Campervan, RV & Vanlife News
Valérie converted her car into a camper for holidays. She installed a retractable sink, a toilet area and removed armrests to fit a cooler. A bed made from an old sofa cost €500, and a shower head cost €110. Margot builds boxes for car conversions; each takes 3–5 days and weighs no more than 12 kg.
United States
A retiree from Lamothe-Fénelon in the Lot department is seeking €522,000 in damages from the French state after his motorhome, built in 2010, was found to be too heavy to drive on French roads. He claims the regional directorate for industry, research and environment (Drire) of Basse-Normandie failed to detect the problem during inspections. During the hearing, the public rapporteur noted that it is the manufacturer's or owner's responsibility to declare the vehicle's weight, and no fault by Drire was proven that would engage state liability. A 2018 ruling had already gone against the retiree, who reportedly invested over €700,000 in the motorhome.
A review of new 2027 model year motorhomes and campervans has identified five key trends. These include the three-storey Westfalia Columbus Liner with an optional roof terrace, central-bed campervans from Rapido and Campérêve, the La Strada Avanti R with a rear lounge and electric bed, and the Bürstner Habiton 6.1 with a full-length body extension. Other trends noted are coloured and special editions (Laika, Hymer, Eura Mobil), off-road versions (Carado, Sunlight, Pössl), redesigned interiors (Mobilvetta, Autostar) and new compact models (McLouis, Chausson, Dethleffs, Roller Team).
United States
France
3
On 23 September 2026 in Caraman, a camper rolled down a slope and hit a house. Two people in the camper were slightly injured; residents were rehoused.
French manufacturer Trigano reported a 3.8% increase in revenue for the 2025–2026 financial year. Sales of motorhomes and caravans drove the growth, though the segment's expansion was affected by weaker performance.
We Van, a vehicle rental company, will hold its annual camper van fair at its Wasquehal branch near Lille on 26 and 27 September 2026. Twenty-three camper vans will be offered for sale at prices between 55,000 and 65,000 euros; registration documents and the first tank of fuel are included. Last year the event resulted in the sale of 6 camper vans. Entry is free with prior registration, the fair runs from 9:00 to 18:00, and parking is limited to a maximum of twenty spaces.
On Tuesday around 9 p.m. in Pluvigner, in a housing estate on the Route de Baud, a campervan parked next to a house caught fire. The flames spread rapidly to the house, destroying both. Neighbours called the fire brigade; no injuries were reported. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion before the fire.
French publication camping-car.com has listed events in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in October 2026 recommended for motorhome visitors. These include: the chestnut and porcini mushroom festival in Villefranche-du-Périgord on 17–18 October (15 pitches at the service area), the autumn funfair in Bordeaux from 9 October to 1 November, open days at Graves and Graves Supérieures wineries on 17–18 October, the Armagnac festival in Labastide-d’Armagnac on 24–25 October (free motorhome parking 3 minutes' walk away), the cheese fair in Laruns on 3–4 October, the sowing festival in Arudy on 18 October (natural area with 20 pitches, open 1 April to 31 October), the 360° planetarium at Abbadia in Hendaye on 21 October (adult admission €10, parking for large motorhomes for the duration of the visit), and the pepper festival in Espelette on 24–25 October (small 5-pitch area at the village entrance, motorhome parking at the Errobi zone in Itxassou).
From 8 to 11 October 2026, the Parc des Expositions in Agen will host the 20th edition of the motorhome, campervan and van conversion festival. More than 300 new and used vehicles from around 30 European brands will be displayed across 10,000 m², including coachbuilt, A-class, alcove motorhomes, campervans and van conversions. Entry is free with prior registration and an electronic ticket; parking is free, and pets are not allowed. A Tahiti-themed evening is scheduled for 10 October, with registration required by 1 October.
United States
The municipality of Locmariaquer in Morbihan has issued a witness appeal on social media after a caravan was stolen from private land between Point-et-Vil and Saint-Pierre. The theft is believed to have occurred between Sunday 12 September and Saturday 19 September 2026. The caravan is easily identifiable by its white colour and light blue details (wheel, hitch, etc.). Anyone who saw the caravan, a vehicle that may have towed it, or has information about the theft is asked to contact Lauriane Oliero on 06 60 13 94 11.
