The Trois Coccinelles motorhome area in Gujan-Mestras marked its tenth anniversary on Saturday, August 2, with a celebration attended by both site managers and long-time guests.
The event, held on the petanque court decorated with balloons and tables, brought together a community of regular visitors and newcomers who have supported the site over the past decade.
Managed by Sophie and Christophe Quero, the motorhome site opened officially on August 1, 2015, although the couple had been developing the project for several years prior.
Located within the Gujan-Mestras leisure area and surrounded by forest on three sides, the site was designed to reflect the Queros’ own experience as motorhome travelers.
“For ten years, we have always had a core of loyal customers, some of whom are there to celebrate the anniversary. They remember the beginnings and the beautiful activities we offered them,” said Christophe Quero.
The Queros envisioned the Trois Coccinelles area as more than just a functional stop for motorhome owners.
“It’s a small campsite for motorhomes that we offered them,” Christophe told Sud Ouest. The site features a range of amenities typically found at larger campsites, including an emptying station, laundry facilities, Wi-Fi, and a small convenience store.
The area gained national recognition in 2016, when it was voted the best motorhome site in France by readers of Camping-Car Magazine.
Until the COVID-19 pandemic, the Queros also organized festive activities, including New Year’s Eve events and Easter treats—chocolate ladybugs placed on windshields.
Ten years on, the site has remained largely unchanged, aside from some added vegetation and automated systems for access and services. Personalized touches continue, such as local sightseeing advice from Marcel, Sophie Quero’s father.
“It’s a big family that is used to meeting with us. Some spend the summer with their grandchildren, others stop for a night and finally stay for a week,” said Christophe.
The Trois Coccinelles area is also part of a broader lifestyle choice for the couple. They had previously owned an organic shop, which they sold to focus on the motorhome site.
However, missing customer interaction, they later reopened a new business a few kilometers away—Les Bios du Bassin—allowing them to manage both ventures simultaneously.
For outdoor hospitality operators, the Trois Coccinelles site offers a case study in building customer loyalty through a blend of consistent service, location-sensitive design, and community engagement.
The site’s success underscores the value of cultivating a sense of place and familiarity—qualities that can help differentiate small-scale operations in a competitive and growing market.