Orka Living 
We’ve just returned from a sun-soaked, sandy-toed adventure at Le Beach Garden Eurocamp in France – and it was brilliant! Think lazy mornings, beachside sandcastles, and just the right balance of family chaos and calm. But here’s the thing: what made it truly enjoyable wasn’t just the weather or the croissants (although those definitely helped) … it was being organised before we left.
As a professional organiser and busy mum, I’ve learned that holidays don’t have to be hectic – with a little planning, they can be the reset we all need. Whether you’ve already booked your Eurocamp escape or you’re just toying with the idea of a family-friendly getaway, I’m sharing my top tips, checklists, and a few tried-and-tested hacks to help you feel relaxed, prepared, and ready for fun.
So, if you want to avoid last-minute packing panic, keep your holiday home tidy (ish), and actually enjoy your break, keep reading – I’ve got you covered!
1. Before You Go – Planning Like a Pro
A successful Eurocamp (or similar) holiday starts well before you zip up the suitcase. The more you can prep ahead, the smoother everything flows – especially with little ones in tow.
Choosing the Right Site
We chose Le Beach Garden in Marseillan for its direct beach access, great pool area, easy access to the local town and calm, family-friendly vibe. I won’t lie though, the final decision was taken after months of going back and forth between the different options. Our decision was also hugely guided by where we could get reasonably priced flights to, so make sure to take that into consideration. (For info, we flew from Manchester Airport to Beziers with Ryan Air.)
Ask yourself:
- Do we want to be near the beach or a walkable town?
- Is entertainment or peace and quiet more important?
- Will we have a car or be relying on bikes?
- Are we flying or driving?
If you haven’t already, check out the Eurocamp Unofficial Supporters Club page on Facebook for top tips and reviews from others who have been to the sites before.
Booking Tips
Look at least 6–9 months in advance for peak dates – or keep an eye out for late deals if you’re flexible. I’m not great at being last minute with things but I do know people who have managed to get a great deal at short notice.
👉 Useful link: Eurocamp UK Website
Your Master Planning List
Use a notebook, app or whatever suits you to keep track of:
- Bookings & documents
- Packing lists
- Travel details
- Things to buy in advance
Staying organised starts here!
Personally, I used Trello for all my packing lists, things to buy etc, and One Drive for my travel documents. Being able to access these on my phone makes the travel day a breeze. I’m also a fan of pulling together a one-page itinerary that has all the information in one place for easy access.
Here’s what my holiday One Drive folder looks like:
2. Packing Smarter – Not Heavier
Packing for a Eurocamp holiday can go one of two ways: calm and considered… or complete chaos. I will admit, I am historically an over packer. It’s something I am working on and getting better at, but I realised a few things when packing for this holiday and here’s a few things to remember to consider:
Know What’s Included
Most lodges come with kitchenware, fridge/freezer, outdoor furniture, hairdryer, pillows, and duvets (though bedding is not included unless you buy it as an add-on). Pre-book extras like highchairs and bed guards.
Must-Pack Essentials
- Packing cubes and laundry bags (Next time I would pack less clothes and use the laundry facilities so a bag to take the clothes to and from the laundrette is helpful.)
- Plug adaptors (UK to EU) If you are short on adapters, taking an extension cable with multiplugs available is a huge help.
- Clothes pegs, a travel airer or line if you are camping. Most of the mobile homes have a line and airer.
- First aid kit & toiletries. While we didn’t need any medical essentials thankfully it was good to know we had them. The worst thing is someone becoming ill while abroad and not having what you need.
- Snacks for the travel days. Nobody likes hangry kids!
- Scooters or foldable bikes for campsite exploring. Given we flew to France we couldn’t bring these with us, but if we were driving I would make sure to bring them along. We hired a bike which made a big difference to being able to nip to the shops and carry the littlest one when she was too tired.
- Day bag with sun cream, wipes, hats, and water bottles. I’d also add in a wipeable toiletry bag for creams in case they leak.
