Fans of Agriturismo

Q: A few years ago my husband and I spent a wonderful few days at an Agriturismo establishment in Tuscany. The setting was exquisite and the accommodation and service excellent. We would like to find something similar in France later this year and wondered if you have any recommendations.- Michelle Leon

A: The chance to stay as a guest on a working farm is one of the fastest-growing segments of the European tourist industry. In Italy it is known as agriturismo (agricultural tourism), while in Britain it is marketed as farmstays and in France it is regarded as a specialised part of the "gites" movement. Known as Bienvenue a la Ferme it is a program in which participating farms in France accept overnight guests. Some farms provide rooms in an inn or bed-and-breakfast type setting, while others simply offer guests a space to pitch a tent. Fresh farm produce or farmhouse meals are often available. A good website listing over 5200 establishments which form part of the French farmstay programme is www.bienvenue-a-la-ferme.com. You get the English version by clicking on tiny British flag, but knowledge of French will help as you go deeper into the site. The website lists 11 regional sites, which provide information on participating farms in that area. You can either book a room in a house or an entire cottage. I checked on farms listed in the Rhone-Alps region and found accommodation in farmhouses which looked very comfortable for 11-16 Euros per person and a lovely farmhouse sleeping six for 110 Euros for a two-night weekend. Good luck with your search and enjoy the holiday. (13/2/11)