How do you pay at aires in France with barriers like Camping Car Parks & Aire Park

How to use Barrier Controlled & Commercial Aires in France

Commercial Aires are common all over France, especially at key tourist destinations. Most have, pay-as-you-go, barrier entry systems that may also control the services and electric hook-up. Most are Credit Card (CC) operated but Camping-Car Park have taken this one step further because a pre-paid card must be purchased before entry; explained below.

Aire Park by Aire Services
Service Points manufactured by Aire Services are found all over France. Some Aires have Aire Park barrier entry systems supplied by Aire Services. Aire Parks are identified at the end of the directions in All the Aires France; for example, ‘...enter through Aire Park barrier, signed.’
Entry should be straight forward, with payment by CC, but take note of the following points:

• Drive right up to the barrier before attempting to enter or exit.
• Retain every print out because you need to use a QR or type the code to exit the Aire.
• Take your time, holding QR codes still. These machines do not like being rushed.

You can come and go within the paid for period and some pitches can be prebooked online at www.AireParkReservation.com

Camping-Car Park - PASS'ÉTAPES

The majority of Camping-Car Park Aires are detailed in these guides. They are identified at the end of the directions in All the Aires France; for example, ‘...enter through Camping-Car Park barrier, signed.’ Entry is gained via a PASS’ÉTAPE card, identified as ‘PE’ in this guide. PE cards can normally be purchased from an entry machine, using a credit card. The PE card costs €5 and must be topped up with a minimum of €10.

PE cards are contactless and gaining entry and exit is easy if you have sufficient credit. The clock starts when you enter. If you leave within 5 hours the fee is normally €6. If you stay over 5 hours you are charged the 24-hour rate, identified when you enter. The maximum stay is 3 nights, longer for Pack Privileges customers (additional fee applies). Any card holder can prebook on the day using the App if there are 5 or more spaces available.

Service and electricity is usually included in entry fee. Elec is normally 6amp CEE but at some former campsites can be a mix of CEE and Cont. Sometimes there are too few sockets for pitches, and sometimes too many. The number of elec points are identified within this guide. Wifi is normally available near the entrance barrier but frequently not across the whole Aire.

Municipal campsites are also joining the Camping-Car Park Aires network. Some operate as an automated campsite during the summer, when all camping customers are welcome, and Aires in winter. When operating as a motorhome Aire the ablutions (WC/Showers) tend to be closed.
This company is evolving quickly. Please refer to campingcarpark.com for verification.