Cleaning basics
Remember that they provide you with a small welcome box which includes a toilet roll, a small washing up liquid and cleaning liquid, a bin bag, a sponge and a cleaning cloth that will see you through the first couple of days. If you are driving it’s worth bringing a few of your own cleaning products as well as a tea towel.
COMING SOON: Signup to our newsletter to get my free Eurocamp Packing Checklist as soon as it launches to help you prep like a pro.
3. Staying Organised on Site (Without Feeling Like the Holiday Police)
Once you arrive, keep things simple with a few smart systems:
Create Family-Friendly Zones
- Sleeping – one zone per child for PJs & bedtime bits.
- Storage – over-door organiser for sun cream, toiletries, games and any extras that need a home.
- Outdoor grab zone – bags, towels, flip-flops ready to go.
We used this door hanger storage over the back of the bathroom door for all our little extra bits and bobs. It made a great grab and go station!
Laundry Solutions
Use collapsible baskets or foldable bag and bring a few pegs and a travel line if camping – machines are available on-site but can get busy. It was roughly 7 euros for a wash and 5 euros for the dryer, and each took about half an hour. We did one dark and one light load and it was well worth it. There was the option to use an iron, although we didn’t. Next time I would consider taking a small handheld steamer for ease.
Keep a Loose Routine
Let your days flow: slow mornings, busy afternoons, calm evenings.
Let kids help plan the day using a whiteboard or chalkboard – it gives them ownership and cuts down on constant questions. We stuck to long lies after the later nights. Mr Orka Living did a morning run to the bakery for our morning croissants which we enjoyed on the decking in the sunshine. This was generally followed by a trip to the pool, a late afternoon siesta and finishing off the day with dinner and entertainment or games.
4. Making the Most of the Holiday – Without Burning Out
Don’t Overdo It
Avoid the temptation to fill every day. Pick one main activity or outing and leave space for rest and spontaneity.
Protect Your Energy
- A solo morning walk
- Reading time by the pool
- 10-minute stretch or meditation
You’re allowed to enjoy this holiday too!
Capture the Memories
Capturing memories is a great way to look back on the good times, but, it can also be a great way to gather physical and digital clutter. Think carefully about how you’re going to capture your own memories.
- Keep a short holiday journal (paper or digital)
- Let the kids draw their favourite daily moment
- Record funny voice notes
- Do a “Top 3 Moments” chat on the journey home
5. Coming Home Organised (So You Don’t Need a Holiday After the Holiday)
Pack and Unpack with Intention
When you are packing to go home, pack with your future self in mind. While our cases on the way there were packed by person, on the way back they were packed by clean or dirty. This meant that one case went straight into the laundry and the other went straight to be put back in the drawers. Pro Tip: using packing pods and drawer dividers means no refolding, just a straight transfer. Reorganise clean bits and store holiday gear in a clearly labelled box for next time.
Reflect, Review & Store Your Lists
Note what worked, what you’d change, and what to bring next time. Keep this list somewhere you won’t forget so that when the time rolls round you can easily find it. I would always suggest keeping all your notes and checklists in a digital folder — ready for your next adventure. (Another vote for Trello here!)
Ease Back into Routine
Order a food shop to arrive the day you get home. Keep dinner simple. Enjoy a screen-free evening to help everyone reset gently.
Here’s to a Stress Free Holiday: A Little Prep, a Lot More Peace
Being organised doesn’t mean being rigid – it means giving yourself the gift of ease and enjoyment. With a little planning, your Eurocamp or family holiday can be exactly what you need it to be: relaxed, fun, and filled with lasting memories (and not stress).
💬 Got your own Eurocamp tips? I’d love to hear them! Comment below or come and chat with me on Facebook or Instagram @orkasimplifiedliving.
Coming soon!
Grab your FREE Eurocamp Packing Checklist
Join the Orka Living mailing list to be the first to get it.
Don’t forget if you have a holiday coming up or are just back from one and need help to declutter and get organised, then get in touch to see how Orka Living can help you move from frazzled and overwhelmed to calm and in control! We are here to help!
Whatever you are doing this summer, from our family to yours, we hope you have a great and stress free time!
