UKC

We usually arrive on the continent early morning, but thinking about making the crossing later at night this year. Any recommendations for parking a van (doesn’t have to be free but the late arrival probably rules out campsites) and getting some sleep somewhere between Calais or Dunkirk into Belgium? 

Any motorway aire.

although we have travel in a van, we often spend a night in an Formule1 or similar cheap motel before our ferry back home, just saves driving around looking for somewhere to park up for the night. booked in advance can often cost not much more than a campsite for two people and can get there any time of night

There's an 'Aire De Service Camping Car' at Gravelines - roughly half way between Calais and Dunkirk.

There is one in Bethune, by the motorway exit - we used it on the way to Mons a few years back.

Thanks all 

The French are happy for people to sleep in vehicles on autoroute service stations but personally I wouldn't stay in one of the small rest areas for security reasons, I'd stick to the bigger and busier full service areas.

I'd also try and get well clear of the Calais/Dunkirk area as migrants often hang out at these services trying to find vehicles to stow away in. Some of the services near Calais are now closed for this reason.