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
More from 365camperhire.co.uk
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
