Caravans occupy stadiums in France, motorhome driver dies in crash

80 caravans moved from Viriat to Pont-d'Ain and occupied the local football stadium. Another 15 caravans settled in Fareins. The prefect proposed a commission meeting in the autumn.

On June 7, 2026, around 11:15 a.m., a motorhome left the road on departmental road 309 in Parcé-sur-Sarthe (Sarthe). The driver died at the scene, and one person was injured and taken to hospital. Preliminary reports suggest the driver suffered a medical episode. The gendarmerie has opened an investigation.

On June 7, about 80 caravans of an evangelical traveler community illegally occupied the Blanchon sports fields in Pont-d'Ain (Ain department), after forcing a gate. Mayor Vincent Bourdeauducq announced he will file a complaint over the invasion and property damage. This is part of a series of similar incidents in the region: over 160 caravans were recorded in Saint-André-de-Corcy on May 31, and illegal stops occurred in Fareins and Vonnas.

On June 7, 2026, on the RD309 road in Parcé-sur-Sarthe, a motorhome driver died after his vehicle left the road and hit a tree. The passenger, in shock, was taken to hospital. The accident may have been caused by a sudden illness of the driver.

About a hundred caravans belonging to the travelling community illegally occupied the sports fields of the Borde Basse plain in Castres on the afternoon of June 7. The arrivals removed the blocks blocking access to the site. Police and a prefect representative are on site; negotiations with group representatives have begun.

On June 7, 2026, around 11:15 a.m., a motorhome left the RD 309 road between Sablé-sur-Sarthe and Parcé-sur-Sarthe (Sarthe department), violently struck a tree, and came to rest in a field. The driver, who reportedly suffered a medical episode, died at the scene. A female passenger was hospitalized in shock. Fourteen firefighters and an ambulance crew responded.

On the morning of June 5, a group of travellers in caravans entered the Jo-Maso stadium in Saint-Laurent-de-la-Salanque (Aude). Mayor Laurence de Besombes Singla stated zero tolerance for illegal encampments. Following the prefect's order, gendarmes and municipal police were deployed and carried out an immediate evacuation. The site was completely cleared by 2:00 PM.

On Sunday, June 7, in the morning, travelers arrived in Baume-les-Dames and set up their caravans and vehicles near the campsite and the town's business and meeting center. A deputy mayor and a team of gendarmes went to the scene because the community is occupying the land illegally. After discussions, representatives of the newcomers assured that they would regularize the situation.

On June 7, 2026, at approximately 11:15 AM, a motorhome left the road on the D309 at the entrance to Parcé-sur-Sarthe and ended up in a field. As of 12:15 PM, firefighters and an ambulance team were still on the scene. No other vehicles were involved.