Tips for saving money on motorway travel in north France
Some motorway service stations in France offer discount deals on food, drink, and fuel
The Rosny Sud service station near Paris offers ‘good deals’ and video game-themed architecture
That French Bloke/Shutterstock
“Our Bon Plan sites combine quality service, safety, and low prices,” says Sanef, the motorway operator in the north and north-east of France.
The company’s website states that motorists who stop off in participating service stations marked by a yellow Bon Plan (good deal) sticker can enjoy a coffee for €1.10 with a 1.5L bottle of water costing €1.
A lunchtime meal deal includes a sandwich, drink, and dessert for €5.
The deals can vary slightly between service stations.
Bon Plan stations also offer competitive fuel prices “based on a comparison with the average petrol price at other service stations located on toll motorways in the Sanef group network.”
Read also: Public electric car recharging points in France: how they work and why fees vary so much
Sanef lists the 11 participating motorway service stations are:
Hauts de France: Aire de Saint-Léger (A1), Aire de Phalempin Ouest (A1), Aire de Baralle (A26), Aire de Graincourt (A2), and Aire de Croixrault (A29).
Grand Est: Aire de Brumath Ouest and Aire de Changis-sur-Marne (A4), Aire de Loisy (A31).
Île de France: Aire de la Courneuve Ouest (A1).
Normandie: Aire de Giberville Nord and Aire de Rosny Sud (A13).
Family-friendly service stations
Three of Sanef’s Bon Plan service stations (Rosny Sud, Croixrault, and Phalempin Ouest) have been renovated to offer more restaurant options, sport facilities and entertainment for families.
The Rosny Sud site has also been decorated to resemble the pixel-art style of the popular video game, Minecraft.
“Its unique architecture will delight both young and old videogame fans,” reads the service station’s website.
Save money in other areas of France
Fulli, a company that provides travel options for motorists, “minimises middlemen to offer fairer prices” on petrol at service stations across the east of France and around Paris:
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté: Aire de Ecot (A36), Aire de Gevrey Chambertin Ouest (A31), and Aire de Saint Ambreuil (A6).
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes: Aire de Dracé (A6), and Aire de Bourbonnais (A79).
Île-de-France: Aire de Jonchets Grande Paroisse (A5), and Aire de Jonchets les récompenses (A5).
Read also: Reader tips on how to save money on driving and tolls in France
Elsewhere TotalEnergies has also offered a series of ‘Access’ service stations since 2011, providing petrol “at some of the lowest prices on the market.”
Participating sites can be located using the interactive map on their website, but they are mainly located in suburban areas, large towns, and city centres across the country.
