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Couple aged 65 and 56 live in a 7 m² motorhome: 'We no longer pay electricity bills thanks to solar panels, but other bills have appeared'

26.08.2026 12:15 1 min 1 source РУС
Marie France, magazine féminin FRA

A Spanish couple, Jesús (65) and María (56), have been living in a 7 m² motorhome since 2021, traveling the world. They report that solar panels eliminated electricity bills, but fuel and vehicle maintenance costs have risen significantly. The couple also warns that motorhome breakdowns are more expensive than home repairs and advises carefully comparing accessories and trusting competent professionals.

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Couple aged 65 and 56 live in a 7 m² motorhome: 'We no longer pay electricity bills thanks to solar panels, but other bills have appeared'

26.08.2026 Marie France, magazine féminin FRA Original source

FR France — fuel prices

Updated: 22.08.2026

SP95-E10

$2.39 /l

€2.05 · £1.75/l

133 of 142

pricier than 93% of countries

SP98

$2.47 /l

€2.12 · £1.81/l

84 of 94

pricier than 88% of countries

Gazole

$2.62 /l

€2.24 · £1.92/l

132 of 142

pricier than 92% of countries

Gazole premium

$2.45 /l

€2.10 · £1.79/l

30 of 40

pricier than 73% of countries

GPL

$1.21 /l

€1.04 · £0.89/l

45 of 54

pricier than 81% of countries

Superéthanol-E85

$1.01 /l

€0.87 · £0.74/l

4 of 6

cheaper than 50% of countries

Cheapest on the map

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Q1 A French sign says "Aire de service camping-car". What should you expect first?

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86
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Charo and Carlos, a retired Spanish couple, have been living in a motorhome for 11 years and say that this lifestyle is not necessarily cheaper than renting. They point out that costs for fuel, insurance, and maintenance can add up. Initially, their motorhome lacked air conditioning, making it very hot, but modern equipment like solar panels and lithium batteries has improved comfort. In Spain, monthly expenses for motorhome living are estimated at 500–1200 euros, and a used vehicle costs 15,000–30,000 euros.

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In France, 15 caravans blocked a parking lot at the lower station of the Téléphérique du Salève in Étrembières near Geneva, causing the cable car to Mont Salève to stop for two days. Mayor Nicolas Tereins said operations were halted because buses could no longer stop at the station. During peak season, up to 1,000 people per day use the cable car, and the interruption is estimated to have caused €10,000 in lost revenue. The cable car is expected to reopen on Wednesday, with operators working on alternative parking.

On August 16, around 250–300 caravans occupied a private plot near the Laurent-Ricci sports ground in Saint-André-de-Cubzac, sparking reactions on social media. Mayor Mickaël Courseaux stated that the installation occurred without authorization from the municipality or the owner. The group had initially planned to go to a site in the Arcachon basin but was unable due to fires. Authorities took measures to ensure safety, manage waste, and began discussions for compensation. The mayor also proposed revising the departmental plan for traveler accommodation.

An administrative court ruled that height-restricting barriers and camper-specific parking bans in La Faute-sur-Mer and Longeville-sur-Mer (Vendée) are illegal. The barriers in La Faute-sur-Mer must be removed as they were not justified by a real danger. In Longeville-sur-Mer, signs banning campers were invalidated because the pictogram is not in the French Highway Code and the procedure was flawed. The court affirmed that campers are treated as cars for parking but allowed targeted restrictions if properly enacted. France saw 25,629 camper registrations in the 2023-2024 season.

French municipalities install height barriers to keep motorhomes off regular parking spots, but such measures are not always legal. In 2024, an administrative court in Nantes ordered two municipalities in Vendée (Longeville-sur-Mer and La Faute-sur-Mer) to remove barriers and signs and pay €1,500 each in legal costs to the CLC. However, in April 2026, a court in Bordeaux upheld a parking restriction for motorhomes in Royan, citing road safety and coastal protection. Motorhomes are classified as M1 vehicles, but this does not grant unlimited parking rights, nor does it allow overnight camping outside designated areas.

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