.

Then, we pop the co-ordinates into the GPS and head in the direction of our chosen spot!


Different apps/ web sites we use to seek out aires in France are:

  • Campercontact (web site only- it’s good to pay for the app, though the app does work offline, so it’s helpful!)

All of the Aires guidebook

There are professionals and cons of the ‘All of the aires’ guidebook. The most important professional is that you just don’t want entry to the web with the intention to discover someplace to remain. That is VERY helpful if you’re within the Alps and may’t get a sign.

The con is that the information goes old-fashioned and it’s attainable to show up at an aire which has been shut. Having stated that, it’s attainable for this to occur utilizing Park4night too.

In the event you’re planning on doing quite a lot of motor homing in France, the All of the Aires guidebook undoubtedly definitely worth the funding/ house within the camper.

Don’t fear if a guide is a 12 months or two old-fashioned. Many of the aires don’t change fairly often. Having stated that, we all the time favor to seek out French Aires on-line in order that we are able to learn latest opinions and be taught any updates (equivalent to closing for upkeep or shutting down.)



Are aires in France open all 12 months?

Some are. Some aren’t. It’s worthwhile to examine rigorously if you’re searching for an aire to remain at. Many aires within the Alps solely open April-November ish as a result of snow closing roads.

Aires in the French alps are out of this world!! The mountain views are breathtaking, whether it's summer or winter. Travel France in a motorhome and use the French aires to do it cheaply!
Our motorhome close to the most effective French Aires within the Alps.

What to do on arrival at an aire in France

Typically discovering the aire generally is a problem. It’s worthwhile to search for an indication of a motorhome over a waste disposal point- typically in black or blue.

Motorhome aire in France sign
Motorhome aire in France signal
  • Once you arrive, drive slowly and get your bearings. Some aires have signed entrances/ exits, others don’t.
  • Earlier than you flip in, see in case you can see an area on your camper. These locations are sometimes very troublesome to show round in. If unsure and also you’re travelling with another person, allow them to out to go take a look earlier than you commit.
  • Anticipate everybody to cease and watch. Motorhomers are nosy/ individuals. Don’t be intimidated.
  • Choose your spot and park up. 
  • The very first thing to do, earlier than you set the kettle on, is to go learn the indicators and pay something due. Learn how lengthy you possibly can keep and what the principles are. Examine this towards the information from park4night or a book- guidelines change and the principles on the signal are probably the most up-to-date.

When is the perfect time to reach at an aire?

If you wish to go to a selected location, equivalent to a city/ metropolis (try these high 10 cities to go to in France), then I like to recommend arriving by lunchtime, earlier than everybody else turns up- particularly if you’re travelling throughout July/ August (peak summer time months in France). Many standard aires get loopy busy and by 2pm they are often utterly full.


Free in a single day parking for motorhomes? What do Aires value?

Some are completely free, until you make use of the services. Some value a few Euros and others value as a lot as 15€, which I feel is the utmost we’ve paid to date. We are inclined to keep away from cities, however I consider aires near standard areas value extra and are rather more crowded.


The right way to use French Aires- what are the principles?

  • Aires are first come, first served. They can’t be booked or reserved prematurely.
  • There shall be a time restrict you’re allowed to remain for, significantly if the aire is free. This shall be clearly signposted on the aire and folks DO check- don’t overstay your welcome.
  • Some aires have areas subsequent to them to will let you put out an awning and out of doors chairs. If the signal says it’s allowed and if different individuals are doing it, then go forward. Nevertheless, if there isn’t an area, assume that exterior seating/ awnings are prohibited. Aires aren’t campsites- they’re in a single day stopovers.
  • Don’t take up one other motorhome parking place together with your gear- that’s not allowed.
  • If in case you have a trailer, be very cautious which aires you choose. We glance rigorously at images and opinions to seek out areas both lengthy sufficient for our motorhome, or the place there may be house for us to take our trailer off and have it subsequent to the van. Many aires are for campers as much as max 7m lengthy and a few areas are VERY tight- particularly in well-known or constructed up areas.
  • Don’t play loud music or be too rowdy- these are quiet locations for individuals to take pleasure in their travels.
  • No tents. Ever.
  • Don’t park within the servicing space any longer than it’s a must to. Positively don’t depart your camper unattended right here and block the providers for different individuals while you go to the bar!
  • Don’t depart any garbage or litter. If there aren’t any bins, take it with you!

