On a long drive in France are there places to shower and securely park my car?

On a long drive in France are there places to shower and securely park my car? - Black Suv in Between Purple Flower Fields

I'm debating if I should go for a long drive (possibly overnight) in France. That is not sleeping in a hotel or any sort of accommodation.

If I opt to do so, are there places where I can shower and park my car securely (sleeping in car)?

How do I go about finding these on a route?



Best Answer

Motorways (autoroutes, indicated by signs with a blue background) have service areas at regular intervals (about 15km). Every rest area has at least a parking lot and toilets. Some have food, petrol, shops, and motels. The official motorways website has a map (only in the French section), which in theory should tell you where various services are available — but it only sends you to specific motorway companies' websites which may or may not tell you what amenities are available in each service area.

A lot of those sites are in French only. If you need help with a specific route, tell me what your route is.




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Do French service stations have showers?

The majority of Rest Areas offer self-service restaurants/caf\xe9s, shops, toilets (showers), sometimes free wi-fi and 24 hour petrol station facilities.

Can you sleep in French motorway services?

Can you stay overnight in an 'aire de service' on a French motorway? Yes, often it is allowed. They often have specific motorhome parking areas and there will be an allowed time you are allowed to stay for.

Can I keep my car in France?

French law requires that if you are staying in France for longer than six months (in any twelve months), then the vehicle must be formally registered in France and plated with a French registration number.

Can you sleep in your car in Paris?

You can use a credit card or the PaybyPhone, ParkNow, Flowbird apps. Parking campers or motor-homes in Paris should be avoided, so as not to block traffic. Instead you should head for the designated parking spaces at camp sites. In Paris, it is prohibited to sleep in your vehicule.



What tourists need to know before driving in France




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