Aires

‘Aires’ (the French word for areas or places) are incredibly varied in what they provide but all will offer at least a place to stop and camp overnight. Additionally, some may offer one or all of the following -

• fresh water
• electric hook-up
• grey waste disposal
• chemical toilet disposal point
• shower facilities

Much of the signage and instruction labelling at aires are done by pictures to make it more easily understood by non-French speakers. However, an English-French dictionary may come in handy for some translations.

Costs

Some of the aires are effectively free camping as they only charge if you wish to use the facilities.

Where their use attracts a fee this can usually be paid on site and most commonly by automated coin machines (costs vary considerably). In some cases you must purchase a ticket prior to parking up and camping which is usually obtained at local town council offices or tourist information centres.

Aire locations and how to find them

The location of aires is also highly variable. For example, some are spaced along auto-routes, some are on farms and some are a set aside area which is actually part of a designated camp ground. You may be staring at concrete or you may find yourself in the most stunningly beautiful locations – by a lake or riverside, surrounded by majestic mountain scenery or looking out at the ocean.

Some of the real gems are well tucked away and, although it is possible to come across aires as you go, you will often miss the best without something to help you. Many of the road maps of France have larger aires marked on them, particularly the auto-route ones but for comprehensive listings buy one of the many aire guide books which include maps and details of each and every aire’s facilities and costs. One of the best of these is ‘Aires de Services – Camping Cars’ by Martine Duparc and Collectif. Most of the aire guides also have a useful section on French words that you may come across at aires to help you follow any instructions for paying or using the facilities.

A word of warning on auto-route aires…..you may feel safer surrounded by other camper-vans and motorhomes but the crime rate at these sites is alarmingly high. You are highly visible and an easy target and statistics show that opportunistic thefts occur much more commonly in these circumstances. Many motorhomers have returned to their vans after using restaurants and shops to find them broken into and even more alarmingly break-ins do occur while the occupants sleep.

Other Camping Areas

Many French towns provide a set aside area for motorhomers to park up and camp overnight, often for free and with a rather different mentality towards this than you may be used to in the UK. The thinking is simple – get the tourists into town and they will spend money even if it just breakfast at the bakery and of course it works.

Wild Camping

Although this is somewhat of a grey area with regard to French law, there are many who wild camp (a term for camping away from official areas, also called freedom camping) and typically speaking there is a high tolerance to this practice. However, as with wild camping anywhere there are a few unwritten rules that should be observed which could all come under the umbrella of ‘respect’.

• Don’t park up on private property or where another’s privacy is likely to be invaded
• Take all your rubbish with you
• Don’t light fires or otherwise damage and disturb the area you are camped in
• Be sensitive to any environmental issues such as protected flora and fauna
• Keep noise to a minimum
• Observe any signage which expressly forbids overnight camping or gives directions on doing so

Perhaps most importantly of all you might need to question whether in a country that bends over backwards to provide a vast network of cheap (and often free) safe camping options, wild camping is appropriate at all. The decision is yours.

Road systems

These can feel like a breath of fresh air to the average Brit inured to traffic jams and poorly maintained roads. France has a highly efficient and superior quality road network which makes getting from A to B easy and quick.

The express routes or auto-routes will typically attract tolls unless they are near large towns or cities and if you plan to cover a lot of miles these fees can considerably add to your holiday costs. On the other hand they are super-fast and super-clear if not especially inspiring scenically.

There is always a free alternative to the fee paying roads and bizarrely these sometimes run completely parallel to the auto-routes for large sections of the journey. Generally speaking they are prettier routes and although they will usually take longer they are still by no means slow or heavily crowded.

Things can get a little chaotic around cities and trying to find the right road isn’t always simple especially if your French is a little rusty. This is where a Sat-Nav would come in especially useful to avoid taking your large unit into inappropriately small or tricky places.

Ferry Crossings

Depending on which company you sail with, your desired crossing route, the size of your motorhome and the times and dates you wish to sail, prices vary considerably. Paying for the ferry can be the most expensive part of your holiday by far. However, many caravan or camping clubs offer significant discounts and savings to members when making bookings through them. Additionally, some insurance companies also offer the same to their customers so do check with both before making any bookings to see if you can save money.

The Caravan Club

This world famous club is the largest of its kind in Europe. The Caravan Club has a membership of over one million caravan, motor caravan and trailer tent owners. They claim that half of all of the caravanners in the U.K. are members of their organisation. On the 14^th June 2007 they celebrated their centenary and over the hundred years of their existence they have built up a comprehensive network of caravan sites. They run 200 sites in the U.K. and have certified over 2500 locations. Being a member of the club entitles you to have access to all of their information about where to stay and what to do, as well as access to their wealth of knowledge about caravanning. The Caravan Club have a good reputation, it is run by members for the members. This huge club has its own vibrant social scene. The downside of being just one of a million members is that you are unlikely to have much say in what happens within the club, but for resources and information it is a great organisation. The club also offers a number of member only deals on holidays, insurance and finance.

