Motorhome with field of sunflowers - France In A Campervan

France in a campervan

Our campervan adventures in France has spanned 2 years and during that time we have stopped at a range of spots for motorhomes and campers. Whilst only a few are worth dedicating a whole blog post to (you can find them all here), we thought it would be helpful to others to share all our stops.

As a family of four with two young children we were looking for places that were (for the most part):

  • Quiet/peaceful (if not all the time, at night).
  • Near a playground if possible.
  • Farms or rural spots.

What you’ll find in this post

  • A map with all the places we stayed marked on, as accurately as possible, including a photo where possible.
  • A list of 65 park ups for motorhomes and campervans. These include a picture, any details we felt might be helpful, plus when we stayed there.
  • Park ups are grouped by French departments and regions.
  • Details of the resources we used to find the places we stayed and our thoughts on them.
  • Links to blogs posts we’ve written in more detail on certain places or areas.

It is a really lengthy post due to the number of places we’ve stayed – but we hope you’ll find it’s worth it!

We will continue to update this post with any new places that we stay. Last updated 5th July 2020.

Field of sunflowers - France In A Campervan

How we found places to stay

France Passion

Before we left the UK in 2018 we took out a years membership with France Passion. France Passion gives you access to a network of farms, vineyards, private homes, and other interesting artisans across France where you can spend a night for free. It’s generally nice to buy something if they sell products, although it’s not required. We love searching out local foods when we travel, so we were quite happy purchasing homemade cheese or jams, a bottle of wine or jar of olives, from the places we stayed.

We really enjoyed using our France Passion membership and the choice of places along our route. The only downside we felt, is that you are only entitled to stay for 24 hours. Many of the places were lovely and it would have been nice to stay longer. We didn’t renew the membership in 2019, but would definitely consider it again in the future as we enjoyed staying on farms.

Please note, all the France Passion stops require you to be a member of France Passion in order to stay there.

Camperstop book

We also found places to stay using our Camperstop Europe book. It lists many of the aires available across Europe, and we used it to find a number of stops in France. Generally the book provides a picture and details what services are available, and if it’s free or paid for. We found the pictures helped us to choose places.

Park4Night

In the two years that we’ve spent exploring France, the Park4Night website and App have been invaluable. We did find that many of the aires in our Camperstop book were also listed on Park4Night. This was a helpful way to read reviews on the aires, which the book doesn’t provide.

Motorhome driving through a field of sunflowers - France In A Campervan

France in a campervan – where we stayed

Seine-Maritime (Normandy)

Name: Auberge du Val au Cesne
Location: near Croix-Mare
Type: France Passion
Notes: Space for kids to run about, donkeys to stroke.
When we stayed: July 2018

France In A Campervan - Auberge du Val au Cesne

France In A Campervan - Auberge du Val au Cesne

Orne (Normandy)

Name: Ferme de Launay
Location: near Crouttes
Type:  France Passion
Notes: Delicious homemade preserves, flat gravelled spots.
Beware: Lots of flies (summer)!
When we stayed: July 2018

France In A Campervan - Ferme de Launay

France In A Campervan - Ferme de Launay

Calvados (Normandy)

Name: Deauville Aire de Camping-Car
Location: Deauville
Type: Free Aire via Park4Night
Notes: Quiet spot, next to a small road, free electricity. Deauville was a nice town to explore with some good bakeries.
When we stayed: February 2019

Deauville Aire de Camping-Car - France In A Campervan

Morbihan (Bretagne)

Name: Parking by the canal near Guillac
Location: Guillac
Type: Free car park via Park4Night
Notes: Lovely quiet spot by the canal, small playground for the kids, fun watching boats going past. Also a nice short wander down a lane through the woods.
When we stayed: April 2019

Motorhome Parking by the canal near Guillac - France In A Campervan

Motorhome Parking by the canal near Guillac - France In A Campervan

Loire-Atlantique (Pays de la Loire)

Name: Car park at Les Moutiers-en-Retz
Location: Les Moutiers-en-Retz
Type: Free car park via Park4Night
Notes: Basic car park but right by the beach with views of the fishing huts. Lovely spot with kids, nice small beaches to explore, lots of shells and pebbles to find.
When we stayed: April 2019

Motorhome parking at Les Moutiers-en-Retz - France In A Campervan

Motorhome parking at Les Moutiers-en-Retz - France In A Campervan

Sarthe (Pays de la Loire)

