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Campervanning Through France with a Baby: An Unforgettable Adventure

Packing up their campervan, bundling in their 8-month-old daughter, and setting off on their first international trip as a family of three. Their plan? To cross the Channel from London and explore France on a two-week road trip.

When they shared their plans, the reactions ranged from admiration to outright disbelief. “You’re brave!” some said. Others went straight to, “You’re mad!” But as their journey unfolded, they discovered that traveling and camping with a baby wasn’t just doable—it was an incredible experience. Here’s their story, packed with tips for anyone considering a similar adventure.

Packing Smart: What’s Essential?

Every parent knows that babies somehow require mountains of stuff for even the shortest trips. But when space is limited, packing wisely is key.

For this trip, they stuck to the essentials:

✅ Travel cot – perfect for setting up a cozy, familiar sleep space.
✅ Pram – a lifesaver for sightseeing and naps on the go.
✅ High chair – they opted for the IKEA one with removable legs, which packed down easily.
✅ Baby bath – though they later realized many campsites had great baby facilities.
✅ Playmat – a small but essential space for playtime inside the campervan.

They also brought along their Maxi-Cosi car seat and ISOFIX base, which fit perfectly in the campervan. Since the car seat clicked onto the pram frame, they never had to wake their sleeping baby when transitioning from driving to strolling.

For supplies, they packed enough baby food and nappies for a week, knowing they could restock in even the smallest French towns. The campervan’s fridge was a game-changer—it allowed them to store leftover baby food rather than waste it.

Best Time to Go Camping with a Baby

They chose September, and it turned out to be the perfect time. The weather was still warm, but the summer crowds had disappeared. This meant:

✔️ No need to book campsites in advance—plenty of space everywhere.
✔️ Lower costs—both for campsites and ferry crossings.
✔️ More relaxed atmosphere—less noise, fewer queues, and more freedom.

For families with a flexible schedule, early autumn might just be the best time to hit the road.

Tips for a Smooth Campervan Experience with a Baby

🏕️ Sleeping Arrangements

The campervan had a large floor area, normally used for a second double bed, which became the perfect spot for their travel cot. The main bed was huge, providing plenty of space for those inevitable night feeds.

Surprisingly, their daughter—who usually didn’t sleep through the night—managed to do so several times during the trip. And after months of interrupted sleep, The parent’s finally got some rest, too!

🍽️ Mealtime: Eating Together

A portable high chair was an absolute must-have. While many campsite restaurants had high chairs, they weren’t available for use elsewhere.

Every evening, their daughter sat in her chair, watching them prepare meals. By eating together, they kept to a routine, making meals a fun and relaxing part of the trip.

And of course, breakfast always included fresh croissants—because when in France, that’s just the rule! 🥐

Favorite Baby-Friendly Campsites

Not all campsites are created equal, but France is incredibly baby-friendly. Two spots stood out as their favorites:

🏕️ Huttopia Versailles

A fantastic stopover on the way south, this campsite was just outside Paris. With easy access to the Palace of Versailles, it was a great place to break up the drive.

🚎 Short bus ride to the palace
🚆 20-minute train into central Paris
👶 Baby-friendly facilities on-site

Top tip: The palace itself isn’t very pushchair-friendly, so they recommend just buying a ticket for the gardens.

🏕️ Château des Marais (Loire Valley)

This campsite, minutes from Château de Chambord, was a dream for families.

🏊 Amazing water park (even if their baby was too young to enjoy the flumes!)
🛒 Well-stocked shop for baby essentials
🐾 Close to ZooParc de Beauval, often called “the best zoo in France”

A major bonus? Both campsites had dedicated baby rooms with built-in baths, making their portable baby bath unnecessary. Next time, they’d pack even lighter!

On the Road: Travel Tips with a Baby

🚢 Ferry Crossing: A Welcome Break

Like most travelers, they took the Dover–Calais ferry, which takes about 90 minutes. This gave them time to grab food and let their baby crawl around before hitting the road again.

On the return trip, British border control in Calais required a face check of their baby to match the passport. If the baby was asleep, an officer came out to check without waking them—a small but appreciated gesture!

🛣️ Toll Roads = Stress-Free Travel

Driving long distances with a baby can be a nightmare—unless there’s zero traffic.

