OpenVan.campβ World of motorhomes — here

Report a problem

What is the problem?

Could not attach a screenshot — send without it

Travelers' caravans occupy parks and an airfield in France

09.06.2026 19:55 1 min 3 sources
France 3 Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes FRA + 2 more
Travelers' caravans occupy parks and an airfield in France
© France 3 Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

In Brief

In early June 2026, three illegal caravan encampments were reported in France: in Chaponnay, Castanet-Tolosan, and at Beaune airfield. Mayors express outrage, negotiations are underway

At the end of May and beginning of June 2026, several incidents of illegal caravan encampments by traveling communities occurred in France.

Chaponnay (Rhône department)

Since May 31, about 240 vehicles of the evangelical mission "Vie et Lumière" have occupied the Raymond Durand municipal park. Mayor Nicolas Varigni called it an illegal occupation; police issued 200 to 300 fines. The mission claims it notified authorities in advance, but the Rhône prefecture says it was not informed. The mayor and department acknowledge the need for a fifth dedicated site for travelers, as existing ones are insufficient.

Castanet-Tolosan (near Toulouse)

Since May 31, about a hundred caravans have occupied the Fontanelle park. The town hall did not expect their arrival, as the group planned to stop elsewhere. After negotiations involving the prefecture, an agreement was reached for departure on June 7. The mayor noted that the group maintains order and uses safe connections.

Beaune airfield (Côte-d'Or)

On the morning of June 1, about a hundred caravans of traveling community members occupied the airfield, completely halting flights. Businesses on site estimate losses at over €5,000. A community representative said they could not find a suitable site and called the stay temporary — until June 8.

This content was collected automatically from public sources and may be processed by AI tools: translated, grouped, or shortened as an excerpt. It may contain inaccuracies, outdated information, or incorrect translations. Please verify important information at the original source. All images and content belong to their respective copyright holders. Copyright information

Story sources

Over 200 caravans occupy municipal park in Chaponnay, mayor furious

03.06.2026 France 3 Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes FRA Original source

Around a hundred caravans occupy park in Castanet-Tolosan

03.06.2026 actu.fr FRA Original source

Around 100 caravans occupy Beaune airfield, halting all activity

03.06.2026 ladepeche.fr FRA Original source

🇫🇷 France — fuel prices

Updated: 13.06.2026

Diesel

$2.37 /l

€2.04 · £1.76/l

123 of 132

pricier than 92% of countries

Petrol

$2.33 /l

€2.01 · £1.73/l

126 of 134

pricier than 93% of countries

LPG

$1.25 /l

€1.07 · £0.93/l

43 of 48

pricier than 88% of countries

Cheapest on the map

Popular route

Distance

Fuel cost

~

Est. time

~

Quiz: test yourself
Guess the vanlife lingo — 3 quick questions
1 / 3
Q1 A French sign says "Aire de service camping-car". What should you expect first?

Best regions in the coming days

Brittany +19°·29 km/h
93
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes +23°·29 km/h
90
Normandy +21°·30 km/h
89
Occitania +23°·26 km/h
88
Avoid now
Centre-Val de Loire +34°·27 km/h
70
Île-de-France +34°·28 km/h
71

You May Be Interested

All News
FR France 5

Mass illegal caravan encampments in France: stadiums, racetrack and airfield occupied

Multiple illegal caravan settlements have been reported across several French departments. Sports facilities, a racetrack and an airfield have been occupied, leading to event cancellations and financial losses. Authorities have initiated eviction procedures.

News from France

All News
FR France

France ranks first in motorway service areas for motorhomes

Experts from the Touring Club Suisse (TCS) tested 129 motorway service stations in France, Spain, and Portugal, covering 10,000 km. France ranked first due to a high density of fast charging stations and well-developed facilities for motorhomes. Portugal came second with good food and charging infrastructure, while Spain ranked third due to a lack of charging stations (only one in ten) and frequent malfunctions.

Vanecdotes: An unusual night with seafood in a camper van in the new podcast episode

A new episode of the Vanecdotes podcast has been released, in which traveler Mathilde Dubois recounts an unusual night spent in Brittany with a catch of seafood in her camper van. In 2023, she embarked on a tour of France to promote local gastronomic products as part of the Vaniti Vadrouille project. After a fishing trip in Finistère, a fisherman gave her lobsters, spider crabs, and octopuses, but cooking them in the small van was impossible due to the lack of a suitable pot. Dubois had to spend the night with the catch on the front seat, leading to unexpected sounds and a comical situation.

FR France

380 caravans in a field: baron blocks travelers' path

In Ostheim, France, Baron François de Watteville blocked a group of travelers who cut down a tree and branches to create a passage through a hedge of Schoppenwihr park to a field intended for parking at the Country Living event on June 20–21. The incident occurred on Sunday around 4:00 PM. Negotiations involving gendarmes and a representative of the Haut-Rhin prefecture lasted about two hours. The estate owner offered an alternative meadow for the caravans.

FR France

TCS tests motorhome rest areas in France, Spain and Portugal

In spring 2026, the Touring Club Schweiz (TCS) evaluated 129 highway rest areas in France, Spain, and Portugal. In France, 86% of the 52 tested sites received 4 or 5 stars; in Spain, only one of 60 reached 4 stars, and nine of the ten lowest-rated sites were in Spain. In Portugal, 11 of 17 sites were rated as recommendable. The test found non-functional charging points at several Spanish locations.

Install OpenVan.camp

Get quick access and offline reading.

Install on iOS

  1. 1 Tap Share in Safari.
  2. 2 Choose "Add to Home Screen".
  3. 3 Confirm by tapping Add.

Already installed

The app is already installed on this device.

Install from browser menu

Use your browser menu to install or add to home screen.

→ Glossary