A retired man has discovered a new business that allows him to win 5,200 euros extra only using the space of his garden, which has transformed into a campsite that now makes him enjoy his retirement with something profitable. He discovered it in 2021, through the HomeCamper platform, which he attended as former owner of a motorhome. After selling his vehicle, he decided to open his garden to the travelers and now he wins a few of thousands of euros a year, as he collects an interview in Figaro.
Alain Cheveu, 74, decided to transform the garden of his house into Trébeurden, in the Côtes-D’Armor (France) region, into a campsite for anyone who wants to spend the night. “I receive the campers at my house, in a quiet corner of Brittany, with a pool, fully equipped kitchen and Petanca track,” says the protagonist.
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It has a 3,800 square meters garden
This retiree, who worked as a sales manager before retiring, does not waste time. He lives with his wife in a house of 200 square meters, surrounded by a huge landscape garden of 3,800 square meters, and receives about 100 reserves a year in their field. All this in an idyllic environment, to the stone’s shot of the GR34 and the coast of granite pink, which attracts tourists from all over France, but also from Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and even the United States.
“We have heated pool, a wide garden without vis-à-vis … and even horses in the neighboring field. It is very relaxing, people love it”
After discovering in 2021 the HomeCamper platform, which would give light to its own project, in 2022 finally risked to become host. Since then, he has offered between 6 and 8 plots in his garden, hosting to a dozen campers at the same time, mainly couples and families. The reserves reach rapids throughout the year, with a peak of activity between July 15 and August 15. The large amount of work that this retiree keeps all year old who was not ready to stop working.
When you enter Alain’s microcamping, you see that everything is intended for visitors to feel comfortable in the field. There are exterior bathrooms, solar shower, access to a summer kitchen equipped with induction plates, refrigerators and dishes, in addition to the pool, sun loungers and the Petanca track.
“People feel at home. Some come back every year; I receive calls for parties and for my birthday. One of them has even become friends.”
He won 5,200 euros in 2024
Alain charges 25 euros per night for two people, whether they travel in the tent, motorhome or caravan. “The platform charges a small commission, of 2 or 3 euros per reservation, but it is not much,” details the protagonist about the benefits he obtains.
The platform, Homecamper, charges 6% per reserve, with a minimum of 2 euros. This activity generated about 5,200 euros in 2024 to this retiree. A good sum that complements its monthly pension of about 4,800 euros. These additional income also allow you to invest in new equipment. “We bought barbecues, sun loungers … and in winter, we give ourselves a vacation on the mountain or the sun,” says Alain.
Homecamper currently has more than 80,000 plots in France and Europe, but other platforms, such as Camping-Car D’Hôtes and Camping Sauvage, offer similar services.