✅ French toll roads are fast, smooth, and often nearly empty.
✅ Roadside rest stops (Aires) every 10-20km make it easy to stop whenever needed.
✅ Clean facilities & picnic benches—perfect for nappy changes and snack breaks.

With Aires always close by, they never had to worry about finding a place to stop. And with the campervan’s spacious floor, nappy changes on the go were a breeze.

Would They Do It Again? Absolutely!

This trip proved that campervanning with a baby is not only possible but incredibly rewarding.

🚐 Flexibility—they could stop whenever needed.
👶 Entertainment—new sights and sounds kept their baby happy.
☀️ Better weather, better mood—for the baby and the parents!

Their little one thrived on the adventure, and they loved the freedom that campervanning gave them. It was the perfect way to see France at their own pace, without stress or rigid schedules.

For anyone considering a campervan trip with a baby, this experience showed that with the right planning, it’s one of the best ways to travel as a family.

Thinking of a Campervan Trip?

If this story has inspired you, it might be time to start planning your own adventure. With the right campervan, a bit of preparation, and an open mind, traveling with a baby can be an amazing experience for everyone! 🚐✨

365camperhire has a range of Motorhomes and Campervans that would be suitable for a trip like this. Check out our Campers and Motorhomes

Who said camping food had to be dull? Ditch the spaghetti hoops, fry-ups and pot noodles, and try out one of these Simple Delicious Road Meals one-pot campervan recipes, and enjoy some fine dining!!

Sausage casserole (serves 2)

• ½ tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 carrot, diced,
• 1 Stalk celery, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 clove of garlic
• 4 sausages
• 1 can kidney beans, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes, drained
• Teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Fry the veg and garlic in the olive oil until the onions are cooked. Add the sausages and cook for a further few minutes. Pour in the kidney beans, tomatoes and thyme and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes. Season and serve.

Or turn it into a vegetarian campervan recipe

Don’t feel like eating meat today or prefer a vegetarian recipe? Simply replace the sausages with vegetarian Bratwurst, for instance from Vegetarian Butcher or GoodBite. The rest of this campervan recipe will stay the same.

Chicken Nachos (serves 2)

• 100g Nachos
• 100g cheddar cheese
• 200g lettuce
• Small jar of salsa sauce
• 2 chicken breasts, diced
• ½ tablespoon vegetable oil

Fry chicken in vegetable oil. When cooked, add salsa to heat. Pour mixture over nachos. Add lettuce and sprinkle with cheese.

Chilli Con Carne (serves 2)

Chilli Con Carne

• 1/2 sachet of Chilli-Con-Carne seasoning mix (always check ingredients needed for your chosen brand of seasoning mix)
• 200g lean minced beef
• 1 medium onions, chopped
• 75ml cold water
• 200g can of  diced tomatoes
• 200g can of kidney beans, drained

Brown the mince and onions and drain off excess. Mix the sachet with water, and add to meat, along with the kidney beans and tomatoes. Bring to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes. Add to rice, pasta or nachos!

Cooking hack: turn it into Chilli Sin Carne

Making this recipe vegetarian is easy… Just add some textured vegetable protein (TVP) instead of the minced beef. Let the TVP simmer in the diced tomatoes/water + seasoning mixture before adding the kidney beans. For an even fuller flavour replace the water with another can of diced tomatoes. Let it simmer (without the beans) for 10 to 15 minutes to reduce the liquid and let the TVP soak up some of the liquid. Is it too watery? Simply add some regular flour or chickpea flour.

Linguine and spicy shrimps (serves 2)

• 200g Linguine
  

  Linguine and spicy shrimps

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 250g shrimps
• ¼ tea spoon crushed red pepper
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1 bunch of watercress, thick stems removed and torn
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
• Salt, for seasoning

Cook pasta according to packet instructions. Drain and reserve some of the water. Fry shrimps in oil with the garlic, red pepper and a dash of salt for 3-4 minutes, tossing occasionally. Reduce to a medium heat, add the pasta, watercress, lemon zest and 100ml of reserved pasta water and toss occasionally for 1-2 minutes and serve.

Turning it into vegetarian linguine

Simply leave out the shrimps and add 1 onion and 3 to 5 cloves of garlic for extra flavour. Stir-fry the onion when you finished cooking the linguine pasta. As soon as the onions & garlic start to brown, take the pan off the camping stove and add the pasta. Finish off with some good olive oil. Add a fresh side-salad if you want a vitamin boost.

