Alternate short-stay locations

Thanks to forum member Olley, I became aware of a couple of alternatives for short stays in France:

The French Aires system, where motorhomes are allowed to stay overnight (most for free) in designated lots. The lots may have water and sewer, and some have electricity (you pay for utilities).

French Passion, a system whereby RV-friendly farmers allow you to camp on their land free, hoping you'll reciprocate by buying some of their produce. There's a small annual fee which gets you a directory of participating farms.

Olliey can explain these in more detail, so I won't attempt to explain further (and probably get it wrong).

Hi as tom says Aires are a super feature of France, one of the most motorhome friendly counties in Europe. Basically their are two types, one which you find on motorways about every 10km and the one we are more interested in around or in towns/villages.

At these ones only motorhomes are allowed to stay, their can be space for only 5 or as many as 200, they will usually have water and dump, some also have electric but probably only 4amp Some are free, some you have to pay per night or only for the services if you use them, expect anywhere between ?4 to maybe ?12

They are located next to rivers, on car parks, next to hotels, restaurants or Government buildings and vary between rough ground to purpose designed and landscaped areas. the idea is simple, to get you to spend money locally in shops, restaurants etc. you will be "cosy" as they are very popular and the next van will be within 2 feet or less of you, but you guys are known for being friendly so that shouldn't be a problem.  ;D

Theirs somewhere in the region of 4,000 of them, if you fancy a browse click on this link http://www.airecampingcar.com/ all in French but easy enough to follow. Germany also has them, but they call them Stelplatz (stoppingplace) and in Italy they call them Sostas.

The French also have "French Passion" another free system for motorhomes, I told you they loved motorhomes  ;D see here http://www.france-passion.com/indexeng.php3?prov= Basically you pay a yearly fee and can then stay for one night on a farm, might be dairy, arable or Wine, the farmer can then try to sell you his produce, no doubt after sampling a few bottles of his bubbly you will try to buy the farm. ;D The Italians also have a similar system just starting.

We in the UK have 2 Aires, and an attempt to start an "English Passion" fell flat. 

Olley

Thanks for that information Olley, very much appreciated.