Traveling by Van: Practical Tips for Vanlife

The editors of ROADBIKE and promobil conducted a joint test of the Ahorn Camp A690 motorhome during a Tour de France stage in the Vosges. A family with three children used the vehicle for the first time, combining race viewing with an assessment of the living space. The experience was documented in a report.

At the motorhome area in Mirecourt, operated by Camping-car-park, overnight stays exceeded 2,000 in 2025, up from 1,733 in 2024. Among visitors were a couple from Guérande who set off in May on a 5,000-kilometer journey.

A couple from Côtes-d'Armor says they have been repaying a loan for a Challenger motorhome bought in June 2025 for €42,000, which they claim broke down shortly after purchase. They are seeking to cancel the sale, but the dealership denies the allegations, stating the vehicle is in good condition and ready for use. No judicial proceedings have been initiated, and the dispute may go to court.

Esterel Caravaning, founded in 1974 on 12 hectares of scrubland in the Esterel massif, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The independent family business, led by Aurore Laroche for over 31 years, has become a leading European campsite in the premium outdoor hospitality sector. The final celebration, the 'White Night', is scheduled for August 17, 2026. The campsite, located in a Natura 2000 area, has been awarded annually since 2017 by industry bodies in Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK. It reports a 50% customer retention rate, double the market average, and attracts visitors from over 30 countries, accounting for 61% of its occupancy. The site features 280,000 planted plants, 100% solar-powered outdoor lighting, and a carbon-positive footprint: 58 tonnes of CO2 emitted versus 8,400 tonnes sequestered by vegetation.

Opened at the end of 2022 at the entrance to the village, the motorhome area in Is-sur-Tille, at 8, route de Gémeaux, has shown results exceeding the commune's initial forecasts. Managed by Camping-Car Park, it offers 16 pitches with drinking water and electricity, without sanitary facilities. The rate, dynamic, i.e. adjusted according to demand and occupancy, currently averages around 15 euros per 24 hours. The investment was recouped twice as fast as expected.

France maintains its low-emission zones (ZFE) and Crit'Air stickers after the Constitutional Council's decision on May 21, 2026. Since January 1, 2025, 30 new permanent low-emission zones have been established in cities with over 150,000 inhabitants. Motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes are treated as passenger cars, while heavier ones follow truck regulations. Fines for missing stickers are €68 for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes and €135 for heavier ones, rising to €180 and €375 if unpaid within 45 days. Paris has suspended fines until December 31, 2026, while Lyon will start fining Crit'Air 3 vehicles from July 1, 2026.