What AVIS explore does

AVIS explore is a French motorhome and campervan rental company founded in 1979 and legally operated as Car-Away SAS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of French motorhome manufacturer Groupe Pilote. The business runs a direct-to-consumer rental model through nine agency locations spread across metropolitan France (Paris/Rueil-Malmaison, Aix-Marseille, Ajaccio, Bordeaux, Lyon, Montpellier, Nantes, Nice, Strasbourg, Toulouse) and an online booking channel at avisexplore.com. AVIS explore has operated as an Avis franchise for motorhomes since March 1985 and is described as the French motorhome-rental market leader; all vehicles in the fleet are produced by its parent, Groupe Pilote, with the company renewing roughly 80% of the fleet annually to keep vehicles on current-year or late-model specifications.

The core product is daily/weekly/monthly rental of motorhomes (2–6 berth profile and integral configurations) and campervans (2–4 berth, including compact and elevating-roof models). Pricing starts at approximately €94 per night for a profile motorhome and progressively declines for stays of three weeks or more, putting monthly rental economics roughly in line with budget-hotel alternatives. Incremental revenue is generated through a catalogue of paid add-ons: unlimited mileage, mobile Wi-Fi, 24/7 roadside-assistance insurance (€8/day), upgraded comprehensive insurance, custom itinerary planning via partner Voyage Enjoy, HomeCamper access for private-garden overnighting, airport transfers, accessory rentals (bike racks, snow chains, baby seats, GPS), and installment payments through Alma. The fleet is permitted to travel across roughly 27 European countries, with explicit exclusions in much of Eastern Europe.

GTM is pure DTC, combining self-serve online booking, phone/email reservations, in-agency pickup/return, one-way rentals between agencies, and vehicle delivery. The technology stack is conventional — a web reservation system with Google Analytics and Google Maps integration, and no public API, no native mobile app, and no proprietary AI components. Marketing is content-led across a destination/tips blog, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Customers are exclusively B2C personas (couples, families, digital nomads, long-term travelers, weekend adventurers); no enterprise or B2B segment is in evidence, and there are no named institutional customers.

Name

AVIS explore

Legal name

Car-Away SAS

Website

https://avisexplore.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AVIS explore (Car-Away SAS) is a French motorhome and campervan rental company founded in 1979, operating 9 agencies across France plus online booking, serving leisure consumers seeking self-directed travel in France and Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Recreational Vehicle Rental

NAICS

Truck, Utility Trailer, and RV (Recreational Vehicle) Rental and Leasing (532120), Truck, Utility Trailer, and RV (Recreational Vehicle) Rental and Leasing (53212)

SIC

Services-Auto Rental & Leasing (No Drivers) (7510)

akta.pro primary industry

Motorhome / RV Rentals (Class A & Class C) (THADAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Campervan Rentals (Class B / Converted Vans) (THADAIAA), One-Way / Relocation RV Rentals (THADAIAE), Ancillary Services & Add-Ons (GPS, Child Seats, Tolling, Fuel Plans, Roadside) (THADAAAL)

Keywords

• Motorhome rental services
• Campervan rental France
• Recreational vehicle leasing
• Van rental fleet
• Leisure vehicle hire

Headquarters

HQ city

Rueil-Malmaison

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Motorhome and Van Rental: AVIS explore generates revenue through rental fees for motorhomes and vans. The company offers various rental durations from weekend to monthly rentals, with pricing that varies by vehicle category, season, and rental length. Additional revenue comes from optional services such as unlimited mileage, 24/7 assistance insurance, equipment rentals (bicycle racks, baby seats), and transfer services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AVIS explore rents motorhomes (2 to 6 berths, including profile and integral models) and campervans/converted vans (2 to 4 berths, including compact and roof-lift models) to leisure travelers through 9 agency locations across France, with the ability to drive across France and 26 European countries. The offering is bundled with standard inclusions (insurance, second driver, kitchenware, gas bottle, free personal vehicle parking) and is complemented by optional paid add-ons such as unlimited mileage, mobile Wi-Fi, 24/7 roadside assistance, custom itinerary planning, one-way rentals, long-term rental discounts, and airport transfers.

