On our early vacation trips to France, I often pointed out to Ron a vehicle I admired that one doesn’t see in the US: a little closed-in truck called a camionnette. They were everywhere. They were always white, and always driven by a guy. As a renovator, gardener, and schlepper of props for magazine photoshoots, I was really coveting this compact little number.
Every ovrier (laborer), bricoleur (handyman) or tradesman of any sort owns a camionnette. They are very inexpensive, and absolutely basic inside. Two people can squeeze in the front, then there is usually a wire grill behind the seats, dividing front from back. The back is open storage, and the two doors on the back open wide. The fanciest option a camionnettte might have is a radio. When we were thinking of moving to France, I told Ron, "That will be my first purchase." He rolled his eyes.
As it turned out a used camionnette WAS an early purchase, but I can hardly get my hands on it: Ron pre-empted it as his own. It was even of part of Ron’s French “business”, 3 Men and a Truck (which you can read about here).
WE discovered that having a camionnette makes you a popular village resident. There is very often a need for one: to pick up plants for the garden, or furniture, or whatever else won’t fit in the trunk of (mostly small) French cars. So we often lend it out. Like our village cat, it has been the village truck. When I drive it, I get lots of looks–you don't much see an older woman tooling around in one. Photo, right: Our neighbor and dear friend Jean-Marie, here with Ron in front of our barn, is a frequent borrower of our truck—you can't get much in that trunk!
Early on we discovered a great way to find an affordable, good restaurant while driving around the French countryside: cherchez les camionnettes! The local ouvriers always search out the best deal to déjeuner, so when we see those dusty white trucks filling up a parking lot, we pull right in, confident that we've scored a good, hearty lunch.
Our little camionnette just turned sweet 16—and she’s still truckin’!
In the COMMENTS, on Random Acts and casseroles: Suzanne, like me, prefers no-recipe recipes. Paula, where I couldn’t agree more. Readers, any tips for Jan? I think leaving the cheese out would work fine. Patricia, once again your village makes an appearance in the blog. We are so happy to know the back-story on that cat!
FAVORITE READS: this article, which I believe every American should read, is a chart which compares the ACA to Trumpcare. Under the proposed Trumpcare: No requirement to have insurance, so the rest of us pay when the uninsured go to the expensive ER for routine medical treatment. Companies are not required to offer affordable insurance to employees. Pre-existing condition? Your state can jack up your prices as they wish. States can also cancel maternity care, ER, preventive services. Are you older? You can now be charged 5 times (or more) what a young person pays.
Is this what anybody wants? Sorry to get political here, but folks, we are the only western nation without strong universal health care, so let's get out of third world mode and take care of the most basic needs of our citizens!
17 thoughts on “In Search of Les Camionnettes”
I love that you have a camionnette! One of our first trips outside Paris, into the countryside, was to Beaune. Camionnettes were everywhere, especially in the vineyards. From that point on, to us, they were “vin vans”! Every so often, we will see one in the US. Invariably we’ll sing out in unison, “look! a vin van!”. There is something about them that is so darned cute!
Cute van & cute story – hope all is well with you both!
My Cornish neighbour in England used to threaten his (not very academic) son with becoming a “white van man” if he didn’t apply himself. Well, he was very old-fashioned and class conscious. I, too, would love a Kangoo! Perhaps with the bookshop sign on the doors!
Sing on, Lynn! This is your blog, so you are free to comment on anything you like! I 100% agree with you that the USA needs to get out of third world mode and figure out how to do universal health care. I appreciate your comments and the links you provide. Perhaps you could do a post on how the French feel about their system and what they think of ours? THAT would be interesting!
Lynn, I totally understand your concern for healthcare.
Here in France, as retirees, our healthcare is paid for at 70% by the UK government and we have a Mutuelle for the rest.
Even if we take up dual nationality we need this same arrangement to continue.
It is so unsettling and we are now being treated as pawns in the Brexit negotiations.
It is as though we have become criminals.
It is fine for Trump, he can afford to buy the hospital!
Cute story. Looking for the camionnette in the parking lot is priceless!
Re: Healthcare–is this what was just voted in? Oh if the US could learn a few things from Europe (and with Sunday’s elections, I hope that France learns a few things from the US Elections).
We are back the 31st…Let’s be in touch…Miss U’all!
I am cancelling your blog because of your rants, especially misguided rants. Even if it were a good rant, I would cancel your blog because I don’t come here to read your political views, I come to be entertained.
We, too, have notice those little white trucks. When we were in France last October/November, we saw them in many vineyards, as the owners and others were trimming their vines back for the winter. Hours of backbreaking work, I think made somewhat easier by battery powered shears. Every single truck was white!
I am reading your post from our hotel in Chartres. We took a drive into the countryside and in the agricultural zones there was a cammionette in every yard. The were often Renault Kangoos which is pretty much my favorite name for a car. Once years ago when my wife needed an ambulance when we were still marshaling at LeMans it was a cammionette with a sort of stretcher rack in back.I have noticed that at home the closest we get to a cammionette is a Ford Transit Connect with the two seats and lots of cargo space. I have never seen one that was not white.
Those white vans are so cute but I’ll take that gorgeous red roadster any day!!!
I live in Provence, and yes the white camionettes are everywhere, even a lot of the earlier generation ones, like the Renault Express and Citroen C3. If I ever decide to commit a crime, my getaway car will be a while van, they will never figure out which one! I too cannot understand the Republican obsession with making health care dependent on your ability to pay. The new (old) plan can bankrupt you at best if you have a potentially fatal condition, or alternatively you will just die. I guess if you’re a republican that’s okay, too many people in the world anyway ……
bonnie in provence
Still loving your life in France- I get to live in France through you vicariously!
xxx
That is a great idea!
Great tip, Lynn, on the camionnettes and the restaurant. I will remember that!
This is a time, by the way, when I am so grateful I live in California where I know the government–regardless of party–functions “for the good of the people.” I’m a retired state bureaucrat as well, which affords me protection for the rest of my life. My children, on the other hand, don’t have the same benefits. But at least they’re not likely to leave the state–not now anyway.
I’ve always said my one embarrassment (forgive me if I’m repeating myself even here) is that we do not have universal health care and free higher education. What shortsightedness.
We have been guests of Nicole and Pierre in their chateau and wondered what had become of Pierre’s family home after we’d heard (on the grape vine) that they had sold it. It is great to know that the place continues to be loved and is bringing others joy too. Since our visit, we bought a house north of Dijon – another beautiful region of France. Amicalement, Elizabeth
Lynn,
I like those cute vans, but I would want a different color for one to sit in my driveway. On another subject, I just happened to pick up a “France” March, 2010 magazine from an old basket. There on the pages was an article titled “Keep the faith” by none other than Lynn McBride. I didn’t know you at that time, so it was a very pleasant surprise to re-read your well-written article. You are one talented lady! I’m glad that I found it. Keep surprising us.