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In case you ever determine to ship your RV or hire an RV to go to France, you NEED to enroll in the France Ardour program. The inspiration behind Harvest Hosts within the States, France Ardour is one of the best ways to see France. Not solely did we camp instantly on among the most stunning properties, however we additionally tasted among the greatest wines and met some really fantastic folks.
However earlier than speaking concerning the France Ardour program, I wish to rapidly introduce Harvest Hosts (if you happen to’re unfamiliar).
Harvest Hosts is a program within the US the place you possibly can pay an annual charge (final I checked round $100/12 months) and get entry to over 4,000 farms, wineries, breweries, and golf programs throughout the nation. Whereas had been full-time RVing within the US, this was one in all our favourite methods to journey.
So once we booked our one-way RV rental from Paris to Barcelona, I knew that I wanted to enroll in the France equal of Harvest Hosts referred to as France Ardour.
What’s the France Ardour Program?
France Ardour was began over 30 years in the past. It was really the unique inspiration for the Harvest Hosts program within the US. The founders of Harvest Hosts beloved their France expertise a lot, they determined to carry it again to the US.
Because it stands at the moment, the France Ardour has over 2,000 websites overlaying the vast majority of France. Websites embody stopovers like wineries, farms, and vineyards.
To get a greater glimpse of what France Ardour stopovers are like, watch our video:
How Does France Ardour Work?
You have to be a member to make use of France Ardour. I’ll cowl signing up in a second.
As soon as signed up, browse their e-book or their app for excellent locations to remain alongside your tenting route. With over 2,000 places, you’re at all times certain to search out one close to you. Make sure to have a look at the itemizing particulars to see in case your motorhome can match, if children/pets are welcome, and in the event that they require calling earlier than arrival.
If you present up at your chosen campsite, join with the homeowners to know the place to park. We at all times had a grassy space to ourselves. After getting parked, it’s customary to patron the enterprise. This implies shopping for a wine tasting, bottles of wine, produce, or meals. We felt that this was an effective way to get really native meals and loved shopping for wine, olive oil, and different native treats from every place.
Be respectful throughout your keep by cleansing up exterior your RV and never dumping any of your refuse or tanks. If you go away—there could also be most popular “go away by” hours—take a second to depart a evaluate within the France Ardour app. You can too go away a evaluate on Google. Selecting to remain at France Ardour websites means you’re supporting native household companies and each evaluate counts!
How do I be part of France Ardour Program
The France Ardour program is fairly old style. To enroll, it’s a must to order a bodily e-book. I used to be barely confused at first on whether or not or not I’d additionally want to enroll and pay for an app individually, however you don’t. In essence, you simply go to their web site to buy a e-book and then you definitely’re enrolled.
The price to enroll is at present at $33 (consists of the bodily e-book, your membership card, and app entry).
Utilizing the France Ardour App
When you’ve bought your e-book, you’ll obtain login entry for the France Ardour app.
The app is pretty user-friendly. Most significantly, the protection as we had been driving throughout France was phenomenal. By protection, I imply how typically we might discover host websites alongside our route. You possibly can search within the app for websites close by or near your subsequent vacation spot.
The vast majority of the Ardour websites we stayed at had 10 or extra opinions within the app. The opinions will break down each the general expertise on the host web site in addition to how pleasant it was for an RV (or van) to drive to. Additionally, there’s a built-in translation characteristic for the opinions so you possibly can learn them in your native language.
One merchandise I want the app would have included is user-generated photographs. There are not any photographs of motorhomes or vans parked on the places, which might have been very nice. If anybody from France Ardour reads this, ajouter des photographs générées par l’utilisateur! ⬅️ In English: Add user-generated photographs, SVP!
Our Expertise Staying at France Ardour Websites
I converse zero French. Really, that’s not true. I can say “je ne parle pas Français” (I don’t converse French). With my huge data of the French language, I used to be somewhat involved about coordinating with hosts.
I imagined calling French hosts and making an attempt to elucidate in English that we’d like to return and keep of their winery. They’d in all probability begin asking me about our motorhome size however then I’d get confused and assume they had been inviting me to a chocolate tasting.
Fortunately, that didn’t occur. (Or unluckily, relying on the way you have a look at it. 🍫)
First, the vast majority of the hosts spoke English. Second, for those who didn’t, I used to be in a position to bust out Google Translate (my greatest buddy when touring overseas) and we managed to get sufficient phrases like “tenting automotive” into the combo or “France Ardour”. Inevitably, as soon as they heard France Ardour they gave an enthusiastic sure.
How we used the France Ardour app
Our typical course of for utilizing France Ardour was first to search for stops alongside or close to our vacation spot. We steered in the direction of wineries as a result of we had been in France and why not? Nevertheless, there have been a number of stunning farm places listed as properly.
I choose to go along with the plenty relating to choosing a spot to camp—aka the place with essentially the most opinions and most constructive experiences. I’d then click on on these host listings within the app and study extra concerning the property. There’s a direct name button within the app the place you possibly can attain out to the hosts. Nevertheless, a number of of the host places say there isn’t any have to name earlier than arriving. We did name forward for many of them simply to verify it was okay to remain in a single day.
The one time we simply confirmed up as an alternative of calling it was completely nice. Lots of the hosts we visited most popular company to reach round 5 o’clock. We by no means had an issue with a bunch turning us away or the location being too overcrowded.
Why France Ardour Websites Had been Our Favourite Stopovers
Throughout our monthlong street journey within the RV, we stayed at business campgrounds, free campsites, and a number of Ardour websites. Of all of the locations we stayed, France Ardour stops had been our favourite.
There are just a few the reason why:
1. The folks.
Lots of the winery homeowners and hosts are legacy farmers. Their nice, nice, nice grandparents planted the preliminary vines on a property and generations later they’re taking the reins. I beloved listening to concerning the legacy of those households and the way they’re nonetheless rising and enhancing so a few years later. One in all my favourite elements of experiencing a brand new place is interacting with the folks. France Ardour is an effective way to satisfy actual locals.
2. The Views
Every of the France Ardour stops we stayed at had unimaginable views and ambiance. In some locations, just like the one above, we had a whole winery and orchard all to ourselves.
3. The wine.
Let’s be clear. This was a major driver. We had been in France, in any case. The wine was superb. Having the ability to park our motorhome after which stroll inside and decide up a pair (scrumptious) bottles of wine was pleasant.
Usually while you keep at wineries within the States, the wine is okay. You maybe purchase some only for the free in a single day tenting. However in France, each bottle we purchased was unimaginable. The champagne actually took the cake although.
Is France Ardour value it?
YES! I’d completely suggest signing up for France Ardour. It’s cheap and also you’ll undoubtedly meet some fantastic folks and style some scrumptious wine. Oh and as a bonus, it’s a simple means to save cash on tenting charges. 🙂