*This article contains affiliate links*
Planning a family road trip to France? Brilliant choice! With stunning countryside, charming towns, and plenty of child-friendly activities, France is perfect for a driving holiday. But what should you pack to keep everyone happy, comfortable, and prepared for anything on the road?
Here’s your ultimate packing list for a family holiday — tailored to road trips, children, and French adventures.
Essentials for the Car Journey
Whether you’re crossing the Channel via ferry or Eurotunnel, long drives require a bit of prep. Here’s what to have within easy reach:
🎒 In-Car Essentials:
- Travel documents (passports, insurance, booking confirmations)
- Driving licence and car documents (MOT, logbook, insurance certificate)
- European driving kit (reflective jackets, warning triangle, headlight beam stickers, breathalyser)
- First aid kit
- Sunglasses for everyone
- Wet wipes, tissues, and hand sanitiser
- Phone chargers and power banks
- Rubbish bags and kitchen roll
🍿 Entertainment for Kids:
- Audiobooks or music playlists
- Headphones and devices (download content in advance!)
- Sticker books, puzzles, or colouring sets
- Compact games or travel cards
- Comfort items (blanket, pillow, cuddly toy)
Clothes and Footwear
Pack for variety — French weather can be glorious but unpredictable, especially if you’re travelling across regions.
👚 Clothing Checklist:
- Comfy travel outfits
- Casual daywear for exploring towns and villages
- Warmer layers for cooler evenings or mountain areas
- Lightweight waterproof jackets
- Swimwear (for hotel pools, lakes, or coast days)
- A smarter outfit (for eating out or visiting attractions)
👟 Footwear:
- Comfortable walking shoes/trainers
- Flip flops or sandals
- Water shoes (handy for rocky beaches or lake swimming)
Toiletries and Health
Don’t rely on finding your favourites abroad — especially with children.
🧴 Family Toiletries:
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Shampoo, conditioner, body wash
- Hairbrush or comb
- Travel-size sun cream (SPF 30+)
- Insect repellent
- After-sun lotion
- Nappy supplies and wipes if needed
- Any prescription medication (with copies of prescriptions)
Add Calpol or children’s pain relief and antihistamines just in case.
Food, Snacks, and Cooking Gear
If you’re self-catering or staying at a gîte, some food essentials go a long way:
🍽️ Kitchen Basics:
- Small bottle of washing-up liquid
- Sponge, cloth, and tea towel
- Snacks for the journey (cereal bars, fruit pouches, crackers)
- Cool box or insulated bag
- Reusable water bottles
- Travel mugs or coffee flasks
Buying fresh bread and cheese at French markets is all part of the fun, but having some basics on hand helps keep things easy on arrival.
Extras You’ll Be Glad You Packed
These items aren’t essential, but they make a big difference:
- Pegs and a small washing line
- Fold-up shopping bags
- Picnic blanket
- Lightweight foldable buggy (even for older toddlers)
- Beach towels
- Guidebook or printed phrase sheet
- Torch or headlamp for campsites
Important Tips for Packing
- Pack a separate overnight bag for ferry stopovers or your first night — it saves digging through the whole car!
- Check your accommodation for items provided (e.g. bedding, towels, travel cots)
- Let children pack a small backpack of their favourite bits so they feel involved
- Don’t overpack — French supermarkets have most things if you forget something
Final Thoughts
A well-packed car can make your family driving holiday in France run smoothly from the start. With this packing list for a family holiday, you’ll be well prepared for scenic drives, spontaneous picnics, and everything in between.
Enjoy the journey, embrace the detours, and make some amazing memories together.
