Camping in France Without Campsite
Jun 6th, 2012, 03:38 PM
#1
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Camping in France Without Campsite
Hey y'all! Thinking of taking the camper van to France. The thing is I heard they get angry if you park up and stay on a outside of a designated camping/parking spot? Is this true, we want a cheap holiday parked wherever fro free in the old camper.
Jun 6th, 2012, 04:21 PM
#2
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You mean you expect people to let you just pull your old banger up on their land and stay there?
Someone's front yard? A farmer's field? the center of the town square? the ditch by the side of the road?
What places do you think you can put a camper for free?
Someone's front yard? A farmer's field? the center of the town square? the ditch by the side of the road?
What places do you think you can put a camper for free?
Jun 6th, 2012, 06:12 PM
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Do a Google search for 'wild camping, France'. You'll even find an article from the Guardian on the subject. There are also many towns who have facilities, including free ones, for motor caravans. You can generally stay at an aire on an autoroute overnight at no cost.
Years ago we pulled off the autoroute at Beaune just after dark.
I asked the toll booth attendant for directions to the municipal campground. He said it would be closed but to pull over just past the booth and park in a small lot for the night. He even pointed out the public toilets not far off.
We also spent a couple of nights along the way parked just outside a couple of campgrounds as they were full. We paid half price and were allowed to use the bathrooms and laundry facilities. I thought it was fair.
Years ago we pulled off the autoroute at Beaune just after dark.
I asked the toll booth attendant for directions to the municipal campground. He said it would be closed but to pull over just past the booth and park in a small lot for the night. He even pointed out the public toilets not far off.
We also spent a couple of nights along the way parked just outside a couple of campgrounds as they were full. We paid half price and were allowed to use the bathrooms and laundry facilities. I thought it was fair.
Jun 6th, 2012, 08:23 PM
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YES! Those of us who have invested large sums of money into vacation places in rural France certainly do not want to open our shutters on a beautiful Tuesday morning and see your tin transport parked in the field below.
Guess what we do when folks do that? We and all the neighbors call the préfecture and your ass is hauled out of there within about a half-hour and you've got a whopping fine to pay.
We have legit campgrounds all around. Use them and pay, and don't park in our fields!
Guess what we do when folks do that? We and all the neighbors call the préfecture and your ass is hauled out of there within about a half-hour and you've got a whopping fine to pay.
We have legit campgrounds all around. Use them and pay, and don't park in our fields!
Jun 7th, 2012, 04:32 AM
#7
You will sometimes see signs in scenic areas that say "camping sauvage interdit" which means that it forbidden there but which sort of implies that it is tolerated in other areas on public land.
Also note that the free designated areas signposted for the "gens du voyage" in all towns with a population of 5000 or more are for Roma groups and not for tourists.
Also note that the free designated areas signposted for the "gens du voyage" in all towns with a population of 5000 or more are for Roma groups and not for tourists.
