Germany checks motorhomes on A31 and A30 · VanLife Weekly #29
On 27 July Germany checks motorhomes and trailers on the A31 and A30. Also: a diesel tax in Finland has left motorhomes parked up for most of the year.
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District seat · Occitania, France
VanSky index for Montpellier, France — 55 out of 100 (Acceptable). Decide in seconds: temperature, precipitation, wind and solar output. Data refreshed several times a day from real weather observations.
The main score is weekly (7-day average). The “Today” toggle shows the current day, and the region page compares cities “by area”.
Montpellier, France — VanSky 55 out of 100. Acceptable, plan around the weather. Ranked #1020 of 1026 cities in the country (as of 22 July 2026). Temperature 35°C, wind 12 km/h. Solar panels yield 3.1 kWh/day at 400 W — enough for full autonomy.
Cities with a close score — route alternatives
A weather comfort index for travel: a 0–100 score. Recalculated daily from live weather data — temperature, rainfall, wind and sun.
How it's calculated:
Data: Open-Meteo · Updated several times a day
Montpellier ranks 843 of 1026 cities. Country average VanSky — 90.
Updated: 18.07.2026
SP95-E10
$2.27 /l
€1.99 · £1.70/l
132 of 141
pricier than 93% of countries
SP98
$2.39 /l
€2.09 · £1.78/l
83 of 94
pricier than 87% of countries
Gazole
$2.34 /l
€2.05 · £1.75/l
132 of 142
pricier than 92% of countries
Gazole premium
$2.38 /l
€2.09 · £1.78/l
34 of 40
pricier than 83% of countries
GPL
$1.20 /l
€1.05 · £0.89/l
44 of 52
pricier than 83% of countries
Superéthanol-E85
$0.96 /l
€0.85 · £0.72/l
4 of 6
cheaper than 50% of countries
The rise of caravan and tiny house living is reshaping the home appliance industry, shifting demand from large kitchen units to compact, portable technologies. French company Daan Tech has introduced the BOB Mini dishwasher, measuring 34 cm wide and weighing 10 kg, with a 3.9 L integrated water tank that eliminates the need for a fixed water connection. It uses 2.9 L of water and 0.43 kWh per cycle, washes dishes in 20 minutes, and is designed for caravans, boats, campsites, and small apartments.
A family of four from eastern Germany is touring Brittany in a motorhome. Sabine and Alexander, along with their daughters aged 10 and 13, parked at a motorhome area in Fouesnant, near Mousterlin beach. They avoid campsites and prefer designated parking spots, planning to cover the entire region in two weeks, having already visited Mont Saint-Michel, Saint-Malo, and Quimper.
From 3 to 6 September 2026, Libertium Angers Sud (Maine-et-Loire) will hold an open house with a Moroccan theme. The programme includes a preview of the 2027 collection of motorhomes, campervans, vans and caravans, a free lunch by reservation, mint tea, Moroccan dance, a mini souk and advice on travelling to Morocco. Discounts are offered on display models and 2026 vehicles, as well as special offers on accessories and workshop services.
Thirty caravans of travellers have been parked on the football pitches of the municipal stadium in Saulnes since July 12. Mayor Maurice Bombardieri attempted to block the entrance with his car but failed to prevent the installation. He notified the prefecture of Meurthe-et-Moselle; the caravans are scheduled to leave on July 27.
On Monday 20 July 2026 at about 10:30, gendarmes from the Saint-Vit brigade community intervened at Arc-et-Senans station after an SNCF agent reported an unauthorised electrical connection. A family had forced the lock on the station's electricity meter to power a caravan parked nearby. Upon arrival, the person disconnected the installation. A complaint will be offered to the railway company for damage and illegal connection; legal follow-up depends on SNCF's decision to press charges.
A French family travels in a motorhome, organizing their vacation day by day. On July 17, they parked on a designated area in Boulieu-lès-Annonay. The retired couple and their granddaughter decide each day where to go, calling it 'the magic of motorhome holidays.' This year, they prepared a surprise for their 10-year-old granddaughter.
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