Beside the N6 at the north end of Macon there is a car park area opposite the Municipal Swimming Pool and water-sports centre, which has signs allowing 'PL' (trucks) and 'Car+Caravan' to park up to 24hrs. It appears to be accessible only from the Southbound carriageway - the road here is divided by hedge+barrier. On the town plan in the Michelin red guide it's at the very top where the figure '1' is placed. Note: I have not stayed overnight here. [2004]

MAZAMET (81 Tarn): Campsite

‘Camping Municipal de la Lauze’ on the N112 dir. St.Amans.

The site is on the eastern edge of the town, somewhat too far to walk into the centre easily. It is very well run and secure. The sanitaires are excellent 8/10.

Amenities: a Leclerc hypermarket c. 300m. further out on the main road, plus other factory outlets and a large leather goods shop nearby on the N112. [2002]

near Troyes - Champagne region

Another stunner! About 20 minutes from the main north-south route from Reims to Dijon. It’s in the triangle between the A26 and the A5, at the side of Lac Seine, part of the Parc de la Foret d’Orient. An excellent overnight stop on the way north or south from Burgundy. [2002]

2004 update: alas this aire is no longer available for overnight stops. Prohibition signs have been set up and a height barrier installed at the entrance to the smaller car park at the end. The 'borne' has been removed to a location just outside the campsite about 0.5km in the direction of Géraudot. But see entry for Géraudot for another excellent night halt.

Access: from either the A5 Magnant exit, or the A26 Thennelieres exit, turn off the N19 Troyes to Bar-sur-Aube road at SP Mesnil, and continue through and beyond the village until you reach a large roundabout at the ‘Commanderie’ (the marina authority). Go round to the left and go straight ahead onto the car park beside the marina: the ‘Borne’ sanistation is behind a hedge in the middle of the car park. If you have the Michelin 241 regional map, it’s where the little pictogram of a yacht is.

Free to dump waste, but for fresh water or electricity you need to purchase ‘jetons’ from the Marinka restaurant which is beside the car park. When we visited in late May 2002 they were still listed as FFr.15, so possibly euro 2.50. We parked on a smaller car park which is at the end of the promenade, as did most of the 15 other motorhomes there at the time, but there were also MH parked (sideways) on the main car park. NB: the Aires guide states that the ‘parking’ is towards the camp site, but this is misleading as the campsite is about 600m further beyond the village, and we saw MH which headed for the campsite but turned round and came back to the marina car park. In high season overnight parking here may be more difficult.

Amenities: walking or cycling in the Parc – ornithology – Restaurants.

A small town on the river Meuse. The aire is on the river side of rue General de Gaulle, the D1 which comes from Deville and is quite obvious next to the recycling bins. Ground-level dump and EuroRelais Junior borne with free fresh water. I parked below the aire on the road which runs along the river bank but the access turn is sharp and steep. There are a couple of gravel areas on the river bank here which allow parking without inconveniencing anyone. The authorised parking for 24hrs. is on the large tarmac area SP as 'Embarquement Bateaux-Mouches', at the south side of the bridge over the Meuse [ photo ]. A permanent 'Frites' wagon opens here in the evening and it can get quite noisy in the late evening, so I suggest parking some way back towards the bridge. ATM at Credit Agricole at the other end of the town. There is a boulangerie just across the main bridge approach, not great croissants but very close, and several restaurants/pizzerias in the town. Supermarket some way out in the direction of Bogny/Chateau Regnault.

The Meuse towpath extends for miles in both directions, changing sides at Monthermé. Wonderful for softies' cycling. It's also an area known for walking, check out the Tourist Office near the main crossroads in the centre of town.

