Are there picnic areas along country roads

Hello,

We%26#39;ll be travelling by car between Paris, Chambord, Cheverny, Chenonceaux, Blois, Chartres, Giverny, Paris (3 days this August). I%26#39;d like to know if there are picnic areas along the roads (not the motorways). I suppose there are rest areas at gas stations, but apart from those, are there other places where we could stop for a little picnic under some trees or in a field?

Thank you very much.

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You should be able to find somewhere to pull off the road and eat, but don%26#39;t wander off into the fields: they are used by farmers who may not welcome trespassers. I have never had too much difficulty in finding somewhere fairly pleasant by the road.

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Thank you very much.

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Hello, I live in the Touraine Sud, so a little further south than your trip but have travelled the same route so to add...

You will find that most (I nearly claimed %26#39;every%26#39; but then decided to err on the side of caution to avoid barrage of exceptions! :P )

Most villages, towns, D, N and smaller roads have places to stop for a picnic - often by a river, often located by the municipal camping, stade, and/or Mairie, but nearly always picturesque, quiet, and catering to passing traveller with picnic bench, shade from mature trees, bins and toilets!

I would agree to not stopping where land clearly belongs to farm or resort to stopping at a %26#39;layby%26#39; by the side of a busy road but take the turn off into the next village and in France you are rarely disappointed when looking for somewhere quiet, picturesque andd with with basic facilties.

Have a great trip.

ChezANIA

www.franceholidaycottage.com

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Your response makes me want to be there right now ^_^

But I have to wait a week!

Much appreciated, thank you.

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What you are looking for is %26quot;aire de repose%26quot;, sometimes shown on road signs just as %26quot;aire%26quot;. These are picnic areas, usually quite pleasant places with toilets (usually usuable, although they are variable).

If you see %26quot;Aire de Service%26quot; then it is a sign for the full on service station, restaurant, take away shop and usually (but not always) local products.

Some villages in the Loire Valley have picnic areas in a park - Montresor has them along the river, as does Cere la Rond. In Amboise they are on the island near the campsite, and in the forests around chenonceaux there are a number.

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We%26#39;ve never had a problem finding some place to picnic in France. Even in car parks you will encounter French families taking out their foldable tables and chairs and sitting down for a formal meal.

Coming from a country where picnics are rare (something to do with all that wonderful rain!!) its a lovely sight and a great experience.

In Chenonceau, there is a nice area just beyond the car park with picnic benches and resident ducks to hoover up the breadcrumbs.

In Chiverny, there is a picnic area down at the end of the garden, with again, the regulatory ducks, lol!!

Even in Chambord you will see people sitting on grassy areas picnicing.

Be guided by what the locals are doing. If you see locals eating in an area, then - without invading their space too much - you can eat there too.