Test vanlife on the roads of Brittany

Several illegal caravan installations on sports fields were reported across France over the weekend. In Castres, the mayor cut off water and electricity. In Pont-d'Ain, a complaint was filed. Separately, a motorhome driver died in a crash in Sarthe.

Bürstner has announced the upcoming release of its Signature series motorhomes on the Mercedes Sprinter platform. Previously, the model was only available on the Fiat Ducato AL-KO. The manufacturer released a teaser video on Facebook showing a partially concealed vehicle. The new models are expected to debut at the Düsseldorf trade fair from August 28 to September 6. Two versions are anticipated: one with a central bed and one with twin beds. The price is likely to exceed €100,000.

Owners of camper vans in France can use motorhome parking areas if their vehicle is equipped with a shower, toilet, and waste water system. Legally, these areas are treated as regular parking lots, so setting up camp is prohibited.

Michel Letraveler, a regular contributor to Le Monde du Camping-Car, traveled to La Roche Courbon Castle (Charente-Maritime, 130 km from Bordeaux) by motorhome. The castle grounds offer free overnight parking for motorhomes with no services. Entrance to the gardens and museums costs €12, guided tour of the castle €16.

Using a caravan as a permanent guest room on a property may be classified as illegal construction. Under French law, if the caravan loses mobility (wheels removed, placed on a concrete base) and is used for more than three months a year, it is treated as a building. The fine for such a violation can reach €90,000, and the court may order demolition with a daily penalty of up to €500 for non-compliance.

Approximately 200 caravans of travellers (gens du voyage) have illegally set up on the grounds of the Lunéville-Chanteheux-Croismare airfield in France. Their arrival was originally scheduled for mid-June, but they occupied the site early without signing an agreement with local authorities. The CCTLB intercommunality set a fee of €5.20 per day for a double-axle trailer, but the travellers demanded a reduction. The CCTLB president stated his intention to enforce the law and collect the established fee.