2 weeks in a French gite help me pack please

[Liveinthepresent]

I know this shouldn’t be hard - but I am a chronic overpacker - I took enough for a week on a recent three night break and it got me thinking how much simpler it will be if I can just write some lists and stick to them.
Haven’t ever been away with DC for two weeks with no washing machine!

What do people take ?

1. Enough clothes for DC (8and 6)
2. Planning for mixed weather
3. Anything that makes life easier - towels etc for pool / beach

Thanks for any help -
Lists will be my friend !

Are you driving?

Round here (SW) most big supermarkets have washer/dryers in their car parks. It is sooooo hot at the moment that a quick handwash and out in the sun for 10 mins would suffice.

Take a cool bag and some ice packs - you'll need it just to get the shopping home in solid form

Depending on how much cooking you like to do then herbs will be useful - they can be a bit hit and miss here, especially coriander.

If you are a tea drinker then bring tea. You can get decent tea here but it is eye-wateringly expensive.

A beach towel each and bedding/ bath towels if needed
Corkscrew/ sharp knife/ tea towel/ j cloth/ plastic filter for coffee/ tea bags/ cool boxes/a loo roll / dishwasher tablets if there is one/ matches
Picnic for journey
Kids choose what they want to take and be responsible for as far as toys and devices are concerned but I would probably insist on a book or two each/ cricket bat and ball/ tennis rackets and a pack of cards also body boards if you are taking them.
Toiletries( share as much as possible)
I think in terms of day clothes:
2 swimming costumes each worn with perhaps 2 pairs shorts and about 4 t shirts kept going over the fortnight.
Sandals and trainers
A waterproof each and a hoodie each.
Jeans to travel in and wear if wet/ cold.
Pants and socks won't be worn for long periods so could be doubled up ( particularly socks .. 2-3 pairs might well be enough)
Night wear*2
Max one or two outfits for going out in evening or visiting churches/ galleries etc.
For children the above should take up v little space . You might want to add a dress or two.
Hand washing in sink or launderette in an emergency is no big deal so I wouldn't stress about it. We have often done this type of holiday and despite being very stingy with packing usually don't need all the clothes.
If the worse comes to the worst and you have forgotten something you can usually easily get it in a supermarket abroad.

Forgot to add that we usually take Sal t and pepper and some chilli flakes or dried chillis as well

Thanks for replies - yes we are driving which I think leads me to pack more than is needed without airline weight restrictions!
This is very interesting and highlights just how excessively I pack - I can’t imagine travelling that light and have certainly never come close to being this minimal !
Thanks for tips about kitchen bits - will definitely pack tea and am used to self catering - I think we will be keeping it quite simple as kitchen looks quite minimal too .

It depends on your gite. I only pack beach towels unless no towels are supplied.

If you have a washing machine I may cut down on clothes, we had a week on Provence where I needed two tops each day, everything was smelling of sweat by the evening and we needed another shower.

Change of shoes like trainers, sandals, hiking boots. Long trousers, hoodies and waterproofs.

Toiletries can be shared ideally. If you need more just buy it.

I always take extra Tupperware with me, there is never enough in any holiday let o have come across so far. A smaller coolbox for trips which fits on a backpack with smaller cool packs, the big cooler has the large ones in. Plus a decent pocket knife. If there is really something missing in the gite I buy it and take it back.

Small first aid kit like plaster, antiseptic cream, insect bite relief, painkillers so you don’t have to hunt down a pharmacy.

Tea bags, did I mention tea bags?

Is there an inventory for the gite?
Many French gites have coffee filter machines but not electric kettles so you may need to take one. You will need to take a travel plug adaptor for any electrical devices you use e.g. kettle, hair dryer, phone chargers.
Take a tin opener with you as well as a corkscrew.
If you are provided with a microwave take some plastic microwave containers with you have never stayed anywhere where these are provided.
Some French supermarkets have an English food section (as part of their world foods aisle). It depends on how fussy your dcs are but if they insist on a particular cereal e.g. weetabix/cornflakes take it with you as it will be hard to buy in France.
If you are travelling on a Saturday please remember that French supermarkets either close at lunch-time on Sundays or do not open at all. You can check opening hours of local stores before you go.
We usually take some tinned food for a basic meal with us so we don't have to drive around to find an open shop when we arrive there.
Also French bank holidays are different (they are not necessarily on Mondays and there are more or them).

I pack clothes for 5 days then several loads of washing over the holidays. Its not onerous and everything dries very quickly.

Take calpol or whatever for your DC. Its not the same flavour in France according to my DC

Does the gite off a laundry service? A few do.
You can always hand wash some of the basics as well?

I take tea, favourite cereal, sharp knives and chopping board (often missing) and sometimes take my wok with a lid as you can cook anything in it and pans can be a bit lacking. Other things often not available: teapot if you use, small jug for heating milk in microwave (if available), grater, ice cube tray.

Everything else I buy at the supermarket on the way including things like hand soap for the bathrooms and toilet roll (can usually only put French loo roll down especially when there's a septic tank (common)). I have started to take washing tabs and dishwasher tabs as I was finding them expensive in France and they take up very little room.

Games, colouring/activities perhaps some family DVDs if there is the means to play them. We often find we take too much of this stuff if the weather is good, but it s a godsend of its wet.

Sheets and towels if required. Definitely tea towels. Hand towels even if towels are provided. Pillows if you may prefer your own to French square ones.

Lots of adaptors, we find an extension lead helpful as then you can use just one adaptor to run several UK chargers/appliances.

If you'll be going out for picnics a cool bag and some ice packs. Shopping bags for the supermarket or popping to the baker and some €1 coins for the trolley). Ikea bags are useful for moving gear or shopping from car to gite.