Anaesthetists spend years training to do their jobs and yet some gangster can turn up and do the job with five minutes experience.\u00a0\u00a0 There was an article published by one of the heads of the\u00a0Royal College of Surgeons where in answer to the question of gassing in motorhomes, it was said that the cost of the gas alone would be several hundred pounds and in their opinion would be impractical to do.\u00a0\u00a0Insurance companies would be inserting clauses excluding staying the night on Aires (or campsites for that matter)<\/p>\n
The police have no recorded incidents of gassing either.\u00a0 So its a complete myth.<\/p>\n
Muggings on the other hand and break-ins sadly do happen.\u00a0 They can happen anywhere in ordinary car parks even on campsites.\u00a0 Guarding against it or minimising the risk\u00a0comes down to common sense really.\u00a0 We never park our car, bike or camper at a place that we don’t feel happy about.\u00a0 If we don’t like the feel or atmosphere of a place and it isn’t lit at night we move on.<\/p>\n
Aire de Camping Cars<\/strong> – Let’s continue with a clear understanding of an Aire.\u00a0 The word Aire is a shortening of the words used to describe the French “Communal Aire de Camping Car Stationment.”\u00a0 Thoughout France many local communities have created parking facilities exclusively for Camping Cars<\/strong> (the French term for a Motorhome) There are over 5000 all over France.\u00a0 They range from a basic area where camping cars are allowed to park overnight for a maximum of 24\/48\/72hrs\u00a0to areas that can accommodate over 100 camping cars.\u00a0 Many of them are free<\/strong>, many of them charge a small fee.\u00a0 Most include facilities where camping cars can empty waste water, empty their WC’s and top up with fresh water.\u00a0 Some even provide FREE electricity<\/strong>.\u00a0 Some are lit up at night.\u00a0 Rarely is the charge greater than \u20ac10\u00a0except in the real touristy area at high season – such as the Cote D’Azure in August we have come across one site – Marineland at Antibes where the charge is \u20ac24. \u00a0 Some of them are protected by fences with barriered or gated entrances, some are on open ground, some are on beaches and some are alongside rivers or canals.\u00a0\u00a0 Many are located in the centre of villages or towns throughout France.<\/p>\n Pictured here is the service point at Montlucon:<\/strong><\/p>\n Aire de Service –\u00a0<\/strong> These are simply facilities provided by local communities to allow camping cars to empty waste water, empty WC cassettes and take on fresh water.\u00a0 Most are small towers that are either free, coin or “Jeton” operated where a fee is charged for the Jeton, usually obtained from the Tourist Information Office or Marie (Town Hall)\u00a0 Some are basic with a hole in the ground and a tap on the wall.\u00a0 These Aire de Service can be located in the town square, by the side of the road or more often co-located in the parking area.\u00a0 When an Aire de Service is advertised it usually does not include overnight parking facilities.<\/p>\n Aire de Service – Autoroute<\/strong> – These are the service areas found on motorways throughout France similar to motorway service areas found in UK, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.\u00a0 As in all countries these are used by all types of vehicles from cars, trucks, motorbikes, caravans and motorhomes.\u00a0 These are not Aire de Camping Car Stationment areas.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Because they are open to everyone with a clear exit etc. these are the ones that some folk believe are less safe than either a camp site or compound.\u00a0 .\u00a0 To some extent I would agree, particularly if you are the only one parked.\u00a0 However if you are parked and surrounded by a dozen or more fellow motor homers then we, depending on circumstances would be prepared to accept the position.\u00a0 We would never decide to park on a Auto route service area from early evening until the following morning, nor would we park on an Auto route service area where we were on our own.\u00a0 There has been the occasional time when we have been driving late and pulled into a motorway service area after 10pm and parked near to the services with others and stayed the night, leaving early in the morning but these have been exceptions rather than the norm.<\/p>\n France Passion<\/strong>\u00a0 – In France there are also parking areas offered by wine growers, small businesses or farmers.\u00a0 These are part of a group called “France Passion” and you pay for membership of the France Passion club.\u00a0 (around \u00a325 per year)\u00a0 This membership allows you to stay overnight for 24 hrs at any of the sites listed in the booklet for free.\u00a0 Again there are several thousand France Passion sites all over France.\u00a0 Most don’t have facilities and have only room for 3 or 4 camping cars but you are made welcome and it is a great way to discover rural France.\u00a0 There is no obligation to purchase wine or goods however it is an expected courtesy to say hello and goodbye.\u00a0\u00a0 We have used France Passion sites, tasted wines\u00a0and been very impressed and we have occasionally bought wine.<\/p>\n Tip:<\/strong>\u00a0 If, after tasting, you like a particular wine and have an empty water bottle (or two) handy you can use these bottles to fill up with\u00a0wine from the barrel much cheaper than buying a bottle of wine – simples.<\/p>\n Stellplatz<\/strong>\u00a0 These are the German equivalent to the French Aires de Camping Car Stationment.\u00a0 They tend to be more structured than Aires, though not always and they are more uniform in price and there are fewer actually free.