Who has experience of camping in France? Please help me with what to pack for DDs. We don't have room for everything!!!

[ekra]

In a few weeks time we are driving to France. Rouen for 3 nights, Ambois in the Loire Valley for 9 nights and then 2 nights somewhere on the way back to Calais.

I will be packing shorts, t-shirts, swimsuits, summer dresses, 3/4 length trousers, cardigans, and sandals.

What else, if anything, do I need to pack for DDs aged 21 months and 4ish to wear?

How likely is it to rain? Do I need to pack....

Raincoats?
Wellies?
Jeans?
Long trousers?
Sweatshirts/fleeces?

What should they wear in bed? They will be sleeping in readybeds with the not terribly warm duvets attached. I was thinking of taking those fleece over pyjamas toensure they are warm enough at night. Should they wear summer PJs underneath or warmer winter PJs.

I don't have a clue and if I don't get a clue, I will pack everything 'just incase'

The weather can be unpredictable, so my advice would be to have some layers - have they got pack-a-mac/kagoules or something? that way they don't take up much room.

I always over-pack - remember you are on hols and clothes can usually be worn more than once (maybe a quick rinse-through under the tap to remove ice-cream splodges)! I end up taking too many dresses for DD2 usually - this year am just taking 1 pretty dress and the rest of the time will be shorts or trousers depending on weather.

Are you in a tent or mobile home? If in a tent I wold pack long-sleeved PJs. If really cold you could always add a t-shirt underneath, or put a sweatshirt on top.

Wellies optional - depends what footwear you have. DD2 has Crocs so she may get wet feet but they will dry quickly enough! She will also have a pair of trainers for walking out on a grotty day but if I think she's going to be puddle splashing I'll stick the Crocs on as they'll dry quicker.

Warm PJs, if too hot they can wear a T shirt instead.
Rain- yes it probadly will, a waterproof jacket at least would be sensible, they can wear it on chill windy days too to keep warmer.
Personaly, I'd take a pair of long trews but not jeans,and a long sleve top. something that dries quicky, flease or polyester.
If you are happy them getting wet feet, don't take wellies but put them in their sandels on wet days and campsites on dewy mornings.

Top Tip for your husband/partner/grown up man - French campsites with pools do not let men wear short style trunks. Yes, very alarming speedo moment coming up. We went for a month last year and in extreme heat exhaustion desperation my husband wore my 5 year olds trunks. NO ONE should have to see that! They might be fussy for boys as well - be very prepared!