We are thinking of doing a trip around part of France next year and thought about using France Passion sites. Has anyone got an old copy of the book they no longer need that we could have a browse through before committing to buying next years? We would be quite happy to pay for the postage.
Also, has anyone used these sites later in the year, say September? Do they close down like the campsites?
------------- The Travelmoores
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These are not 'sites' - they are farms,vineyards, producers of pates, cheeses, and charcuterie, and various other things, who will allow you an overnight stop on their land.................... for free, basically in the hope that you will buy something from them. They have opening dates, but the only way to find out is to buy the book.
Friends of ours do it occasionally but warn that buying something (because you feel you ought to) can cost you more than the cost of a basic overnight site, or a motorhome aire, just down the road.
Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 02/11/2018
These are not 'sites' - they are farms,vineyards, producers of pates, cheeses, and charcuterie, and various other things, who will allow you an overnight stop on their land.................... for free, basically in the hope that you will buy something from them. They have opening dates, but the only way to find out is to buy the book.
Friends of ours do it occasionally but warn that buying something (because you feel you ought to) can cost you more than the cost of a basic overnight site, or a motorhome aire, just down the road.
Val, I am so disappointed!
I was expecting so much more.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Have used them in the past and preferred them to Aires. Less crowded (5 vans max) and generally more attractive.
Try this link for some examples
https://cheeseweb.eu/2016/05/13-incredible-farm-stays-with-france-passion/
Why not try their website www.
france-passion.com/camping-caristes/la-carte-des-etapes
We always travelled with the guide but never used it. Lots of plans to do so but often well off the beaten track. We didn't really want to buy meals so never considered their restaurants as an option. Always checked for access on Google. Generally used aires and campsites.
We usually use Aires but we have been on a few France Passion sites, despite not being members, and as I understand if you present the 'up-to-date' book you can stay free but are 'encouraged' to buy whatever produce they have.
If you aren't a member of France Passion you're usually charged a set fee, same as many Aires, but not 'encouraged' to buy their produce.
We stayed on one, a Champagne farm overlooking mile after mile of vineyards, and were charged €8 (inc EHU, fresh water and waste disposal) for the overnight stop.
Those who were members had a free Champagne testing session and most bought at least one bottle of Champagne – it probably cost them more than we paid but they did get to enjoy the Champagne.
Another was a farm selling Fois Gras in every shape and form at expensive prices (very expensive so I was told later) and the stopover was free (member or not) – we didn't buy anything.
A goat farm had a shop selling meat and wine and we did buy a couple of bottles of wine as presents for our relatives.
Most France Passion sites are very rural and many don't have facilities but if you like to be far from the madding crowd then they are a great alternative to Campsites and the many Aires.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We used FP for the first time this year and we'll be joining the scheme again next year. Its another source of stopovers at minimal cost - useful for those areas where there aren't any convenient/nice aires.
We didn't find any pressure to buy from any of the producers - they were happy for us to browse/taste their produce, and we did buy from a couple of them, but there was no pressure. We found the prices charged eg. for wine were quite comparable to supermarket prices and we'd have been buying a bottle of wine to drink that evening anyway so it didn't cost us extra.
And thanks to the place we stayed on the river just outside Cognac we discovered Pineau de Charentes - we hadn't tried it before but its lovely.
We've used France Passion quite a few times and enjoy the scheme, this year we were parked on the big lawn in front of a chateau that led down to the River Maine, we were the only ones there and felt quite priviliged.
As for buying things, you don't have to and we've never felt compelled to do so, that said, we choose the sites on the basis of what they produce, it's no accident that we've stayed at vineyards and cideries.
I don't think having an old copy of the book will help you much, we never had it before we joined and we don't regret joining.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: France Passion scheme
