Brittany town takes harder line on campervan parking

The Brittany town of Saint-Malo has barred campervans from a popular seaview car park at night after locals complained of inconsiderate behaviour.

The decision was made official by arrêté municipal (local bylaw) as of Sunday (July 30). No vehicles at all are now allowed from 23:00 to 6:00, though the law indirectly targets campervans that have been parking there at night.

The Davier car park is the closest parking area to the sea – just 25m away – and it has an outstanding view.

It has 25 spaces designed for campervans, but the mairie says they were originally only intended for daytime use.

It had advised campervan users to use the nearby 920-place Paul Féval car park for nights, but campervanners have continued to use the Davier park for several years to enjoy the views.

The mairie took action after complaints and meetings with De Rothéneuf à Rochebonne, demain, a local association concerned with planning issues.

“We are not waging a war against campervans. We are simply implementing the law,” its president Jacques Macé told The Connexion.

The association brought pictures to mairie to allege issues of general dirtiness and rubbish once campers had left the area. They say this prompted officials to take action.

“It has been the utmost nonsense since 2021,” Mr Macé said.

Fédération Française des campeurs, caravaniers et camping-caristes, which represents campervan owners in France was unable to comment for this article by our publication deadlines.

Around 30 campervan users have already been handed €35 fines, according to France Info.

“This bylaw is meant to preserve calm and tranquillity in a residential neighbourhood,” said Guillaume Perrin, Saint-Malo’s deputy mayor, citing noise pollution and hygiene as reasons behind the decision.

“It is not targeted toward specific owners but aims at all types of vehicles,” he added, denying suggestions of discriminatory practices against campervan owners.

Similar measures in other towns

Saint-Malo is not the first town to take action against campervan owners.

A number of towns, especially around the Mediterranean and on the south-west coast, have been banning campervans from parking in areas prized by tourists in the summer.

Some have resorted to installing low bars at car park entrances aimed at stopping them entering.

Hervé Gautier, a director at caravan and campervan makers’ representatives Uni VDL, told The Connexion in a previous article: “This is an abusive practice which we are fighting. They are only allowed to put up barriers when there is a danger, such as a tunnel or bridge. Vans and camping cars have the right to access any parking area for cars.”

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