Campervan and aires

[vinniej27]

Evening all. 
Seven weeks tomorrow ! 
Is anyone travelling to the games down south in a campervan? Heard so many stories about the aires , especially on motorways, Just wondering if anyone has thoughts on where to stop, and if things are as bad as people are saying. 
Thanks .

[majorraglan]

Hi Vinnie
Personally I wouldn't contemplate overnighting on a motorway aire. I used to have a caravan and did some reading up on the subject on a couple of caravan forums a few years ago, the general consensus was that while it was safe a long time ago, that is no longer the case especially further south. There was talk about people sleeping in caravans being gassed and robbed while they slept, it provoked a lot of discussion because some people think it's physically impossible but others actually believe it happens.

I know 2 people who claim to have been victims of this type of attack, the first is a single mum who was travelling with her 18 year old son and his girlfriend, they were sleeping in an aire near Carcarsonne, the thieves forced entry while they slept and took all their money and valuables, this really shook her and it was a hell of a long time before she would go in her van again. The second group were travelling as a family when they were targeted while they slept in an aire, again all their valuables were taken. Both of these families are rock solid and I have no reason to doubt what they say.

There's a couple of options you can look at. Most towns in France have municipal sites, they are basic and cost around €10, standards do very so it may be worth investing in a good guide book such as The Caravan Club Camping Europe France book, it lists sites and gives a brief overview. another option is to go on line and check out the ACSI and Eurocampings website it lists a lot of sites they have checked out. The ACSI card option is really worth looking at, you pay for a discount card which gets you discounted-low season camping at sites throughout France. I am taking my boy and his friend and we are going to camp, I am probably going to get an ACSI card.

Most towns in arrange have parking zones for campers and you will be able to dump your waste and fill up with fresh water fairly easily.
It's your call re the aire, but if I were you I wouldn't.

Hope this helps. If you want more info drop us a line.

[vinniej27]

Hi Majorraglan
Thanks for the advice. It's pretty much what I had heard about the aires. Not worth the risk by the sounds of it. I'll certainly look into that ACSI card and will invest in a book too . We re only staying one night in Bordeaux and a lot of sites won't let us pre book just for that. We shall have more time around Toulouse so it might be easier. Thanks again for the advice and hope your camping goes well.
Cheers

[majorraglan]

Vinnie,
Tripadvisor also has reviews on some sites, there is a site very close to Toulouse but it doesn't have the best of reviews.


Cheers

M

[welshbigman]

I've booked on the one on the outskirts of Toulouse, however there isn't much on the site and its next to a gypsy park

[kinky]

My Brother in law pulled in to an aire with his campervan one night, woke up next morning to see that someone had tried to break in. They heard nothing and reckon that they must have been gassed too.

[oscardelta]

Avoid these for overnight stops like the plague.

Have used at night when required but have always left a driver in car with engine on, least it gives a bit of safety and then switch to allow others. If it feels wrong, drive on, gut reaction is there for a reason.

Most small towns and villages pride themselves on municipal campsites or places to park up........... some may even offer a place close to them long as you polite, friendly etc.
If they do it could be because someone was ok before you so pay if forward and buy something in the place even only a baguette, they will remember the nice fans who stayed overnight.