Stay Overnight - Free - well almost

Aires de Service www.go-motorhoming.co.uk

France Passion

This scheme allows motorcaravanners to camp for nothing at vineyards and on farms throughout France in just about every region. The owners of these properties hope that in allowing you access to their land you will buy some produce in return. There are 750 wine growers and 650 farmers in partnership with France Passion - the Vignerons  Indépendants de France and the Bienvenue à la Ferme network. All you have to do is follow the link below and purchase a guide and window sticker for a few pounds. They last a year - runs Easter - Easter and then just enjoy your holiday. The ‘Carnet des Invitations’ is renewable each year but within the year you can stay at as many sites as you wish for one night (up to 24hrs). This scheme is only open to motorhome owners that are self sufficient i.e. on the whole there is no water, toilet emptying facilities or waste disposal.

Organic farm in Burgundy Region has lovely produce and  hosts a farmer’s market on Saturday

Aires de Service / Stationment pour Camping Car

‘Aires de Service’ are stopovers for what the French call ‘camping cars’ or motorcaravans. Many are free but some require ‘jetons’ or tokens to access water. The tokens are available from several different shops such as bakery (boulangerie) bar, tourist offices or the town hall (Mairie). Most are free but where a charge is made the tokens cost between 2-3 Euro. They provide basic facilities for waste disposal, re-filling water tanks, an hour of electricity and a space to park up for the night. There are 1800 Aires across France and the best way to find out where they are is to buy the ‘All the Aires France’ guide. Some guides are written only in French but the one available via the link below is written in English and there are photographs of various designs of ‘service points’ where you can fill with water and dispose of waste. The guide is available for £11.99. Caravans and tents are forbidden on the Aires de Service they are intended for motorcaravans without awnings and without camping chairs and tables arranged around the vehicle. Most Aires de Service are situated in towns and villages.

Aire means area and the signs are everywhere such as on motorways but these are just rest areas and following a crime spree a few years ago where motorcaravanners were put to sleep with anaesthetic gasses and then robbed it is unwise to use the motorway Aires for over night stops.

NB These publications are not available from Impart Publishing and individuals must satisfy themselves that

these publications are fit for purpose.

France Passion www.france-passion.com