The camper boom matures

The foundation «die neue Zeit» must remove unauthorised structures at its nudist campsite near Lake Neuchâtel. The Administrative Court of the Canton of Bern dismissed the foundation's appeal against the refusal of a retroactive building permit. In the winter of 2016/2017, the foundation built four new jetties, two shore stabilisations and a slipway in Gampelen harbour without permission. The site lies within the «Grande Cariçaie» moorland and borders the Fanel nature reserve. The court ordered the restoration of lawful conditions by the end of February.

On Saturday in Eschenz (Thurgau), a 63-year-old driver overtaking a Wohnmobil sideswiped it and hit an oncoming car. Two people slightly injured, driver's license confiscated.

Swiss campers mainly cook meat on the grill. In Solothurn, three generations of the Müller family and the Niggli couple at Lake Sempach include mostly meat dishes in their menu. If charcoal grilling is prohibited, they use a blowtorch for cooking.

Pössl has unveiled the fully electric E-Vanster camper based on the Citroën ë-SpaceTourer. The model features a 75 kWh battery providing a range of 250 to 298 km (WLTP) and a 100 kW (136 hp) electric motor. Its height of 1.99 m allows access to underground parking. Prices in Switzerland start at 60,000 francs, exceeding 72,000 francs with full equipment, about 15% more than diesel equivalents.

On June 14, Winterthur residents will decide on the construction of a new campsite at Schützenweiher. Opponents fear above-average prices and the end of alternative housing forms, while supporters argue that a no vote would mean no campsite at all.

A group of Roma from France has set up camp on a municipal meadow in Oberwinterthur. The move was necessary after their caravans were dangerously close to a high-voltage power line. They had previously left a field near Stadel. A hailstorm caused about one million francs in damage to uninsured travelers.