I just read the item on Aires in Europe in "Beginners' Tips for Motorhome Touring in Europe" in the "Nice to Know" section.

I really must take issue with your assertion that staying overnight at these places is dangerous. It is likely to put off many people unjustifiably, because it is wrong.

I live in France and regularly stay at the free Aires all over France - along with thousands of French Camping Car owners. They are (with a possible few exceptions near big cities) safe places to stop and are often in very convenient locations. The motorway service station car parks in France and Spain are very good places to spend the night, in company with heavy lorries and commercial travellers. The car parks are well-lit and the shops are always open 24 hours meaning that there are always people around.

I have never experienced or witnessed any problems. There are many mythical scare stories, of course, that are passed around on the 'net.

Go to this site: www.campingcar-infos.com/index1.htm to find the Aires in France. If you don't speak French, use the browser translation tools to translate it into your language.

One of the best things about travelling in France is how welcome Camping Cars are. It is usually OK to spend the night anywhere that there is not a sign prohibiting it and where you are not likely to cause nuisance or an obstruction. You would be amazed where we see campers parked up for the night! And you won't find lots of NIMBYs moaning at you!

The big resorts (such as Vannes, in Morbihan) are very busy and do discourage camping cars - if not there would be chaos - from parking in general car parks. But outside the big towns it is much more relaxed.

Hi David

Its good to hear your opinion on it.

The article in question was contributed from another site. Having re-read it, I decided to remove the offending paragraph as I'd rather people's conclusions (good or bad) be drawn from the opinions and real experiences of people like yourself. Obviously this is best done here on the forum and I would hate for people to be put off by what is probably a sweeping generalisation in an article.

Shortly I am going to be adding a "discuss" feature to the articles throughout the site which will link into the forum - this sort of thing demonstrates exactly how that would add some value to the content.

Thanks for your input.

Cheers,

Mark.

One that we recently went to is at Bretignolles-sur-Mer, just north of les Sables d'Olonne (famous for being the base of the Vendée Globe round-the-world yacht race).

That photo was taken at Easter weekend, but we went again in June.

You can download the small Google Earth file here: Google Earth link. If you haven't used a .kmz file before, just download it and then open the file. That will open Google Earth (assuming you have it installed!) and show the location.
Zoom right in and you can see the Camping Cars parked up opposite a lovely man-made lake (Plan d'eau). It is filled with sea water which is pumped in and out of the sea to keep it fresh. It is great to swim in because the water is warmer than the sea! The French communes certainly spend their money to keep the population happy! The parking is free, of course.

The village is a short bike ride away.

Keep that one on file.

Hi everyone

We have stayed at Mortagne sur Mer on the west coast of France a few times as we have friends who live nearby. Its a stunning setting right by the water's edge and the facilities are great as well.

Cheers

Ian

I can't find anywhere in France called Mortagne sur Mer. I think you mean Mortagne sur Gironde, in department 17 - Charente Maritime?
www.viamichelin.co.uk/web/Cartes?layers=...howHRT=&showHRT=

It is rather essential to state the exact name of the town/village AND the name of the department because there are so many places that share the same name!

Here is a screen shot from viamichelin.co.uk showing the Aire on the south side of the marina (marked with a yellow highlighter, on the Quai des pecheurs). It looks as though it is well worth a visit and we will add it to our records.

Imagine trying to spend a night at a marina in the UK !!! I don't think it would happen. Things are so restrictive in the UK, with rules determining almost every aspect of life. The French have a reputation for being bureaucratic and unfriendly. Those of us who live here permanently now, know that it is untrue. There are rules, certainly, and they are enforced properly. But so many other aspects of life are left to the discretion of the people. Fortunately the rural French are very polite. The behaviour of children and teenagers is so much better than that of the British. It is always easy to spot British holidaymakers by the unruly behaviour of their kids in public places - such as supermarkets. After August and before July everything is so different. We will be able to go to our favourite Aires and find a space with ease. And not have to worry about being bothered by the noise of British kids kicking footballs at every opportunity.

Of course, in Paris and the suburbs and in other major cities, the behaviour mirrors all other big towns around the world. But north west and south west France seems to have maintained a better life balance.

Hi David

Yep thats the one. Sorry, not sure why but we have always known it as Mortagne sur Mer, even our friends call it that (although admittedly they are not locals originally). Either way, its a great spot and I would definitely recommend it. And like you say, can you imagine having something like that in the UK!

Cheers

Ian