Founded in 2011, Black Sheep built a campervan rental network designed for outdoor adventure in the Alps and beyond, today spanning 40-plus agencies across France, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal and Ireland. The fleet centres on pop-top Volkswagen California vans, kitted out for the outdoors with full kitchens, stationary heating and optional extras like bike racks, plus a dedicated winter model with a ski hatch and winter tyres for the slopes. It's built for couples, families and outdoor athletes chasing the mountains. Compact campers start from around 79 euros a day and the VW California from around 119 euros, all with unlimited mileage, no young-driver fees and 24/7 roadside support.
Black Sheep was founded in 2011 in the Lyon area (Rillieux-la-Pape) by Edouard Amouroux and Sylvain Fauth, with the goal of bringing the campervan-travel lifestyle to France and the rest of Europe. From the start the brand has been about freedom and reconnecting with nature and loved ones rather than luxury travel, captured in its '#OurMissionYourAdventure' tagline and its philosophy of treating the van as a means, not an end. That ethos is backed by concrete commitments, including a partnership with 1% for the Planet and a 'Charter for Responsible Campervan Travel' built around '10 commandments of nature.' The mountain-sports DNA runs deep, reinforced by athlete ambassadors such as climber Julia Chanourdie and paraglider Jean-Baptiste Chandelier. The founders still lead the company, which has expanded through a franchise model first launched in spring 2015.
The fleet centers on compact, easy-to-drive Volkswagen California campervans (T5, T6, and T6.1), typically configured as four-berth vans with two beds in an electrohydraulic pop-top roof and two below, plus a kitchenette (sink, two-burner gas hob, fridge), a stationary diesel heater, a 220V socket usable off-grid, and an interior height kept under two metres so the vans clear mountain roads and low tunnels. The range extends from a smaller Caddy-based Mini and the fully electric VW ID.Buzz (with roughly 250-300 km of range) up to the larger Grand California 600 and Explorer pop-up models with their own shower and toilet. For outdoor use, vans can be ordered with bike racks suited to mountain biking, and a dedicated VW California T6.1 Winter edition adds winter tyres and a ski hatch for slope-side weekends. Standard rentals come with an outdoor table, folding chairs, an awning, unlimited mileage, and 24/7 assistance, making the vans ready-made base camps for MTB, ski, climbing, and hiking trips. With Black Sheep, bedding is a paid add-on rather than included.
Today Black Sheep operates roughly 40 to 45 agencies across France, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal, and Ireland (with additional presence noted in Luxembourg and the overseas territory of La Réunion), with key Alpine-gateway bases in Annecy, Grenoble, and Lyon and coastal points reaching Corsica and the Atlantic. The network has continued to grow since the 2015 franchise launch and reported strong momentum in recent years, though exact fleet and revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. Daily rates start from about EUR 79 depending on model and season, and the company differentiates itself with no young-driver surcharge (minimum age 21), unlimited mileage, transparent pricing, and a EUR 2,500 deposit. It sits as a regional, outdoor-focused specialist against pan-European volume players like Roadsurfer and Indie Campers and peer-to-peer platforms like Yescapa; customers give it roughly a 4-star (about 4.0/5) Trustpilot rating across some 400 reviews, praising staff and well-equipped vans while flagging variable pickup condition and damage-handling across locations.
A Volkswagen-led fleet of pop-top California campervans, equipped for the mountains and ready for bikes, skis and family road trips. Exact vehicle can vary by agency.
Black Sheep's bestseller: electro-hydraulic pop-top sleeping two above and a rear bench that converts for two below, plus a full kitchenette, stationary heating and 220V socket.
The same compact pop-top layout fitted with winter tyres and practical mountain storage, purpose-built for weekends on the slopes.
Pop-top roof with two berths up top plus a full-width fold-out rear bed, offering more seats and lighter, simpler camping kit.
Larger Crafter-based van with a fixed high-top roof, transverse rear double bed plus an optional cab bunk, integrated shower and toilet, and stationary heating.
Roomier pop-top conversion: a fixed rear double, two berths in the elevating roof and convertible seating, with an interior kitchen, hot shower, chemical toilet and fridge for longer trips.
Black Sheep's 100% electric campervan, advertised with roughly 250-300km of real-world range, plus a cooler, hot water and heating for low-emission shorter trips.
Black Sheep is a French campervan specialist founded in Lyon in 2011, with a network of around 40-45 agencies across France and beyond. Many pickup points are in the Alps and Pyrenees regions, alongside France's main cities, making it easy to start a road trip near the slopes, the trailhead or the coast.
Coverage is strongest in France, with a presence in the Alpine and Pyrenees regions as well as major cities and the coast, plus cross-border agencies in Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal and Ireland and an overseas agency on Reunion Island. Total agency counts vary by source (40-45) and the exact city list can change, so confirm the specific pickup point as well as one-way and cross-border terms at booking.
Black Sheep specializes in VW California T6.1 pop-top campervans, with a winter rental package adding optional ski storage and winter-tyre upgrades for alpine roads and slope-side weekends. Established in 2011, its agencies cluster around Annecy, Grenoble and Geneva for direct access to the French Alps, while locations like Bordeaux open up the Pyrenees and Atlantic coast.