Name: Tennie Aire de Camping-Car
Location: Tennie
Type: Free Aire via Camperstop Europe book
Notes: Nice by the lake, kids playground at the campsite next door, possible to pay to use the campsite pool, drinks and ice creams at the campsite, bit noisy in the evening with cars and kids hanging out.
When we stayed: July 2018

France In A Campervan - Tennie Aire du Camping Car

France In A Campervan - Tennie Aire du Camping Car

Maine-et-Loire (Pays de la Loire)

Name: Le Chant D’Oiseau campsite
Location: near Mouliherne
Type: Campsite
Website: http://www.loire-gites.com
Notes: Pool, kids playground, small and family run, safe enclosed space for kids but enough room to run around, drinks and snacks, pizza nights. Good base for visiting Saumur (good parking for motorhomes at Place Notre-Dame des Ardilliers) and Candes-Saint-Martin (can’t drive a motorhome through it, you have to go around, parking on the opposite side to Saumur). This was the third time we’ve stayed at Le Chant D’Oiseau, having previously camped in a tent here twice before.
Beware: Lots of mosquitoes from about 5pm onwards!
When we stayed: July 2018

France In A Campervan - Le Chant D'Oiseau

France In A Campervan - Le Chant D'Oiseau

France In A Campervan - Le Chant D'Oiseau

Indre (Centre)

Name: Small car park in Saint-Aoustrille
Location: Saint-Aoustrille
Type: Free Car Park via Park4Night
Notes: A small grassy car park on the edge of the village, quiet and a nice spot for the kids to play.
When we stayed: June 2019

Motorhome parking in Saint-Aoustrille - France In A Campervan

Name: Camping Parc du Val de Loire
Location: near Chaumont-sur-Loire
Type: Campsite
Website: https://www.parcduvaldeloire.com/en
Notes: 
A really great campsite that met all our needs for a special occasion (one of our kids birthday’s). There was a great pool with slides and other fun elements, a playground, trampolines, ice cream. We had a nice shady pitch.
When we stayed: June 2019

Camping Parc du Val de Loire - France In A Campervan

Vienne (Poitou Charentes)

Name: Domaine du Parc
Location: near Celle l’Evescault
Type: France Passion
Notes: Parking in farmyard, no one around and the shop was closed, quiet night, goats in the barn.
Beware: Lots of flies (summer)!
When we stayed: July 2018

France In A Campervan - Domaine du Parc

France In A Campervan - Domaine du Parc

Deux-Sèvres (Poitou Charentes)

Name: Vasles Aire de Camping-Car
Location: Vasles
Type: Free Aire via Park4Night
Notes: Quiet when we stayed, quite a good number of places, perfect with kids as there’s a good playground right next to it. A short walk into the centre of the village where there was a butchers, small grocery shop, and a bakery (with some of the best chocolate eclairs we’ve had).
When we stayed: April 2019

Vasles Aire de Camping-Car - France In A Motorhome

Îl de Ré (Poitou Charentes)

Name: Saint Martin de Ré Aire de Camping-Car
Location: Saint Martin de Ré, Îl de Ré
Type: Paid Aire
Our blog post: Île de Ré With Kids On A Budget
Notes: Quiet, gravel spaces, lots of shade, great location to explore Saint Martin de Ré, beach in biking distance. Read more about it on our blog post above.
When we stayed: July 2018

France In A Campervan - Saint Martin de Ré Aire de Camping Car

Charente-Maritime (Poitou Charentes)

Name: Nieul Aire de Camping-Car
Location: Nieul
Type: Free Aire via Park4Night
Notes: Great spot, lots of space, near a stream and a playground, lovely to explore under the bridge and around the castle. Nice bakery a short walk into the village.
When we stayed: April 2019

Nieul Aire de Camping-Car - France In A Campervan

Dordogne (Aquitaine)

Name: Michèle & Daniel Pesty-Delange (private home)
Location: near Léguillac de Cercles
Type:  France Passion
Notes: Very peaceful.
When we stayed: July 2018

France In A Campervan - Dordogne

France In A Campervan - Dordogne

Name: Private aire at a house
Location: near Saint-Martial-d’Artenset
Type: Paid Private Aire via Camperstop Europe book
Notes: Lovely position by a small lake, goats and donkeys, child-friendly, a few minutes walk down the road is an ice cream farm – lots for kids to play on, delicious ice cream, can watch the cows being milked. One of our favourite stops.
When we stayed: July 2018

