more free camping in France

[Vanda]

Anyone see the article in the Observer on Sunday?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2009/a ... ttany-wine" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Talks about Aires camping, but also a scheme called "French Passion" - about 1,300 wine-growers and farmers offering free use of their land for 24 hours and visitors are invited to try out the produce, no purchase required! The article was written by someone travelling in a T25!

I'm planning on going to France this summer but was a bit concerned with the cost because of the exchange rate. Even if this scheme only saves a few nights accom, looks fun - definitley going to invest in the handbook (from vicariousbooks.co.uk like the Aires book).

Is this a new scheme or has anyone on here heard of it and stayed at any of the places?

[andisnewsyncro]

We have some friends who use it a lot on their travels to & from Spain. It is purely for camper vans (camping cars) and motorhomes, so no cars & tents. I think most places loet you stay 1 or 2 nights.

As long as you're self sufficient (don't need hook up, have a toilet etc) it's great. You pick what sort of thing you like, they seem to do a lot of vineyards and Brandy distillers, and off you go. The owners give you a taster of their produce and you can get some real bargains too.

We're going to give it a go next time we head south

Have fun

Andi

[High Peaker]

This is the official France passion website:
http://www.france-passion.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It seems to be a genuinely pleasant self-help type thing. We were going to use it last year, but engine packed up!

[hobajay]

This post couldn't have popped up at a better time for me!

We are in the process of planning the details of a 3 week trip to france in June, unfortunately money is quite a bit tighter now than it was when we first planned and booked our ferries so this is perfect! And sounds like a lovely friendly way to see france too.

Just need to brush up on my shockingly bad school French, and I suppose buy a porta-potti and we'll be set

Thanks for posting the info guys!

Jo.