The Camping and Caravanning Club

This is the oldest and largest club for all of the different kinds of camping. Boasting over 400,000 members, the club and its facilities are run by members who really enjoy camping and caravanning. This club also runs many sites of its own, over 100 of its sites have won awards. They cater to 3 million campers and caravanners every year. One of the principle advantages of being a member of the Camping and Caravanning Club is their private member sites. They have 1200 small sites located in some of the most picturesque areas of the U.K. that only members are allowed to use. If you enjoy caravanning abroad this club has its own dedicated travel organiser called Carefree. This part of the organisation deals with any international travel and destination requirements and they also offer exclusive member deals. There are also a host of other member privileges such as good deals on insurance, security and financial services.

The Association of Caravan and Camping Exempted Organisations (A.C.C.E.O.)

This organisation was started in response to the government restrictions on spontaneous rallies in 1960. The restrictions were imposed to protect areas of natural beauty and to stop over use of popular areas. The A.C.C.E.O. works closely with government departments to further the interests of their members. Clubs and individuals can join, there are over 200 rallying clubs that are members. Clubs use the A.C.C.E.O. to organise and promote their events. Personal membership allows for easy networking between the different clubs and invitation to restricted events. This organisation simplifies the process of getting exemption certificates from the government so that rallies can be held on unlicensed land. The organisation is run by elected and unpaid officials so you can be certain that they are always working in the interests of the members.

Caravan Owners Clubs

There are a number of caravan owners clubs. The advantages to being a member of a club specifically related to your caravan is that there will be lots of people who can help you if you have any problems with your caravan. Sourcing parts and selling items become a lot simpler as you are only dealing with people who have the same kind of caravan as you. As you may expect the individual clubs all have different policies and activities.

Local Clubs

There are lots of small local caravan clubs, a little research should uncover the ones in your locality. They can be great for connecting with other caravan enthusiasts in your area. Most of these clubs will operate within a confined area but are likely to have the best knowledge about the area in which they are active. Another advantage if you cannot store your caravan at home is that they are likely to be connected to local storage sites, so you may be able to save money by joining a local club.  Other perks vary from club to club.

Each country that you are planning to travel through will have a different set of road laws so it is essential to be fully up-to-date in every place. Road laws comprise of the way that you use the road, what constitutes road-worthiness and in some instances the things that you must carry with you.

Even if you are an experienced caravanner you still need to check for any changes in the law. Contact the tourist office for the country you are travelling to, to be assured that you have the most current information.

There are a number of items that you are required to have with you whilst travelling, this varies from country to country. This is a list of things you are highly likely to need:

1. Warning Triangles – Many countries require that one is carried, two are needed for towing caravans in Spain, Croatia, Slovenia and Turkey.  

2. Fire extinguisher and a first aid kit. Rules on this vary but it is always advisable to carry both. 

3. Extra mirror extensions – Compulsory in Spain. 

4. Reflective jacket – Compulsory in a number of countries including France, Spain and Italy. In Italy it must be kept within reach of the drivers seat and any additional passengers should have one as well.  

5. If your license plates were issued before 2001 (and do not display the Euro GB sign) you will need to display a GB sticker on both plates. 

6. You may need to adjust your headlights to suit driving on the right. Kits are available to do this but do not leave it to the last minute as a dealer may need to carry out the change.

Legal road usage is dependant on local and national rules but some of the key areas where travellers get caught out are:  

• Drink driving thresholds are significantly lower in Europe than they are in the U.K., it is always advisable to drink no alcohol if you intend on driving.

• Radar/speed camera detectors are illegal in many countries, even if they are not in use.

• The speed is in kilometres and not miles per hour.  

• Drive on the right hand side of the road! Only Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and the U.K. drive on the left hand side of the road in Europe. It can be easy to slip back into familiar habits so make sure that you fully concentrate at all times. 

• There are low emissions zones (L.E.Z.) in Europe. For example in parts of Germany where the correct stickers must be displayed in order to drive legally.

There are a number of other items that it is always advisable to carry in your caravan, home or away:

• A complete tool kit.

• A spare wheel.

• Spare gas cannisters – ferries will only let you take a limited amount of gas on board. Calor gas is not generally available on the continent, so it may be necessary to take an adaptor/regulator so that you can use another type. Before you travel check with your destination about what is available as gas pressures vary.

 It is also important to take all the necessary documents with you when you travel. Of course you need your passports (including for any pets), any necessary visas and driving licenses. It is also recommendable to take your vehicle documentation, including your MOT certificate and if you are borrowing the towing car, documentation to prove that it is legally in your possession. Check with your insurer well before you travel that you are adequately insured to drive abroad.

Each of your party should get a European health insurance card (E.H.I.C.), this provides basic health insurance whilst in Europe. It is also prudent to take out travel insurance and to take all of the relevant documentation with you.

With all of this sorted you can confidently set out on your travels so that you have a great trip every time!