France In A Campervan - Saint-Martial-d'Artenset

France In A Campervan - Saint-Martial-d'Artenset

France In A Campervan - Saint-Martial-d'Artenset

Name: Domme Aire
Location: Domme
Type: Paid Aire
Notes: Excellent facilities including a washing machine, good location in the village with bakeries.
When we stayed: November 2018

France In A Campervan - Domme Aire

France In A Campervan - Domme Aire

Lot-et-Garonne (Aquitaine)

Name: Ferme et Musée du Pruneau
Location: near Lafitte-sur-Lot
Type:  France Passion
Website: http://www.musee-du-pruneau.com
Notes: Parking under huge mulberry trees, museum very busy (July/August) but quiet after closing, maize maze in July/August, drinks and snacks.
When we stayed: July 2018

France In A Campervan - Ferme et Musée du Pruneau

Lot (Midi Pyrénées)

Name: Capdenac Aire
Location: Capdenac
Type: Free Aire
Notes: Grassy parking for motorhomes next to gravel car park, we stayed on gravel so we didn’t get stuck on the grass. Children’s playground right next to the parking. Lovely village, very quiet in November, nothing open but nice to explore and two community gardens to discover. UPDATE: We also returned to this place in April 2019 as we loved this spot so much – the crepe place in the village was open and although fully booked, we were able to eat on a small outside table.
When we stayed: November 2018 (we also returned in April 2019)

France In A Campervan - Capdenac Aire

France In A Campervan - Capdenac Aire
November 2018, parked on the gravel

France In A Campervan - Capdenac Aire
April 2019, camped on the grass area

Aveyron (Midi Pyrénées)

Name: La Ferme du Gazenas
Location: near Flavin
Type: France Passion
Notes: Gravel parking with electricity just off the farmyard, option to have a tour of the farm at certain times, learn about the cheese they make, watch the cows being milked, buy eggs and blue cheese.
When we stayed: November 2018

France In A Campervan - La Ferme du Gazenas

Name: Espalion Aire de Camping-Car
Location: Espalion
Type: Paid Aire via Park4Night
Notes: A nice aire, close to the town centre, really lovely old buildings along the river. Playground just opposite the Aire.
When we stayed: May 2019

Espalion Aire de Camping-Car - France In A Campervan

Espalion - France In A Campervan

Name: Pradinas Aire de Camping-Car
Location: Pradinas
Type: Free Aire via Park4Night
Notes: Peaceful spot by the church, with leafy greenspace and a bench right next to it.
When we stayed: May 2019

Pradinas Aire de Camping-Car - France In A Campervan

Tarn (Midi Pyrénées)

Name: Labruguière Aire de Camping-Car
Location: Labruguière
Type: Paid Aire via Park4Night
Notes: Quiet spot, space for the kids to run about.
When we stayed: May 2019

Labruguière Aire de Camping-Car - France In A Campervan

Gers (Midi Pyrénées)

Name: La Mousquère
Location: near Castelnau Barbarens
Type:  France Passion
Notes: Peaceful secluded spot, nice flat grassy parking, great place for children to play, animals (pigs, cow, chickens etc), very welcoming couple, bought eggs.
When we stayed: July 2018

France In A Campervan - La Mousquère

France In A Campervan - La Mousquère

Hautes-Garonne (Midi Pyrénées)

Name: Riverside spot (no name)
Location: near Grenade
Type: Free Parking via Park4Night
Notes: A quiet spot when we stayed right alongside the Garonne river. Lots of shade, fields, and a nice walk through the woodlands. There was a lot of noise from a fun fair in town when we stayed.
When we stayed: May 2019

Garonne River campervan parking near Grenade - France In A Campervan

Name: Camping La Tisarne
Location: between Montauban and Toulouse
Type: Campsite
Website:
https://sites.google.com/site/campinglatisarne/home/anglais
Notes: 
Nice, quiet family run campsite.
When we stayed: May 2019

<< sorry no picture >>

Hautes-Pyrénées (Midi Pyrénées)

Name: Agos Vidalos Area Camper Park
Location: Agos Vidalos
Type: Paid Aire
Notes: Wifi included, some space for children to run about.
When we stayed: July 2018