Can campervans use aires in France

Completely. Campervans and even transformed automobiles are welcome at aires, so long as it’s a campervan and never a piece car. Vans with signage on or ‘stealth campers’ are sometimes not allowed and we’ve got seen them being requested to maneuver on.

Travelling France in a campervan? Right here’s every little thing it’s good to learn about vanlife in Europe


Can caravans use aires in France?

No. Most aires don’t permit caravans. The one locations I do know for caravans to park in a single day are both wild tenting or precise campsites. You would possibly have the ability to use aires de repos- I doubt anybody would examine. This is likely one of the greatest professionals when deciding between motorhomes or caravans for us.


Sleeping in French Aires

We sleep nice in French Aires. They’re typically quiet, and motorhome house owners are inclined to look out for one another. We’ve had full strangers shout at native children who’ve come over to have a look at our motorbikes- warning the children to remain away and never contact. We’ve got by no means had a disturbed nights sleep in an aire… apart from with the pet wanting to take a seat on my head! 🙁


Are aires in France secure?

As all the time, there are not any absolutes with security. We’ve got by no means had an incident at a French aire (contact wooden!) however that’s to not say nothing can occur.

Put it this manner, some aires we’ve got a fantastic feeling about and fortunately depart our motorhome for a couple of hours whereas we go and trip our motorbikes. These are the aires the place we spend a day or two to unwind and chill out between driving (if it’s allowed).

Others, we don’t depart the van unattended in any respect and transfer on the subsequent morning till we discover someplace higher. You HAVE to belief your gut- in case you’re undecided, transfer on.


Tenting automobile data in English at French Aires

Most aires in France have data for tenting automobiles (Motorhomes) in French and English. If not, there shall be indicators making it simple to grasp what it’s good to know.


How do you pay for aires in France?

The toughest half is commonly determining how one can pay on your keep at a French Aire. Some have parking meters (which regularly solely settle for change-  one more reason for the change tub!) however some require you to go to the native bar/ cafe/ store with the intention to pay.

This generally is a bit daunting- particularly if it’s stuffed with locals who all cease to stare as you stroll in. Don’t let that put you off- we’ve had some nice nights at French bars with no clue what’s being happening round us.

Attempt to converse just a little French if you enter- it is going to heat the locals to you. Say one thing like “J’ai un tenting automobile dans l’aire. Est-ce que je paie ici?”

Anticipate the proprietor to ask questions like how many individuals (combien des personnes) and what number of nights you need to keep for (combien des nuits?)

france motorhome travel planner
Travelling to France? Plan your journey the simple method. Click on to be taught extra about our full France street journey journey planner

Are canines allowed on French Aires?

In fact! France loves canines and also you’ll see them in all places. There are not any restrictions in having them on an aire, however, after all, they should be saved on a lead always.

Travelling to France with a Canine? You would possibly discover these posts helpful:


Different Motorhome websites France

There are many locations for motorhomes throughout France. In the event you don’t want to use an aire, there are campsites everywhere, with services equivalent to swimming swimming pools (bliss in the summertime!), retailers, bars or seashores.

There’s additionally a scheme known as France Ardour, which is a group of vineyards, farms and different locations the place they provide free or low cost in a single day motorhome parking. It’s a bit like BritStops within the UK.

You’ll be able to print ALL this data. If you wish to obtain it for FREE, click on right here


Completely- so long as you comply with the principles. Discover out extra about wild tenting with a motorhome in France (and how one can discover locations to cease.)


Finest aires in France

There are too many aires to make that choice- and we haven’t stayed at all of them! Nevertheless, our favorite aires are those with unbelievable views- like this one within the French Alps or those close to well-known historic locations in France– makes sightseeing even simpler!

Aire in France- love the French Aires in the Alps.
Aire in France within the Alps- simply take a look at that view!!

Severely- you’d pay a fortune for a resort room with a view like that!

We additionally just like the aires the place you possibly can keep for a few nights- it’s good to have a break from driving and possibly get the motorbikes out to discover the world higher. This guide has some stunning aires to encourage your subsequent journey!!


So, I hope you are actually enthusiastic about attempting out some French aires in your motorhome tour of France! Let me know the place you finish up- I’d like to see footage. Be at liberty so as to add them onto my Fb web page or be part of our Motorhome Fb group right here.


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