French pensioner lives in motorhome for 19 years on 1,000 euros a month

In Bressey-sur-Tille, a group of travelers set up about sixty caravans on the football field after crossing a cultivated field. The municipality called this "simply unacceptable" and plans to secure the elementary school's electricity meter to prevent future illegal installations. The group, reportedly evangelists, is expected to leave the commune on Sunday, August 16, to join a national gathering in Verdun.

In France, leaving the engine running to power the air conditioning in a stationary motorhome is prohibited under Article R. 318-1 of the Highway Code. Violators face a fine of €135 (reduced to €90 if paid promptly, increased to €375, and up to €750 in court). Exceptions apply only to certain priority vehicles. However, using a roof or boot air conditioner powered by the vehicle's battery or a campsite outlet is allowed, though noise restrictions may apply. Mobile air conditioners connected to a generator may be banned by campsite rules.

On Wednesday evening, a motorhome was involved in an accident on the A10 in Eure-et-Loir. Four people suffered minor injuries and were taken to Dourdan hospital. Eleven firefighters from three stations responded with three vehicles; the operation ended at 7 p.m. The circumstances of the crash have not been disclosed.

The municipality of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is strengthening regulations on the parking of motorhomes, caravans and other camper vehicles. A municipal decree signed in early August governs their presence in the area from May 1 to October 31. The authorities justify the decision by the high tourist influx in the valley during summer, which leads to saturated parking lots, disturbances for residents and cleanliness issues, and can also hinder emergency vehicle access. The decree prohibits overnight parking in natural areas, wooded zones, and on all public roads and parking lots in the commune, including the city center, Bossons and Pèlerins sectors, Les Praz and Les Bois, Argentière, and the upper valley up to Le Tour. For accommodation, visitors are directed to campsites, as well as two dedicated parking areas: Parking Grépon Bus for vehicles over 7 meters and Parking Camping-car for vehicles under 7 meters, plus intercommunal areas in Passy, Grand Chauvilly, and Sallanches.

A family from Nice rented a campervan through CamperDays and spent four nights on farms in southwestern France using the France Passion app, which costs €33 per year. The app provides access to 2,200 farms and artisanal producers where campervans can stay overnight for free, subject to full autonomy and a one-night limit. The itinerary included a farm with Gascon pigs, a honey farm, a goat farm, and a vineyard, avoiding campsite fees that can exceed £40 per night.

In France, the number of motorhomes with a permissible maximum weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes is growing, requiring a C1 licence. According to UNI VDL, the new motorhome market grew by 10% over three years in 2025, reaching 26,328 registrations. Driving such vehicles requires a C1 licence, which involves a medical examination, a theory test, and a practical driving test. A European reform plans to extend the B licence to 4.25 tonnes under strict conditions, but for heavier models, the C1 licence will remain mandatory.