France In A Campervan - Agos Vidalos Area Camper Park

France In A Campervan - Agos Vidalos Area Camper Park

Name: By the road for Tour de France
Location: Arrens Marsous
Type: Small parking area by road
Notes: Not an official camper area, but no signs saying motorhomes were prohibited. We were there for the Tour de France so not sure if locals would object to campervans parking here at other times of the year. There is an official aire in Arrens Marsous.
When we stayed: July 2018

France In A Campervan - Arrens Marsous

Name: Payolle Aire de Camping-Car / wild camping
Location: near Lac de Payolle
Type: Free Aire
Notes: There is an official aire – that we missed! – but all around here in the summer were loads of motorhomes parked in the forest. There were some old hardstanding spots for motorhomes, but otherwise people were just parked up on the grass off the road. Loads of space for kids, mountain stream to play in, wild strawberries and blueberries to be found in season, bakery van some mornings, nice walk around the lake. Can recommend the kids parcour course on the other side of the lake.
Beware: Beware of ticks! And huge ants and ant nests!
When we stayed: July 2018

France In A Campervan - Payolle Aire du Camping Car

France In A Campervan - Payolle Aire du Camping Car

France In A Campervan - Payolle Aire du Camping Car

Ariège (Midi Pyrénées)

Name: La Ferme de Lèdre
Location: near La Bastide de Serou
Type: France Passion
Notes: Quiet spot, gravel parking, stunning views, friendly dogs.
When we stayed: July 2018

France In A Campervan - La Ferme de Lèdre

France In A Campervan - La Ferme de Lèdre

Name: Camping La Serre
Location: Aigues-Vives
Type: Campsite
Website: https://www.camping-la-serre.com
Notes: We had a large private space with big hedges around it, swimming pool, children’s playground, pizza nights, drinks and snacks, wifi at the bar.
When we stayed: August 2018

France In A Campervan - Camping La Serre

France In A Campervan - Camping La Serre

France In A Campervan - Camping La Serre

Name: Chateau de Lagarde
Location: Lagarde near Mirepoix
Type: Free Parking in a field via Park4Night
Notes: A beautiful field next to the ruins of Chateau de Lagarde – lots of space for the kids to run about, a short walk into the village where you can find a playground. Beautiful views of the Pyrénées. We also visited the chateau ruins for a few Euros each when it was open – there were goats and llamas living in the ruins!
When we stayed: June 2019

Chateau de Lagarde - France In A Campervan

Aude (Languedoc-Roussillon)

Name: Aire de Camping-Cars de Lagrasse
Location: Lagrasse
Type: Paid Aire
Our blog post: Exploring Lagrasse With Kids
Notes: Gravel parking between olive trees, little shade in summer, great location for exploring Lagrasse, wild swimming in the river nearby. UPDATE: We returned to Lagrasse in May 2019 because despite the heat it seemed like a beautiful place. It was much quieter in May (and cooler!!). We had breakfast in the same place, and just enjoyed pottering around the village and by the river (the swimming place wasn’t there).
Beware: We found it extremely hot the August we stayed.
When we stayed: August 2018 and May 2019

France In A Campervan - Aire de Camping-Cars de Lagrasse

France In A Campervan - Aire de Camping-Cars de Lagrasse
Above two taken in August 2018

France In A Campervan - Aire de Camping-Cars de Lagrasse

France In A Campervan - Wild swimming Lagrasse
Above two taken in May 2019 (above image shows wild swimming spot in May)

Name: Espéraza Aire de Camping-Car
Location: Espéraza
Type: Free Aire via Park4Night
Notes: A busy free motorhome spot along the river, ideal if you want to go to the excellent market.
When we stayed: 
May 2019

Espéraza Aire de Camping-Car - France In A Campervan

Hérault (Languedoc-Roussillon)

Name: Car park in Pézenas
Location: Pézenas
Type: Free Car Park via Park4Night
Notes: Surprisingly quiet for a large town car park! Pezenas looks lovely – wish we had time to explore more. UPDATE: We returned here in May 2019 as we wanted to go to the Saturday market – the market was great, really big (we wrote about it in our blog post Our Favourite French Markets). This free spot was just as great for what we needed for a night as it had the first time.
When we stayed: August 2018 and May 2019

