🇫🇷 France — OpenVan.camp

A motorhome overturned in a parking lot in the town center of Montembœuf in the Charente department. The driver sustained minor injuries after the vehicle first hit a planter and then struck a central reservation.

75-year-old Alain must vacate a temporary plot in La Queue-en-Brie (Val-de-Marne) by early May. He lives in a 12 m² caravan with two dogs on a pension of 495 euros, while campsite pitches cost 1400 euros per month. The municipality states no land is available, and the plot he occupies is under a promise of sale.

The new manager of the La Pointe campsite in Roscoff plans to reduce 90 rental pitches. This will free up space for tents, caravans, campervans, and motorhomes, returning the site to a traditional campsite status.

Dometic has introduced the updated Feather-Lite II foldable rooftop tent in South Africa. The model, weighing 49 kg with a closed height of 32 cm, is positioned as one of the lightest on the market. Unveiled in Johannesburg on 13 April 2026, the tent features a waterproof construction and includes an integrated mattress. It is priced at R16,500.

Law enforcement evacuated 140 caravans in the commune of Périgny in the La Rochelle agglomeration. Travelers had occupied a large parking lot in the economic zone for several weeks.

A new 24-space motorhome service area opened in the suburbs of Dijon in January 2026. Managed by the Camping-Car Park network, it provides basic services at a cost of 13.38 euros per night, but lacks sanitary facilities and does not accept motorhomes with trailers.

French singer Daniel Guichard has been using a motorhome for tours for about ten years to avoid hotels and dressing rooms. His current vehicle is a German Niesmann + Bischoff motorhome weighing 5.5 tons, which he says costs as much as a house. Guichard drives it with an old category B license issued before 1976.

Police in Chambéry arrested a 52-year-old woman suspected of thefts from parked vehicles. She confessed to three thefts, including breaking into one car, and was released pending a court appearance in October.

Pierre-Yves Malet has opened a camper van rental agency for tourists in the commune of Rully (Saône-et-Loire department). Three new equipped vans are currently available for rent starting at 109 euros per night with unlimited mileage. This is the first such offering in the department, established under the franchise of the Backsheep van group.

Several caravans have pitched on land beside a road in North Watford, raising concerns among residents. Watford Borough Council, working with police, has initiated legal proceedings to remove them. The land is owned by Watford Community Housing.

Motorhome security expert Dietmar Hentschel points out that windows are the primary entry point for burglars. He began developing protection systems after his own motorhome was broken into in France in 2013.

The Indre-et-Loire Department has launched a mobile motorhome to provide services in remote settlements. Since December 2025, the yellow Mobibus vehicle has been traveling through Touraine, offering medical consultations for young parents and functioning as a social center.

A caravan fire occurred on April 13 in an isolated forest area near Montignac. A 60-year-old man suffered second and third degree burns to his face, back and hands from the heating system and was airlifted to the Bordeaux burn unit. Firefighters evacuated gas cylinders and fought the flames all night.

The equipped motorhome area at Lake Kir in Dijon, opened in December, is often full. The 24-space facility with dumping stations, water, electricity, and Wi-Fi was created by the city with an investment of €250,000 to structure tourist reception and reduce downtown parking.

A couple from Alsace used the Temu platform to equip their motorhome in 2025. They purchased items such as power sockets, a USB port, a fan, and a motorcycle lock for security, enabling them to extend their summer trips from one to two weeks.

French manufacturer La Bouriquette has introduced a simplified version of an ultra-compact caravan. The model is 3.42 m long, weighs 430 kg and starts at 9,000 euros, but many options including kitchen and cooling are available at extra cost.

An analysis shows that buying a camper van to save on vacation is often not justified. The average cost of a camper van is around €40,000, with annual maintenance expenses reaching up to €2,000. For a couple traveling 15 days a year, these funds could finance over 16 years of traditional vacations. Economic viability only emerges with intensive use of the vehicle for more than 60 days per year.

The Estérel Caravaning campsite in Saint-Raphaël is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The 20-hectare facility offers 168 pitches for caravans and motorhomes and 331 mobile homes, with 2025 revenue reaching €7.4 million, a 6% increase.

Manufacturers have introduced limited editions and new motorhome models ahead of the 2027 collection presentations. Pilote released the P720FC version with an automatic gearbox and an electric elevating roof bed, offering savings of over €6,000. Rapido unveiled the C66 model, measuring 6.99 m long and 2.17 m wide on a Peugeot Boxer base, featuring a face-to-face lounge and twin beds, priced from €79,900.

The publication presents a selection of ten items for equipping a motorhome kitchen. The list includes a folding kettle, melamine tableware, magnetic glasses and spice jars, and a set of stackable utensils. Product prices start from 7.99 euros.

A fully automated motorhome service area has opened in Guerlédan. The facility, which cost €260,000 and opened on April 11, has capacity for 25 vehicles, including two spaces for people with reduced mobility.

During Easter weekend in Bönen, Germany, approximately thirty converted buses gathered. All vehicles featured solar panels for complete off-grid capability, though high diesel prices reduced participant numbers compared to previous editions.

Spain introduced new road sign S-128 and banned camper vans from parking near beaches. Germany responded with a 3.82-metre electric camper van — fits anywhere, furniture not included. JAL now rents out motorhomes from Narita with miles earned per rental. Storm Ali blowing a traveller's caravan off an Irish cliff, and the Outbound demo for PS5 — all in this issue.

Overnight stays by motorhomes in Normandy increased by 28% in 2025 compared to 2024. According to the Camping-Car Park network, 262,000 overnight stays were recorded in the region. The most frequented site was near Mont-Saint-Michel with 72,362 overnight stays.

European motorhome manufacturer Trigano reported a 6% revenue increase in the first half of the 2026 fiscal year. The company expects to utilize its full production capacity for the rest of the season, despite supply chain issues from subcontractors that will delay delivery of 600 motorhomes until the third quarter.

The motorhome area in the commune of Puy-Saint-Martin in the Drôme department offers around 20 spaces. The stay costs 8 euros, including access to waste disposal and water filling points, but without an electricity hook-up.

The Itinéo CM660 motorhome attracts buyers with a combination of an affordable price and compact dimensions. It is 6.61 meters long and priced from 72,710 euros, making it one of the most accessible models in its class.

Motorhome owners at the Roanne port parking area deliberately avoid toll highways to reduce expenses. The site is managed by the Suez group under a service delegation agreement and serves as a strategic point for travelers. Three crews arrived at the facility on Thursday evening, highlighting the growing trend of slow tourism.

Renault and Dacia jointly presented their recreational vehicle ranges at the Vanlife Expo in Rennes. Renault showcased the new Trafic Escapade van version, while Dacia exhibited its Sleep equipment pack for Duster and Bigster models. This marks the brands' third consecutive participation in the event.

LifeStraw has introduced a glass filtering bottle designed for use in motorhomes. The 590 ml bottle features a two-stage filtration system that removes bacteria, parasites, microplastics, chlorine, and odors. The microfilter has a lifespan of up to 3,785 liters, while the carbon filter can handle up to 98 liters. The product is priced from 75 euros.