Looking for a service area
Service areas and motorhome areas are symbolized by a rectangular sign with a blue frame, with a motorhome standing above a dumping pit on a white background. The sign "Aire de camping-car" is sometimes added below.
The municipalities, faced with the growing fleet of recreational vehicles, are helping to create a network of service areas. Practical information can be obtained from town halls or tourist offices. Overnight parking is not always authorized. Ask for information beforehand, otherwise you may be fined.
Campgrounds sometimes offer service areas. Some campgrounds accept the simple passage of the motor home for the technical stage, for a modest contribution. Other campsites reserve the service area exclusively for their customers, which means that you will have to spend a night at the campsite if you absolutely have to refuel. There are also private parking areas, in supermarket parking lots or at restaurant owners. It is important to leave them as clean as possible before you leave, for future users, and as you would like to find them yourself.
Internet for services
There are useful applications such as Park4night, Air C.Car and Camping Car Park, which will show you the service and stopping areas near your route, whether or not you have to pay. You will also find in this guide a selection of well-equipped and maintained service areas.
In winter, the question of water supply arises. In fact, municipalities very often cut off access to water to avoid freezing. If the use of the cemetery or the freeway service area can be considered (with the constraint of not being able to connect the water pipe, and thus to fill jerry can after jerry can during a great number of round trips), the Flot Bleu kiosks deliver water in principle continuously. Count 2 to 3 euros to fill your tanks. Their locations can be found on the Internet.
Staying overnight at the service area is possible
In addition to refueling, service areas are an option for parking. This can be a far cry from a nice, quiet spot by the river. Most municipal service areas allow parking, often for one night only, up to a maximum of 7 days. Sometimes parking is free, but not always. An all-inclusive rate may include services and overnight stay, on average for about ten euros. If most of the time, municipalities limit the number and duration of parking spaces, it is to discourage gatherings, and to privilege the very principle of the service area: to empty and refuel the motorhome. A service area is not a meeting place, and the local residents do not want to see a congestion of vehicles.
In France, nearly 1,200 service areas are free of charge. Why are they free? Because the facilities, their maintenance and personnel cost more than they bring in. In fact, to thank these communes, consume in the local shops to make live the communes and thank them to welcome the motor-home owners.
"Stop accueil camping-car", a formula for services at the campsite
Some campsites, in partnership with the French Federation of Camping and Caravanning offer the "stop accueil camping-car" formula The principle: you arrive after 6 pm at the campsite and you leave the next morning before 10 am.
The site is easily accessible for a motor home and perfectly flat. The ground is stabilized and hard. Special facilities are at your disposal: a chemical toilet, a waste water disposal for motorhomes and a clean water tap accessible with the vehicle for most of the campsites participating in the formula.
The list of affiliated campgrounds is available in the Official Camping Caravanning Guide, in the Official Service Area Guide (sold at the FFCC) and in the Stop-Accueil Camping-Car Guide (free).
In search of the best parking for one or more nights
The ideal stopover: beautiful, safe and quiet. To be sure to find a good stopover, start your search early enough. At nightfall, you will rarely find a satisfactory stage. If you drive with the headlights on, you can't see anything and, in this case, the beautiful stage is a miracle... Then, the safety. But how do you know if you will be safer in the village square or in an isolated place? Everyone has his own evaluation of the dangers. You will often find other motorhomes to park with if you are reluctant to spend the night alone. Finally, the quiet. The proximity of a nightclub is to be avoided. The same goes for the bells of a church.
If you plan to spend several days in the wilderness, evaluate the autonomy of your vehicle before you start hunting. Check water, gas, electricity and supplies. Landing on flooded or poorly stabilized ground is a source of concern when you need to get back on the road.
The country stage
Prefer short stages, so as not to give the impression of "settling down". You think your motorhome is beautiful, but this opinion is not shared by everyone. Don't "spoil" a view. Choose stages that comply with the rules of the road. If no one thinks of setting up at the side of the road for obvious safety reasons, watch out for signs hidden by trees, for invisible parking bans because you have arrived at night. Smiles and politeness are still the best ways to get the agreement of the owner of the land where you want to spend the night. Comfortably installed inside your motorhome, think that you are integrating into the environment. You will not disturb the neighbors by parking in front of their bay window or just in front of their door.
If you are with other motorhome owners and space permits, there is no need to stick together. But if you are alone in an isolated area, avoid unpacking all your equipment outside. Awnings and garden tables will suffice for lunch, but don't dry your laundry or turn up the radio. If you're barbecuing, make sure you're not sending smoke towards the neighbors. You must leave the place you invest in better than you found it. No "wild" dumping, no "forgotten" garbage. If you are traveling with pets, beware of soiling.
The stage in town
Public lighting makes it easier to find a place late in the day. Even more so in the city, you won't have to unpack everything. And you won't park in front of garage exits. Choose a parking lot with a few parked vehicles rather than an empty one. If you're obsessed with safety, find shelter next to the local police station, a police station or a fire station. The train station is a false friend. Its parking lot invites parking, but remember that trains still run at night.
If the parking lots of large surfaces are not always welcoming (guards can make you leave at any time!), the surroundings of stadiums and swimming pools remain the preferred solution. You will certainly find water and peace and quiet (unless locals come to spend the evening).
In the city center, if you choose the main square, you may be woken up early or surprised by a market that sets up, forcing you to leave.
The comfort of camping, less wild obviously
Camping is the best option for motorhome owners who are looking for a pleasant place to stay for the duration of their vacation. It is very appreciable to be able to use the facilities (sanitary, swimming pool, animations...) and the washing machines of the camp-site. The "Comfort Caravan" designation guarantees you a water point, an emptying point and the connection to the mains. The " grand confort caravan " designation adds a draining tank for black water to the previous equipment. Like any good camper, you should make sure to reserve in advance for the high season in popular areas. Once installed on a stable and flat site, the motor home acts as a mobile home and does not move until you leave. Make sure to check the opening dates of the campsite because not all are open all year round.
Unusual and friendly experience in a local's home
Some individuals offer pitches on their property. An authentic stay, often well served by the warmth of your hosts. An original and relaxed way to discover the nature activities offered in this friendly type of accommodation.
The France Passion formula is worth mentioning. The principle: you stay one night free of charge with a winegrower, a breeder or a farmer and you benefit from his technical installation. This private reception formula allows the motor-home owner, with a personal invitation (following the purchase of the annual France Passion guide for 30 €), to park freely on the site of the member properties without any financial or commercial constraints. A pleasant way to discover the richness of the land!
A night by the sea?
Parking is forbidden in France, except in areas specially designed for motorhomes (search on Park4Night). However, you can take advantage of the harbors, which will welcome you all the more easily if you do not disturb the fishing activity. In the rest of Europe, it is possible to park very close to the sea. It is not advisable to park on the beach, but why not go near it?