Car park in Pezenas - France In A Campervan

Name: La Conseillère (vineyard)
Location: near Montagnac
Type: ‘On the farm’ via Park4Night
Notes: Simple gravel spot in the courtyard car park of the vineyard. Electricity is €2 and showers €10. Nice rosé wine.
When we stayed: May 2019

La Conseillère (vineyard) - France In A Campervan

Name: Prieure Saint-Michel de Grandmont
Location: near Soumont
Type: France Passion / Park4Night
Website: http://www.prieure-grandmont.fr
Notes: Lovely secluded spot, gravel car park or some spots under trees (we got stuck in the mud in November so avoid those spots!), well worth paying to go around the monastery and grounds.
Beware: Make sure you follow the France Passion directions or come along the D153 – the sat nav suggested an alternative route that was a dirt track!
When we stayed: November 2018

France In A Campervan - Prieure Saint-Michel de Grandmont

France In A Campervan - Prieure Saint-Michel de Grandmont

France In A Campervan - Prieure Saint-Michel de Grandmont

Name: Aire de camping-car Beach Farret
Location: Vias Plage
Type: Campsite
Website: https://www.camping-farret.com/en
Notes: We loved this campsite – it’s the bit right at the end of Chemin des Rosses (on Google map it’s shown as Aire de camping-car Beach Farret). We stayed here twice in May 2019. The pitches were a nice size, good facilities, and the beach a minute walk away (some of the pitches backed right onto the beach, albeit with a high fence in between). We loved being able to spend an hour or so on the beach, then escape the sun for a bit, going back and forth whenever we wanted because we were so close.
When we stayed: May 2019

Aire de camping-car Beach Farret - France In A Campervan

Name: Camping Méditerranée
Location: near Sète
Type: Campsite
Website: http://www.camping-mediterranee34.com
Notes: A busy campsite with nice plots – we met up with a fellow van family here and it was perfect for our needs.
When we stayed: June 2019

Camping Méditerranée - France In A Campervan

Gard (Languedoc-Roussillon)

Name: Saint-Alexandre Aire de Camping-Car
Location: Saint-Alexandre
Type: Free Aire
Notes: Quiet spot on the edge of a village, gravel car park, lovely views.
When we stayed: August 2018

France In A Campervan - Saint-Alexandre Aire de Camping Cars

France In A Campervan - Saint-Alexandre Aire de Camping Cars

Bouches du Rhône (Provence Alpes Côte-d’Azur)

Name: Chateau Virant
Location: near Lançon de Provence
Type: France Passion
Website: http://www.chateauvirant.com/en
Notes: We were parked next to some large wine silos which were quite noisy on and off, it was also olive harvesting time so they were quite busy into the evening bringing in olives. Still a lovely spot, nice shop with their own wines and olive oils, do go for a wander around the cellars and see the olive oil being made.
When we stayed: November 2018

France In A Campervan - Chateau Virant

France In A Campervan - Chateau Virant

France In A Campervan - Chateau Virant

Name: La Maison du Riz
Location: near L’Albaron (Camargue)
Type: France Passion / Park4Night
Website: http://www.maisonduriz.com
Our blog post: Where To Find Wild Flamingos In The Camargue
Notes: Lovely quiet spot, we stayed on a day when they seemed to have closed so we didn’t get to visit the shop. Interesting to see the rice growing.
Beware: Hugest mosquitoes I’ve ever seen and still lots of them even in November! Thankfully it was breezy enough where we were parked and they didn’t come in.
When we stayed: November 2018

France In A Campervan - La Maison du Riz

Name: Mas Carlin
Location: near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Type: ‘On the farm’ via Park4Night
Notes: Nice quiet spot when we went, in a field, produce to buy from the farm.
When we went: June 2019

Mas Carlin - France In A Campervan

Vacluse (Provence Alpes Côte-d’Azur)

Name: Aire de Camping-Car Pont d’Avignon
Location: Avignon
Type: Paid Aire
Notes: Fairly quiet spot when we stayed, good shade.
When we went: June 2019

Aire de Camping-Car Pont d'Avignon - France In A Campervan

Haute Loire (Auvergne)

Name: Arlempdes
Location: Arlempdes
Type: Free Aire via Park4Night
Notes: Quiet but sloping spot just out of the village, with views of Château d’Arlempdes, and some picnic benches.
When we stayed: 
June 2019

