Two vanlife roundups: 12 conversion kits for vans and 12 key camper models for 2026

In summer 2025, French campsites recorded 125 million overnight stays, nearly half of all collective tourist accommodations. Offerings have diversified from traditional tents to glamping, while pitches for tents declined by 13.2% from 2019 to 2024, and equipped pitches rose by 17.3%. Sociologist Jean Viard notes that holidays have become a crucial time for rest and social connection, and the COVID-19 crisis only amplified pre-existing desires for nature and freedom.

The editors of ROADBIKE and promobil conducted a joint test of the Ahorn Camp A690 motorhome during a Tour de France stage in the Vosges. A family with three children used the vehicle for the first time, combining race viewing with an assessment of the living space. The experience was documented in a report.

At the motorhome area in Mirecourt, operated by Camping-car-park, overnight stays exceeded 2,000 in 2025, up from 1,733 in 2024. Among visitors were a couple from Guérande who set off in May on a 5,000-kilometer journey.

Hanroad has introduced the new Switch, based on the Renault Trafic, featuring a pop-up roof and two sliding side doors. The starting price is €46,900, positioning it in the budget segment. Standard equipment includes 17-inch steel wheels, a 130 hp engine, white bodywork, speed limiter, rearview camera, and manual air conditioning. Optional extras include automatic transmission, 150 hp engine, and grey paint. Inside, there are four seats as per registration, a table on a leg, and electrical installation with auxiliary battery and LED lighting. The Essentiel pack (€2,500) adds a refrigerator, lower bed, and stationary heater; the kitchen with sink and water tank costs €500. With these options, the total price is €49,900. Additional seats are €700 each, up to a maximum of seven.

A couple from Côtes-d'Armor says they have been repaying a loan for a Challenger motorhome bought in June 2025 for €42,000, which they claim broke down shortly after purchase. They are seeking to cancel the sale, but the dealership denies the allegations, stating the vehicle is in good condition and ready for use. No judicial proceedings have been initiated, and the dispute may go to court.

Esterel Caravaning, founded in 1974 on 12 hectares of scrubland in the Esterel massif, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The independent family business, led by Aurore Laroche for over 31 years, has become a leading European campsite in the premium outdoor hospitality sector. The final celebration, the 'White Night', is scheduled for August 17, 2026. The campsite, located in a Natura 2000 area, has been awarded annually since 2017 by industry bodies in Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK. It reports a 50% customer retention rate, double the market average, and attracts visitors from over 30 countries, accounting for 61% of its occupancy. The site features 280,000 planted plants, 100% solar-powered outdoor lighting, and a carbon-positive footprint: 58 tonnes of CO2 emitted versus 8,400 tonnes sequestered by vegetation.