Partir à l'aventure cet été avec Bivouacs

SET OFF ON AN ADVENTURE
This summer

Yes, it’s here… The beautiful days, the warmth, and summer are approaching, bringing with them the desire to travel and explore new places. Who doesn’t dream of jumping into a car or a train and finding themselves somewhere else for a few days? So we thought it was the perfect time to help you turn these desires into reality.

How to Embark on an Adventure This Summer?

You have several options to consider! Prefer to travel light? No problem—just grab a car, a rooftop tent, or a ground tent, and you’re good to go. You can take inspiration from Amélie, an Instagram influencer who spends her summer traveling in a rooftop tent while testing different models. It quickly becomes clear that a rooftop tent is a great way to travel light in terms of gear.

For the more adventurous types, consider traveling by bike or hiking. Your distances may be shorter, but the experience of time and travel is definitely worth it. Plus, you’ll have the option to pitch a tent or stay in a guesthouse. Either way, you’ll find yourself fully immersed in slow travel and that disconnection from time that we often talk about.

On the other end of the spectrum, there’s the “more comfortable” option, relatively speaking. This is, of course, the van or a converted vehicle. Let’s not forget that a small van and its leisure space will do just fine. In short, to embark on a nomadic adventure, it’s essential to first choose your mode of transportation.

Comment partir à l'aventure cet été avec Bivouacs ?

Where to Go in a Van for Your Summer Adventure?

Once you’ve chosen your mode of transportation, the big question is… What route to take? It may seem like a simple question, but it’s not that straightforward. There are places where vehicles like vans are prohibited due to regulations that can be complex and, more importantly, change from one city to another. There are also areas that don’t allow pets, which can quickly lead you to end up in a parking lot or a hidden campsite. Before you know it, you could face headaches, arguments, frustration, and bad situations. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find a seaside spot without breaking the law.

There are also beautiful areas in the Pyrenees, in the Alps near Annecy, or in the Ardennes. For those willing to venture a bit further, central Portugal—less known than the coast—is a still very pristine place, immersed in nature.

In short, choosing a destination isn’t always obvious, but we have a few suggestions for you. You know us well enough by now; we enjoy discussing less crowded, wilder places that provide a change of scenery without traveling too far. The kind of spots that make us say, “Wow, it’s so beautiful here,” even after just a hundred kilometers. And since we explore various regions to find our favorite spots, the Bivouacs team has a few places to recommend.

For example, in Brittany, near the Pointe de Primel and along the coast of the customs path. A bit further north, in Normandy, you can explore the area around Saint-Valéry-en-Caux and Veules-les-Roses, which offers some stunning coastal hikes and visits to picturesque villages.

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Où partir à l'aventure cet été ?

What to Do During Your Van Trip?

Of course, the key word is to enjoy. Enjoy the time, the elements (whether it’s the sea, the mountains, or the countryside), and the activities that excite you.

You can also include time to meet people or discover local crafts that may be along your route. Sometimes, all it takes is to pass through a village and stumble upon a potter or a ceramist’s workshop, or to follow a coastal path and meet a fisherman who offers to show you his boat. You might even let yourself get carried away on a hiking trail for a day.

The possibilities are numerous, but you need to allow time to seize these opportunities. Van life, in its broadest sense, has a flexibility that is very positive. In the end, you might stay two nights instead of just one in the same spot, or conversely, you might drive further to see that little point you spotted earlier on the map. That’s why it often equates to freedom. However, based on our experience, we’ve learned that this kind of freedom requires a bit of preparation.

Quoi faire pendant votre aventure de cet été ?

In Practice, You Will Need…

Pour vous décider : un nombre de nuit, une région, un mode de locomotion c’est déjà pas mal. Vous pouvez organiser tout seul votre voyage nomade où choisir des circuits suggérés par l’équipe Bivouacs.

Pendant le voyage, un oreiller, quelques ustensiles pratiques, une gourde et un peu de nourriture sèche pour avoir une base de repas. Sans oublier des lingettes (on ne le répète jamais assez )

Tiens d’ailleurs, autre astuce utile : emportez une housse d’oreiller zippĂ©e qui sert Ă  la fois de rangement pour des vĂŞtements, ou sa doudoune par exemple (oui les nuits peuvent ĂŞtre fraĂ®ches en fonction des endroits !) et d’oreiller. Comme ça, pas besoin de prendre beaucoup de coussins pour ĂŞtre quand mĂŞme confortable. Et hors de la vie nomade elle servira aussi toujours, ne serait-ce que pour ranger des chaussures par exemple. On a adorĂ© cette astuce quand on l’a dĂ©couverte. 

En pratique, vous aurez besoin quoi pour partir cet été ?

Here are all our little tips for setting off this summer while being mindful of your carbon footprint and impact on the planet. At a time when toxic fumes fill the air in New York, Siberia is experiencing its hottest heat wave on record, and Canadian forests are burning, it feels essential to consider what we can do on our scale while enjoying extraordinary vacations.

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