Yes, as everyone has said, it's generally fine to do this, you can always use the excuse of being too tired to keep driving safely if you need to. I did it for the summer out of an old Citroen 2CV van, but not every night because I got hot sweaty and tired once I'd headed south. Ok baby wipes are fine for a day or two, but you can't beat a shower. In France a lot of the larger services have shower facilities, but they're usually on the autoroutes (which you'll pay to use) so it could well end up cheaper to stay in Campings Municipales for a few euros a night.

If I were doing it again, and were as young and flexible as I used to be I'd be sorely tempted to get hold of an old Bedford Rascal/Daihatsu Hi-Jet/Suzuki Super-Carry/Piaggio Porter (same can, many badges) and fit the back out as a simple camper.



They are so small, and anonymous looking, and found all over the world, that i reckon you could park one anywhere over night and no-one would notice. At one point in their many badged lifetime there was even a 4x4 model, for when the best place to camp is up that forest track. Sure it'll never be fast, but I reckon it could be fun.

Biking of course could be cheaper, but only if you've got a license, without one you'll add hundreds of pounds on to the cost in test fees before you've even started.

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