France Passion

[Aussietraveller]

Hi all I am about to do my first trip to Europe and before I go out and join all the groups and buy all the books ,what do people recommend to get does anyone use France passion ?

 

[Eddystone]

If you can manage without electricity and happy to use your on-board facilities you will find some wonderful alternatives to sites and aires by using France Passion. Just remember to have sufficient water with you and an empty waste-water tank. Some places may offer some facilities but most don't. Also remember that they are 24hr stop-overs. You do not necessarily have to purchase anything from them but it is hard to resist the temptation whether it be wine, honey or cheese that they specialise in.

Brian

 

[Mathilde]

Agree with Brian. We have used France Passion for the last 5 years and enjoyed wonderful stays on vineyards, walnut farms, dairy farms etc. The farmers love to talk and show you their skills. My husband has watched the dairy cows being milked in the morning etc. Then to view their products is amazing...no expectation to buy, but as Brian says....it's almost impossible not to buy fresh home made produce, whether it be wine, cheese, nuts, escargot, etc.
Most have no facilities, however we have been on some sites with toilets.
If you are travelling off peak, the ACSI card is useful. Not much use in July/Aug

 

[Easyliving]

Hi

We used a couple of France Passion locations on our 2012 trip (a vineyard and a farm) and found them okay. All the FP sites have something to sell but you are not obliged to buy anything, all they ask is that you call and say 'hello' when you arrive, just manners really.

We have found the All The Aires books by Vicarious Books to be very useful, we have the latest French aires book (I think its excellent) and are looking forward to trying it out.

As Brian said above, always a good idea to have full water / empty waste tanks then you can really explore.

Paul

 

[Btg]

I have used the passion book for the last 5yrs best way of motorhoming in France meeting so many friendly people ,they don't always want you to bye there products and some have nothing to sell have stayed on some truely unbelievable places ,I've just bought this years also Spain do the same thing will be using both in two weeks time when I'm off for 3 weeks hols if I could I would use them every night ,

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[roadster55]

Honestly if I was you I'd just buy the "all the airies books" - you'll never visit them all in one lifetime. France has so many entries they've had to divide it into 2 books now - north and south!
They vary from basic stops almost like wildcamping right through to deluxe stops that are as good as campsites. You can be pretty certain that wherever you find yourself in France there'll be an aire within striking distance and all you'll need to do is pop the coordinates into your satnav. Simples.

 

[Mr Colpot]

We used it when we first went over in 2008 and once again since. I would buy the book if I we going over there for a long period but as I can only get 2 weeks off at a time its hard to justify buying it for just the 16 days we will have there. We loved it once we had found the places - I think things have moved on from the early years when the address was in an area and you hade to search for the little signs! We stayed at Vineyards, Farm Shops, Honey Shop and a Snail Farm. Had some great fun trying to make ourselves understood and bought some good wine at a decent price.
I am sitting here now thinking I will buy the book this time

 

[Fenman]

@Btg Can you tell me the title of the Spanish version please?
I'm fine with French but my Spanish is pretty well non-existant. Has anyone out there used the Spanish one - I didn't know it existed before - and how did you get on with language.
In both countries I would expect the sites to be in the middle of nowhere and quite possibly not multi-lingual owners. But perhaps if they are in the wine business another language might be there.
Anyone have experiences?

 

[Camdoon]

We used
http://www.espana-discovery.es

last year.

Gets you away from the tourist coast and prices drop considerably (3 course meal x2 with bottle of wine, 1L of bottled water and coffee for less than 20 Euros). Well worthwhile.

Use google translate/point/smile - there is never a language barrier.

 

[The Wino]

Bought it and never used one as couldn't find the site/the owner/full etc so use aires all the time. Last year used a passion site on a vineyard free even though we weren't members!! so not sure if its worth buying. Have found some tourist information offices are great places to ask where to stay that's how we found the passion one last year they also said it was fine to use the car park outside the office!. If you visit beaumes de venise try domain bouletin the wine was great.

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[Emmit]

Last time we were in Blaye on the Gironde, the Tourist Office gave us a map and leaflet that showed loads of Vineyards that would allow a motorhome to park overnight.
Unfortunately we were on our way haome and didn't have the chance to try them out. (The pamphlets still in the van though)

 

[Btg]

Have just bought the Spanish book but have changed our minds as off to Italy instead have to bye the Italy version now ,