In Haute-Loire, the town of Chanteuges hosts the event Festi’Bus from Wednesday 8 to Sunday 12 May 2024. This is the largest gathering of coaches converted into motorhomes in France. The vehicles are grouped together at the La Gravière campsite where the organizers have planned games and festivities, catering and the presence of a craft market.
More than thirty coaches transformed into motorhomes made the trip: Renault Tracer, Renault FR1, Renault Iliade, Irisbus Ares, Irisbus Récréo, Fast Scoler 2, Van Hool T815… The models are very varied but have one thing in common: they make all maximum 12 meters, the maximum length for vehicles of the VASP type (specialized self-propelled vehicle) and CARAVAN bodywork, their new approval.
The participant Groot on the move!!! filmed the gathering with a drone and posted the video on YouTube. The different models present at Festi’Bus can be seen in the images.
The conversion of old coaches into campervans has been around for decades, but this phenomenon seems to have gained momentum after the Covid period.
An online community has been created with the “Bus & Cars Aménagés VASP” discussion group on Facebook and the “tout-en-car” forum. The most experienced give advice and share their know-how with those who are just starting out in the adventure. Some coach models are easier to fit out than others.
Between the acquisition of the vehicle, its transformation then obtaining the new approval, the road is long and strewn with pitfalls: mechanical problems, difficulty in storage, complex administrative procedures… but on arrival, the participants share their satisfaction to have a unique vehicle, with extraordinary dimensions and completely tailor-made. The most adventurous even cross borders at the wheel of their XXL camper van.
