Rising fuel prices in France, now exceeding €2 per liter, are significantly impacting the motorhome market. Owners and renters are reducing travel distances: the average distance has dropped by 600 km, and 60% of renters now stay within their own department. Motorhome rentals fell by 17%, and campsites around Saint-Brieuc report a three-to-four-fold drop in bookings.
Market Adaptation
- Demand is shifting toward compact campers and vans: 51% of bookings are for such models.
- In Brittany and Pays de la Loire, campsite attendance rose 30%, while in Provence and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes it fell 15%.
- The municipalities of Caen and Biarritz have limited parking at dedicated sites to 48 hours.
- Wikicampers launched a promotion offering up to €100 fuel reimbursement.
Despite challenges, motorhome sales remain strong: the Limoges show attracted about 2,000 visitors in three days, and registrations have grown nearly 50% over a decade. A couple from Brittany, who annually travel about 1,000 km to a campsite in Kaysersberg, noted their trip cost increased by €120 (€60 each way) due to consumption of 12 L/100 km. A full tank can now cost up to €230.