It is the only area dedicated to motorhomes in the city, and it is appreciated by those concerned. Attached to the Bessac car park, close to the Sèvre Niortaise, the area can accommodate 16 motorhomes and offers users access to water, electricity and emptying of their waste water.
To stay the night, motorhome owners must pay 13 euros. “It’s reasonable”comment Dominique and Patricia, a couple from Royan (Charente-Maritime), camper van drivers for forty years. The couple set foot in Niort for the first time. “It’s not normal that we pay while the cars next door don’t payhowever, protests Dominique. Before, motorhomes could park anywhere. »
“A location in the city center is very rare”
For Colette and Jean-Jacques Aiguillon, motorhome drivers for fourteen years, it is also a first stopover in Niort, even though the couple is originally from Poitiers. They don't yet know if they will sleep there. “We are pleasantly surprised”declares Colette Aiguillon, at the entrance to her camper van, in the middle of preparing the meal. “A location in the city center is very rare”she supports. Poitevine also appreciates the layout of the area, sheltered, and its size. “Most of the time, we are packed like sardines”she testifies, referring to the south-east of France.
On the other side of the area, Philippe Buisson and Catherine Geoffret stop off in Niort on their way back from vacation in Châtelaillon-Plage, in Charente-Maritime, on their way to Seine-et-Marne. The couple planned to sleep two nights there. “We like the city of Niort”says Catherine Geoffret. Philippe Buisson describes the area as “clean and quiet”. Like many other motorhome owners, the couple bases their choice on the rating given to the area on the Internet by their peers.
€20,000 in annual revenue
Per year, the Niort motorhome area allows the City to receive €20,000 in occupancy revenue, which represents around 1,600 visits, with higher attendance in the summer period.
If it is not possible to enlarge the size of the air because it is located in a PPRI zone (flood risk prevention plan), the municipality is nevertheless considering optimizing its space to, for example, accommodate vans, less space consuming. “It’s an increasingly important clientele”indicates Stéphane Sylvain, director of regulation and urban attractiveness at the City of Niort.
The municipality is also considering installing a barrier and a payment terminal to avoid revenue evasion. A change that could potentially meet the demand of certain users. “Motorhome owners call us to ask to reserve a pitch, but this is not possible at the moment. A terminal could allow it »indicates Stéphane Sylvain.
Currently, it is the public road surveillance agents (ASVP), a municipal police service, who come to collect parking revenues at the start of the morning, but some motorhomes seem to leave before their passage.
