Want to take a tour in a converted van? In any case, when traveling with this type of vehicles, the latter will no longer be needed. Due to their well-appointed interiors and their complete equipment, they are becoming increasingly popular with the general public who love these accommodations on wheels and less bulk than traditional motorhomes. In 2021, the recreational vehicle association recorded more than 16,000 registrations of new vans and vans in France, almost 10,000 more registrations than five years ago.
Proof of this is the attendance of dedicated fairs such as the Camper Van Week-End, which started on Friday October 14 and runs until this Sunday in Chantilly (Oise) for its third edition;The exhibition is 70, that is, 44% more than last year. About 500 people come in their own vehicles to camp on a special site“, explains its organizer Francois Vallée Figaro. “The converted van phenomenon is not new. The Covid effect has undeniably boosted the practice. Today, in our village of van-lifers, we find vendors and rental vans, craftsmen, props. It is both an exhibition, a gathering and a festival“, he describes to us, shaking his mailbox that is bursting with registrations.
Professionals and exhibitors competing in ingenuity
At the entrance of the gathering, you are directly immersed in the bivouac atmosphere. vans and vans sit proudly along the main thoroughfare, camper-style signs point you in the direction to head to find the food trucks, and tables are set up in front of converted vehicles. . If the impressive Volkswagen and Mercedes take care of the visitor reception, then you have to go a little further to discover the true masters of the converted van: left: Van Week, a cabinetmaker who makes customized travel trunks to fit into MPVs. (family car with compact dimensions) or van; on the right, this Breton entrepreneur who has been producing small caravans with side doors and miniature interiors for over a year;It is self-sufficient with water and energy, has a shower and a toilet, does not exceed 1m89 with a closed roof.claims its creator, Vincent Kledick, of BiVoaK.
Then we go to meet the conversion van sellers and rental companies. They compete in imagination to try to lure more demanding customers. Antoine Berger, manager of Freedom Camper, drives around one of his custom-built models, the Renault Trafic; the business manager quickly unfolds the base of the wooden bed with a seat for two, magically removes the hidden shelf plate and installs the sunroof. van in a few seconds.You remove the tapes, push and it opens. You can even stand in the back of the car !” And perform in front of us. The price of this development for a hundred customers per year. From 4,500 to 20,000 euros, depending on the services provided. As for the rental, calculate an average of 60 euros per day from November to March, and 180 euros in the high season.
Meet van lovers!
At the far end of the village, the area is reserved for used car dealers, but also for “practitioners” – true “van-lifers” who have designed their own vans to explore new routes. This is the case of 28-year-old Kevin. With his companion Tiffen, they are better known as the Three Vanlifers. Since 2017, the couple has been traveling the roads of Europe in converted vans. They became famous thanks to their blog and their Instagram account, with a following of 70,000 subscribers, with whom they share their daily life;When we met, we wanted to travel. We thought a van was a good choice, but our budget was tight. We built it ourselves and left. With time and developments we are now on our third vanhe laughs.
Same story with Deborah, also in her thirties, who started the exercise alone;I also had a very small budget and I learned on the job. I turned Renault Kangoo into a small house in one month– describes the young woman. After quitting his job as a computer consultant, he drove 10,000 kilometers across France in three months.I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. I have enjoyed this mode of travel and have already invested in a second van, a Peugeot Expert“.
More than a hobby, a lifestyle. “The problem is that we always want moreadds Kevin. “You are forever disappointed. deep down you know your van can always be sorted out better“. Anyway, the contagion worked on us, by the end of this day we would almost look longingly at our parents’ Kangoo…
Camper Van Weekend Paris |: Sweetened whipped cream
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From Paris, take the TER at Gare du Nord, stop at Gare de Chantilly Gouvieux, then access in ten minutes by taxi or 25 minutes by bike.
Dates
From Friday 14th to Sunday 16th October inclusive, the exhibition village is open from 9.30am to 6pm.
Free admission and visitor parking available by reservation.
Source: Le Figaro
