“Van life” is a social phenomenon. The idea of life in a converted van has swept the globe in the wake of the past year. The only thing left to do was to create a version that combines comfort with art de vivre, which Nomadism has done. Go off the grid with SoBARNES.
With restaurants and hotels closed due to repeated lockdowns, we've all had the urge to set off on an adventure. To head out on the road, getting away from it all without any restrictions as soon as travelling was authorised. We all wanted to escape, but very few have done so. So we take our hat off to Paris serial entrepreneur Jeremy Garamond who, in little to no time, realised his project and created his own nomadic hotel. "I wanted to escape the big cities and head on a road trip with my sons," explains Jeremy, "The classic camper van didn't meet my dreams of an off-road adventure, so I bought a Mercedes 4x4 van and converted it into a more comfortable version." It was while driving along roads in the beautiful Massif Central region, far from the crowds of tourists, that Jeremy decided to transform his idea into a business, and so Nomadism was born.
Word of mouth promotion did the rest, as Jeremy's close friends and family were all keen to test these off-the-beaten track style holidays. Launched in the summer of 2020, the concept quickly found its audience. There are now 20 vans available to hire in France, and this is only the beginning.
Are you wondering what life is like on board? As well as the shower, toilet and kitchen, these extra-equipped 4x4s also offer the comfort of a luxury hotel suite with Wi-Fi, home automation, a video projector and even a touch-screen tablet... All that’s left is to choose between the double bedroom model or the one for 4 people, offering an additional bed with a panoramic view on the roof.
The materials and colours used are inspired by classic hotel conventions, as is the optional 24/7 concierge service. It is even possible to have a butler, who'll follow you in his own 4x4! Since pure freedom is the key, Nomadism can set up a tailor-made itinerary for you, or let you go wherever the wind takes you (from €190 per night)...
Driving these vans couldn't be simpler, all you need is a standard driving licence. The V6 engine, automatic gearbox and driving assistant tools are those of a luxury sedan. On the more practical side, Nomadism's vehicles are available in Paris or Toulouse, but the company can also arrange for them to be driven to a city of your choice if required. "These are real 4x4s that are able to go off road," comments Jeremy Garamond, "a concept that is not just reserved for men, many of our reservations come from women who travel with their children, often in groups."
Let's finish with the SoBARNES detail that simply fills us with joy: these four-wheeled suites' ignition keys are equipped with decorative keyrings, reminiscent of the room keys of the palaces of yesteryear.
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Infos : Nomadism.com
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