In September 2015, my wife Emma and I took our 8-month-old daughter on her first trip abroad. Our plan was to take a campervan from London, cross the channel, and head down through France. This article shares our experiences and tips for travelling and camping with a baby, proving that it’s not as daunting as it may seem!
Packing Tips for Camping with a Baby
Every parent knows that the amount of equipment a baby needs is inversely proportional to their size. Even a short trip to the grandparents can feel like moving house! For our two-week adventure, we focused on packing only the essentials:
- Travel cot
- Pram
- High chair (the Ikea one with removable legs worked perfectly)
- Baby bath
- Playmat
We brought our Maxi-Cosi car seat and base, which fit seamlessly onto our pram frame. This meant we could transfer our daughter from the car to the pram without waking her. We also packed enough baby food and nappies for a week, knowing we could easily restock along the way. Having a fridge in the campervan was a game-changer, allowing us to store half-eaten jars of baby food.
Best Time to Go Camping with a Baby
We travelled in September, when the weather was still warm, but the summer crowds had dispersed. Campsites were quieter and more affordable, and we didn’t need to book in advance. Ferry costs were also lower compared to the peak summer months.
Camping with a Baby: Road Trip Tips
Camping with a baby is an incredible experience, and these tips will help you plan your trip with ease:
Sleeping Tips for a Restful Night
The campervan’s spacious floor area was perfect for setting up the travel cot. The main bed was large enough for comfortable night feeds, and our daughter slept through the night more often than she did at home! My wife and I enjoyed our best sleep in months.
Meals: Eating Together as a Family
A high chair is essential for mealtimes. While some campsites offer high chairs in their restaurants, having our own allowed us to dine together at our pitch. Our daughter loved watching us prepare meals, and we cherished the family bonding time.
Our Favourite Campsites in France
France is incredibly family-friendly, and many campsites cater well to babies. Here are two of our favourites:
Huttopia Versailles
Huttopia Versailles is an ideal stopover to break up the journey from Calais to central or southern France. Located near Paris, it’s just a short bus ride to the Palace of Versailles. With a baby, we recommend exploring the palace grounds rather than the interior, as it’s not very pushchair-friendly.
Chateau des Marais
Situated in the Loire Valley, Chateau des Marais is close to the stunning Chateau de Chambord. While our daughter was too young for the water flumes, the on-site shop had everything we needed. The campsite also served as a base for day trips to Blois and ZooParc de Beauval, which lives up to its reputation as one of France’s best zoos.
Both campsites featured dedicated baby rooms with built-in baby baths. Next time, we’ll research campsites with these facilities to leave our baby bath at home.
On the Road with a Baby
We took the Dover-Calais ferry, a 90-minute crossing that provided a nice break from driving. The British border control in Calais will check your baby’s passport, but they’re happy to do so without waking a sleeping child.
France’s toll motorways are a blessing for families. They’re rarely congested, and the rest stops (or “aires”) every 10-20 km offer toilets, parking, and picnic areas. These stops were invaluable for nappy changes and quick breaks. The campervan’s large floor space also doubled as a play area for our daughter.
Would We Camp with a Baby Again?
Absolutely! Our daughter was always entertained, and we had the freedom to stop whenever we needed. France is wonderfully accommodating for families, and the warm weather made the trip even more enjoyable for everyone.
