Vanlife: the nomadic spirit, Loire version

On the evening of June 27 in Eguenigue, France, a caravan detached from a towing vehicle at a roundabout on Rue d'Alsace. The drivers had left only 15 minutes earlier. The caravan landed in a ditch within a forest plot. No injuries were reported, and the caravan was empty. Traffic was blocked for about 20 minutes for recovery.

Owners of compact self-built campers based on Renault Trafic, Volkswagen Transporter, or Ford Transit Custom are often denied access to dedicated camper stops in France. The reason is the lack of sufficient self-sufficiency (own water tanks, chemical toilet) and official VASP registration (vehicle equipped for living). Legally, camper stops are not exclusive to large motorhomes, but private owners and municipalities can set their own access rules based on vehicle type and equipment.

The Citroën C15, known as a reliable small van, was produced in numerous unconventional modifications. Teilhol built pickups, including insulated vans and livestock carriers, until its bankruptcy in 1990. Engineer Christian Léotard created the six-wheel C15.6 with a payload of 1000 kg and a cargo volume of 4.2 m³, with about 100 units made. In the early 1990s, British firms Romahome and Nu Venture began producing camper conversions of the C15, featuring a kitchen and sleeping area; today these are rare and sell for €4,000 to €12,000.

Thibaut Queffélec, a content creator from Neulliac (Morbihan), is running a giveaway for a camper van worth €25,000. To enter, participants must purchase a keychain for €10 or other merchandise from his shop. The draw will take place on July 20, 2026, with delivery expected by mid-August. The project is self-funded from his personal savings.

On June 26 around 3:00 PM, a caravan caught fire on the A7 motorway near Saint-Barthélémy-de-Vals (Drôme). The flames spread to roadside vegetation. Two lanes are closed, with traffic jams extending 8 km southbound and 12 km northbound. Firefighters, police, and a tow truck are on site.

Chausson has unveiled the X640, a hybrid motorhome blending compact profiled and camper van features. Measuring 6.55 m long and 2.10 m wide, it includes a transverse garage accessible from inside and a full-width bathroom. Designed for cyclists and sports enthusiasts, it starts at €73,990 on a Fiat Ducato 2.2L (140 hp).