Camp Municipal 'La Fontaine des Clercs', at the foot of the old town. Another of our favourite sites. Arriving from the north at the junction with the N1 (traffic lights and right filter) into the town, the road to the site is literally 'in the corner' on the right where the main road takes a sharp left just after the railway crossing. Narrow access to be taken slowly. The site is terraced with MHs being sited on the flattish part at the bottom. Rather damp after rain. Tents and trailer tents are placed higher up. Electricity is standard CEE Blue sockets -- hooray! Showers and washrooms very good by our standards 7/10. Site is 500m. from the old town 'Hauts de Montreuil' (via stiff uphill walk) where are found good restaurants (from medium up to super high prices) and a splendid Saturday Market. It is possible to walk round the ramparts and appreciate what a defensible site this must have once been. [1998] Update 2005: this campsite was found to be CLOSED during the third week of March, one week before Easter. As there were many touring caravans left inside for seasonal use it is hoped that the site will re-open for the season -- no explanation was given for its closure. In both the Guide books and on the French camping website this campsite is listed as 'Open All Year'.

It is not far to Étaples (shellfish eating and possible night stop on the quay) and Le Touquet (I have no idea where to park, there are signs everywhere prohibiting parking by MHs and the road system is a one-way nightmare -- others may disagree, let us know!), but there is Opale Évasion at Le Touquet Airport – see entry for Le Touquet.

Camping Municipal. Situated at the foot of the rock below the castle. SP from the village, sharp left turn in the first, newer square and continue down towards the river. Campsite adjoins the river. A delightful site, stated to be open late-May to early-September. Sanitaires 6/10. Binoculars are useful to view kingfishers from your pitch: the pitches next to the river are the more desirable, some shade, flat grass. The village is a steep walk up through the trees opposite the campsite, or a longer walk round up the road. It's worth the effort, the village is delightful. [1998]

Amenities: Cafés -- restaurants -- scenery -- historic village -- castle -- sports facilities adjacent to campsite -- swimming pool across river.

Recommended: the Chateau, stunning views --

'Hotel Belle Rive'  turn left out of the campsite, cross the river and turn right past the derelict mill buildings. Almost a stone's throw. May need to book, quality food, delicious Gaillac méthode champenoise, and 'service-en-plein-air' in good weather --

'Oustal del Barry' at the top of the older square, excellent food and a very good dryish house cocktail. Also service outdoors in suitable weather, more expensive than Belle Rive but well worth it.

‘Étang de Loisirs’, best reached via D121 from the north exit off the N137. Part flat, part sloping, gravel or grassy base. In September 2002 there were construction works to improve the area, which is beside a large lake and is quite picturesque although somewhat isolated. Free electricity was available. About 15 mins. walk to the centre of the town. [2002]

Amenities: Bars – Restaurants – Pizzeria – Shops – Bank – ATAC Supermarket with Fuel - pleasant cobbled town centre with interesting hotel/restaurant opposite the Mairie and a Logis on the south side road in from Nantes. Saturday market.

Recommended: Pizzeria at the far end of the town from the Aire, on the route de Nantes (fork right at the junction): good for a French pizzeria.

Camping Municipal 'du Renard' listed open 1 June to 15 September

This site has good-sized pitches which are mostly flat, it’s constructed on a hillside above a small artificial lake; plenty of shade, many pitches have water and electricity. ‘Sanitaires’ reasonable standard 5/10. Out of season it’s dead, we were almost the only people on-site and the office was firmly closed. At least the site was open and we paid euro 7.50 at the Mairie next morning. They seemed grateful. The area has wonderful scenery when the weather is good but in September 2002 it wasn’t – thick mist enveloped everything. [2002]

Amenities: café – baker – restaurant, all in the village.

There are 3 Aires here, all at or close to the ‘Pointe’ where the beaches are. On arriving in the town, turn right into the large parking area and check the notice boards which give information about where motorhomes may and may not stop. A causeway ‘Passe aux Boeufs’ allows vehicles to drive to Ile Madame at low tide.

