2026 Vanlife Festivals & Events Calendar in France

Why Attend a Vanlife Festival in 2026

Vanlife trade shows and festivals offer much more than a simple vehicle exhibition. They are meeting spaces where the community gathers to share experiences, advice, and passion for travel.

These events allow you to test equipment in real conditions, meet manufacturers directly, and discover conversion solutions adapted to your budget and needs.

Concrete advantages:

• Compare van models and rooftop tents in person
• Get advice from experts and experienced travelers
• Discover the latest innovations in nomadic equipment
• Take advantage of special offers and trade show prices
• Join a community of enthusiasts

Complete 2026 Calendar: France and Europe

Essential Events in Detail

Vanlife Expo (Rennes, Grenoble, Bordeaux)

Vanlife Expo establishes itself as the reference trade show for discovering the entire vanlife ecosystem in France. Three editions in 2026 reach different regions and communities.

🌐 vanlife-expo.com

What you'll find:

• Professional manufacturers and converters
• Rooftop tents and nomadic equipment
• Practical conversion workshops
• Food trucks and family activities

Why attend: Accessible, well-organized, and perfect for beginners who want to compare multiple options in one day.

RTT Festival (Lac de Madine)

The only festival entirely dedicated to rooftop tents in Europe. An authentic atmosphere by the lake, with bivouacs, specialized exhibitors, traveler conferences, and evening concerts.

🌐 rttfestival.com

What you'll find:

• All rooftop tent brands (James Baroud, iKamper, Overcamp, Autohome)
• Installation and optimization workshops
• Experienced travelers sharing their road trips
• European rooftop tent community

Why attend: The reference event for all rooftop tent travelers. The Roofwander team will be present to connect with you.

Camper Van Week-End (Angers, Chantilly)

The pioneer of vanlife festivals in France. Launched several years ago, it remains a reference for its festive atmosphere, giant bivouacs, and music program.

What you'll find:

• Used and new vehicles
• Independent creators and artisans
• Concerts and DJ sets
• Children's activities

Why attend: For the atmosphere! It's the most festive vanlife festival, where people come as much for meetings as for equipment.

Salon Véhicule Aventure (SVA)

With four stages in 2026, SVA targets overlanding enthusiasts and long-distance travelers. Less mainstream than Vanlife Expo, it focuses on robust equipment and expedition vehicles.

What you'll find:

• 4x4 and off-road vehicles
• Technical equipment (winches, suspensions, communication)
• Long-distance travelers and conferences
• Vehicle preparation for Africa, Asia, South America

Why attend: If you're preparing a multi-month journey or looking for proven equipment, this is the ideal place.

Breizh Vanlife Festival (Saint-Malo)

The Breton festival facing the sea. Less commercial, more intimate, it highlights nomadic creators, musicians, and artisans who have chosen the road as a way of life.

What you'll find:

• Privately converted vans
• Nomadic artisans and creators
• Concerts and cultural activities
• Immediate proximity to the sea

Why attend: For the spirit. If you seek authenticity and inspiration rather than catalogs and promotions, this is your event.

Practical Tips to Make the Most of It

Book Your Accommodation Early

Campgrounds and parking areas around festivals fill up quickly. Plan your reservations ahead, especially for events from May to September.

Plan Your Priorities

Major shows like SVA or Vanlife Expo feature dozens of exhibitors. Check the program in advance and note the booths or conferences you don't want to miss.

Arrive Early, Stay Late

Early hours are ideal for talking with exhibitors without crowds. Evenings and bivouacs allow you to meet the community in a relaxed atmosphere.

Bring Note-Taking Materials

Models, prices, contacts, technical references: you'll encounter lots of useful information. A notebook or phone note app will prevent you from forgetting everything.

Beyond Borders: European Events to Follow

Adventure Overland Show (United Kingdom)

Dates: May 16-18, 2026
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon

The largest overlanding show in the UK. Expedition vehicles, rooftop tents, technical equipment, and international traveler conferences.

Abenteuer & Allrad (Germany)

Dates: June 12-14, 2026
Location: Bad Kissingen

The German meeting point for 4x4 adventure and vanlife. Over 600 exhibitors, off-road demonstrations, and European community presence.

