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Hello again 

Simalar post the "the Aires" I wonder if anyone can explain to me the "France Passion" system for camping (from what I gather you buy a book every year with a window sticker which allows you to camp for free in secure basic places through out France - is this correct?) Again, does anybody here use the France Passion, how do these work etc? are they safe? Is there any in particular to avoid and indeed any that you'd recommend?

Thank you in advance for any help or advice offered...Angie & Family  

lol - very funny....hehe

Yes, you do buy a book and get a sticker for your window and you can then stay for free (24 hours only) on vineyards and suchlike places.  You are not charged for this and often there will be no facilities at all, sometimes a tap but not always.  They will all sell their produce, but you do not have to buy anything.  A good way to buy local produce.

  We stayed in some of them last year - all very nice.  One was a cider farm, another a goat farm (no, it didn't smell) and another was a restaurant.  The owners were all very nice and really pleased to welcome us - well we did then buy things from their farm shops and a meal in the restaurant.  The main drawback was finding them as some are really off the beaten track, although the instructions in the book are quite good, the road signs often aren't very useful.

We haven't rejoined this year as we didn't feel that we used them enough to justify paying again.  We usually use the small municipal sites and farm sites if possible.

Thanks for the informative info - sounds like a great way to get to see some "real France" and sample different fares too - bonus!

Think we will have a go next year as hope to do a couple of 2 weeks tours in 2008.

France Passion is a great way to stop all over France. We have stayed at several vineyards, a brewery, a lavender farm, farms and restaurant car parks.   You do not have to buy their produce, but it is a great way to taste the wine, and buy a bottle or two if you like it, also we have bought fresh milk, eggs, cheese yoghourt from farms. I think it costs about 24 euros for the book and maps etc each year, which is well worth it, as you might find yourself staying in beautiful chateau grounds etc. The directions to find these places are very well worded, and the direction signs are well placed.  We have found ourselves in all sorts of areas we would not have thought to go. I would thoroughly recommend joining.

Hi there Huelin - sounds great to me! Made a note to order the 2008 book in Januray and will def make use of it next year.

Thank you for taking the time to answer.

Angie

Great news! - we are off to France on Thurday and will try a passion stopover on our way as a prelude to attempting 5 nights on way back from the south in August.

Thanks for taking the time to reply all xx