You would like to know how to create a camper area for motorhome or campervan from around the world, but don’t know where to start? The CaraMaps team will help you to get a clearer picture before you embark on this project.
It’s all very well to be free to travel whenever and wherever you want in a motorhome or van… But you mustn’t forget that you also need to park! For this, travellers need places such as service areas (which can be found on CaraMaps).
Given the growth in itinerant tourism, more and more of these vehicles are finding their way onto our roads. It may therefore be worthwhile to think about setting up a motorhome camper area to meet this ever-increasing demand. So, are you ready? Let’s go, let’s discover together how to create a motorhome area.
A camper van park is a place dedicated to emptying the waste water of the recreational vehicle. In addition, it may have places to park and spend the night. This place can consist of – at least – :
🚍 A motorhome
A motorhome is a vehicle classified as M1 according to the European Directive 2001/116/EC which defines the classification of vehicles. Motorhomes are designed to carry passengers with a maximum of 8 seats in addition to the driver’s seat.
Thus, a motor home is defined as “a special purpose vehicle of category M1 designed to be used as a dwelling and whose living compartment includes at least the following equipment: seats and a table, bunks obtained by converting the seats, a kitchenette, storage space. These facilities must be non-removable. However, the table may be designed to be easily retractable.
Thus, the motorhome is both a vehicle, subject to the highway code (parking and traffic) and a house (accommodating people to live and sleep). There are several types of motorhomes depending on the number of travellers, comfort, needs, services … Even if everything is available in the vehicle, motorhomers need a quiet and safe place to manage their waste, take a break or sleep at night.
🚏 A services area
A camper service area is a place dedicated to emptying the waste water of the recreational vehicle. In addition, it may have places to park and spend the night. This place can consist of – at least – :
- a platform with a grid for emptying the water
- a tap to take clean water
In addition, the following services can also be added: electricity, waste containers, toilets, showers, Wi-Fi, laundry… for more comfort.
Don’t forget that these spaces are marked with a sign to indicate this type of infrastructure.
First steps in setting up a motorhome park
🙋🏻♀️ Step 1: Ask the right questions
Do you already have the idea of creating a motorhome park? Great, that’s great! But before you start, you need to be clear: the idea is not enough.
You need to ask yourself the right questions: tourist interest, location, available services, budget, …
🦺 Step 2: Have a suitable site
Motorhomers want to enjoy a quiet and safe place, well equipped, on a stabilised ground and with the necessary comfort. In an area, you need to provide a service tailored to the expectations of travellers who are looking for a unique and unforgettable experience.
The criteria for creating a motorhome park are:
- easy access (accessible entrance and large pitches)
- available space (type of ground, number of places, etc.)
- services offered (the more the better)
- tourist attractions (proximity to tourist sites, sea or mountain, nature)
☎️ Step 3: Contact your local council to create a motorhome park
First of all, you need to contact your local council to make sure that the POS (Plan d’Occupation des Sols) does not prohibit the creation of an area. In France, the regulations for the creation of a service area by a private individual limit the number of crews and pitches to six. In addition, you must request authorisation from the town hall and provide a plan with indications of connections (water, electricity, mains drainage).
Please note that before starting to create a service area, you must take into account the technical constraints linked to this project: installation of water, electricity, emptying, waste bins, etc.
👨🏻💻 Step 4: Make a plan and budget
To create a motorhome area, you need to have more or less a plan in mind so that you can do the design later. You also need to calculate your budget. Motorhome parks can be public or private initiatives.
In any case, the provision of motorhome parking spaces and minimum services (grey and black water drainage, water and electricity connection) would be around €5,000.
You can also read our other blog posts: “WELCOME MOTORHOMES ON YOUR LAND: WHAT ARE THE RULES?“
And don’t forget, experience your journey by motorhome, caravan or van with CaraMaps!