What is a Village Étape?

Label Village Étape: a brand, qualities

The label is awarded by the French Ministry of Ecology to municipalities that meet diverse criteria. On the road, users are informed of the proximity of a village approved “Village Étape”.

What are the criteria?

A good situation:

  • Be 5 minutes or 5 kilometers maximum of a national road or free motorway.
  • Have a population of less than 5,000.

A real offer of services:

  • Offer traditional restaurants with a sufficient number of tables.
  • Offer quality hotel accommodation complemented by bed and brekfast and/or a camping.
  • Have shops such as bakery, grocery store, butcher, press but also a pharmacy, a garage, an ATM.

Quality public facilities:

  • Access to shady parking spaces, as well as equipped toilets for people with reduced mobility.
  • The provision of a camping car, picnic and play area.

Sustainable commitments:

  • The commitments of the municipalities in terms of both sustainable development and provision of access for persons with reduced mobility are also taken into account.
  • Similarly, the village must be active in embellishing its living environment in terms of flowering and landscaping.

Offers of discovery:

  • Have a tourist information point.
  • Provide hiking trails and/or historical monuments.
Example of road sign Village Étape
Traders Ambassadors Village Étape

The renewal of the label is not tacit. Every five years, it requires a control visit that meets the same conditions as the original award.

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