lay-by's in france

kink

we have been to france camping a couple of times and spent the night in the car the odd time, does anyone know if it would be ok to put up a pop up tent and sleep in there in the lay-by?
thanks in advance

Russ66

Don't know the answer sorry but you may want to consider THIS. :eek:

missyg_3

Don't know what the law is on this, but from a safety perspective it would be a definite no-no for me. I'd feel way too vulnerable in a tent with vehicles coming and going all night long, and strangers potentially coming over to investigate this lone tent...

knightstyle

We were moved on by Gendarmes for sleeping in a layby. Most towns and villages have municipal sites with basic facilities for one night.

TBeckett100

I would take a big hammer. That tarmac is difficult to drive a tent peg through

C_Ronaldo

I wouldnt even bother OP, just plan to stay in a campsite for the 1 night, you tend to see signs for campsite

Garetha

We've stayed in an Autoroute (motorway) service area with our caravan - but only under the following conditions:

• the one's with fuel (not the picnic areas)
• not on our own - only where several others
• paying autoroute (not the free ones)

I'm not sure about a tent though ....

Have you got the Michelin book of French camp sites?
http://bookbrain.co.uk/pricesearch.aspx?isbn=2067130684

By the way - the best service area we've ever used is in France (Normandy) near Abbeville A16/A28 junction called 'Baie de Somme'
There's a separate area for caravans (no HGVs) lovely walk with ponds and fish, views over the Somme, sunsets, water at the campervan service point.

sjpkgp

Hiya,

Of course it depends on the budget but I would echo the sentiments about municipal sites. I have stayed on loads, and they are generally clean cheap and functional - £15 generally covers it. They are also often fairly close to town. I have not used the camping cheque sites myself, but noticed them - a tenner a night. Seems more for caravans and for people who know where they are going to be...
http://www.campingcheque.co.uk/en/
If you can't be bothered with any of this, the budget chains are very cheap (we had less than £20 for a room that would sleep 3/4). If on a real budget, you could alternate a night in a comfy hotel bed with a night in the car. The warnings that are put out seem to relate to caravans in laybys (and tents are even more vulnerable) but you can park a car anywhere and have a cheap (if restless) night in it. We've done this a few times, and have always felt a bit vulnerable, should imagine it would feel worse in a tent....

Sal x