Former Lorry Driver Makes His Fiat Ducato a Permanent Home

After a career spent criss-crossing Europe, a former lorry driver has made his converted vehicle his permanent home.

In Lescure-Jaoul, Aveyron, the 69-year-old speaks plainly about his day-to-day life away from conventional housing. This is neither a temporary break nor an extended trip. He has lived on the road for almost two decades, building routines, meeting people and managing his money in a way that protects his independence.

A settled life had become unthinkable

Before retiring, this former transport worker spent forty-two years driving on Europe's major routes. His weeks followed the familiar pattern of a lorry driver: leaving on Sunday evening, returning on Saturday, then collecting another load and setting off again.

He travelled through numerous countries for several employers, carrying every kind of freight. That way of life profoundly shaped how he viewed time and space. Once he stopped working, the idea of staying alone in his Villeneuve-sur-Lot flat felt impossible.

After four decades living to the rhythm of journeys, he could not imagine spending his days sitting in front of the television.

His previous career also affected his marriage. After thirty-five years together, the repeated absences eventually weakened the relationship. However, he says he remains on good terms with his former wife. The family still gets together regularly, particularly with their four children.

He does not describe his decision to stay mobile as an escape. Instead, it is a natural continuation of the life of a man accustomed to departures, unexpected stops and conversations with strangers.

A €2,000 pension, with limited fixed costs

The former lorry driver receives around €2,000 each month. He says this allows him to enjoy his daily life because living in a vehicle removes some major expenses. There is no rent to pay, no electricity bill associated with a large home, and no local residence tax on a flat occupied throughout the year.

His budget still has several unavoidable demands: fuel, insurance, mechanical servicing, roadworthiness testing, water, gas, food and repairs. He keeps roughly €3,000 in reserve in case of a serious breakdown. This is a necessary safeguard, as work on the engine, brakes or interior fittings of an old or heavily used vehicle can quickly cost hundreds or even thousands of euros.

Costs that do not disappear

Living in a converted van does not mean living without expenses. The actual cost depends heavily on mileage, the type of place used for overnight stops and the desired level of comfort.

• Fuel is often the largest expense for people who drive frequently.
• Maintenance needs planning ahead: tyres, oil changes, the battery, heating and waterproofing all require regular checks.
• Fresh water and waste-water disposal mean locating suitable service areas.
• Insurance for the vehicle and its contents remains essential.
• Restaurant meals, leisure activities and travel can all put pressure on the budget.

In his case, restraint does not appear to be an absolute rule. He enjoys going to restaurants, dancing, playing boules and attending motor rallies. These outings are even one of the driving forces behind his lifestyle.

Meetings along the way

Loneliness, often linked with an itinerant life, is not what stands out to him. On the contrary, he says he talks every day with local residents, travellers and other regular users of stopover areas. Some conversations last only a few minutes, while others develop into lasting friendships.

He now mainly travels around France. Having covered a great deal of foreign territory during his career, he prefers to take his time in the regions he visits. Pétanque competitions, motoring gatherings and local festivals all give him opportunities to stop without following a fixed itinerary.

His vehicle is not merely a roof over his head: it is also a way of choosing his days, his encounters and the places where he stops.

He travels with Shalima, his female dog. She keeps him company and also warns him when an unfamiliar presence approaches the vehicle at night. For many solo travellers, a dog provides a daily point of reference, but it also means adapting outings, periods of intense heat and the places they are allowed to visit.

A Fiat Ducato decorated to stand out

His home on wheels is a Fiat Ducato bought before he stopped working. He customised it with Tintin-inspired artwork, following a suggestion from his daughter. She felt that the adventures of the famous reporter matched his strong taste for setting off and ever-changing horizons.

The illustrations on the bodywork draw attention whenever he stops. They also make conversation easier: a visual detail is often enough to start a first exchange with curious onlookers or fellow travellers.

Free parking does not remove the rules

The former lorry driver says he favours free places to stop and avoids paid car parks. However, this approach requires a clear distinction between permitted parking and prohibited camping. In France, a municipality may regulate or ban overnight parking by converted vehicles, especially near the coast, in protected natural areas or in certain car parks.

Using levelling blocks, putting out chairs, extending an awning or taking up several spaces can turn a simple stop into an installation treated as camping. It is best to check signs at the entrance to towns and villages, comply with local by-laws and use designated waste-disposal areas.

After almost twenty years on the road, this former driver has no intention of returning to life within four walls. He says that even a new relationship would not be enough to make him give up this mobile existence. His choice relies on a personal balance: keeping fixed costs down, maintaining a financial reserve and retaining the freedom to leave again each morning.