The most desirable aire seems to be against the sea wall behind the ‘Calvaire’ at the point, another is adjacent to the campsite entrance and allows campsite facilities to be used. Neither of these have waste and fresh water facilities, but the third aire is where the ‘borne’ is; this is opposite the sports complex which is inland from the campsite and can be reached from the ‘point’ by taking first left beyond the campsite. All the aires are supposed to have a parking fee of euro 4.50, but outside high season it is doubtful if anyone collects it. The campsite ‘La Garenne’ is of moderate standard, sanitaires 5/10, charges euro 8.32 including electricity but has a totally dead feel out of season. [2002]

Amenities: Bakers – Cafés – Shops – Restaurants : all in Port des Barques town

Situated behind the 'RestauMarché' at the Centre Commercial Intermarché -- at the west end of this small town on D917 and conveniently close to A16/J25. Slightly easier access from the direction of Berck and the D940. Follow SP for 'Centre Commercial'. This facility is easy to find, with large yellow plastic banners proclaiming 'Accueil Camping-Car', and for a charge it provides fresh water and the ability to dump waste water and toilet waste. Parking is free and it is inside a large tarmac compound. But at the third week in March 2005 it was securely padlocked! See Photo of the banner, and photo of the padlocked gate. Hopefully it will be opened for 'the season', but there was no explanation for its closure at the time we visited in need of fresh water. [2005]

'Le Relais du Campeur', behind a small hotel at L'Hospitalet, which is about 1km. from the principal site and overlooks it. Very good washrooms and showers 7/10, separate showers and toilets but unisex clothes and crockery wash basins which overlook the men's washroom. An interesting small bird was nesting on top of a supporting pillar in the washroom. I have yet to identify it but think it was a nightingale. Most sites slightly sloping but easy levelling. Electricity available - French sockets. A medium-large site with lots of places to eat nearby. FFr.60 per night, which seemed good value. From here the Pilgrim road leads down to the site of Rocamadour itself, which to me is a tourist trap but was probably no different in mediaeval times. [2000]

N.B. There are several sites at L'Hospitalet, and several more 'Camping à la Ferme' or 'Aire Naturelle' sites. As far as we could see only 'Le Relais du Campeur' and 'Les Cigales' are actually within walking distance of Rocamadour.

Amenities: the Site – Black Madonna – cafés – restaurants – tourist shops – walking.

Recommended: ‘Auberge du Chateau’ at Rocamadour, across the free car park from the castle on the plateau at the top of the site : can be very busy with coach parties but the food is good.

Located at the Tourist Office [ photo ], Sidobre and SP from the D622 c. 15km. East of Castres.

An aire with crushed marble parking places in a superb location. Quite suitable for an overnight stop but it is isolated, so care may be required in high season. The Tourist Office won an award for architecture in marble and the whole area is dotted with marble quarries.

I didn’t find a place to fill with fresh water nor a waste dump. The famous ‘Escargot’ and ‘Peyro-Clabado’ [ photo ]rocks are close by. [2002]

Located at the entrance to the village beside the new Tourist Office. Borne and road-level grating located rather awkwardly but the position has splendid views and is convenient for visiting the village and cheese factories – production is on an industrial scale. 'Papillon' is a free visit and some of their production is organic, 'Societé' charges, 'Gabriel Coulet' has a small exhibition as well as tasting. Check with Tourist Office for visiting times and for other producers. There are subtle differences in taste and texture between the cheeses from different producers. Quite suitable for an overnight stay. [photo] [2002]

South of Rouen

‘Les Deux Amants' at Leroy-Poses, in FFCC Camping Guide under 'Poses'. Flat, shady, grass. Took some finding but 'camping' signs got us there eventually. Next to the River Seine (possible midges). Adequate but rather dead mid-week out of season. Lots of 'statics'. Electricity available (French sockets). Hot Showers etc. 5/10, adequate but rather elderly facilities. [1998]

Amenities: only the artificial lakes and River Seine close-by, no ‘commerces’.

Right beside the N137, a splendid installation with toilets, (cold) showers and electricity + water for all the marked motorhome spaces. Electricity requires payment at nearby Tourist Office or Café/Restaurant. [photo]   [2002]

Amenities: Tourist Office – Café – Restaurant – Pizzeria, all beside the parking area. Out of season only the Tourist Office was open which was a pity as the restaurant menu looked inviting. In high season I would expect everything to be open as this is on a major route for French holidaymakers. Other ‘commerces’ in the town of St.Caprais which is c. 300m. away.

