Les meilleurs concessionnaires de camping-cars de Toulouse (2024)

FAQs

How to use a camping car park in France? ›

Enter the area using your PASS'ÉTAPES card

valid for life, for €5! This mandatory token gives you access to the areas and services. You can also manage your account with it. Check all information about an area (address, tourist sites nearby, rates, services available, number of pitches…)

The full title is actually 'aire de service/stationnement pour camping car' but, understandably, most of us call them aires for short! Another note on the language – motorhomes are usually called 'camping cars' in France, so if you're hunting one down and see a sign with those two magic words on it, you're golden!

Wild camping generally is not permitted in France, except when the landowner permits to do so. Pitching up in protected natural sites or near historic monuments is never allowed. Local authorities or other authorities in charge of these designated areas can establish specific rules regarding the area they govern.

The word 'aire' is short for the French term 'aire de service', which is essentially a free or low-cost motorhome camping area where some basic services – such as water, waste disposal and perhaps toilets/showers and electricity – are provided.

In order to book, the Customer must have a valid PACK'PRIVILÈGES at the time of the booked Stay. No Stay of more than 21 days is allowed within a 30-day period. A PASS'ÉTAPES card holder will have to wait a period of 30 days before returning to the same area.

How is car camping different from tent camping? It's simple—you sleep in your car instead of a tent. Car camping is a low-barrier and comfortable way to enjoy the outdoors without investing in expensive camping gear. But even when car camping, you can still choose to pull up to a campground and set up a tent.

The speed limit for campervans and motorhomes on French motorways is 130 km/h (80 mph). There are two situations in which the speed limit is reduced on these roads. The speed limit is then 80 km/h (50 mph) on 90 km/h (55 mph) roads and 100 km/h (60 mph) on 110 km/h (70 mph) roads.

While there's no law against sleeping in your car in France, you can't camp just anywhere. Indeed, camping in unauthorized areas is considered illegal and punishable by fine. If you can sleep in your car in a conventional parking space, unfortunately you won't be able to camp there.

Car camping provides easy access to the outdoors and allows more room for error than backcountry camping. It's fun, accessible, and is a great activity for the whole family.

If you're planning a road trip around France, you will not struggle to find a place to stay for the night. As you can see, there are multiple free and paid camping options in France.

Can I camp on the side of the road in France? ›

No, wild camping, also known as boondocking, dry camping, or dispersed camping, is not officially allowed in France. In some regions, however, camping and bivouacking on roads, parking lots and private properties is permitted with the permission of the local authorities.

Pitches at campsites in France cost on average €31.27. Prices vary according to season, facilities and location.

An Ifop survey* found that 76% of people in France wash completely “at least once a day”, versus just 53% who said the same in Italy.

Here are his top tips for a first-time trip with your motorhome or caravan to France and beyond. Firstly, it doesn't have to be complicated! You can book yourself a ferry to get over there. You'll find most towns have a municipal campsite, many of which do not operate a booking system; you just turn up.

Is it safe to stop at French services and Aires for some sleep? Steve. My opinion is no. If you want to sleep at aires or services, just pull off the autoroute and after the payage booth there are parking areas usually with toilets and at least their is some security.

If you pay for parking at parking meters, the machine will give you a ticket in exchange, which should be placed behind your windscreen, clearly visible from the outside. Street parking is limited to a 2-hour duration. You can use a credit card or the PaybyPhone, ParkNow, Flowbird apps.

Overnight stops

Then search for campsites and motorhome stopovers. For French motorhome locations, see Campercontact. You are allowed to stay overnight for free anywhere that a passenger car (or camper <3,500 kg) or bus (or camper> 3,500 kg) may park.