Challenger 337: short twin-bed profile returns

French company Hanroad, part of the Pilote group, has introduced the next-generation Switch camper van built on the Renault Trafic platform. The 2027 model features a modular interior with up to seven seats and a pop-up roof bed. Starting price is €46,900, comparable to a used motorhome or a new premium SUV.

Catherine and Pierrot, who have been living in a motorhome for eight years, parked for two months at Lake La Thuile in the French Savoie region to spend summer near their daughter. They gave up their permanent home and travel in their vehicle.

Trigano's third-quarter sales rose 1.6% year-over-year to €1,162.2 million, with nine-month sales up 4.3%. Caravans posted strong growth, while motorhomes faced supply chain challenges. The company maintains a positive full-year outlook, supported by robust market fundamentals and ongoing share buybacks.

On the morning of June 24, a car towing a caravan crashed on the A11 near Cormes, Sarthe. Three people sustained minor injuries, and traffic was halted for nearly an hour and a half.

Due to extreme heat, only two motorhomes are parked at the municipal site in Château-Gontier (Mayenne) instead of the usual 50. Most motorhomes lack air conditioning in the living area, and parking areas offer no shade. Owners complain about high camping fees (around €40 per night) compared to parking areas (around €15).

With an expected influx of 30,000 to 60,000 spectators over four days of the French Cycling Championships, three temporary parking lots with a total capacity of 2,850 spaces have been set up in the Vals du Dauphiné region. All are within a 15-minute walk from the city center. A dedicated area for motorhomes is available on Chemin du Pouyou, with an additional zone near Béjui in La Chapelle-de-la-Tour.