2023-08-05 13:30:25
Van holidays: a trend that continues in the Alpes-Maritimes! A symbol of escape and freedom, following the health crisis, sales of fitted vans increased by 40% in France. In 2023, this curve is maintained. According to the leisure vehicle union (UNI VDL), despite a slight decrease linked to inflation, camper vans account for 58% of new RV sales year-to-date. The market is doing well on the Côte d’Azur.
The van, “a very pleasant feeling of freedom”
Garance and Chloé, two Parisians on vacation, are lucky enough to own a 5 m3 van that they fitted out with a simple box spring, a mattress, and storage. Initially, they were to go to Brittany, but they changed destination at the last minute because of bad weather. They gave themselves a week from Menton to Saint-Raphaël, aboard their van called “Charlie”.
“The advantage, as we hadn’t planned anything, is that thewe can do anything at the last minute. The campsites on the coast are full, so we will sleep inland. It’s a feeling of freedom which is very pleasant”, Garance explains.
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Another advantage according to the holidaymakers, it is practical: “Just open the doors and everything is already set up, there’s no need to set up the tent. Nothing is forgotten, since everything is in the Charlie van! It’s a secure and comfortable place.”
Here is the interior of the utility they have fitted out very simply with a box spring that can be stored away, a simple double bed. © Radio France – Sophie German
They also appreciate the moderate holiday budget. They are lucky to own a van. In total, their week therefore amounts to 900 euros for twofor nights in campsites, tolls, petrol, restaurants and meals… While having fun!
A developing market in the Alpes-Maritimes
If you do not have one, it is also possible to rent your fitted van ! A market that is doing well in the department. Illustration in Saint-Paul-de-Vence: regarding ten kilometers from Nice airport, in May, Jonathan Puccinelli set up his agency WeVan Nice . This is the 35th agency of this franchise in France, the first in the department.
Jonathan Puccinelli owns 10 vans, and plans to buy seven more by summer 2024. At least for this season, he has a lot of demands : “If I look until the end of August, we will have to make concessions, because it is almost full. It starts to fill up in September. We have to do it from May! There was a big boom following covid, and vanlife remains on a positive trend today”.
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Jonathan Puccinelli in front of one of his converted vans, with kitchen and shower © Radio France – Sophie Allemand
Freedom has a price. In high season, count around 1,000 euros per week to rent a van fitted out for four people, with kitchenette and shower, and 250 kilometers per day included. Prices decrease in low season. This is the price of freedom, for Jonathan Puccinelli: “It’s more expensive than a night in a tent, but cheaper than a mobile home or a hotel. You take your house where you want to stay, and you keep the comfort.”
In the Alpes Maritimes, we currently find three franchises specializing in van rentaldont WeVan.
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On 10/09/2021
Campervans are the big winners of the health crisis
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