Fajitas (serves 2)

Chicken Fajitas

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 chicken breasts, into strips
• 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1 bell pepper
• 4 flour tortillas
• Fajita seasoning sachet
• Salsa, guacamole, or whatever condiments takes your fancy
• Salt and pepper, to season

Fry the chicken in the oil with the garlic and add seasoning. After the chicken begins to cook, add the onion and pepper. Once cooked, season and serve.

How to make vegetarian fajitas

Replace the chicken in the campervan recipe above with vegetarian chicken. There are several options available nowadays in the UK and Europe. The rest of the recipe will stay the same,

Spanish omelette (serves 2)

Spanish Tortilla

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 200g small potatoes, peeled and sliced small
• 150g onions, peeled and thinly sliced
• Salt and pepper to season
• 3 large eggs

Fry the potatoes and onions with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once cooked, allow it to cool for 10 minutes. Mix eggs in a bowl with salt and pepper. Scoop out the potatoes and onion and put into the mix with the eggs, keeping the oil in the pan.

Heat the pan and add mixture, leaving to cook undisturbed on a low heat. Leave until the edges have set, and the middle is beginning to (around 10 minutes). Using a plate, flip the tortilla over, and cook on the other side for a further 3 minutes.

More campervan recipes for yummy road trip meals

For more simple ideas check out these blog posts from travelling foodies:

• Dirty Gournet’s one pot meals
• Fresh Off The Grid’s one-pot camping meals
• Food Network’s easy camping recipes

Ready to Book your Motorhome Hire?

Get an online quote from 365camperhire.co.uk

365camperhire has a range of Motorhomes and Campervans that have the facilities to create our Campervan recipes and  Simple Delicious Road Meals. Check out our Campers and Motorhomes

Taking a portable Wi-Fi router when camping can be useful for several reasons, especially if you still need internet access while off the grid:

Portable Wi-Fi Devices to consider

When camping, having a reliable internet connection can enhance your experience by providing access to navigation tools, weather updates, and a means to stay connected with others. Here are some top portable Wi-Fi routers suitable for camping:

GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX)
This compact router supports Wi-Fi 6 and offers speeds up to 1800 Mbps. It’s designed for travel, making it ideal for camping.

pcguide.com

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Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro
A high-performance mobile hotspot that supports 5G and Wi-Fi 6E, providing fast and reliable internet access.

netgear.com

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TP-Link M7350 Mobile Hotspot
An affordable option that supports 4G LTE with speeds up to 150 Mbps. It’s compact and user-friendly, suitable for travelers.

t3.com

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Huawei E5577-321 Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot
This device offers 4G speeds up to 150 Mbps and allows you to connect multiple devices simultaneously.

t3.com

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ZTE MU5001 5G Mobile Router
A 5G-capable router providing high-speed internet, suitable for travelers needing robust connectivity.

theroadtwospoons.co.uk

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When selecting a portable Wi-Fi router for camping, consider factors such as network compatibility, battery life, and the number of devices you’ll need to connect. Ensure the router supports the frequency bands used in your camping area and has a durable design to withstand outdoor conditions.

Using Portable Batteries for Camping is a great idea for several reasons:

1. Keeps Devices Charged – You can power your phone, GPS, camera, or any other electronic devices you may need. This is especially useful for emergencies or navigation.

2. Provides Lighting – Many portable batteries can power LED lanterns, string lights, or headlamps, making nighttime activities easier.

3. Runs Small Appliances – Some higher-capacity power banks or solar generators can run small camping gear like fans, electric coolers, or even a coffee maker.

4. Emergency Backup – If something unexpected happens, having a charged phone or radio can be a lifesaver for communication and accessing weather updates.

5. Eco-Friendly & Quiet – Unlike gas generators, portable batteries don’t produce noise or emissions, making them a cleaner and quieter option.

6. Works with Solar Panels – Many portable batteries can be recharged using solar panels, allowing for sustainable off-grid power.

We at 365camperhire.co.uk offer an EcoFlow DELTA 2 Portable Power Station as one of our options, it can pretty much power anything. A 1800W AC output means you can power more than 90% of your home appliances. That’s your microwave, fridge, or even coffee maker covered in a blackout. Or, try plugging in up to 13 devices at once for when you’re around the table with the family. Unlike other brands, DELTA 2 can prevent overloading from devices up to 2400W thanks to X-Boost technology.