‘Domaine de Barbanne’, actually nearer Montagne St.Emilion. A good site with grass and shade. Very welcoming (they also use the Caravan Club advance booking scheme) and good information. Poorly stocked site shop (at least in low season). Swimming pool with water chute, crazy golf and probably restaurant and more in high season. Electricity available (French sockets I think but not certain). Hot Showers etc. moderately good (6/10 on our scale - shower cubicles a bit small and not all open in mid-season -- some refurbishment going on). Wonderful bird song early morning, and we saw coypu in the lake which the site surrounds. The site runs a free mini-bus service to the town of St.Emilion several times a day each way (must book), but it's a pleasant walk through the vineyards.

We liked this site. Proper camping-car service point just inside the entrance. Charges FFr.82.20 [2000]

Amenities: Saint-Emilion! – Restaurants – Église Souterrain – Marché aux Vins – le Petit Train de St.Emilion; Montagne St.Emilion – Restaurant – Wine Museum – walks through vineyards.

Recommended: the Église Souterrain church in the rock, it’s really spectacular –--

the Tower opposite the wine emporium and tourist office, fine views of the town (may need to get key from Tourist Office)---

restaurant ‘Francis Goulée’ on rue Guadet (narrow and busy street) –--

'Le Petit Train' from near the tourist office (see all the famous ‘crus’ chateaux)

Camping Municipal 'Les Orgues'

Very poorly signposted, it is about 500m. on the left of Ave.du Docteur Mallet, the main road which leads away from the roundabout at the top of the town, direction l'Aubrac and Chaudes Aigues. There is a 2.00m. barrier at the entrance which is kept closed (possibly not in high season) and it is necessary to walk down to the bureau to ask for it to be opened. Stopping on the road in order to do this could be difficult. The site itself is moderate size mainly sloping, some shaded areas without clearly defined pitches. Electricity available in some locations. Sanitaires reasonable 5/10. Price in off-season euro 8.00  [2002]

The other campsite is some distance out-of-town on the approach road from the southbound side of the A75, and is in my opinion too far to walk but very close to A75 Junction 28.

Motorhomes appear to stay overnight on the car parks in the upper town known as ‘Allées Georges Pompidou’, straight ahead at the roundabout. The right side is preferred, opposite the ‘Parking Bus’. The Guide lists two Aires Communales, but I didn’t find either. The town map shows a 'borne' for waste disposal on Cours Chazerat, first right after a left turn at the main roundabout in the upper town.

Amenities: Cafés – Restaurants – Shops – Bakers. An interesting old town which has an ‘upper’ and a ‘lower’ personality. Many cutlery and knife shops in the upper town. A lot of coach parties visit the town.

Recommended: in the upper town ‘Chez Geneviève’ (closed when we visited) and ‘Hotel du Nord’ (not visited) on Rue des Lacs have interesting menus ---

The lower town boasts ‘Hotel l’Etape’ which does not look much from the outside but provides superlative food in a modernist atmosphere.

The municipal site, which is right in the town itself but overlooked by apartment blocks. It felt like camping on someone's front lawn. Rather too organised for our liking, somewhat like a Caravan Club site where we were placed (nobody else eating outside, all tucked up in their truckle beds by 2130 -- my prejudices). The site does have a less organised part but this goes up a slope to the rear away from the road, some areas here could be quite difficult to level an MH on. Electricity available - French sockets. Sanitaires etc. 6/10 -- they were state of the art about 10 years ago and are reminiscent of a tropical house at Kew Gardens, but now seem a bit cramped in the cubicles. Also the showers work on 'jetons', of which you get one per person for starters (adequate length of time, 6 min) and may have to pay if you like frequent showers. Site is rated 4 stars -- I'd give it 3 grudgingly. Rather expensive for a municipal site but super-convenient if you want to see the town or are en route for Spain via the Bielsa Tunnel. [2000]

Amenities: good baker in a modern building in the pedestrianised centre, with café next door. Buy your croissants in the baker and eat them with your coffee in the café.

