Motorhome Stopovers in France: Aire de Service Guide

An aire de service — usually just called an aire — is a designated motorhome stopover, part of a network of thousands across France and now across much of Europe. A night on a typical aire costs between €8 and €15 (roughly £7 to £13), with some entirely free, which makes them the backbone of affordable French touring.

How aires work

Aires provide a level, marked pitch for motorhomes and campervans, and usually a service point with fresh water and a grey and black water dump. Some sit in town, a short walk from the market and bakery; others perch at scenic viewpoints or next to motorway services. They are not campsites: expect a hardstanding pitch, a gate and a service point, rather than grass, trees and a shower block. Facilities range from the excellent to the minimal, so check recent reviews before you commit.

What they cost

• Town and village aires: €8 to €15 a night, often with electric hook-up.
• Free aires: usually basic, with no service point and a 24-hour limit.
• Aire de camping-car municipal: often right beside a proper campsite, sharing its shower block.
• Motorway service aires: fine for a single night, but noisier and busier.
• Check the access before you commit — a few older aires have height barriers or tight entrances that a long motorhome cannot manage.

The rules

Most aires allow one night only (or 24 to 48 hours), and "camping" — putting out chairs, tables and awnings — is not allowed. It is a place to sleep and refill, not to set up camp, and the local gendarme can move you on, so keep it simple and respect the limits.

Pair aires with a proper campsite every few days — three nights on aires and one in a campsite is a rhythm that keeps costs down and standards high.

Finding them

Apps like Park4Night and SearchForSites list aires with photos, prices and reviews, while the official France Passion scheme lets you stop free on working farms and vineyards. Cross-reference with Google Street View to check you can actually fit your van. To plan the crossing, our campervan ferry guide covers the routes, and you can find a van on our search.