Hautes-Alpes. Motorhomes and caravans as an alternative accommodation for ski holidays

Several dozen caravans have been parked at the entrance of Saint-Gervais and at the sports plain of Saint-André-de-Cubzac. The arrival was coordinated with local municipalities and the gendarmerie; the community has set up a marquee for ceremonies open to all residents. Participants committed to covering water, electricity, and waste disposal costs, while local businesses benefit from increased customer traffic.

The French Family Allowance Fund (CAF) provides loans and subsidies for buying a caravan if it serves as the main home. This support targets nomadic individuals who are ineligible for standard housing benefits. Aid amounts vary by department: in Saône-et-Loire, up to €3,500 in interest-free loans and €1,400 in subsidies are available for purchases capped at €7,000 for families of up to five. For families of six or more, the maximum aid is €4,500 in loans and €1,800 in subsidies for purchases up to €9,000. Conditions include income limits (family quotient not exceeding €700) and purchase exclusively from a professional seller.

In the Saint-Lô region of France, math teacher Pierre Partiot uses a converted camper van to provide tutoring. Over five years, his 'Professeur Truck' project has served 25–30 students per week, from primary school to Bac+2 level. Ahead of the baccalaureate exams, the mobile classroom helps students reduce stress and improve performance.

Amy Edwards, 40, from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, has moved into a motorhome with her husband and five younger children to travel and homeschool in Europe. Older children were taken out of school after the pandemic; younger ones never attended. The family plans to visit Spain and Portugal and eventually buy land for farming.

Jackery has unveiled a new series of portable solar power stations that are lighter and more compact than previous generations. The Cell-to-Body (CTB) technology reduces weight by over 30% and increases capacity by 59% at the same volume. The flagship Explorer 2000 v2 offers 2 kWh capacity at 17.5 kg, while the Explorer 1000 v2 (1.07 kWh) features a bidirectional inverter rated for 4,000 charge cycles. The lineup also includes SolarSaga panels with 25% efficiency and IP68 certification.

Since May, the Decazeville community has deployed a mobile reception unit based on a motorhome to improve access to services. Residents can receive individual support and participate in group activities on key topics. The service is free and does not require registration.