France – Motorhome Insider

When you travel across the channel with your motorhome or campervan, visiting a France Passion is a treat awaiting you. French Passion provides over 2,000 different stopovers, all of which are free. If you enjoy a glass of wine, French cheese or need those fresh eggs in the morning, then France Passion is for you. What is France Passion - And How to Use Them? Overnight motorhome and campervan stopovers in the French countryside. Locations include vineyards, wineries, cheesemakers, artisans, brasseries, and private owner spots. The beauty of all 2,000 France passions, is that they are free to use. Similar to Brit Stops, the France Passion scheme has over 2,000 places to stop overnight right across the country. Some are in remote spots with beautiful views of the French countryside. There’s no need to book ahead for most places. Each Passion is unique and caters to a single van, or up to a maximum of five. Let’s explore how France Passion works. What Are the Requirements to Stay at a French Passion? Your motorhome or campervan will need to be fully self-contained. That is, you must carry your own water and have onboard toilet facilities. Although a limited number of France Passion locations offer water and waste facilities, these should not be expected. You also need to carry the most up-to-date printed France Passion guide and membership card, to prove you are a current member of the scheme. The guide runs from March each year, through to the following Easter. Having a current year France Passion sticker in your window can also be useful. Each location only signs up for a year and some don't renew their membership. This is another reason to only use the current guidebook, to avoid arriving at a location that no longer accepts motorhomes or campervans. Are They Any Rules for a France Passion? When you arrive at a France Passion location, look for arrows from the entrance, guiding you to where to park up. Where you park is generally quite specific. Unless the printed book says otherwise, do NOT call ahead to book a space. The reason for this is that the hosts are running a business and maybe out in the fields, trimming vines or preparing cheeses. They cannot be disturbed during the working day. Respect the arrival times published and don’t arrive before the earliest time. Again, this is because you are entering a working business. Never arrive after nightfall. The main reason is a courtesy to your host. Also, as some parking spaces can be close to a farmyard or vineyard, it is important to not accidentally damage property or injure an animal. Many entries show the latest arrival time, which should always be respected. On arrival, always seek out and greet your hosts. Show them your current book or membership card to prove you are a member of the scheme. If your hosts sell products, for instance, bread, cheese, or wine, do make a purchase. You are staying at no cost on their land, so a purchase is a courtesy. While there is no compulsory requirement to buy anything, you should look to support the host’s business. Leave the location spotlessly clean. Take all your rubbish with you, as bins are seldom provided. If you have a dog, ask your host whether they can stay. If acceptable, the next question should be whether they can roam free. Respect your hosts' requirements, especially if you need to keep your dog on a lead. Always clear up dog waste. Never empty your black waste in your host’s toilet facilities. Many are in remote locations and chemicals can contaminate the ground. Always ask whether you can fill your fresh water tank if you see a tap. Not only is this a courtesy, but it may be that the tap is not suitable for drinking water, or on a meter which will cost your host money. Leave before any time in the guide or requested by your host. When you leave, thank your hosts face to face if possible. If they are absent, leave a hand-written thank you note, as that will be appreciated. How Big are French Passions Sites? France Passions are not campsites and there are few if any facilities. Each France Passion is different and the number of motorhomes that can stay over at the same time will vary. The number of motor homes that can stay at a France Passion can be from one up to a maximum of five. The printed guide will show how many spaces there are likely to be at your chosen location. The restriction to a maximum of five motorhomes or campervans is like the Certified Locations CLs) in the United Kingdom. Many French Passion locations have a weight or length restriction for visiting motorhomes or campervans. If there is a restriction, it is generally 3,500 kilos. The 3.5t logo in the guide means that vans in excess of that weight can be accommodated, even though that sounds counterintuitive. Do Owners of French Passions Speak English? Some owners speak English or maybe British ex-pats living in France. The guide shows which languages are spoken, but don’t expect everyone to understand English. After all, you are in France! There is no guarantee that the English speaker will be at the location the night you stay. Can I Tour the Vineyard, the Farm, the Cheese Shop? Many France Passion owners are happy and proud to show you their vineyard, farm, cheese-making facility, or other business. Often, if there are three of four vans staying overnight, the owner may run a wine tasting evening and share how they grow and harvest grapes. These talks may not be in English, but you should still learn something interesting and they can be a great social event. Naturally, the owner would like you to buy some products. Although this is not a requirement when you stay at a French Passion, if you drink wine or like cheese, why wouldn’t you buy directly from the producer? Farms will often have fresh eggs for sale too. Some French Passion producers use organic or sustainably farmed produce, indicated by a ‘Bio’ mark in the guidebook. Some Example France Passion Locations Chateau Loumede David – Berson (Gironde) Chateau producing several Bordeaux wines and offering two spaces Earl du Piou – Chirac (Lozere) Producers of pate, honey, and conserves. Four motorhome spaces, with English spoken. Fermes des Rieux – Villiers Sur Mare (Haute Marne) Fresh dairy products and cheese. Up to five motorhomes. Are There France Passion Equivalents in other European Countries? France Passion is a member of Federation Europeene da la Formule (FEFI). FEFI represents organisations like Brit Stops in the United Kingdom. There are similar schemes in Spain, Germany, and Switzerland. Are France Passion Locations Listed Online? France Passion has a membership area on their website which gives details of the locations. If you are a current member, you will have access while on the road. Some France Passions are listed on apps such as Search for Sites and Park4Night. However, although the France Passion organisers do ask that they are not added, it does happen. Remember, even if you find a location from an app, you still need to be a member of the scheme. 7 Different Types of France Passion Farm Farm Shop Vineyard Brasserie Chateau Private properties Fellow Motorhome Owners with Space How Do I Join France Passion? You can sign up and access the members' area for France Passion on their website. RELATED QUESTIONS Is France Passion like Brit Stops? Yes. Both organisations follow the same style of operation, listing free places to stop overnight. See our article on Brit Stops. What is a Motorhome Aire in France? Once you have crossed the channel by ferry, staying at Aires in France is a great way to start your motorhome tour. Check our article on French Aires.