What to take with you
Whether you are a regular visitor to France or travelling abroad for the first time you will find this check list an invaluable aid to ensure that nothing has been overlooked.
Documents
- Passports, Camping Carnet*
- Ferry crossing reference no.*
- Insurance certificates*
- EHIC card*
- Car Registration Document*
- Driving Licence*
- MOT certificate where applicable
- Car Manual
- G.B.sticker
- Written authority to drive car from owner if it is not owned by you
- Certificate of ownership for boats
- Written permission from parents if taking another family’s child.
Car accessories
- Red Warning Triangle*
- Reflective jackets x 2*
- Spare Parts Kit
- Spare bulbs and fuses*
- Cycle Rack
- Tyre Pressure Gauge
- First Aid Kit*
- Spare set of car keys
- List of foreign service agents
- Tool kit and Tow Rope
- Deflector tape for lights
- CDs or Ipod
- Car repair manual
- Towing mirrors
- Tow bar cover.
Books and Guides
- Maps
- Any guides to area (e.g Michelin)
- French Dictionary
- Phrase Book
- Personal Reading books or kindle
- Address Book
Camping/Caravanning Equipment
- Tent/Awning, groundsheet, gazebo
- Pegs and Mallet (strong pegs for hard ground when very dry or stony)
- Step for caravan
- Gas cylinders, Spanner for gas cylinders
- Table and chairs
- Adaptor Plug for hook-up with 50m of cable
- Water Carrier, Bucket
- Waste water container
- Spare guy ropes, elastics, “D” rings
- Levelling aid or spirit
- Levelling blocks or chocks for caravan/motorhome
- Spare Wheel/Tyre for caravan/trailer
- Chemical fluid
- Polarity tester
- Fire extinguisher
- Caravan door keys
- Barbecue (check if allowed on site)
Clothes
- Light clothes (T-shirts, shorts, skirts, sandals etc)
- Sundresses and sunhats
- Sweaters and jeans (for cool evenings)
- Track suits
- Swimming costumes, goggles etc.
- Beach shoes,
- Cagoules and wellingtons
- Canvas shoes or rubber shoes for rivers/lakes
- Walking boots for rambling
- Nightwear
For the Children and Sport
- Buckets and spades, Plastic balls, football etc.
- Games, Comics, Books
- Tennis rackets, Dinghy, Windsurfer, Bicycles
- Table tennis bats and balls
- Binoculars and compass
Food
- Tea bags,Coffee, Sugar, Salt and Pepper
- Breakfast Cereal, Fruit Squash.
- Favourite foods so that you don’t have to shop as soon as you arrive.
Linen
- Sleeping Bags or similar
- Pillows
- Tea Towels
- Towels for shower and beach
Kitchen Items
- Washing up bowl, Washing-up liquid
- Washing powder, Dishcloth/Scourer
- Kitchen cleaner
- Broom, Dustpan and brush
- Clothes line,and pegs. Airer
- Cooking pans/frying pan
- Kettle/Teapot
- Chopping board, Knives (incl bread knife)
- Cutlery, Plates, Bowls, Cups, Mugs, Glasses
- Measuring jug, Mixing bowl, Colander/Sieve
- Tin opener/bottle opener, Cork screw
- Kitchen roll, Tinfoil and Clingfilm wrap
- Plastic Waste Bags, Scissors
- Cool box, Plastic Food Containers
Medicine, Toiletries etc
- Toilet Paper not always provided on sites
- Basic First Aid Kit
- Aspirin, Paracetemol, Travel Sickness Pills
- Personal medicines and pills
- Antiseptic cream, Plasters
- Insect Repellent, Ant Powder
- Fly and Insect Spray
- Sun Screen and After Sun cream
- Soap, Toothpaste, Toothbrush
- Razor, Shaving Cream, Shampoo
- Hair Dryer,Mirror, Brushes and Combs
- Cotton Wool,Tissues
- Toe clippers and scissors, Tweezers
For the baby
- Disposable nappies/trainer pants
- Potty
- Changing bag, wet wipes, creams
- Feeder mug, baby foods
- Bottles and sterilising unit
- Buggy/backpack, travel cot and high chair
- Sunshade for pushchair
- Sunhat and sleep suits
- Armbands, plastic sandals
Other Items
- Matches, Torch, Tissues
- Travel Plug (for razors and hairdryers)
- Travel Iron, Coat hangers
- String, Rubber bands, Insulating tape
- Thermos, Alarm Clock
- Mobile phone and Charger
- Camera (video, digital and still) Films,Discs
- Binoculars, Spare Batteries
- Sewing Kit, Shoe Cleaning Kit
- Beach items, Parasol, Windbreak, Mats
- Sunglasses (essential for driving)