Sites in France en route to Winter Sun Rallies

Thanks Chris, my goodness it does look a busy Aire. I have stayed on the municipal site many times but still have not actually visited Zaragoza. Perhaps next time I will try this Aire and attempt it.

peedee

Thanks for the info on the new Teruel aire, I'll give it a try next trip.

As regards Zaragoza, we don't stop in the city itself, but use a very quiet aire on the banks of the Rio Ebro at Buñuel just off the old A-68.  Mind you last year it was -7°C overnight, but then that was also the daytime temperature for most of the journey from Pamplona to beyond Teruel.

BTW, the AP-68 was still a toll road when we used it earlier this year, whereas the old A-68 dual carriageway which runs alongside is toll-free.

Jim, thanks for the heads up, nice looking stopover. If you do fancy a city stop, nice aire right in centre of Tudela, too.

we often come from Irun via Pamplona, Zaragosa etc and use the A-68.

nice new free aire stop in Haro, too...

Hi everyone, sorry I haven’t responded sooner but am very impressed with the quantity and quality of all the replies. It gives me much to consider and more research to do. 
Once again thanks to everyone. John F 

Hi fellow Caravanner, 

My input after 4 mid winter grey & dreary tows down France to Almeria ….

Likely depends on your home base but we, ex Leeds, have previously stopped overnight at Folkstone to get the AHC’s for dogs and in readiness for Tunnel. 

Prompt Tunnel then down to Rouen, Dreux before dark for overnight stop. Chartres, Orleans, Limoges to overnight just south at Camping Montreal. Then Toulouse, then east over to Perpignan area, border into Spain, overnight at Capmany, shorts on & cheap easy fuel, then drift down the quite scenic AP7 Med coast route south. 

Tips. France in January is bleak, dreary & also short days. Central Spain in Winter can be very cold, Med coast is usually mild. Ring sites to confirm they're actually open. Fill with fuel when you can - some fuel stops are awful or very restricted access especially if off Motorway Peage. Don’t feel pressurised by setting unrealistic daily distances or legs, stay flexible. 

Enjoy ….

From many previous posts on this topic it seems that the westerly routes to Spain are the most popular, maybe due to the toll free sections of the A75. For many years we have travelled to Avignon using the tunnel then Reims, Lyon etc. From Avignon on several trips we have continued South towards Montpelier then turned North on the A75 for Millau, Lot valley and ultimately through Rouen back to the tunnel.

The shortest, fastest route is via Reims and Lyon though the tolls are probably highest. The only decision to make is whether to transit Lyon on the old motorway route or do the tedious bypass which adds around 20 miles. It depends on the time of day and judgement of traffic. By the way, Lyon is a great city to visit and there is a site on the “old” route which is perfect for public transport into Lyon. My guess is that it would be open in winter but you would have to check.

I have a personal dislike of the A75/Rouen route as the northern part where there is no Autoroute is busy, slow and tedious. You should also be aware that there are very few services on the A75 (because it’s free!). Most people seem to disagree with my preference but they probably haven’t tried the fast Lyon route.

Cant help with out of season sites but well lit 24 hour Autoroute services are a good option in an emergency. Again, many will disagree.