Wondering what life on the road is like? Join Aude and her converted car!
Literally translated from the English expression « Vanlife », van life encompasses an entire universe: that of an alternative lifestyle whose watchword is freedom. Whether in a Volkswagen combi or a converted car, it doesn’t matter which model you use. Vanlife is above all a way of life, a state of mind. To be free to move around as you please, to sleep in a different place every night.
But what’s really behind this alternative lifestyle? Today, Generation Voyage presents Aude, who agreed to share her experience on the road with Wavy, her converted vehicle. Originally from the Paris region, this passionate young traveler shares her story with us. If you’d like to follow her adventures, click here!
Why did you decide to live a nomadic life in a converted vehicle?
Aude: » So, to start with, my passion for travel began at a very early age. I was lucky enough to be able to travel with my parents at a very early age. I went on my very first roadtrip with my family at the age of 6, driving all the way from France to Jordan « !
» Then, every year, we’d go on a big road trip with my parents, spending days on the road in roots mode , sleeping in campsites or even in tents… That was really the start of the adventure, all those years on the road that made me want to get into it all. »
How did your adventure begin?
A: » You could say that my adventure really began in 2018. For me, it was the year of travel. I went to Oman, Morocco andMauritius. Finally, there was the departure for my dream trip:Australia! A 6-month journey where I traveled with other people in every possible way: car, 4×4, tent, van … »
Photo credit: Aude
» I really got hooked on this way of life: being on the road, not really knowing what the next day will be made of, falling asleep and waking up in different places with landscapes each more beautiful than the next… And above all, sharing all this with other travelers! «
» When I returned to France, I knew I wanted to continue living this way. But something unexpected happened: covid appeared! In the end, I took advantage of the situation where I had to stay at home. I was planning to start my own business, and that takes time. A lot of time. So this was the perfect opportunity to stay focused on my project! «
« That’s when I saw a post on a Facebook group. »
« Once that special time had passed, the warm weather arrived and I asked myself: what should I do with my summer? Having family in Arcachon, the idea was to start the summer there. But that wasn’t enough. I wanted to move around, but I wasn’t sure how. «
» That’s when I saw a post on a Facebook group. Someone who was planning a roadtrip on the French west coast was looking for other people to join them on this adventure. And it just so happened that the roadtrip was due to start not far from Arcachon. Only, I didn’t have a van, but a station wagon. So I came up with the idea of converting the car, and that’s how Wavy was born!
What countries/places have you traveled to with your converted vehicle?
A: » When I came back from Australia, I had one thing in mind: to travel to Europe in a van! But as I explained, the ensuing health situation changed plans a little. That’s how I ended up going on a roadtrip with a group of people to the west coast of France, in the summer just after the first containment. On the road with Wavy, my very first converted vehicle! «
Photo credit: Aude
» Based on the surftrip concept, the trip began in Biscarrosse. Then we headed down to Messanges, Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains… We headed down the coast to the Basques and Saint-Jean-De-Luz. To finish, I went to the Pyrenees for a while.
What did you do before, what was your life like before?
A: » When I left for my trip to Australia, I had just graduated. I was doing a sandwich course in marketing, while continuing to travel in parallel during my vacations. So going to Australia was the real change, the trigger for a new life. «
And today, what do you do for a living?
A: « It was last May, just before leaving for the roadtrip, that I launched my project: to become a freelance working as a Community Manager. I wanted to find a job that would allow me to travel as much as I wanted while working. «
» Generally speaking, my job is to help brands (and more specifically organic and natural cosmetics brands) make more sales thanks to Instagram. After that, I offer two types of service. Either I manage my clients’ Instagram accounts myself from A to Z, or I teach them how to manage it themselves so that they can then be autonomous. «
« In short, it’s a full-time job, even while traveling! »
» When I first started out, I didn’t have many customers. In the end, this situation, which prevents us from traveling a little, enabled me to work a lot on my business. It’s a real business to run: you have to know how to manage the administrative aspects, how to sell and convince, learn all the communication techniques… »
» In the end, it’s a constant learning process to educate yourself on a daily basis. And that’s great because I love learning, reading, listening to podcasts… Although to be honest I thought it would be easier. «
» Finally today, I see a huge progression in my business. It didn’t take me too long to make a living from it, but nothing’s stable, you can get new customers or lose some from one month to the next. In short, it’s a full-time job, even when you’re traveling!
Is it easy to meet new people with this lifestyle?
A: » At first I was on my own, but in the end there are lots of people who travel this way. It’s a trend that’s growing more and more, so it’s not complicated to find other people to travel with. «
Photo credit: Aude
» Afterwards, I also met a lot of other travelers via Facebook groups. That’s how I found people to travel with in Australia, and it worked really well. Otherwise, you also meet people at the spots and parking lots. People arrive, others leave, we get to know each other, we even create links… «
What do you expect from the future – how do you see your immediate / more distant future?
A: « At the moment, I’m concentrating on my business. But then, I’m planning to invest in a real van and fit it out myself so I can travel around Europe. In the end, it’s not just the result of being able to travel and work in my van that’s important, but also the whole design phase of the project. Even if certain parts, such as insulation or electricity, seem complicated, I really like the ‘do it yourself’ aspect. «
» When the project progresses and I’m in a better position to travel, there are lots of places I’d like to visit. Whether it’s in Europe or even in France: I’d like to go back to the Pyrenees for example, travel in the mountains, go to Corsica… So I really need a well-appointed, well-thought-out little house on wheels: whether it’s for work or to cope with the different seasons. «
What’s your best memory and your biggest problem?
A: » During the roadtrip, we found a spot near a pond to spend the night. Except that the spot turned out to be silted up. With Wavy it was fine, but for those in the van with me it was more complicated. And then a huge camper van got stuck in the sand! We didn’t know who they were, but everyone came to their rescue, trying to loosen the sand as best they could. That’s when you realize that there’s a huge community out there, all pulling together! In the end, this little adventure turned out to be a great memory, bonds were forged and everyone ended up playing cards together in the evening in front of the lake. «
« And then… my gas stove catches fire! »
» On the same day, I had a problem with my power converter, so I couldn’t charge anything. Later that evening, I was making dinner and then… my gas stove caught fire! So I take the gas bottle out of the car, except that it’s forbidden and quite dangerous. To top it all off, we were woken up by the police the next morning! Luckily, we didn’t get fined and everything worked out. «
Photo credit: Aude
» For my best memory, it was at the same place but a different spot. We woke up to a magnificent sunrise over the lake. The colors were incredible, a magical moment I’ll never forget. After that, the Pyrenees made a big impression on me too. Waking up in the middle of the mountains is like waking up in a dream.
What advice would you give to those who want to live this way?
A: » The advice I’d give is to give it a try. There’s no point in buying a van right away, only to find out that it’s a lifestyle that doesn’t necessarily suit you. After that, it also depends on your life project. «
» If it’s just for weekend getaways or vacations, that‘s fine. But if you want to live there full-time, it’s really best to test-drive a vehicle before taking the plunge. This will also enable you to see which model suits you best, with which equipment… Plus today, you can find rental companies everywhere, so take advantage of it!«