A splendidly laid-out almost flat gravel area with low bushes separating parking areas, this facility is SP 'Aire de Stationnement pour Camping-Cars' from several parts of the town [ photo ]. Charges 2005 of euro 4.50 for 24 hours - parking meter. The best approach found from Abbeville/Noyelles-sur-Mer was to proceed on the D940 past the 'Saint-Valery' SP until the junction with the D2, then turn right SP 'P Centre Ville'; in about 1.5km. there is an SP right turn 'Aire de Stationnment Camping-Cars'. The Aire is about 500m. along this road, on the left, and is unmissable. At night it is lit by four large yellow globes on a 10m. high pole, visible from some distance. It can also be reached SP from the 'Quai' in the town centre, but the road is narrow, cobbled and very busy with pedestrians; it's also a longer route than the one recommended above. There is a fresh water 'borne' on the right just inside the entrance, which should dispense 100 litres for euro 1.00 (cheap!) but it was out of order when we visited - annoying. In front of it there is a plastic grating in the road for waste disposal -- I judge that an extension hose would be required as it's small in diameter. A bread van with baguettes etc. calls on Sunday morning at about 0930 -- probably on other days as well. The aire is a 10-15 minute walk from the quayside, with SP showing 'Pedestrians - Centre Ville', mostly downhill (so it's uphill on the return!). To return from the old town take the road which runs alongside the cemetery, then right at the top of the hill. [2005]

We thought Saint Valery a delightful town in which to spend a day or two. The 'Ville Fortifiee' has a good view of the estuary and some interesting architecture [ photo ], but apparently no decent restaurants. It's the quayside and the rue de la Ferte behind it which are packed with places to eat fish and shellfish, also salt-marsh lamb in season. We ate a good evening meal (expect menus euro 22-30) at 'Hotel du Port et des Bains' 1 Quai Blavet (behind the Tourist Office where the road splits), and excellent crêpes (euro 2.50 to 5) at 'Les Galettes de Tante Olympe' at 36 rue de le Ferte. Also worth inspecting on the same street are restaurant 'Le Nichol's' which honestly states on its menu when various dishes are 'in season', and 'Le Globe' crêperie/restaurant. The 'Bleu Marine' fish restaurant almost next door appears interesting but wasn't well patronised when we looked. Between April and September a tourist train goes from Saint Valery to Noyelles and on to Le Crotoy around the Somme estuary -- this would make a splendid day out as Le Crotoy also has lots of fish/shellfish restaurants.

Recommended : A visit to the 'Parc Ornithologique du Marquenterre' near Rue about 20km. north of Saint-Valery via Le Crotoy. This is an extremely important international site for ducks and wading birds. It also hosts a breeding colony of Herons, Little Egrets and White Storks which are a joy to behold in early Spring. Well worth a whole day visit, there are marked trails with suggested timing of 1, 2 and 3 hours duration. Access to the site is from the D940 at Rue and it's well signposted from all directions. Charges 2005 euro 9.60 for adults, family tickets available. It opens at 1000hrs., closes 1700 in 'winter season' and 1900hrs. in 'summer season'. It's possible to go out for lunch and return afterwards -- ask for a hand-stamp. There is a café on site serving a range of drinks and snacks, for something more substantial we chose to eat at the Auberge de la Dune at 80550 St.Firmin les Crotoy, located at the road junction of the D4 and the D204. If you have followed the SP for the Parc you will not miss it. Very popular for Sunday lunch, menus euro 18-35 and excellent food.

‘Clos Maine-Gravereau’, situated in the Premieres Cotes de Blaye. Coming from Bordeaux/St.Andre-de-Cubzac approach from main northbound N137 is at a nasty Right turn in a belt of trees c.1km. after the hamlet of Le Fassier and c. 500m. before a main crossroads with SP Teuillac. There is a small brown SP to ‘Clos Maine-Gravereau’ at the right turn but the N137 is notoriously dangerous and it’s advisable to find somewhere safe to turn around if you miss it. About 1km. down this side road turn left at a Church where there is another SP. It’s possible to reach the ‘Clos’ from the other direction at St.Savin but the route is very winding and involves many unsigned turns.

