Le Voyageur Eterna LV 7.8 GJF 45 Years Motorhome

An Anniversary Edition complete with gifts in a collector’s box!

Le Voyageur is another motorhome company that’s celebrating an anniversary this year, this time 45 years. That, of course, means a special edition model with more spec and better value.

And here Le Voyageur really has gone to town on the standard kit.
You can have the 45 Years spec on any LV 7.8 model, so that’s a Fiat-based Eterna, rather than a Mercedes Héritage, and these are models with a 7.85m overall length (there are shorter and longer Eterna motorhomes in the standard line-up).

Choose from island bed (CF and CL) versions or single bed layouts (GJF and GJL) – in each case the ‘L’ signifies an L-settee on the nearside, while the other floorplans have straight face-to-face sofas. In this review we’re examining the single bed/side settee layout.

Power for off-grid stays

So far, so typical of a premium A-class. But where else would you find a standard spec that includes five 100W solar panels – yes, FIVE! And to be doubly sure that you don’t run out of 12V power while you enjoy off-grid camping at that summer music festival, there are TWO 310Ah lithium batteries.

You have mains power without a hook-up, care of a 2kW inverter. Oh, and you get a spare toilet cassette, too, just in case you can’t find a suitable emptying point.

Drone view camera

Externally, it’s still very recognisably a Le Voyageur but special graphics, transitioning from grey to bronze, mark out the limited edition. That and more equipment, of course. So, here, the electric awning with LED strip light is standard, as is the 270-degree camera system with incredible drone view for easy manoeuvring. 

Al-Ko chassis, double floor

Built on an Al-Ko AMC Vario Space lowered chassis with Air Premium rear suspension, the Le Voyageur has the 180hp engine and eight-speed automatic transmission.

It has a double floor incorporating storage (height 35cm) as well as the water tanks – 200 litres fresh and 120 litres waste. The grey tank is emptied electrically with a camera system to allow the driver to perfectly line up with the drain.

The garage measures 1.09m wide and 1.20m high, with lashing points top and bottom, an external shower and 12V and 230V sockets, while its doors are linked to the alarm system. An external hatch also reveals the mains lead, built in on a reel.

Leather upholstery

Inside, it all feels very premium. The full leather upholstery is available in five colours – Satin, Vison, Alezan, Safran and Havane – and the furniture features white high-gloss doors.

The ceiling and lounge and bedroom walls are trimmed in a padded fabric, while the tile-effect floor all lines up where there are hatches – now that’s attention to detail!

The lounge has a fold-in half table, while the swivel captain’s chairs are embroidered with the ’45 ans’ logo. Above the front seats, the drop-down bed (1.90m by 1.40m) lowers electrically. The windscreen blind is also electric.

Kitchen with wine rack

The stylish kitchen includes a multitude of pull-out storage provision, while the two-ring hob is set back in the counter and the sink has a split cover.

There’s the inevitable wine bottle rack (well, it’s a French motorhome) and two waste bins, plus an eye-level slide-out for packet/tinned foods. Opposite is a new 175-litre fridge.

Single beds or a double

The ablutions zone includes a large separate shower (complete with centre drain and clothes rail), twin wardrobes (one above the other) and a toilet room with bowl-on-a-plinth basin. Unfortunately, the loo also sits on a raised section – not ideal for shorter legs. 

The pièce de résistance is perhaps the bedroom, where the twin beds can slide together electrically to become a double. 

But the surprise and delight doesn’t end there because each special edition motorhome comes with a gift box containing a leather document holder, wine cooler, two towels, four wine glasses, two coffee cups and four leather coasters.

You can forget the long options lists of German rivals with the special edition French A-class, which rewrites how a vehicle in this class should be equipped, as well as adding a dose of Gallic panache.