The other site is ‘Camping Le Grand Gravelot’ – you go into the office and book there with the staff. This site has individual pitches and toilet and shower blocks. This is where you might stay for a holiday in Calais.

On our first visit we stayed on the camping site. My French is reasonable and the young woman in the office was very patient after I said that I would like to make the booking in French and use English only if it was essential. 

The Aire de Camping Cars is our preferred overnight stop when passing through Calais, it’s so convenient, you roll up, pay and drive in, wedges not needed. 5 minutes from arrival to putting the kettle on! We are in transit, to reach Calais we have driven over 300 miles in England, all we want is somewhere to stay the night, this aire is perfect. If you want more the campsite next door has everything.

If you read the reviews of this site on google maps then you’ll find the views expressed are totally polarised, one group (us included) think this is a fantastic resource, just minutes from the tunnel and ferries and at a reasonable price, especially when you consider what you get in the UK at Caravan and Motorhome Club sites or Camping and Caravanning Club sites where you are likely to get a grass pitch on a sloping field for £20. The other group are the people who used to go to another site in Calais and seem to think that the city has somehow taken something away from them and is overcharging. This site is clean, safe and a pleasure to use.

• Close to the Channel Tunnel and ferry port
• 24 hour access
• Good disposal facilities
• Reasonable cost
• Security guard patrols at night
• Friendly staff if you need them
• Free grey and cassette disposal
• small shop on site with good selection of essential items
• pitches are almost level
• Feels secure, it has a high fence all around
• Walking distance to the beach

• Entrance confusing because there are TWO adjacent sites
• Pay station screen is low and awkward to use
• Pitches are not marked
• Motorhomes come and go at all times, usually quietly
• No scenic views
• It is like a car park, not to everyone’s liking.