Illegal caravan encampments in France: Castres, Pont-d'Ain and fatal motorhome crash

Around a hundred caravans occupied the La Borde-Basse sports complex in Castres on June 7. Mayor Florian Azéma ordered the shutdown of water and electricity, stating that local taxpayers should not pay for illegal occupation. The municipality will file a lawsuit in administrative court, but eviction is complicated by the lack of a certified large transit area in the region.

On Monday, more than 100 caravans remained parked on the rugby and football pitches of Borde-Basse in Castres, having arrived the day before. Representatives stated the occupants are conducting an evangelical mission expected to last about two weeks. Mayor Florian Azéma denounced the occupation as illegal and cut off water and electricity supplies. Evacuation is complicated by the lack of a large transit area in the southern Tarn region.

Over the weekend of June 6-7, new illegal caravan installations occurred in the communes of Pont-d'Ain, Vonnas, and Fareins in the Ain department (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region). In Pont-d'Ain, approximately 80 caravans forced open the gate of a former rugby field and set up camp. The mayor announced plans to file a complaint regarding the invasion of municipal land and the break-in. In Fareins, 15 caravans occupied sports fields, leading the local football club to suspend training. In Vonnas, 12 caravans settled on a municipal plot on Rue des Maladières. These incidents follow the installation of 180 caravans in Saint-André-de-Corcy a week earlier.

On Sunday, June 7, 2026, approximately 100 caravans of travelers illegally occupied the La Borde Basse sports complex in Castres (Tarn department). Mayor Florian Azéma responded by cutting off water and electricity to the site and began searching for an alternative location outside Castres. The decision came after an evangelical mission from Carcassonne took over the facility early in the afternoon.

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 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.