motorway aires: 19

motorway aires[1]
in poitou-charentes
- the A87

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A87
an ecological motorway

Les Herbiers aire
Trémentines aire
aire de la Verrie

end notes

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Motorway aires are designed to provide a suitable environment for relaxing, refreshing and recovering during the long, hard journeys. As well as facilities of often dubious nature, picnic tables and seats, a telephone kiosk, there are often optional extras such as a play area or a display related to some local interest or event.

the A87 autoroute

This motorway is very recent, opening in 2002. There are only three aires for its 130 km, and originally only Les Herbiers included a service station. However, in 2009 the Trémentines aire was transformed so it too has service station facilities. There is also now another new small aire, La Verrie between J27 and J28.

The motorway is extended by the dual carriageway D160 to Sables d'Olonne, making 142 km in all. The sections at the north and south, bypassing the towns of Angers and La Roche-sur-Yon, are free.

an ecological motorway

This a motorway with windmills along side much of its trajectory.

The A87 is built so as to avoid and preserve three regions with protected species, an aquatic plantain, the Blue Mercury dragonfly and the damier of Succise butterfly. There eleven ponds where waterbirds nd insects can breed, and eleven water tunnels under the motorway so otters can pass under the road without drowning during floods.

There are also a number of ponds designed to filter the run-off rain water from the motorway surface, removing and neutralising the petrol products that are washed off vehicles by the rain. The cleaned water is then available for local agriculture.

Les Herbiers Aire

This aire on the northbound side [Angers to La Roche-sur-Yon direction] of the motorway is accessible from either direction. From the southbound side, you drive through a tunnel under the motorway.

There is a boutique of regional produce disguised as gifts, and a large cafeteria, as well as a coffee bar. The “Discover the Vendee” exhibition hall is just beyond the fuel area.

Outside is rather bleak, with isolated picnic areas and children’s bouncy rides.

Tis aire is very close to J26, the exit to reach Puy du Fou. This is a locally popular, history-based theme park with several zones for different eras, from Roman gladiators, to Vikings, jousting knights and musketeers.

[Latitude 46.904179, longitude -1.04883]

Trémentines aire

From spring 2009, after a year’s work, this previously simple aire has been transformed into a full-blown aire. Why this transformation? Before, if travelling from Angers, a motorist would have to wait 80 km and Herbiers aire before being able to refuel, or else leave the motorway to refuel at Chemillé or Cholet. This was not very convenient, so the decision was made to turn Trémentines into a service station aire.

On average, 12,000 motorists travel daily on the A87. This traffic can double in summer, or during long weekends. “The goal [for the new Trémentines aire] is to capture between 10 and 20% of traffic.”

The new face of Trémentines aire is composed of wood, glass and concrete. This 600 m² building offers a restaurant area and a showcase highlighting local Cholet heritage. Here two three-minute films are shown on plasma screens, there are posters and leaflet stands.

The restaurant area extends outside, so you can enjoy the sunny weather and views during your meal, or watch your children in the scattered play areas.

There are planted walks, with roses and larger flowering shrubs, as well as picnic tables, that provide a attractive outdoor distraction.

This is a very pleasant aire, and well worth a break from your journey.

[Latitude 47.135604, longitude -0.826442]

Aire de la Verrie

Since abelard.org explored this motorway there have been changes. These include this new, small, basic aire between J27 and J28, just marked as a minor road on Google Maps, but still not showing on the satellite image [remember that Google’s satellite images are often five or more years old].

[Latitude 46.956041, longitude -0.938001]

ed notes

1. aire: in this context, an area —
   aire de loisirs: recreation area;
   aire de pique-nique: picnic area;
   aire de repos: rest area;
   aire de services: services , motorway (GB) or freeway (US) service station.
   
   
2. We have used the letter J, signifying the English nomeclature of junction for access points on motorways/dual carriageways. The French name is Sortie, exit. However, as this would lead to using an unfamiliar (to Anglophones) letter S, in this instance we are remaining English.☺

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