A 73-year-old French retiree found an unexpected way to increase his annual income without needing to invest in real estate or rent houses. Alain Cheveu, resident in Trébeurden, in the French region of Brittany, transformed the garden of his home into a small campsite, thus generating additional income in excess of 5,000 euros per year.
According to the French newspaper Le Figaro, the project was born from a simple but effective idea, which allowed this retiree to take advantage of an existing resource: the land of his house.
In 2021, the former owner of a motorhome discovered the HomeCamper platform, an online service that connects individuals with travelers interested in camping on private properties. Instead of continuing to travel the country on wheels, Alain decided to reverse roles and welcome those who travel.
A campsite in the home garden
According to the same source, the space created by Alain is located on a 3,800 square meter plot, next to the Pink Granite Coast and the well-known GR34 trail, two destinations sought after by tourists visiting the north of France. The site offers a swimming pool, fully equipped kitchen, rest area and a pétanque court, features that make the environment appealing to national and foreign campers.
“I welcome campers to my house, in a quiet corner of Brittany, with a swimming pool, summer kitchen and pétanque court,” said Alain, quoted by Le Figaro. The publication states that the small camp quickly gained popularity among travelers from countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United States.
Stable income and international coexistence
The micro-camp offers several amenities, including open-air bathrooms, solar shower and access to an equipped kitchen. According to the same source, the environment is welcoming enough for many visitors to return year after year. “People feel at home. Some come back every year; I get calls for parties and even for my birthday. One of them became a friend”, said the pensioner.
The business also proved to be financially solid. Alain charges 25 euros per night for two people and, despite the commission charged by HomeCamper, managed to raise around 5,200 euros in 2024. As the newspaper writes, this amount complements a monthly pension of 4,800 euros, representing a significant addition to the family budget.
Example of active and responsible reform
According to Spanish radio, Alain’s initiative demonstrates that reform can be a phase of new opportunities and not just inactivity. The retiree explains that the extra income has been reinvested in improvements to the space itself and in leisure: “We bought barbecues and sun loungers. And in winter, we have holidays in the mountains or in the sun”, he said.
Alain’s case has served as an example for other French retirees who are looking for alternative ways to earn income without resorting to the conventional rental market. The phenomenon of micro-camps on private properties has grown, especially in tourist regions, driven by local tourism and digital platforms that facilitate this type of accommodation.
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