Arlempdes - France In A Campervan

Puy de Dome (Auvergne)

Name: Area des Trolières
Location:
near La Roche-Blanche
Type: Paid Private Aire via Park4Night
Notes: Quiet privately owned aire, lots of space but a bit sloping.
When we went: June 2019

<< sorry no picture >>

Name: Panoramique des Domes
Location: 
Puy de Dome
Type: *Please note, this is only parking during the day*. For some reason we were given conflicting information about whether we could stay the night (we did, as did many other motorhomes), someone told us yes, someone then came around the day after and said no staying overnight.
Notes: As above. We really enjoyed taking the train up to the top of the Puy de Dome – definitely recommended.
When we went: June 2019

Panoramique des Domes - France In A Campervan

Ardeche (Rhône Alps)

Name: Banne
Location: Banne
Type: Free Aire via Park4Night
Notes: Lovely spot beneath the church, stunning views, was fairly busy. A lovely walk into Banne and up to the ruins of Chateau de Banne.
When we went: 
June 2019

Banne - France In A Campervan

Name: Camping du Pont d’Arc
Location: near Vallon-Pont-d’Arc
Type: Campsite
Website: http://www.campingdupontdarc.com
Notes: We found a nice pitch on this wooded campsite, but we didn’t think much of it as a campsite. We purely went here and would recommend it for the sole purpose of being right on the pebbly beach for the Pont d’Arc (an incredible huge natural stone arch over the Ardèche river – photo below).
When we went: June 2019

Camping du Pont d'Arc - France In A Campervan

Pont d'Arc - France In A Campervan

Drôme (Rhône Alps)

Name: La Ferme des Caillats
Location: near Saint-Jean en Royans
Type: France Passion
Notes: Dairy farm with a shop to buy their cheeses, butter etc, it was busy with a group visiting when we arrived. It wasn’t clear when we arrived where to park so had to wait to be shown. It was quite a hilly/sloping location. Fantastic cheeses.
When we stayed: August 2018

France In A Campervan - La Ferme des Caillats

France In A Campervan - La Ferme des Caillats

France In A Campervan - La Ferme des Caillats

Isère (Rhône Alps)

Name: Camping du Moulin de Tulette
Location: Grenoble
Type: Campsite
Website: http://camping-moulindetulette.fr/index.php/en
Notes: Lots of spaces and of decent size, swimming pool, wifi at the reception.
When we stayed: August 2018

France In A Campervan - Camping du Moulin de Tulette

Var (Provence Alpes Côte-d’Azur)

Name: Comps-sur-Artuby Aire de Camping-Cars
Location: Comps-sur-Artuby
Type: Free Aire
Notes: Flat spots around a grassy picnic area, lots of big trees, right on the edge of a little village with a few shops.
When we stayed: November 2018

France In A Campervan - Comps-sur-Artuby Aire de Camping Cars

France In A Campervan - Comps-sur-Artuby Aire de Camping Cars

Alpes Maritimes (Provence Alpes Côte-d’Azur)

Name: Espace Terroir
Location: near Grasse
Type: France Passion / Park4Night
Notes: Flat gravel parking, nice shop of locally made products, quiet spot.
When we stayed: October 2018

France In A Campervan - Espace Terroir

France In A Campervan - Espace Terroir

Yvelines (Île-de-France / Paris)

Name: Camping Maisons-Laffitte
Location: Maisons-Laffitte outside of Paris
Type: Campsite
Website: https://www.sandaya.fr/nos-campings/paris-maisons-laffitte
Notes: A nice campsite on the Seine river, great location for going into Paris for the day. About a 10-15 minute walk from the campsite to the train station (Gare de Maisons Laffitte). We had a smallish grass pitch, but it had all the facilities we needed – super grateful for a swim in the pool or a shower after a hot day walking around Paris.
When we stayed: June/July 2019

Camping Maisons-Laffitte - France In A Campervan

Name: Richebourg Aire de Camping-Car
Location: Richebourg
Type: Free Aire via Park4Night
Notes: Quiet, flat aire by a sports hall, some facilities and a playground a short walk away.
When we stayed: January 2020

Richebourg Aire de Camping-Car- France In A Campervan

Somme (Picardy)

Name: Grassy spot on the canal
Location: near Cléry-sur-Somme
Type: Free Parking via Park4Night
Notes: We were a bit unsure if this was a spot to park and where, but we just pulled up on the grass keeping over to one side. It was very peaceful, just local dog walkers going past.
When we stayed: July 2019

