Club 80-90 Forums

is it still possible to sleep in the carpark at the port following at late night crossing?

Are there still issues with security?

Done it alot at Dunkirk - never tried Calais.

regards

Emma

There is the aire Emma literally on the south side of the port right on the sea front. Just next to the campsite but cheaper.
Ringo

I quite like that Aire. If I remember correctly I am sure your allowed to use the campsite showers and stuff as they are both council run.

Jed

Thanks both!

The aire at Calais gets very busy with gin palaces & soon gets full. I like the camping municipal next door because it is cheap & handy for the Rue Royale where all the bars & restaurants are. However, they close the main gate at around 10.30pm & just leave pedestrian access. If you are arriving very late, the aire may be your only option.

Ont t'other side we kip on the aire at Equihen Plage ... about 40 minutes away from Calais ferry port. There's a charming boulangerie/patisserie and a bar that's been closed every single time we've stayed there

There is also the aire on the Harbor at Calais (just round the corner from the campsite and the aires on the sea front) that we have always stayed on, its a huge carpark and you get a ticket on your van overnight and pay at the campsite in the morning or the man comes round early evening to collect your pennies - around 7 euros. There is no facilities though.

Not tried overnight on this one myself but what about right on the seafront on the east end of the beach just before you get to the Aire? Look on google maps and it the bit between the white cabin and the breakwater on the west side of the harbour.

Parked up for free all afternoon here last July with the bairn playing on the sandy beach right in front of where the van was parked. There were the no motorhome type signs but when we arrived at lunchtime quite a few French White Van Men were parked up eating their baguettes and we slotted in between. Once they had gone it was just cars with people taking a stroll etc.

My interpretation of the no motorhome signs is no Gin Palaces and as a type25 fits the spaces like a car then they are OK to use. No idea what Monsieur Le Flic's interpretation of the law is though.

Hee hee. I wouldn't exactly plan a holiday to Calais but I can't think of a better thing to do whilst waiting for a ferry! Good effort.

Ringo

ringo wrote:Hee hee. I wouldn't exactly plan a holiday to Calais but I can't think of a better thing to do whilst waiting for a ferry! Good effort.

Ringo

Aye, was on the way back from further afield last year and the ferry was an evening one.

Although having driven around Margate and Broadstairs once trying unsucessfully to park near a sandy beach when the tide was in, Calais would sound a decent destination for a day trip especially if you could fit in a shop for booze and fuel.