If you are camping “Off-Grid” then an extra battery is a must, you we never be without charging for those important devices, mobile phones, Laptops etc.

Check out our other Optional Extras

Purchasing Portable Batteries for Camping,

If you are thinking of purchasing one for yourself here are some of the best portable batteries for camping, depending on your needs:

🔋 Small & Lightweight (For Phones & Small Devices)

1. Anker PowerCore 26800 – High capacity (26,800mAh), can charge a phone multiple times, and has dual USB ports.
2. Goal Zero Flip 36 – Compact and great for lightweight camping trips, perfect for phones and small gadgets.

⚡ Mid-Sized (For Laptops, Cameras, & Small Appliances)

3. Jackery Explorer 300 – 293Wh power station, great for charging laptops, cameras, and small camping gear.
4. EcoFlow River 2 – Fast charging (0-100% in about an hour), great for a mix of tech gear and lights.

🔥 High-Power (For Fridges, CPAP Machines, & Large Gear)

5. Jackery Explorer 1000 – 1002Wh battery, can run small coolers, projectors, or CPAP machines.
6. Bluetti EB3A – Compact yet powerful, has a 600W inverter and supports solar charging.

☀️ Solar-Powered Options

7. Goal Zero Yeti 500X + Nomad 50 Solar Panel – Sustainable off-grid power for long trips.
8. BioLite Solar Generator 1500 – Large battery pack with solar recharge, great for extended stays.

Festival Tips to Impress Your Friends:

Summer is the ultimate party season, especially with all the exciting festivals happening across the UK and Europe. It’s no surprise it’s called festival season! Getting ready for the festival fun is a breeze with these tips. You’ll be more prepared than your friends, and you can party without a care. Use our guide, and you’ll know exactly what to pack for your festival road trip.

1. Tickets, please!

It seems obvious, but someone always forgets their ticket. Before hitting the road in your campervan or motorhome, double-check that your ticket is in your bag. No ticket means no entry—so this is the festival tip to follow.

2. Clothes

While it’s summer, walking around naked isn’t practical! Since UK and European weather can be unpredictable, be prepared for any conditions. Don’t stress about fitting everything in a small bag—our campervans have plenty of storage space. Pack warm, waterproof gear like ponchos and sturdy walking boots or wellies, especially if you’re dealing with muddy fields.

3. Stock up on food

Save time and money by stocking up on food before you hit the road. With a fridge and cooking facilities in your campervan, you can enjoy meals on the go. Grab some sausages, salads, and you’re ready for the festival.

4. Sunscreen & After-Sun Lotion

Sunscreen is essential for a day of fun in the sun. And after-sun lotion is always a good idea, especially if you’ve been dancing under the hot sun. Plus, it’s a great excuse for someone to give you a relaxing massage after a day of festival action.

5. Baby Wipes

A lifesaver for UK festivals where showers can be scarce. A quick wipe-down and you’re ready to party again—simple as that.

6. Bottled Water

Long queues can be a drag, so it’s best to have bottled water on hand. Each 365camperhire campervan comes with a 100-litre water tank, so fill it up before you leave to make your life easier.

7. Your Favorite Tunes

No road trip is complete without music. Make sure your favorite tracks are loaded on your phone. Each 365campervan comes with Apple Car Play and Android Auto connectivity, so you’re all set.

8. Beverages

Bring your favorite drinks for the road. Our campervans have a built-in fridge to keep them cool—perfect for a late-night drink after jamming to live music all day.

9. No Glass

Remember—no glass! Security will confiscate any glass bottles, and you might be turned away. Stick to cans of soda or beer instead.

10. Charge Your Phone(s)

If you need to charge your phone at the festival, no worries! Each campervan has a USB socket or two for all those devices.

11. Cash

Carry only small amounts of cash to avoid losing too much if something happens. If you need more, there are ATMs at most festivals across the UK and Europe. And lets face it cashless is the way of the world now.

12. Earplugs

Heading to a multi-day festival or road-tripping between events? Don’t forget earplugs! Protect your ears from loud sounds while still enjoying the music with earplugs designed to let the good tunes through.

Got More Tips?

We’d love to hear any extra festival tips you have. If you’ve got some great ones, share them with us on Facebook and we’ll add the best suggestions to our list. Let’s keep the party rolling all summer long!

Ready to hit the road? Get an online quote now and check out our range of campervans & motorhomes.