Retro Camping in France: Vintage Caravans and Volkswagen Combis

Between 70 and 150 caravans illegally occupied the parking lot of the Pau racecourse. Evacuation began on the morning of May 27, 2026, with a hundred police officers, including CRS. Figures on the exact number of caravans vary.

The motorhome parking area on Rue Pierre Trébucien in Bayeux reopened on June 1 after renovations. New services include grey and black water disposal, fresh water supply, and electrical hookups. The entrance has been moved to Rue de Verdun, with a 24/7 automatic barrier and license plate reader. The number of spaces decreased from 28 to 25, width increased to 3.5 meters, and one space is accessible for disabled users.

French law distinguishes between caravans (trailers) and mobile homes (motorhomes) when placed on private property. A caravan can be stored without permission for up to 3 months per year if not used as accommodation; exceeding this period or using it as an annex requires a prior declaration. A mobile home with wheels is prohibited in a private garden, while one without wheels is treated as a building and requires a declaration (up to 20 sq m) or a building permit (above 20 sq m), subject to local zoning rules.

Autostar, a brand known for narrow profiles, has introduced the P 740 LC in Privilège trim. The motorhome measures 7.39 m in length and 2.31 m in width, built on a Fiat Ducato chassis with a 140 hp engine. Key features include a spacious bedroom with a 150x190 cm bed, large wardrobes, and an additional sleeping area above the dinette. The interior offers high light transmission and a 15 cm double floor for improved insulation. Price starts at €73,950.

On May 26 around 4:00 PM on the A61 near Castelnaudary, a boat being towed by a motorhome detached and ended up on the central reservation. No injuries were reported, but the incident caused traffic jams. Recovery services removed the obstacle.

The Esterel Caravaning campsite in Agay-Saint-Raphaël (Var) has won the ACSI Award for best campsite in France 2026, based on votes from campers across 24 European countries. Founded in 1974 on 12 hectares of rocky terrain, the site now covers 19 hectares and hosted 22,478 guests in 2025, generating 168,500 overnight stays and €7.4 million in revenue.