Saint-Martin-de-Sanzay: Motorhome parking restrictions not enforced

A large group of travellers set up numerous caravans at Beaune-Challanges airfield on Sunday afternoon. The runway was immediately closed, severely disrupting local aviation. Authorities arrived on site, and the gendarmerie is conducting inspections using a drone. An attempt to illegally connect to a live electrical box and threats to set fire to the maintenance building were reported.

According to data from the Camping-Car Park network, 4.85 million motorhome overnight stays were recorded in France in 2025, a 15% increase from 2024. Brittany leads with 33% of travel intentions for summer 2025 (about 9.7 million nights), followed by Nouvelle-Aquitaine (14%) and Normandy (11%). The total economic impact of motorhome tourism in France for the 2025 summer season is estimated at €1.54 billion.

Bavaria has introduced a new version of its Qwest Q690 GJ profile motorhome based on the Ford Transit. The model features two separate 80 cm wide beds placed above a large storage compartment with 1.20 m height. Price starts at €72,400 for the 165 hp diesel version with automatic transmission.

The Camping-Cars Park network and the municipality of Larmor-Plage (Morbihan) have announced the opening of a motorhome parking area. It has been accessible since May 6, 2026. The 20-space site is located on Rue de Quéhello, in the heart of the seaside resort. The Camping-Cars Park network, which operates 800 sites across Europe, states that users spend an average of €56, of which €44 goes to local businesses, while the network pays €16 million to partner municipalities, generating €176 million in economic impact.

French manufacturer My Twalee has unveiled the Plus model, a compact trailer measuring 4.25 m long, 2.02 m wide, and 1.98 m high. Weighing 590 kg, it can be towed by most passenger cars. Inside, the caravan converts from a cargo platform to a double bed (150×190 cm) and a seating area for four. The rear door supports up to 500 kg and serves as a ramp for loading a motorcycle. Price starts at €17,500.

French company Vanroad Évasion has unveiled a prototype electric motorhome based on the Toyota Proace Electric with a 75 kWh battery. Five fold-out solar panels on the roof provide a peak power of 2.5 kW. Under favorable conditions, the system can recover up to 80 km of range per day, but requires long stops in direct sunlight. During a test trip to Morocco, a less sunny day yielded about 13 kWh, corresponding to roughly 65 km. The motorhome is fully electric: induction hob, heating and refrigerator operate without gas. An additional 10 kWh battery serves as a buffer and can add about 35 km of range. The project shows how electric RVs can reduce reliance on charging infrastructure, provided travelers adopt a slow pace.