Autonomous vanlife with roadsurfer: testing the Volkswagen California

On June 7, 2026, illegal caravan encampments were reported in several French towns, and a fatal motorhome accident occurred in Sarthe. The driver died, a passenger was hospitalized.

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 often question their right to use motorhome parking areas. The key access criterion is the presence of autonomous water and waste systems, required by private networks. Legally, such areas are treated as regular parking lots, so no ban on entry exists for camper vans, but 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.

According to an Ipsos/Le Monde du Voyage survey (May 2025), 62% of vanlife enthusiasts in France choose routes under 300 km, and 73% prefer visiting one region per trip. Leading destinations are Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (over 540 spots on Park4Night, 80% rated above 4/5), Finistère (28% increase in natural area visits since 2022), and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, where temporary agricultural parking for up to 2 nights has been tested since March 2025.