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The converted van

An unusual weekend in Seine-Eure!
2021 12 Photo campaign Seine Eure Sly (145)2021 12 Photo campaign Seine Eure Sly (145)
©2021 12 Photo campaign Seine Eure Sly (145)

Looking for an unusual weekend with your partner, friends or family? Looking for freedom, nature and peace and quiet? Take off for a weekend in a converted van in Seine-Eure!

The advantages of

Hiring a converted van

For an unusual weekend!
It’s just like a car!

No need for a HGV licence, the converted van is considered a car in the eyes of the law, and can therefore be parked as such. As a general rule, you can leave and travel with up to 4 people!

Freedom!

Vanlife is all about freedom. No geographical constraints, you go and sleep where you want (as long as parking isn’t dangerous, inconvenient or abusive, of course). There are no time constraints either: if you like a spot, you can spend the whole day there. The van is the ideal accommodation for making the most of your stay!

Unique memories!

Leaving room for improvisation is part of the converted van trip, and for that, you don’t need to go far! Even in familiar territory, it’s very exciting to look for a place to bivouac, in the wild or on a secluded parking spot. You’ll come home with plenty of anecdotes to tell!

The chance to meet new people!

When you go away for the weekend with a converted van, there’s a good chance you’ll come across people at certain spots who share the same thirst for adventure as you. It’s the ideal opportunity to exchange good tips, and why not create links!

Some places where

stop in a converted van

in Seine-Eure

1. Sleeping by the water

Let’s start with what makes Seine-Eure so charming: water. Here you have the choice, with several lakes and rivers on offer in addition to the magnificent Normandy banks of the Seine.

Our suggestion: make a stopover at Poses, between the Seine and the grand lac des deux amants. You can either park near the locks and enjoy the banks of the Seine, or head to the leisure park to take advantage of the camping area and all its comforts (sanitary facilities, access to clean water, etc.).

Another very pleasant riverside spot is the lac d’Acquigny. Its small car park on the banks and picnic area will make it a perfect spot for a short morning walk!

2. Sleeping in the countryside

Take advantage of your road trip to explore the small villages and natural landscapes of Seine-Eure!

Let’s talk aboutVaudreuil, for example. After a stroll around the village, take a stroll along the banks of the Eure or enjoy the nearby wetland of Les Pâtures: a 50-hectare protected area, 10 of which you can walk around and relax in the heart of nature.

For a purely Norman environment and a change of scenery in the countryside, ask your smartphone, GPS or road map for the diehards to take you to Clef-Vallée-d ‘Eure. This 3-word commune made up of 3 communes features a few curiosities such as the old mill that was once the residence of Marcel Pagnol.

And to spend an evening in nature with all the necessary comforts, we suggest: Le clos du Buisson, a guest house with a huge garden in which you will be allowed to park with your van. You’ll be close to a wood and you’ll hear the birds singing in “featuring” with the frogs in the little pond. Time to get out your guitar!

3. Discovering our heritage

Let’s start with Gaillon! A town of medieval remains beautifully overlooked by the magnificent château Renaissance. Enough to film an episode of “Des Racines et des Ailes”… How? Well, we’ve just learned that it’s already been done… Not surprising given the history of the place. (The episode is entitled “En remontant la seine”.)

Another place steeped in history that’s a must-visit: Pont de l’Arche. Small medieval town on the banks of the river. We invite you to stroll through its Norman houses and the remains of fortifications from the Medieval Age. Don’t forget to try out the free app: Medieval Arch Bridge. Head to a partner shop to pick up your virtual reality headset and see the town as it was centuries ago through a little investigation to be carried out on your smartphone!

Big plus: these two towns each have dedicated facilities with everything you need to refuel your van and sleep there if you wish, and host two of the biggest markets in the area to do your shopping and so cook and taste local produce in the kitchen of your house on wheels.

For Gaillon it’s on Tuesday mornings, and for Pont de l’Arche it’s on Sunday mornings. Fans of local customs will be delighted to hear the proud oral heritage of our region based on “Boujoux” and “A tantôt”…

2 stops not to be missed!

3 places to

Refuelling in Seine-Eure

with his converted van

You’ll need to stock up on water for the kitchen and/or bathroom, available in some converted vans, and empty the waste water from time to time. To do this, you can take advantage of the motorhome parks and service areas. In the Seine-Eure region, there’s a free service area at Gaillon and two campsites with motorhome areas: