ACCUEIL PAYSAN in 2008 is an active network in the whole of France, in two departments overseas and in 22 foreign countries (Eastern and Western Europe, Africa and South America).

         The national Federation brings together more than 700 members in France and 150 members in the other foreign countries

         It is organised into 15 regional associations and 35 departmental associations.

( We suggest you look at the slide show presented by the Friends of ACCUEIL PAYSAN : view the slide show (in french))

         ACCUEIL PAYSAN is a group of country people, who get support from their environment and welcome tourists to share their way of life and get involved in local development.

         Their wish is a welcome to the countryside in all its moods by men and women who live there, to discover their farming activities and their way of life.

ACCUEIL PAYSAN, founded in 1987, was developed to suggest an alternative to intensive farming and reflect on the depopulation of the countryside and the problems connected with the environment.

The ethical principles of the movement gave rise to a charter of quality of ACCUEIL PAYSAN

         Our wish is to let the visitors discover our jobs, our way of life and our environment, as much natural as cultural, through a welcome characterised by conviviality and a mutual exchange.  This original alternative responds to a growing demand from todays’ city dwellers, and as an addition to the tourist options which already exists.

         In an urban society, where an unhealthy life style drives one to try and find a calmer, more convivial way of life, ACCUEIL PAYSAN offers a meeting place for the sharing of cultures.  This authentic option ensures that the countryman is happy for his place of work to be used as a learning experience.

Beyond material comfort, the idea of well-being is essential: the visitor must feel comfortable with us, he should be able to rest, discover and be fulfilled by the unworldly richness that we want to share.

         ACCUEIL PAYSAN, with the many activities experienced by its members, covers a large area of interest.

Its activity enables it to work with numerous partners, as well as institutions as associates.

Various Ministers and Secretaries of State (Agriculture, Management of the Countryside, Tourism, Solidarity and Co-operation) are involved, and associations stemming from education or rural life (People & Culture, MRJC, The Gardens of Cocagne…).

         In 20 years, ACCUEIL PAYSAN has become a force recognised as much by its users as by its institutional partners.  The National Federation has built its own specifications for each type of accommodation and works in partnership with different Ministries and various organisations.

The standards of security, the regulations and laws in force appear in our specifications and are compulsory for every member.

Also regulations endorsed by different Ministries ensures the framework of the association is maintained and regular quality-check visits are organised.  

Our high expectations and standards are clearly linked above all with sharing ideas, social interaction, simplicity and mutual respect.  This willingness is above all possible thanks to the choice of members with humane methods of agriculture and having the necessary time for the exchange of views