Camping car areas - France and Spain

Just a note about camper vans in France and Spain:

In France, many towns have 'Camping Car' areas where you can stay for free, get water and even empty your tanks (if you have them!). Look out for camping car signs, and there is actually a book listing them all available in France (though I can't remember its name I'm afraid).

A good example is in Ondres Plage on the West coast of France - right on the beach (in fact, completely surrounded by dunes!):

http://maps.google.co.in/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Ondres-Pla...

In Spain these are fewer and far between. A notable exception for travellers taking the ferry to Northern Spain is Santoña where you can park up near the harbour, though it doesn't have the facilities mentioned.

It is illegal to camp in car parks/lay-bys in Spain, though whether anyone will do anything probably depends on how far from a campsite you are. However, the definition of camping does not prohibit parking up and sleeping in your camper. What you can't do is have awnings/tables/chairs etc out.

I hope this is useful - we missed out on some camping opportunities through not knowing the rules so hope it helps someone else!

James