What is it? The property of a vigneron who uses organic methods and produces excellent Cotes de Bourg and Premières Cotes de Blaye wines: wine with real Claret ‘nose’, in a lighter style than the other side of the Gironde estuary but with real taste of ‘terroir’. He’s happy for motorhomes to stay overnight on the gravel outside his ‘chai’ and his prices are very reasonable for the quality of the wine. He is a total enthusiast and unless fully occupied in the vineyards will happily spend an hour with you discussing his methods and tasting his wine. Wonderful! I don’t think that fresh water or waste disposal is available. [photo]   [2002]

at 'Caravanes Bidaut' on N5 just north of the village: a good Fiamma installation and free of charge. Located near Dole, the access to this dealer is by a narrow road set at an acute angle to the main N5. Arriving from Sampans village the access road is a right turn about 200m. before the main compound which will be seen from the main road -- there is no suitable turning point for about 1km. if missed. From the north on the N5 the access road is about 400m. after the bridge over the autoroute and after the main compound full of caravans -- this is a very sharp turn left. The exit turning north from the access road is even worse. The installation is in a separate concrete enclosure on the left before the entrance to the dealership: mostly Hymer and Laika motorhomes. [2004]

Camping Municipal 'Le Rene Folzer' at Saint-Satur, below the hill of Sancerre

On the West bank of the Loire just before (or after) the road bridge over the river. Flat some grass and sand, some shade. Children's play area. Reasonable sanitaires 5/10. Well placed for visiting Sancerre and the surrounding area. Tourist Office in 'Nouvelle Place', the main square of Sancerre. [1997]

Amenities: in Saint-Satur: cafés -- restaurants -- small shops; in Sancerre: more cafés and restaurants -- 'caves'

Recommended: a walk up the hill of Sancerre through the vineyards and along the former railway track ---

a walking tour of the town of Sancerre, map from the tourist office. This is SP and includes some of the better known vignerons' caves ---

Restaurant 'le Verger Fleuri'   rue Basse des Moulins 22, located in a back street of Saint-Satur in an old rambling manorial house ---

Caves Vacheron et fils, good value Sancerre. Their Rosé from Pinot Noir is a particularly good match for poached salmon.

Camping Municipal 'Les Calquières'

Adjacent to the sports centre and signposted from the road which by-passes the old town. Pitches are rather small, the sanitaires are reasonable 5/10. Overpriced at euro 9.20 in comparison with many other ‘Municipal’ sites but it has the advantage of being 5 minutes from the A75 Junction 42 and convenient for the extraordinary old town with its narrow winding streets and castle atop the outcrop of rock. A wonderful location. [2002]

Amenities: Old mediaeval town – Cafés – Restaurants – Supermarket with fuel at J.35 of the A75.

Recommended: I consider the better eateries are located at the ‘Gare’ which is below the old town on the opposite side from the campsite ---

‘Café du Midi’ ave. Aristide Bruant 4 is cheap, cheerful and friendly, a slice of French life which could have come from the film 'Zazie Dans Le Métro' ---

'La Minoterie', a municipal campsite beside the river Vezère below the town. Follow SP 'camping'. Mostly flat grassy, little shade. 'Sanitaires' good 6/10. The site is very long and narrow with pitches mostly adjacent to the river. A good night halt close to the A20 with pleasant walks in the woods on the other side of the river. There is also an informal 'aire' which is situated on the car park of the former railway station on the opposite side of the river. There are public toilets here and it appears some campervans overnight at this spot. To access it go over the river bridge and fork right up the hill, then right again into the car park. I'm not sure that this is an authorised 'aire'. [2002]

Amenities:  in the town, shops -- restaurants etc. There is a Logis 'Teyssier' rue du pont Turgot, across the road from the entrance to the campsite, which will provide a good meal, but we did not find it especially memorable; there may be better eateries in the upper town but that involves a stiff climb.