camping in france with an one year old

[matthew_5065568]

we are off camping to france with our one year old daughter any advice?

 

[OldBean]

Go out of peak season when it's not too hot for travelling.

Pick a site with decent washblocks - some have baby bathing facilities. An alternative is one of those 'blow up' paddling pools - which you can use during the day as a 'cool down' and at bath time fill with warmer water and there's your baby bath.

Don't plan to travel too far - a fractious baby in the back can make every mile seem like ten. Supermarket cafeterias often have special baby meals - and sometimes these are FREE! (Yes, FREE). They'll also give you flasks of hot water or heat up your own food.

Pack familiar things - cot bedding, etc., so it's not too different to home.

Try to get a 'family' site - and you'll meet lots of others in the same position.

We've been camping in France since my eldest was 5 months old - and he's 25 now! The youngest was only 4 months the first time he we went. The first holiday a lovely elderly Dutch couple babysat for us - and I'll never forget the freedom of being able to go to the site bar for a drink! Lovely. We're going back this year with the youngest (now 19) and two of his friends, and the eldest is going to the West Coast of France, camping and surfing, with a party of friends - so we must have done something right!

 

[OldBean]

Just an addition to the above - some of the holiday companies offer advice 'Before you go'. The 'www.fleur-holidays.com'website has a page of advice - which is really useful for first-timers.

 

[Mike_5041089]

Matthew - when we bought our 1st van in '86, our 3 were 6,18 & 33 months old which we took to France. The French are great with kids, especially small ones - they actually welcome them to their restaurants etc., far more family friendly than the Brits. Check out the cost of nappies though, even French made Paudeauce were cheaper in the UK!? Luckily our 3 invariably slept on long journeys, but watch out for the very warm weather.

 

[Steven_5065653]

That;s quite brave. I first travelled when mine were a bit older. We used to go with Eurocamp but then discovered Eurocamp Independent which is a hell of a lot cheaper as you take your own caravan but it offers all the same facilities on site like children;s clubs and couriers who speak English. Their number is 08709 060604. They may have some sites for smaller children. Ring them and ask. They are always very helpful and seem to know alot about all the sites.