French Aires

[marchie]

It might be. Locals might jump at the chance of free water. I've seen someone turn up at an aire with a trailer full of jerrycans and fill them at the service point.

But this makes no sense! Our French hovel.has been empty for 2 years+ and there was a tiny amount of water consumption to be paid for from our last stay (something like 0.0022 per litre, IIRC). Nonetheless, we have been charged €110pa for Water, almost exclusively fixed charges for the supply, quality testing, local taxes, VAT etc, during the period of property closure. So, a Frenchman using diesel at €2+ per litre to transport water that costs around 1/1000 of the per litre price, and still having to pay the fixed costs of supply et seq would be insane (or in Seine)

Steve

 

[TJBi]

But this makes no sense! Our French hovel.has been empty for 2 years+ and there was a tiny amount of water consumption to be paid for from our last stay (something like 0.0022 per litre, IIRC). Nonetheless, we have been charged €110pa for Water, almost exclusively fixed charges for the supply, quality testing, local taxes, VAT etc, during the period of property closure. So, a Frenchman using diesel at €2+ per litre to transport water that costs around 1/1000 of the per litre price, and still having to pay the fixed costs of supply et seq would be insane (or in Seine)

Steve

Diesel was somewhat cheaper at the time. And who says that he pays for a piped supply in addition to the free one?

 

[marchie]

Diesel was somewhat cheaper at the time. And who says that he pays for a piped supply in addition to the free one?

Doubt that it was as cheap as the price of water, but let's agree to differ. You seem to querying everything I rey to, and it's a tad tedious.

Steve

 

[TJBi]

Doubt that it was as cheap as the price of water, but let's agree to differ. You seem to querying everything I rey to, and it's a tad tedious.

Steve

It may not make economic sense now. It may not have done then. I don't know to what extent charges for water vary from place to place. I simply know what I saw. Some communes may regard investing in card payment as a worthwhile option to prevent abuse.

 

[Deleted member 7232]

If you pay by card, make sure it’s one that doesn’t charge exchange fees!
Clarity from Halifax Bank is a good one. Also the Post Office do one!

 

[El radge]

But this makes no sense! Our French hovel.has been empty for 2 years+ and there was a tiny amount of water consumption to be paid for from our last stay (something like 0.0022 per litre, IIRC). Nonetheless, we have been charged €110pa for Water, almost exclusively fixed charges for the supply, quality testing, local taxes, VAT etc, during the period of property closure. So, a Frenchman using diesel at €2+ per litre to transport water that costs around 1/1000 of the per litre price, and still having to pay the fixed costs of supply et seq would be insane (or in Seine)

Steve

Cheap compared to at home

 

[Stanski]

Often see older folk fill up from water taps, some with large water tanks in the boot, assume its for the allotment, and old habits die hard, no matter the expense.

 

[Caz]

Can only remember having to pay at a couple of Aires, one had a machine which only took card payments, on the other a chap came round and only took cash.

 

[Biggarmac]

Lots of aires are under the Camping Car Park banner. You can order a card before you go or get one at the first if their sites you use. French mayors are changing to CCP rather than looking after their own aires. More and more are becoming paid aires. CCP are also taking over old municipal campsites.

 

[bartman]

Lots of aires are under the Camping Car Park banner. You can order a card before you go or get one at the first if their sites you use. French mayors are changing to CCP rather than looking after their own aires. More and more are becoming paid aires. CCP are also taking over old municipal campsites.

Yes, this was happening as long as 4 years ago when we were last there. But at least they are not profiteering like the descendants of Dick Turpin over here, the fees are typically between 9 and 12 euros per 24 hours, often including wifi as well as electricity, water, and waste disposal. I think that's reasonable

 

[El radge]

Yes, this was happening as long as 4 years ago when we were last there. But at least they are not profiteering like the descendants of Dick Turpin over here, the fees are typically between 9 and 12 euros per 24 hours, often including wifi as well as electricity, water, and waste disposal. I think that's reasonable

Personally speaking wifi and ehu , while useful occasionally , are not too important . Would rather do without and go back to free Aires
But that is how things are going

 

[snapster]

We just spent 3 weeks driving around France and paid only €7 for one aire, that we mistakenly thought was free, but we did get EHU and water thrown in. 20 free aires, one paid, not as good as we usually do!

 

[Stanski]

Lots of aires are under the Camping Car Park banner. You can order a card before you go or get one at the first if their sites you use. French mayors are changing to CCP rather than looking after their own aires. More and more are becoming paid aires. CCP are also taking over old municipal campsites.

Hi All,
Went into first time a Camping-Car Park managed aire, got the Pass Etape.
Read the regs to find if their was a must depart by time.
Not 100% clearly described, seems to be a 24hr but you pay for the extra day if you exceed 24hr.
They had issued for Covid some special annual passes, that had special allowances it appears.
Not clear if monthly charge for the account.
Did see they were allowing 14 day cool off period.
Also any non payments, defers, hence Q1, returned cards that were damaged all had €12 fines.

QUESTIONS
1. Is there a monthly payment for account?
2. Is it a full 24hrs from time of arrival?
3. Must you use it frequently, or only as and when?
4. Other people's experiences

We had elec, filled up water, used dump and had a quiet night here in Revel for €10.50. Plus€5 for the card

 

[snapster]

Hi All,
Went into first time a Camping-Car Park managed aire, got the Pass Etape.
Read the regs to find if their was a must depart by time.
Not 100% clearly described, seems to be a 24hr but you pay for the extra day if you exceed 24hr.
They had issued for Covid some special annual passes, that had special allowances it appears.
Not clear if monthly charge for the account.
Did see they were allowing 14 day cool off period.
Also any non payments, defers, hence Q1, returned cards that were damaged all had €12 fines.

QUESTIONS
1. Is there a monthly payment for account?
2. Is it a full 24hrs from time of arrival?
3. Must you use it frequently, or only as and when?
4. Other people's experiences

We had elec, filled up water, used dump and had a quiet night here in Revel for €10.50. Plus€5 for the card

We have the Pass Étape too. There is no monthly charge, nor do you need to use it frequently. You’re right in that each period is up to 24 hrs and if you exceed it, you pay for another 24 hours.
We’ve only used their aires a couple of times when there was no alternative, but most other aires are cheaper

 

[TeamRienza]

I agree with Snapster. We use them as and when required. I only top the card up with enough to pay for the site I am on so that between uses the account is almost empty.
I quite like the 24 hour system as it means if you arrive late, you can get a full day in the locality before moving on or deciding to stay another night, whereas campsites usually expect you to depart by midday or thereabouts, thus wasting a day in the locality.
The app is very useful as it shows occupancy levels on their Aires in real time aiding decision making as to wether it is worth heading to a specific Aire or looking elsewhere.

Davy

 

[witzend]

We have the Pass Étape too. There is no monthly charge, nor do you need to use it frequently.

Earlier this year when checking our card balance the little money we had left on it had been removed. When we queried this they said it was as card had been unused for some time they replaced the money. It was not just our card several others where affected

 

[El radge]

Have the card , have used their sites but it is the thin end of the wedge .
I'm happy to pay at Aires when their is a charge but often its like a cottage industry . At worst small town , village covering expenses .
This growth in big companies swallowing up Aires doesn't seem like good news .