Motorway service stations - France

Tome · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 28 May 2009 Karma :

Does anyone know what time they are open from and to? Or are they constantly open?
Do they have pay-at-pump at all (I know I've used it there before once lol) or will it be pay at a till?

If it makes any difference it'll be between Calais and Le Mans.
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rob c · Nova Slayer Joined: 15 Apr 2010 Karma :

Dont know about the opening times but we paid at the till at everyone last year.

Grazoid · Scooby Slapper Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Karma :

In theory 24 hours...in practice... you do have a tent and sleeping bag with you? .. if not yer in for a cold dark wait!

All are usually pay at till , but have experienced some bizarre opening times for them.

barnhatter · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Karma :

A lot of pumps in france revert to pay at pump with cards when the kiosk is closed. Just make sure you fill up in plenty of time as petrol stations can be a bit spaced out.

Marmalade · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Apr 2009 Karma :

plus they all seem to be prepay from 10pm -6am which is a nause in the uk and totally poo in euroland, even had some bird in spain ask for my passport when paying for fuel on my card, i declined to give it to her and got pissy but they have no right to demand to see my passport, that and i was tired and she took ages to turn the soddin pump on.
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Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

Paivi · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Karma :

Marmalade · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Apr 2009 Karma :

I do more miles in euroland than over here and never been asked before, maybe it's a spain thing, although never asked before a few weeks ago, most miles are eastern and czech way
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Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

G1_ · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 May 2002 Karma :

If someone wants to see your passport, show it to them.
What's the point in being all high and mighty about it?

Marmalade · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Apr 2009 Karma :

So you go to the chemist for a box of asprin and chemist wants to see your driving licence, you'd tell them to sod off, it's nothing to do with them, same for the petrol station.
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Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

barnhatter · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Karma :

I have been asked for my passport when buying things in a supermarket using a credit card in Spain. Its a form of ID to stop fraud. From my time in Spain ID with a credit card is normal.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Just remember to stop in plenty of time. As has been said, they are quite far apart. If you're low, don't try to push on to the next one.

I did Zebrugge to Nantes in my van a couple of years back on the piage. We passed Calais and Le Mans so I presume you'll be going the same way.

As I recall, they all took pay at pump with one exception where you had to go in and show how you were going to pay before they'd authorise the pump (to be honest, the guy looked like he had a serious bug up his arse. I would have gone elsewhere but I was almost totally out of fuel so I had to play along).

The services alternate between a fuel/shop stop and a picnic/toilet area. If it's called Aire de something it's a picnic area. If it's called something else, it's a fuel stop. The picnic areas are usually very pleasant, it's worth picking up your lunch at the shop then stopping at the next picnic area to eat it. Just don't look at how much wine the other drivers are consuming!
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