Aire at Perigueux

TOUR DE FRANCE 2009

The 2009 Tour de France will commence this weekend, running from Saturday July 4^th to Sunday July 26^th 2009, the 96^th Tour de France will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,500 kilometers. These 21 stages have the following profiles: 10 flat stages, 7 mountain stages, 1 medium mountain stage, 2 individual time-trial stages, & 1 team time-trial stage.

EXHIBITION AT AZAY-LE-RIDEAU

The National Monuments Department presents Psyché au Miroir d'Azay (Psyche in the Mirror of Azay), an exhibition of decorative arts, at the chateau of Azay-le-Rideau (Centre -- Val de Loire region), from 20 May to 30 August 2009. This exceptional exhibition will present to the public, in the first-floor rooms of the chateau of Azay-le-Rideau, some one hundred of the most important works portraying the Myth of Psyche, taken from prestigious public collections. At the same time, a series of events will be organised at Azay-le-Rideau and a number of other sites around this theme.

FRENCH HOLIDAYS

The French will once again be taking their annual "vacances" this month & if you are visiting France then the times to avoid any long distance journeys are the weekends of the 10^th,11^th & 12^th July as well as the 1^st/ 2^nd August which both have a "Black" traffic congestion rating on Bison-Fute. Bastille Day is also on Tuesday the 14^th July & many French who are not already on holiday may be using this day as part of a long weekend & will be returning home.

GRAND HISTORY DISPLAY IN MEAUX

On the 4th, 11th and 18th July, 28 and 29 August, and 5, 12 and 19 September, in the courtyard of the Episcopal City at Meaux in the Seine-et-Marne (77) there is a spectacular show that unravels the thread of its history from the 19th century to the present day and acts out the most noteworthy events of its past. This powerful epic uses the latest stage technologies and the performances of over 500 voluntary actors.

LOIRE VALLEY WORLD HERITAGE DAYS

From 20 June to 8 July 2009, from Sully-sur-Loire to Chalonnes-sur-Loire in the Loire Valley - listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, there will be a rich and varied cultural schedule that will highlight the landscapes of the Loire Valley. Some of the events during this period include; discovery outings, bike rides (including some along the "Loire à Vélo" trail), special events in the Loire Châteaux, activities for children... A "Loire Challenge" will also be organised: a raft will descend the river, manned by crews successively taking over from each other and welcoming aboard some personalities from the world of arts and letters. A fête will be in full swing on 27 June in Amboise and 4 July in Saumur: a Loire village, outdoor cinema, dinner-dance, picnic, traditional Loire boats and much more.

VISIT BOURGES BY NIGHT

With the return of the warm weather & until 26^th September, the town of Bourges dons its finery. At nightfall, with the "Nuits Lumière", the town's monuments are illuminated by a gentle blue light which guides visitors around the town's heritage sites; Saint-Étienne Cathedral, listed as UNESCO World Heritage, the Palais Jacques Cœur, the Renaissance townhouses, the Augustins Convent but also the narrow streets, porches and façades... all seen in a new light.

MUSIC IN BLOIS

For this 7th edition of the Blois "Tous sur le Pont" music festival, the following artists will be performing: Bernard Lavilliers, Arno, Yuri Buenaventura, Mariana Ramos, Marie Cherrier, Java, Pep's, la Coterie... On the programme are concerts in the court of Château de Blois, themed dinner-dance evenings,  "apérock", musical siestas, family events, street theatre, discovery tours on foot, in a horse-drawn carriage or on a boat on the Loire...

NEW AIRE

Pont du Fosse, in the Hautes-Alpes department of Provence, which has had a small motorhome service point for several years (but no parking), has now opened a new aire de services in its municipal campsite where shaded parking is available close to the town with its shops & services. Parking is free & services are available via jetons from the campsite. There is a nearby Base de Loisirs as well as a play area, tennis & petanque in the camping. GPS for the aire is N 44.4007 E 06.14098.

REPORTS & PICS

I'd still very much appreciate any comments/ reports on aires/ campsites that you visit & especially any digital pictures of aires/ campsites not already covered on this website. Use either the forms on every page of the aires/ campsite directory or just email them to; webmaster@motorhomingfrance.co.uk

AIRE DE PERIGUEUX

The popular aire in Perigueux, Dordogne which is located close to the town centre on the banks of the river is currently under review by the town council which has suggested moving it away from the town centre in 2010. The local businesses, restaurants & shopkeepers however, realizing how much trade is generated by camping-car visitors to the town, have started a petition to keep the aire in town & currently the petition has over 200 signatures in favour of keeping the aire where it is.