<\/p>\n Mehring Stellplatz\u00a0<\/strong>on the Mosel<\/strong><\/p>\n They are mainly around the \u20ac5\u00a0to \u20ac8 per night with extras such as electricity. \u00a0 Stellplatz look more like campsites in many ways and can offer toilets, restaurants, even shower blocks. \u00a0Quite often services are included in the price however occasionally there could be a charge for bulk fresh water.<\/p>\n When looking at a map of Germany then Stellplatz tend to be\u00a0located more in the tourist areas, for example along the Mosel, Rhine, Black Forest \u00a0or Bavaria, whereas the French Aires are more evenly spread out. \u00a0Stellplatz tend to have more EHU points and it is quite normal for local tradesmen, bakers, fish merchants, grocers or even ice cream vans to visit the Stellplatz each morning (or afternoon) to offer their goods.<\/p>\n In fact the French tourist areas appear to have fewer Aires than other areas. \u00a0 There are over\u00a0over 5000\u00a0Stellplatz located throughout Germany and there are usually fewer restrictions than in France.\u00a0 \u00a0For example – in France many of the town centre Aires do not allow awnings to be opened and the French Aires can at times offer tight spaces that don’t give room to sit out with your deck chair and BBQ. \u00a0 The German sites almost always allow more room and deploying awnings, BBQ’s and chairs are encouraged. \u00a0So far we have not come across a Stellplatz that imposes a time limit. \u00a0Stellplatz also cater for large camper vans (8 + mtrs) whereas the French Aires tend to cater for vans around 6 or 7 mtrs.<\/p>\n Sostas<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 These are the\u00a0Italian equivalent to the French and German offerings however they differ fundamentally in that the Italians allow camping cars AND caravans to use Sostas whereas the French and Germans do not allow caravans.\u00a0\u00a0 There are fewer Sostas in Italy than France with only a few free ones. \u00a0The standards do vary a lot from simple carparks to enclosed compounds with fences and security cameras. \u00a0They still represent good value for money at around \u20ac10 per night.\u00a0 You may find you need to pay for “protection” in the southern half of Italy.\u00a0 The attendant may ask you to pay\u00a0him to watch over your camper while you are out sight seeing.\u00a0 However in most cases he will depart promptly at 5pm on his moped and you are left to your own devices over night……<\/p>\n Wild Camping Spots<\/strong><\/p>\n There are thousands of places throughout France, even a few in UK, where you are allowed to park overnight.\u00a0 These are places on beaches, in woods, on moors or in mountains that are typically miles from anywhere (though not eclusively so)<\/p>\n They do not have any facilities but allow camping car owners to explore areas that are off the normal tourist routes.\u00a0 An example of this is Pie Mansion Plage in the Camargue.\u00a0 This is a beach several hundred yards long right by the sea on one side and the Camargue Etangs (lakes) on the other.\u00a0 You can swim in the sea, explore the wildlife, take photos of the thousands of pink Flamingos, wild horses etc. all without being harrassed by other members of the public.<\/p>\n In conclusion<\/strong> – My view is this – We have not used any\u00a0campsite facilities (other than toilets and showers) such as swiming pools, bars, restaurants or the various activities sometimes offered since our son stopped accompanying us on holidays over 18 years ago.\u00a0 We tend to go out and enjoy the local offerings of cafe’s, restaurants or bars.\u00a0 So I kinda resent paying for things we don’t use.\u00a0 partularly in UK where, for example,\u00a0we are obliged to pay for electricity on Caravan Club sites that we haven’t needed for over 4 years.\u00a0 More importantly we now travel around for some 120+ days every year and if we did that by using campsites all the time we would seriously increase and exceed our annual holiday budget.\u00a0 We\u00a0use campsites when\u00a0they are conveniently located\u00a0near to\u00a0places we want to visit.\u00a0 If we have a choice of an Aire or campsite in a particular town or village then we would use Aires every time.<\/p>\n As I say each to their own and our way wouldn’t suit everyone.\u00a0 Look at the Map of Motorhome Sites and you will see a mixture but most of them in France are Aires.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There has been a lot of discussion about the safety and purpose of Aires, Stellplatz or Sostas\u00a0verses “proper campsites”.\u00a0\u00a0 First and foremost – each to their own and what suits one doesn’t necessarily suit another.\u00a0 That’s life and long may … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.vennwood.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/Montlucon11.jpg\" "\\"Montlucon1\\"")
<\/a>The French local communities take a view that it brings trade to the village while keeping camping cars in a collective area and preventing obstructions throughout the village.\u00a0 The length of time you are allowed to stay is limited and this prevents the place being overrun by squatters or illegal immigrants.\u00a0 The fees, where applicable are collected by the local police, local council workers or by ticket machines.\u00a0 Where electricity is offered and charged then it is also possible to find machines that take credit cards.\u00a0 As I say though there are local communities that provide free electricity. \u00a0\u00a0This\u00a0 photo shows the gates, lighting\u00a0and fence at Montlucon.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/a>Pie\u00a0Manson Plage<\/strong><\/p>\n