Most of us have this little idea well hidden in our heads. leave our sedentary routines without warning to experience new wandering adventures. Some achieve it during their studies (thanks to Erasmus programs among others) and some take it later in their professional life (expatriation). Among these big dreamers, some of them are more radical and prefer the “vanlife”. We will translate by going on the roads in a van or camper van. And in France there are more and more of them. In 2021, the recreational vehicle association recorded 16,000 registrations of new vans and vans in France (10,000 more than in 2016).
The thread of these new backpacking adventures is often opened on a colorful and well-organized Instagram account. A way to make yourself known and get funded in a few steps (and for some even the entire trip) through partnerships with brands. Nice showcase. Browsing the social network searching for the keyword “vanlife”, we immediately come across videos of exotic landscapes or photos of very comfortable facilities. But the road to this ideal is often long. According to Kevin Loren and Tiffen Boutel, three bloggers known as vanlifers, both 28 years old, and for whom the adventure began in 2017, this way of life immediately leads to economic sacrifices. “For our first seven-month trip in the Renault Trafic, we crossed around fifteen European countries. We ate our savings and it was a little unconscious, the couple remembers. Next season we wanted to buy a newer and more comfortable van, a Fiat Ducato. It was necessary to collect 35,000 euros, a sum that was obtained with a separate amount for 4 and a half months, both of them working in the field of public catering in the mountains.they add.
Logistically, organizing your van is not as simple as you might think. Simply being a handyman isn’t enough, you have to do your part to make sure the result meets your expectations once down the road. “Upstream it’s a huge job explains Deborah Odevar. This former IT consultant has decided to hit the road alone in early 2022. For this, the 28-year-old young woman prepared a self-acquired Renault Kangoo. “Before I started, I looked at a billion tutorials online. […] You need to optimize your space and know your needs. I made several plans on paper before finding what worked for me in terms of layout“, – remembers this native Niort.
Sophisticated hygiene and out of touch with reality
Once the van is made to its image and ready to roll, the adventure can begin. This is not easy and you have to know how to adapt to it. “We see a lot of positive things on social media, but we have to deal with a lot of negative aspects every day. Must park in authorized areas, which can be difficult in winter when campgrounds are closed. In addition, lack of hygiene can be a problem. We can’t shower every day and have to use dry toilets. Not being comfortable can be a bit difficult for a few monthsadds Deborah Odeward.
The same observation by Kevin Laurent and Tiffen Boutelle, for whom organization is important;Sources of drinking water, gas and electricity must be found regularly. It’s quite attractive“. Those who hit the road alone can also feel lonely. “Time can seem long in his small car. But you get used to it and this lifestyle teaches you to live alonereassures Deborah. In addition, all the energy of the “vanlifer” is devoted to travel.Everything is very intense and transient. For example, it is difficult to maintain long-term friendshipsadds Tiffen.
Finally, the return to reality can hit hard. Joana Boukhabza and Éric Bournot, 34 and 35 years old, trained architects who have traveled North and South America in a Volkswagen Combi since 2015, experienced this with the arrival of Covid in March 2020;We had to go to France urgently. We felt a little lost. Being on the go all the time makes you lose your bearingsdescribe.
“Try and find out” before doing so
And some people sometimes believe that everything is permissible.Municipalities in France no longer want recreational vehicles on the streets because “they paint» in the landscape. There have been abuses by many vanlifers who have gone so far as to use their chemical toilets in the wild. It hurt everyone“Kevin summarizes. This year, for example, the City of Anglet decided to ban the parking of converted vehicles from May 1st until the end of October at Costaldea, a spot popular with surfers and… “vanlifers.” In Biarritz, the municipality has gone further, imposing an official ban on parking on streets bordering the beaches from mid-April to the end of October. And Covid-19 did not help.We felt the limits of this way of life when the pandemic hit, where access to water was cut off almost everywhere in France. add to the architects, recalling their journey in France during this period.
To protect yourself from possible disappointments, it is necessary to prepare before leaving.It is important to take the time beforehand to learn and learn this way of life. Today there are many online forums and resources that save a lot of research time, Tiffen and Kevin argue. It is also necessary to think about certain administrative procedures, such as theft insurance for personal belongings, bank charges and being well informed about the laws on recreational vehicles abroad.– they warn.
Final advice from experienced “vanlifers” and aimed at newbies. rent a van or van already equipped for their first trips. “It’s better to go with the specialized rigs and pay a little more for the weekend than rush through time and resources in a car we’ll later resell in spite of ourselves.concludes Kevin. “By jumping into the bath, we also accept the rules of the gamecharacter to Eric and Joanna. “In our case, nothing prevents us from changing if it no longer suits us. As long as the desire and passion are there…”, they add almost in chorus. We’d almost like to get into it.
Source: Le Figaro