French manufacturer Antilope Van has announced two new campervan ranges based on the Renault Trafic: Flex 2 and Flex 3. The models are aimed at travellers and are priced from €44,900 and €52,900 respectively. The Flex 2 is 1.98 m tall and includes a 60 Ah lithium battery, 200 W solar panel, 1200 W inverter, 30 L fridge and toilet. The Flex 3 features a pop-up roof providing 2.20 m of interior height and comes with a 60 L fresh water tank and a 2000 W Webasto heater as standard. Confort versions add a diesel heater, hot water and extended autonomy of up to 5 days. Production takes place in Brittany.
French retirees Marie L. Mangin and her husband bought a used 1990s motorhome at a car show, intending to travel in retirement. On early trips they encountered a faulty generator and microwave, and had to repeatedly move belongings. After some repairs, the couple sold the vehicle and recouped their investment.
The Provence Adventure Vehicle Show runs from 25 to 27 September 2026 in Montboucher-sur-Jabron, near Montélimar. The event displays campervans, trucks and motorhomes, including a 14-metre three-axle bus from the United States and an ambulance converted into a mobile home. A conference programme features around 30 travellers sharing experience on vehicle equipment and destinations. Access is via exits 17 and 18 of the A7 motorway.
Alain Marty, a 69-year-old former truck driver from Villeneuve-sur-Lot, moved into a converted Fiat Ducato after 42 years on the road in Europe. On a €2,000 monthly pension, he avoids rent, property tax and electricity bills, and uses apps listing bivouac zones to find free parking each night. The money saved on parking goes toward restaurants and social activities.
German manufacturer Crosscamp, known for its camper vans and panel van conversions, has introduced its first range of EXPDN coachbuilt motorhomes in France for the 2027 model year. Three layouts on a Peugeot Boxer 140 hp chassis measure between 6.99 m and 7.41 m, offer four registered seats and two permanent berths. Prices start at €62,499 for the 7.0 E, €63,999 for the 7.4 E and 7.4 D. Standard equipment includes panoramic roof lights, double-glazed framed windows, a reversing camera, a 4 kW gas heater and a 95 Ah AGM battery. The compact EXPDN VAN range, unveiled at the 2026 Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, remains on sale only in Germany.
France
2
On 3 September, customs officers in Hendaye stopped a camper van travelling from Spain to Germany. A hidden compartment held 334.40 kg of cocaine and 485.20 kg of cannabis resin. The haul is valued at about 15 million euros.
In Montrose, Colorado, a motorhome owner accidentally emptied a sewage tank into an underground diesel fuel tank at a Maverik station. The incident occurred over Memorial Day weekend in late May 2026.
French authorities have temporarily authorised the sale of summer-grade diesel until 15 November due to supply disruptions linked to the situation in the Middle East. According to a decree published on Tuesday, the maximum filterability limit temperature for diesel is raised from -15 °C to 0 °C. Motorhome owners such as Christine and Joseph Fancellu from Saône-et-Loire have seen fuel prices rise from 1.65 euro to 2.35 euro per litre and were forced to shorten their route, cancelling a trip to Finistère.
Laika has unveiled the Kreos H 5109 MB, the first model in its 2027 Kreos range built exclusively on a Mercedes-Benz chassis. The premiere took place at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf. The vehicle is powered by a 170 hp engine paired with a 9G-Tronic automatic transmission, measures 8.08 m long, 2.32 m wide and 2.96 m high, and has a gross vehicle weight of 4.5 tonnes. The exterior design was developed with GFG-Style, and three body finishes are available. Inside, it features a heated double floor 25 cm high, a 170-litre fresh water tank, Alde heating, a kitchen with three gas burners, an oven and a 153-litre refrigerator, plus twin rear beds and an additional bed above the cab. The base price exceeds €173,000.
The municipality of Guerlédan held a series of inaugurations with institutional partners on 19 September. The first was the motorhome site on Route du Lac, open only for the summer season, which has already recorded more than 2,300 overnight stays since opening. Other completed works included the Sainte-Suzanne crossroads, a school access road, the church square, a commercial unit and public toilets.