Product overview

AVIS explore is a motorhome and campervan rental company operating in France since 1979, offering vehicles through 9 agencies nationwide. The core offering consists of motorhome rentals (2 to 6 berths, including profile and integral models) and van/campervan rentals (2 to 4 berths, including compact and roof-lift models). The company provides a comprehensive suite of rental services including unlimited mileage, mobile Wi-Fi, 24/7 assistance insurance, custom itinerary planning (Travel Planner/Carnet de Voyage), one-way rental, comprehensive insurance, airport transfers, and long-term rental options with progressive pricing. Additional services include HomeCamper access for premium overnight stays, installment payment options via Alma, and a used vehicle sales platform via Pilote OCCASIONS. All vehicles come with standard inclusions such as second driver, kitchenware, and gas bottle, with optional accessories like bike racks, snow equipment, baby seats, and GPS navigation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Location de Camping-cars (Motorhome Rental) Motorhome rental service offering vehicles with 2 to 6 berths, including profile and integral motorhome models, available through 9 agencies across France with delivery options. Targeted at couples, families, and groups seeking self-directed travel across France and Europe.
• Location de Vans (Campervan Rental) Campervan and converted van rental service with models ranging from 2 to 4 berths, including compact vans and roof-lift vans, available at all 9 French agencies. Targeted at couples and small groups seeking flexible, compact travel vehicles.
• Kilométrage illimité (Unlimited Mileage) Add-on option allowing customers to travel without distance restrictions, available for both motorhomes and vans at an additional daily rate. Targeted at travelers planning long-distance or multi-country road trips across Europe.
• Wi-Fi Mobile Mobile Wi-Fi box rental enabling travelers to stay connected while on the road, supporting multiple compatible devices. Targeted at digital nomads and remote workers who need connectivity during travel.
• Assurance Assistance 24/7 (24/7 Assistance Insurance) Round-the-clock technical assistance service providing remote troubleshooting and coordination with specialized repair services, priced at €8 per rental day. Targeted at travelers seeking peace of mind for breakdowns and technical issues during their rental.
• Itinéraire sur mesure / Carnet de Voyage (Custom Itinerary / Travel Planner) Personalized travel planning service creating custom road trip itineraries based on customer preferences and budget, offered in partnership with Voyage Enjoy. Targeted at travelers seeking expert-curated routes and destination recommendations.
• Location Aller Simple (One-Way Rental) One-way rental option allowing customers to pick up a vehicle at one agency and return it at a different agency, enabling circular road trips without return constraints. Targeted at travelers planning point-to-point itineraries across France.
• Assurance Camping-car (Motorhome Insurance) Comprehensive insurance coverage for motorhome rentals including all-risk protection, with options for deposit reduction and glass breakage coverage. Targeted at renters seeking financial protection beyond standard liability.
• Transfert Aéroport (Airport Transfer) Airport transfer service for convenient vehicle pickup and return logistics from designated airports. Targeted at international and long-distance travelers needing airport-to-agency transportation.
• Box Home Camper Access to HomeCamper platform providing unique overnight stays in private gardens and premium locations across France and Europe. Targeted at travelers seeking authentic, secure accommodation alternatives to traditional camping areas.
• Location longue durée (Long-Term Rental) Extended rental options for trips of 3 weeks or more with progressive pricing discounts, designed for digital nomads, retirees, and long-vacation travelers. Monthly rentals offer comparable costs to budget hotel accommodations.
• Paiements en plusieurs fois Alma (Alma Installment Payments) Multi-payment installment option allowing customers to spread rental costs over several payments. Targeted at budget-conscious renters needing flexible payment timing for higher-value bookings.
• Véhicules d'Occasion (Used Vehicle Sales) Sale platform for pre-owned motorhomes and vans, operated in partnership with Pilote OCCASIONS. Targeted at consumers seeking to purchase rather than rent a recreational vehicle.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of fleet renewed annually, ensuring current-year or late model vehicles
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Groupe PilotecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroupe Pilote is a privileged partner of AVIS explore, designing and manufacturing camping-cars that are among the most appreciated on the European market. Their extensive product range, dynamic network, and efficient after-sales service have made them renowned well beyond France. The close relationship with a single motorhome manufacturer provides AVIS explore with the best product selection and ongoing product knowledge. All AVIS explore vehicles are produced by Pilote, with 80% of the fleet renewed annually with current-year or late models.
• Home CamperminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHome Camper is a collaborative platform enabling motorhome and van travelers to stay in private gardens and parks across France and Europe. AVIS explore offers the 'Box Home Camper' option and provides Camping Card discounts at Huttopia campings. The partnership provides customers with premium, secure accommodation alternatives to traditional camping areas.
• Voyage EnjoyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVoyage Enjoy is a partner providing custom travel planning services for AVIS explore customers. Through the 'Carnet de Voyage' (Custom Itineraries) option, experts create personalized travel plans based on customer preferences and budget. Customers select this option during booking, complete a questionnaire, and receive contact from travel experts.
• Campingcar-online.comminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCampingcar-online.com is an international network of motorhome rental locations spanning all five continents. They partner with rigorous operators worldwide to enable customers to rent motorhomes when traveling abroad, complementing AVIS explore's primarily France-focused operations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Wikicampers: French peer-to-peer platform for renting privately-owned campervans and motorhomes, directly competing with AVIS explore for French rental customers with an asset-light marketplace model.
• Yescapa: French peer-to-peer motorhome and van rental marketplace connecting private owners with renters, directly competing with AVIS explore for French customers with a more flexible location footprint.
• Goboony: European peer-to-peer campervan rental platform operating in France, Netherlands, and Germany, offering asset-light competition to traditional rental operators like AVIS explore.

Others

• Pilote (Groupe Pilote): Parent company and exclusive vehicle manufacturer supplier to AVIS explore; relevant peer as the upstream producer of the entire AVIS explore fleet and ultimate corporate parent.

Direct peers

• Campingcar-online.com: International motorhome rental aggregator/network partnering with operators worldwide, including AVIS explore; directly comparable as a global motorhome rental platform.
• Roadsurfer: European campervan and motorhome rental operator with growing multi-country presence and modern fleet, competing for the same couples, families, and digital-nomad segments that AVIS explore targets.
• McRent: One of Europe's largest motorhome rental companies operating across multiple countries with owned fleet and multi-location agency model, directly comparable to AVIS explore's premium-fleet, multi-agency rental model.
• Indie Campers: European motorhome and campervan rental company with multi-country locations including France, offering similar vehicles and one-way rental options to AVIS explore's customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Britz (part of THL Group): Established international RV rental brand with owned fleet and multi-country operations, comparable to AVIS explore's fleet ownership model but at significantly larger scale.
• Europcar / Hertz RV services: Major general car rental brands offering some van and motorhome services at major French locations, competing for the broader French mobility customer base alongside AVIS explore.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC-uD-aJ6Tkrn1iWYu0EJMhg
• Facebookfacebook.com/Avis-Car-Away-location-de-Camping-Cars-Motorhomes-rental-225378270824599
• Instagraminstagram.com/avis.explore
• TikToktiktok.com/@avis.explore
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/avisexplore

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AVIS explore