• Motorhome Park areas have been popping up all over France for a few years.

  • The company, which achieved 10 million euros in turnover in 2021, offers local authorities the management of their municipal areas or campsites.

On the road to a motorhome holiday this summer, you may have already come across one, or even several.

Because for several years, Camping-car Park parking areas have been springing up all over France.

Lamalou-les-Bains, La Baule, Saint-Martin d'Ardèche… Just leaf through the local press to realize that not two weeks go by without a new area of ​​this type being inaugurated.

“From 35, we have gone to 400 areas, and we are opening two in Belgium this summer, welcomes Olivier Coudrette, the general manager of the company created in 2011 in Pornic (Loire-Atlantique).

This is the equivalent of 12,000 locations.

»

While these leisure vehicles are wildly successful and even more so since the health crisis (there are more than 2.5 million circulating in Europe), the founders of Camping-car Park, who today employ 85 people, had anticipated the problems of parking and more generally of cohabitation which would quickly arise.

To help local authorities deal with this sometimes thorny issue, the company which presents itself as a leader in Europe advises them on modernizing their municipal areas or campsites, which it then takes over management.

“We saved and made profitable a number of sites which were a financial pit for the municipalities, assures Olivier Coudrette.

We also needed an alternative to wild camping,

Secure but more standardized areas

For a third of the receipts, the subcontractor takes care of everything, from planning occupation to payment, including the supply of water, electricity or WiFi.

Thanks to an app, their 550,000 users can locate a network area, read reviews and consult prices (from 10 to 12 euros per night on average), and even reserve their pitch in advance.

Arrival is then made at any time of the day or night thanks to a badge which activates the barrier.

“If there is a problem, we have a call center that responds in nine languages, adds Olivier Coudrette.

Communities realize that hosting is better when it's safe, comfortable and clean.

Having tourists who consume locally is also very beneficial for traders.

»

But the company, which has a turnover of 10 million euros and will soon open up to Spain, Germany and Portugal, is not only convinced.

Because these areas, more standardized, do not fit with the state of mind claimed by some travellers.

“Our philosophy is freedom, says Christian Millot, vice-president of the French Federation of Motorhome Associations and Clubs

.

But in some municipalities now, you have to buy a card, because it's Camping-car Park or nothing!

According to the representative, some municipalities would have taken advantage of having signed a contract with the company to prohibit the parking of motorhomes elsewhere than on the site.

“Me, I call it parking, continues Christian Millot.

We must of course respect others, but without constraining ourselves.

»

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