Overland Expo Europe (Belgium)

Dates: September 4-6, 2026
Location: To be confirmed

A global reference settling in Europe. International travelers, technical equipment, and practical workshops to prepare long-duration expeditions.

How Roofwander Fits into the Vanlife Ecosystem

Roofwander is more than a rental platform. We're also present on the ground, at festivals and trade shows, to meet our community.

Our commitment:

• Active presence at key events (Vanlife Expo Rennes, RTT Festival)
• Advice on renting and buying rooftop tents
• Connection between owners and renters
• Sharing experiences and inspiring road trips

If you see our booth, come chat! Whether you're an owner or future renter, we'd love to connect with you.

Events by Theme

For Beginners (First Steps)

• Vanlife Expo (all editions)
• En Van Simone
• Provence Van Week-End

For Rooftop Tent Enthusiasts

• RTT Festival (essential)
• Vanlife Expo (complete range)
• Salon du Tout-Terrain Valloire

For Adventure and Expedition

• SVA (all stages)
• Salon du Tout-Terrain Valloire
• Adventure Overland Show (UK)

For Atmosphere and Community

• Camper Van Week-End
• Vanlifest
• Breizh Vanlife Festival

Prepare Your Visit: Checklist

Before Departure:

• Buy your tickets online (reduced rates)
• Check the show plan and exhibitor list
• Note the conferences or workshops that interest you
• Book your accommodation if coming from far away

On Site:

• Arrive early to avoid crowds
• Take photos and notes on models that interest you
• Ask technical questions to exhibitors
• Connect with other visitors and travelers
• Collect catalogs and business cards

After the Event:

• Compare collected information
• Contact exhibitors for specific requests
• Share your experience on social media
• Plan your next purchase or rental

2026 News and Trends

Van Electrification

Electric and hybrid vans are gaining ground. Several manufacturers will present their 2026 models with improved range and integrated solar systems.

Hybrid Rooftop Tents

Hard shell with soft shell extensions continue to develop, offering setup speed and optimized space.

Modular Conversions

Quick and removable conversion solutions to transform a utility vehicle into a travel van for weekends, then return to professional use during the week.

Community and Digital

Meeting apps for vanlifers, peer-to-peer rental platforms like Roofwander, and collaborative route planning tools.

Free vs Paid Events

Paid events generally offer more content, entertainment, and services, but free or donation-based festivals often maintain appreciated authenticity and proximity.

Participating with Your Rooftop Tent

You own a rooftop tent and want to participate in a festival? Here's what you need to know.

Organized Bivouacs

Most festivals offer bivouac spaces where you can set up your rooftop tent. Reservation required for some events.

Showcasing Your Setup

Some festivals organize competitions or exhibitions of privately converted vehicles. A great opportunity to share your project.

Meetings and Exchanges

Evenings around the fire are the privileged moment to exchange itineraries, conversion tips, and good bivouac addresses.

Equipment to Bring

• Camping chairs and table
• Autonomous lighting
• Stove and cooking utensils
• Clothing suitable for cool evenings
• Business card or contact to stay connected

Where to Find More Information

Official Event Websites

Each show has its website with detailed program, rates, and access plan. Check them 2-3 weeks before the event for updates.

Social Media and Groups

Facebook and Instagram communities regularly share announcements, photos, and feedback. Follow hashtags #vanlife #vanlifefrance #rooftoptent to stay informed.

Specialized Newsletters

Subscribe to organizers' newsletters to receive 2027 dates in advance and benefit from preferential rates.

Summary

The 2026 vanlife festivals and trade shows calendar in Europe offers exceptional diversity of events adapted to all profiles, from curious beginners to experienced travelers. From the intimate atmosphere of Breizh Vanlife Festival to the scale of Salon Véhicule Aventure, each gathering brings its specificity and allows discovering innovations, meetings, and inspirations for your next adventure. Participating in these events allows not only testing equipment in real conditions, but especially joining a passionate community that shares values of freedom, environmental respect, and authenticity. Roofwander will be present at several of these events to continue connecting owners and travelers, and promoting an accessible and collaborative approach to rooftop tent travel.