A few months ago, it was just an old pale yellow bus. In recent days and the crazy media coverage of its history, the jalopy dating from 1978 is one of the most famous vehicles in France. Unfortunately for its owners, it is not for its gleaming mechanics that the vehicle is known but for its multiple failures. Having left Loire-Atlantique for a tour of Europe which was to last at least a year, Cécile, Mathieu and their two children were not able to go very far and broke down after 80 kilometers. The fault lies with a broken-down bus which probably should never have undergone technical inspection or been sold.
Since August 12, 2024, the family has been stuck at a campervan area located in Pont-Réan, a few kilometers southwest of Rennes. After selling their house to afford this bus for 56,000 euros, the couple took legal action to cancel the sale and recover their money. In the meantime, she has been living for five months with her two dogs and three cats in this campervan area which was not really part of her original plans. Fortunately for them, the village is charming and the environment particularly wild.
“We just wanted to change our lives”
“The first step was to go to Finistère to see my cousin skydive. But we had to stop there,” says Cécile. The cousin jumped without waiting for them and many other events that the Loire-Atlantique family had to attend were held without her. However, the couple does not regret their choice. “Of course it was hard at the start, because it wasn’t what we had planned. But I put things into perspective. Everyone is in good health, we are living very well. We’re just broken down,” continues the mother, who continues to carry out her business of supporting entrepreneurs as best she can. “We’re not on vacation. We didn't sell our house and pack up everything to go on vacation. We just wanted to change our lives, take the time to travel to see all the people we never get to see.”
The couple admits that they live casually and don't worry too much about schedules. “We get up when we are awake. We go to bed when we are tired,” summarizes Nathan, the eldest by 12 years. With his brother Antoine, 9 years old, they follow the class given by their father Mathieu every day. After putting together a solid case, the couple obtained the right to home school with the help of the National Center for Distance Education (CNED). “I much prefer it to the school before. We still work, we have homework, evaluations,” assures Antoine. Enrolled in CM1, he admits that he missed his friend Sacha for a while but that he got used to it. What bothers him the most is having to sleep in a bed next to his brother's. “We bicker, but no more than before. »
-“I left at 7 a.m. and came back at 6 p.m.”
For the eldest Nathan, this new life in an old converted bus has big advantages and offers him freedom. Because since he entered 6th grade, he had to spend more than 50 minutes on the school bus every morning and every evening to go to college. “I left at 7 a.m. and came back at 6 p.m. At least here we are free. » What does he miss the most? “To ride. When there are nomads who come to the area, I always have trouble watching them leave. » But the two children assure that they are not bored. When English, maths or French lessons are over, they can play outside, do sports, go to the village library, walk on the banks of the neighboring Vilaine or play the console. Like most children.
The one who had the most difficulty getting used to was ultimately Mathieu. He who had a permanent contract in mass distribution finds himself a home teacher. And he loves it. “Frankly, it’s a pleasure, but it’s real work. » The dad admits, however, that he didn't sleep very well the first months on board the bus he went to pick up. “It’s hard to accept that, we tell ourselves that we were too naive. It was a scam. » He, like the whole family, is waiting for only one thing: for the sale to be canceled and for them to be able to fit out a new bus to finally hit the roads. “When things aren’t going well, sometimes I regret it a little. But when I see the freedom we have, I put things into perspective,” assures Mathieu.
“Haters” who criticize them
What has hurt them the most is the wave of hateful comments they have had to face since their affair became publicized. Beyond the haters who call them incapable, parents must above all face criticism of their children's education. “They are very happy with this trip, even if it does not go as planned. They are good students at school, they work well. What we just wanted was to show them something else. Make them learn Spanish by going to Spain. » The family even received a threatening letter, which the police take very seriously. “The stupidity of some people is beyond me,” Cécile concludes, before getting back on board the bus, slamming the old door firmly to keep out the cold.
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