Description:

Motorhome enthusiasts Jean- Pierre and Martine Siguret from L’Houmeau near La Rochelle in Charente Maritime are heading to Beijing this summer, for the voyage of a lifetime.

They will be one of fifty retired couples who will set off from Paris on 1 June for the 30,000 kilometre round trip, organised by the French Motorhome Federation (FFCC) and Raid des baroudeurs, an enthusiasts club that started out as a 2CV association, but now incorporates 4x4 vehicles and motorhomes.

The three month tour will take the explorers through places such as Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, taking in the famous sites along the way, such as the Kremlin and the Gobi desert.

Participants will be escorted by a team of 4x4 vehicles, and a lorry carrying essential spares such as tyres and gas filters, with specialist help available in each country, from medics to mechanics.

The trip doesn’t come cheap, at 25,000 euros, and there are some basic criteria that have to be met before being allowed to take part.  Motorhomes should be under 10 years old, and participants should be mobile and in good health.

The convoy will be separated into groups of two or three vehicles, to avoid causing traffic disruption, and all vans will carry solar panels.  The travellers will also be carrying medical supplies on behalf of a charity set up to help the impoverished children of Mongolia.

Like this story? Why not use our RSS feed and receive updates as soon as they are posted? Or join us as a member and receive a monthly newsletter.

Check out Guide2PoitouCharentes for Property in Poitou Charentes, Events, News, Classifieds, Places to Stay, Poitou Charentes Attractions and Poitou Charente Businesses