Grassy spot on the canal near Cléry-sur-Somme - France In A Campervan

Grassy spot on the canal near Cléry-sur-Somme - France In A Campervan

Pas-de-Calais (Nord-pas-de-Calais)

Name: Trois Etangs
Location: near Saint Omer
Type: Paid Aire via Park4Night
Notes: Aire by the lakes managed by the campsite – someone came round once a day to take payment. Lovely spot, busy by the end of the day. Bakery van in the morning.
When we stayed: July 2019

Trois Etangs near Saint Omer - France In A Campervan

Nord (Nord-pas-de-Calais)

Name: Bertry Aire de Camping-Car
Location: Bertry (next to Bertry train station)
Type: Free Aire via Camperstop Europe book
Notes: One of the less glamorous stops but fine for a night. Had electricity, right next to train station but quiet when we stayed.
When we went: January 2020

Bertry Aire de Camping-Car - France In A Campervan

Name: Motorhome parking at Carrefour supermarket
Location: Bray-Dunes (not far from Dunkerque)
Type: Free Overnight Parking via Park4Night
Notes: Free overnight parking at the Carrefour supermarket (marked bays for motorhomes) from 8pm – 8.30am. Quiet enough when we stayed and ideal for being close to Dunkerque ferry port.
When we went: February 2020

Bray-Dunes - France In A Campervan

Marne (Champagne-Ardenne)

Name: Trépail Aire de Camping-Car
Location: Trépail
Type: Free Aire via Park4Night
Notes: Lovely spot in a Champagne producing village, flat pitches, a few facilities, and a small playground.
When we stayed: January 2020

Trépail Aire de Camping-Car - France In A Campervan

Haute-Marne (Champagne-Ardenne)

Name: Langres Aire de Camping-Car
Location: Langres
Type: Paid Aire via Park4Night
Notes: Nice spot in the town of Langres. Short walk into the town, which was nice to explore with kids. It has a local cheese called Langres and we found some nice items in the bakery featuring it.
When we stayed: January 2020

Langres Aire de Camping-Car - France In A Campervan

Haute-Saône (Franche-Comté)

Name: Saulx Aire de Camping-Car
Location: Saulx
Type: Free Aire via Park4Night
Notes: Quiet spot outside the village of Saulx, and free electricity. The village had a nice bakery and butchers.
When we stayed: January 2020

Saulx Aire de Camping-Car- France In A Campervan

Haut Rhin (Alsace)

Name: Hartmannswiller Aire de Camping-Car
Location: Hartmannswiller
Type: Free Aire via Park4Night
Notes: Quiet spot in a little village, no services working when we visited.
When we stayed: February 2020

Hartmannswiller Aire de Camping-Car - France In A Campervan

Name: Munster Aire de Camping-Car
Location: Munster
Type: Paid Aire via Park4Night
Our blog post: Exploring Munster and Finding Storks in France
Notes: Big aire with lots of facilities, including a shower block. Perfect for exploring Munster, which we did, and loved it – check out our blog post above for more details on the town and the aire.
When we stayed: February 2020

France In A Campervan - Munster Aire de Camping-Car

Name: Riquewihr Aire de Camping-Car
Location: Riquewihr
Type: Paid Aire via Park4Night
Our blog post: Exploring the Alsace with Kids
Notes: Really just a car park that you pay to stay overnight in a campervan. Good spot if you want to explore Riquewihr, which is beautiful (details about it in the blog post linked above). Whilst you could just park to visit during the day, it’s a very popular place to visit, and even in February when we visited it got busy. By staying there overnight we were able to go exploring first thing, when it was quieter.
When we stayed: February 2020

Riquewihr Aire de Camping-Car - France In A Campervan

Bas Rhin (Alsace)

Name: Rosheim Camping Car Parking
Location: Rosheim
Type: Free Aire via Park4Night
Our blog post: Exploring the Alsace with Kids
Notes:
Motorhome parking for overnight on the outskirts of Rosheim, which is a nice town with interesting old features and a good range of shops, including a zero waste shop. More details via the blog post above.
When we stayed: 
February 2020

Rosheim Camping Car Parking - France In A Campervan

Don’t forget, you can check out all our posts for France here.