I just read a site that says: "Don't stop overnight on French Auto Route aires - the French roadside rest areas are great, and a wonderful place to stop during the day to break up your journey. However we have experienced, and heard of many problems from many campers who have stopped at these aires overnight. The main problems being theft. Don't stop at them overnight. In particularly the A7 and A9 seem to be the worst." What would be the issue is staying in your van with it locked?
I have heard of this a few times.... There are groups of French thieves who brake into vans, caravans etc when people are asleep - and I mean hardcore break in - destroying the locks, smashing windows etc. I read of a couple who's van was once broken into and they were attacked.
I've stayed in Aires with no problems. Have heard of a few problems down south, Biarritz way, but never experienced it myself. Could be worse, they could gas the sleeping owners like they used to in Spain!
When in Oz, pulling up for the night, I'd only ever stay somewhere where plenty of other campervans and caravans were. If no-one was around I'd carry on. So I'd guess the same applies in France. Park next to several other resting campervans and caravans and I you're going to be a lot safer.
Some one on TLB V2 posted that they had been done over like this. cant remember who it was but they had a scooby lump fitted in their bus. It sounded like they had been gassed with some sort of sleeping gas as none of them work up during the incident. They woke up very groggy and with bad headaches to find all thier stuff gone.
France is certainly a dodgy place.....I`d keep well clear..... I slept here on my own ,lucky escape... O0
