Where to sleep in a motorhome? There's more to life than campsites
The motorhome is freedom. The ultimate vehicle for going where you want, when you want. But before you set off, there's an important point to consider: where to sleep? Although many towns and villages now have motorhome parks, they're not necessarily the ideal place to quench your thirst for nature and wide-open spaces. Despite the practicality and usefulness of the campsite, many alternatives exist. This article gives you an overview.
Motorhome parks. One night and off you go!
Motorhome parks are practical. You can empty your camper, fill up with water and hook up to electricity. "Even if you're often packed in like sardines, you can still meet some great people," sums up Claude Kervot. For him and his wife Claudine, the rest areas are often a convenient way to make a quick stopover. Whether you're arriving late or leaving early, they remain a good option for a safe stopover on the go when you're traveling long distances.
Campsites. Ideal for first steps
The first outings and nights in a motorhome can be stressful. Fear of not parking in the right place, of damaging your vehicle, of being disturbed in the middle of the night... It's good to take your first steps surrounded by people when you're new to motorhoming. In fact, many motorhome owners advise you not to sleep alone for the first few nights. Camping makes this possible. As well as being reassuring, it's also a good way to talk to other motorhome owners when you're just starting out, and benefit from their advice and experience.
Camping also means comfort: water, 220 V electricity. Everything is available on site, with a space all to yourself. For Josiane, a young retired woman from the Costa Brava region, who travels alone with her grandchildren for weekends or vacations, it's ideal. "The children make new friends, and I get to meet other people. It's an extra cost, but it's peace of mind for me," she says.
The France Passion network
Particularly popular with motorhome owners, the France Passion network offers overnight stays on farms. How does it work? An annual membership fee of 33 euros, which gives access to a mobile app and a paper guide. The tools list more than 2,000 farms throughout France, offering a piece of land to accommodate motorhome guests free of charge. In exchange for a night's accommodation, travelers can buy a few farm products. For Lénaïg Maréchal, a camper from Lot-et-Garonne, "it's doubly practical. You spend the night in a natural setting, and discover the local food and produce". (See also our article on cooking in motorhomes)
The same goes for Claude and Claudine Kervot. For them, France Passion means meeting people. "Sometimes, people don't have a product to sell. We always have cider and Breton galettes in the camper van. It's our gift to them," smiles the Breton couple. For them, this network also has another benefit. "By talking to the locals, they recommend walks and visits off the beaten track. We get off the beaten tourist track and discover places that aren't in any guidebook. And that's something we haven't found anywhere else. The Accueil Paysan network is not exclusively dedicated to motorhomes, but also brings together farmers who offer on-farm accommodation.
The applications. Park 4 Night, but not only....
The queen of motorhome and vanlifter apps, Park4night lists numerous places to spend the night. The app, which offers both a free and a paid version, is collaborative, meaning that users share their spots. You'll find everything from rest areas and parking lots to nature spots... Before you go to one of the listed spots, make sure you can stay there in your motorhome. "We look a lot at the comments before making our choice. We look for places from which we can do everything on foot or by bike: shopping, beaches, walks..." explains Lénaïg Maréchal, who travels with her husband, 2 of their 3 children, and their two dogs. They always make sure they comply with local regulations before setting down anywhere.
Lenaïg also uses the Camping-car Park application, which lists sites and campsites in France. She admits that there are some good ones, and some not so good. "There are several really nice spots, with all the amenities, where you can easily return. We often look for places where we're not too cramped... And if you look hard enough, you'll find what you're looking for. Other applications include Homecampers, which lets you camp with local people, and Camper contact. Numerous Facebook groups are also available for sharing tips with other campers (see below).
Sharing your corners... or not?
Among the criticisms levelled at applications such as Park4Night, we often cite the overcrowding of sites once known only to a handful of insiders. Some share their corners of paradise, others don't. Lénaïg does, but only by word of mouth. Claude and Claudine did, but stopped. "We had a great spot in North Finistère. We told people about it... Today, it's no longer open to motorhomes. When we find nice spots, we keep them to ourselves now", admits the Breton couple.
All agree on one thing: the importance of respecting regulations and the places they frequent, whatever they may be. "It's silly to say it, but we avoid unpacking everything when we arrive in an unfamiliar place. You don't leave anything lying around and you pick up your garbage," remarks the motor-home driver from Lot-et-Garonne.
Whether for one night or a longer stay, there are many ways to experience freedom in a motorhome. You need to experiment to find the formula that suits you best.
