Where to park your motorhome?
Where to park your motorhome?
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You can't just park and camp anywhere in a motorhome! And finding an official parking space can be difficult in towns and cities or near tourist sites. Here are the basic rules you need to know to park and camp in peace.
Parking
Parking on public highways
In towns and cities, park in the car parks outside the centre or in car parks reserved for motorhomes, be careful not to take up other parking spots or spaces on public highways.
If security or public order require so, mayors are entitled to introduce stricter parking measures.
Parking on private property
If you want to park on private property, you must ask the land owner for permission.
It is forbidden to park on the seashore, in classified or listed sites and their vicinity, within less than 200 m of a water source for consumption, in woods, forests and parks classified as wooded areas to be preserved.
Respect for places and people
Avoid parking during the day or night that obstructs the view of monuments, residential windows or businesses.
Avoid excessive noise from talking, television, radio or engines. Also, only use the power generator when absolutely necessary, and keep it away from other vehicles and nearby houses.
Use the vehicle’s toilet!
Put your household waste in the appropriate containers. Do not litter!
It is forbidden to empty chemical toilets (black water tanks) into a sewage system.
Adapted facilities
Service areas
Their main purpose it to provide the following services: grey water tank emptying (household water), black water tank emptying (chemical toilets), drinking water supply, refuse disposal, electricity supply.
In addition to these services, the area may offer parking, toilets and other services.
Water and waste disposal can be provided through a small-scale or industrial-type hydrant: Flot bleu, Raclet, Eurorelais, etc.
Some areas are free, others charge a fee.
Parking areas
These are public places authorised for the parking of motorhomes, whether or not they are located near a service area. Parking may be time-limited, free or paid.
Campsites
All motorhomes can park at campsites, but not all campsites are equipped with specific facilities, even though their numbers are increasing rapidly. Some campsites offer packages adapted to motorhome users, such as the FFCC Stop Accueil Camping-Car package: a one-night, non-extendable stay priced between €8 and €14, including motorhome services, with departure requested before 10am.
Private service providers
Some farmers, breeders, winegrowers, farm inns or chateau owners, for example, invite you to stay free of charge on their property for one night, and to discover their products and their know-how. This reception service is endorsed by France Passion and is identifiable under this name. It is reserved for France Passion members travelling in a motorhome that is self-sufficient (water, sanitary facilities, waste, etc.) and in possession of the guide and the current year’s vignette. Sometimes, non-members are accepted; in this case, services are charged.
Camping-car Park offers a membership card (€5, on sale at payment machines at the entrances to sites, to be loaded and used at any time) allowing access to any site in its network for a fee ranging from €7.30 to €15/24 hours. The services are of a high quality.
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