Service stations betwwen Calais & Paris

[Jaybeez]

We're one step closer to out DLP holiday today as I booked the Eurotunnel. We should be in Calais by 9am and so will probably stop on the way to Paris to stretch our leg and have a snack. Are there many service stations on the way and are they ok or is it better to avoid them?

[smallworld73]

We stopped at one and tbh it was like stepping back in time-never again will I complain about our services. The stairs to cross the motorway were disgusting and the toilets when we got to them were horrible. It was like being in the back of beyond. I cant remember where we stopped so we may have been unlucky. We didnt stop for food so cant say what the food facilities were like.

[jazzluvva]

The French Autoroute network has many services area's called 'Aires' - they vary from being nothing more than a toilet & wash block, or picnic & play area, all the way up to a full service area with Motels and restaurants, there will be signs on the approach to each one stating what facilities are at each one, as a general rule there will be one every 12 miles or so - a legal requirement i believe!, Besides, its an easy 3hr drive from eurotunnel to DLP (toll approx €20), you'll probably just want to put ur foot down and get there ASAP

[Jaybeez]

We might give them a miss them.

We won't be in too much of a rush as we aren't booked into the DLP hotel until the next day. I'm booking another hotel for the first night and we'll find probably go to the shopping centre near DLP on the first afternoon.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Jaybeez

We might give them a miss them.

We won't be in too much of a rush as we aren't booked into the DLP hotel until the next day. I'm booking another hotel for the first night and we'll find probably go to the shopping centre near DLP on the first afternoon.

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There are so fab shops and supermarket in the shopping centre also the restaurants are very good and cheap

[pamela1960]

We did this trip to see Jimmy Buffett in concert in Paris.
The best service station stop was at the Somme.
try this link for all info on the route.
about-france/motorway-services.htm

[rashelly]

Can't really help you out but just wanted to share a memory of a service station that we used on our very first trip! (this was 1996), the female toilets were just a hole in the ground... we had to squat!

[Guest]

Generally the French Aires are pretty good - and the really great thing is that you get one every 10km or so. So much better than in the UK where you could drive for 30 miles without any sort of stop.

[Jaybeez]

Thank you for all the replies.

Originally Posted by numpty

There are so fab shops and supermarket in the shopping centre also the restaurants are very good and cheap

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That's great to know. I think we'll head straight there and just use the service stations for toilet breaks (hopefully we'll find some nice ones or we'll have to cross our legs).

[sarahb74]

If you have a french road map the "hole in the ground" services are the ones marked with a thin semi-circular line, and the "proper" services are the ones with a thick line. They are usually fine, and we love the coffee machines that are in most of them. Another tip, esp. with kids, if you have to stop at the basic ones, use the disabled toilets.