Vans are geared for outdoor sports, with bike racks available as an add-on and a winter package offering ski storage, connection points and a 220V socket. The brand's athlete ambassadors (climbers, paragliders, surfers) and #OurMissionYourAdventure ethos reinforce its mountain/MTB/ski positioning over beach tourism.
Rentals from EUR 79-119/day include unlimited mileage, 24/7 roadside assistance, free rescheduling up to 48 hours before departure and a no-hidden-fees policy. Notably, Black Sheep charges no young-driver surcharge (minimum age 21), and is pet-friendly with one-way pickups across France, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal and Ireland.
VW California rentals take optional bike racks for your MTB gear, with agencies in Annecy, Grenoble and Lyon near Alpine trails.
The T6.1 Winter model adds a ski hatch and winter tyres, and the Geneva and Annecy locations sit within about two hours of major Alpine ski resorts.
Minimum driving age is 21 and pop-top vans start from EUR 79/day, making spontaneous two-person mountain road trips affordable.
Four-berth pop-top Californias sleep two adults and two kids, and pet-friendly rentals suit school-holiday outdoor escapes.
Black Sheep is a French campervan rental company founded in 2011, with its headquarters in the Lyon area (Rillieux-la-Pape). It runs around 40 agencies across France plus Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal, Ireland and La Réunion (some sources cite a higher figure as the network grows). French hubs include Lyon, Annecy, Grenoble, Bordeaux, Marseille, Paris, Toulouse, Biarritz and Corsica (Ajaccio, Bastia), with the Annecy and Geneva bases handy for the Alps.
The fleet centres on Volkswagen California campervans (T5/T6/T6.1) with electrohydraulic pop-top roofs, including the popular California Comfort and a Winter edition. There are also larger models like the VW Grand California 600 and Explorer pop-up vans, compact options such as the VW Caddy-based Mini, and a 100% electric VW ID.Buzz (around 250-300 km range). Vehicles are modern and generally kept well-maintained and under a couple of years old.
Most VW California models sleep up to 4: two berths in the pop-up roof and two in the rear bench that folds down into a bed. Compact models like the Mini and ID.Buzz sleep 2, while larger Explorer and Grand California models also sleep up to 4-5 depending on configuration. Seating capacity is often higher than sleeping capacity, so check the specific model layout when booking.
Yes, Black Sheep is strongly positioned for mountain, MTB and ski travel. Bike racks are available as an optional add-on (some models carry up to 3-4 bikes), and the VW California T6.1 Winter edition comes with winter tyres and a ski hatch for slope-side trips. Standard kitchen, outdoor table, chairs, awning and stationary heating make the vans practical for alpine base-camping, though specific rack models and any roof-box options are best confirmed directly with the agency.
Daily rates start from around €79/day for entry-level and compact models, with the VW California T6.1 commonly quoted from about €119/day and larger Explorer models costing more. Pricing is dynamic by date, season and vehicle, so summer (July-August) and peak periods cost more and require a date-specific quote. Weekly and longer rentals attract discounts, and seasonal promo codes are sometimes offered, so it's worth checking the booking page for current deals.
Rentals include unlimited mileage, 24/7 roadside assistance, and standard kitchen equipment such as a stove, gas, fridge, crockery, utensils, plus an outdoor table and folding chairs. A free standard insurance tier is included, with paid upgrades available. Bed linen, pillows and towels may or may not be included depending on the location and van type (some locations include them, while elsewhere they are an optional add-on), so confirm at booking. Airport or station delivery is available for a fee, which varies by location (roughly €50-100 each way at some agencies).
A free standard insurance package is included, with tiered upgrades up to an 'All In Pack' that can cover additional drivers. A security deposit of €2,500 is held at pickup (typically via card), refunded after a damage-free return inspection. As with any rental, document the van's existing condition carefully at handover to avoid any dispute over damage charges at return.
The minimum age is 21 with a valid driving licence, and Black Sheep notably does NOT charge a young-driver surcharge, which is a real advantage over many competitors. EU and UK licences are accepted; non-EU drivers may need an International Driving Permit. Note that some reports suggest a higher age requirement may apply specifically in Ireland, so confirm at your chosen location.
One-way rentals are possible across the network of agencies, though one-way fees apply and aren't always published, so request a quote. Cross-border travel within Western Europe is generally supported, and the Geneva and Annecy bases make Alpine cross-border trips (France-Switzerland) convenient. Black Sheep's bases are in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal, Ireland and La Réunion, and exact allowed-country lists and any restrictions should be confirmed directly with Black Sheep before booking.
It's aimed at couples, small families (2-4 people), and especially outdoor and adventure travellers such as mountain bikers, skiers, climbers and road-trippers, reflected in its mountain and Alpine positioning. The no young-driver-fee policy and €79/day starting price also make it appealing to younger and budget-conscious travellers, and rentals are pet-friendly. It's less geared toward luxury travel, with a brand identity built around outdoor adventure and reconnecting with nature.
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