The fine weather is here and, with it, the desire to quickly pack your bags and return to your holiday destination. This summer, when you're on holiday in France, why not consider taking the road in a different way and drive around the major motorway areas to stop in charming villages ready to welcome holidaymakers for a coffee, a lunch break or even a night? In different regions of France, several villages have been awarded the "Village étape" label, a certification that guarantees the quality of the welcome and services offered. What if this summer the holiday route was synonymous with discovering heritage, supporting local commerce and the opportunity to slow down time by stopping at those that contribute to making France a must-see destination: its villages and their art of living?
What is a Stopover Village?
The label "Village étape"is awarded by the Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition to municipalities that meet various criteria. These are villages located near a major road, national road or free motorway, and which have a number of shops to meet travellers' needs: restaurant, bakery, accommodation, café, pharmacy, butcher's, grocer's, car garage or even a press point. They must also offer shaded parking spaces, sanitary facilities, an area for motor homes as well as areas dedicated to games and picnics. In addition to the services, a Stopover Village has historical monuments, hiking trails, a tourist information point and enhances the town by flourishing it and paying particular attention to its facilities. Accessibility and sustainable development are among the other commitments of a Stopover Village
Live the holiday route like a roadtrip
During a stay in France, it can take long hours on the road to reach your holiday destination. Breaks are then essential: drinking a coffee and eating helps to regain strength and keep awake to continue the road safely. On the main roads, there are many motorway service areas, but it must be said that they are completely devoid of charm and interest. The holiday route can be a pleasant moment to live, offering moments that will be an integral part of the beautiful memories of summer. And for that, what better way to do it than to take a break in a charming French village? To stop in a Village étape is to take the time to stroll and stretch your legs in picturesque alleyways while taking an interest in the architectural heritage. It is also the pleasure of sitting at the table of a restaurant on a shady terrace and discovering the local gastronomy. And then, rather than doing the road all at once, why not take advantage of the opportunity to spend a night in a small family hotel and take advantage of this restful break to go for a walk along the surrounding paths and discover the countryside. Whether you travel by car, motorbike or motorhome, stopping in a Village étape is a nice way to reconsider the holiday route, taking a greater interest in the regional heritage, coming into contact with welcoming people who are eager to share their knowledge of local treasures. Village life is a philosophy and the intimate setting is an invitation to take time and relax. Come to think of it, isn't that what we look for most when we go on holiday?
In addition, a stopover in a Village makes it possible to run local shops, to support the local economy and those who throughout the year keep rural communes alive and make them dynamic. Shopkeepers who have at heart to make those who are passing through discover a drink or a local gourmet speciality, all that makes up the richness and diversity of the French regions
Where to stop in a Stopover Village in France?
On French territory, several villages offer the possibility to stop for a cultural, gastronomic and dynamic stopover. On the road leading to the Norman and Breton coasts, there are various communes that reveal splendid monuments, castles, churches and stone buildings. One example is the village of Neufchâtel-en-Bray in Normandy, resplendent with its corbelled and half-timbered houses decorated with Saint-Jean bricks and its surrounding hilly landscapes where you can take a break to fish in the river Béthune. In Brittany, a stop in Broons allows you to admire the beautiful typical Breton stone houses and to take time to stroll around the weekly market and stock up on fresh produce.
Some of them will surely take the road to the south of France this summer, and there too several stopover villages await holidaymakers. On the way to the Landes, Jarnac is a must stopover, with its majestic heritage and the Charente River, where you can enjoy a variety of water sports. In Occitania, before reaching the beaches of the Mediterranean coast, a break is welcome in the village of Laissac. On foot or by bicycle, you can soak up the reliefs of the Aveyron and enjoy the panoramic views that are synonymous with a change of scenery. And then, before reaching the busy beaches of the Côte d'Azur, breathing the fresh air in villages at the gateway to the high mountains allows you to take in the view and exercise. La Mure, L'Argentière-La Bessée and Chorges are amazing for their rich heritage and their geographical location, which offers access to beautiful mountain walks and lakes where you can cool off in peace and quiet.
And as proof that each region has something to offer those who want to make memorable stops on their holiday route, the Grand Est and Centre-Val-de-Loire regions also have a few wonders to enjoy green landscapes, beautiful stones and gastronomy. In the Vosges, Plombières-les-Bains owes its exceptional character to the beauty of its green surrounding countryside and its springs, which turn out to be the hottest in Europe. In the Indre, Éguzon has the largest lake in the region and is a great place to stop for a multitude of water sports activities and mountain biking or walking, before setting off to conquer the most beautiful castles of the Loire Valley
More information by consulting the list of Stopover Villages on the website of the French Federation of Stopover Villages, on the Facebook page and by asking for free documentation
