Former Lorry Driver Lives Permanently in a Fiat Ducato on a €2,000 Pension

After a career spent travelling across Europe, a former lorry driver has made his converted vehicle his permanent home.

In Lescure-Jaoul, Aveyron, the 69-year-old speaks candidly about a daily life far removed 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 freedom.

Settled life became unthinkable

Before retiring, this former transport worker spent forty-two years driving on Europe’s main routes. His working week followed a familiar pattern for lorry drivers: leaving on Sunday evening, returning on Saturday, then taking on another load and setting off again.

He drove through numerous countries for several employers, carrying every kind of freight. That way of life fundamentally shaped how he viewed time and space. Once he stopped working, the prospect of remaining alone in his Villeneuve-sur-Lot flat was simply unimaginable.

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

His former profession also took its toll on his marriage. After thirty-five years together, the repeated absences gradually weakened the relationship. Nevertheless, he says he has remained on good terms with his former wife. The family still gets together regularly, particularly with their four children.

He does not describe choosing a mobile lifestyle as an escape. Instead, it is a continuation of the life he has always known: a man accustomed to departures, unplanned stops and conversations with strangers.

A €2,000 pension but limited fixed costs

The former lorry driver receives roughly €2,000 each month. In his view, this allows him to enjoy his day-to-day life because a home on wheels removes some major expenses. There is no rent to pay, no electricity bill for a large property and no local residence tax on a flat occupied year-round.

His budget still comes with several unavoidable costs, however: fuel, insurance, mechanical servicing, the vehicle inspection, water, gas, food and repairs. He keeps around €3,000 aside in case of a major breakdown. This is a necessary safeguard, since work on the engine, brakes or interior equipment in an older or heavily used vehicle can soon run into 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 level of comfort sought.

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

In his case, restraint does not appear to be an absolute rule. He enjoys eating out, dancing, playing pétanque and attending motorsport rallies. Indeed, these outings are among the main reasons he embraces this lifestyle.

Encounters at every stop

Loneliness, often linked with life on the move, is not what stands out in his experience. 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 within France. Having spent much of his career abroad, he prefers to explore each region at a slower pace. Pétanque competitions, car gatherings and local festivals provide plenty of reasons to stop without following a rigid itinerary.

His vehicle is not merely a roof over his head: it is also a way to choose his days, his encounters and where he stops.

He travels with his dog, Shalima. She provides companionship and also alerts him if someone unfamiliar approaches the vehicle at night. For many solo travellers, a dog offers a daily point of reference, although it also means adapting outings, periods of intense heat and the places they are permitted to visit.

A Fiat Ducato decorated to stand out

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

The artwork on the bodywork attracts attention whenever he stops. It also helps start conversations: a single visual detail is often enough to prompt an initial chat with curious passers-by or fellow travellers.

Free parking does not remove the need to follow 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 local authority can regulate or ban overnight parking by converted vehicles, particularly 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 a set-up treated as camping. It is better to check signs at the entrance to towns and villages, comply with local bylaws and use designated 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 his mobile life. His choice is based on a personal balance: keeping fixed costs down, maintaining a financial reserve and retaining the option to set off again each morning.