On the road to a motorhome holiday this summer, you may have already come across one, or even several. Because for several years, the parking areas Motorhome Park flourish everywhere in 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 communities deal with this sometimes tricky questionthe company which presents itself as a leader in Europe advises them on modernize their municipal areas or campsites, which it then takes over the 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 campingwith the ecological considerations that may arise such as the management of waste or wastewater…”
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 motor home associations and clubs. But in some towns 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. »