As our family continues our adventure across Europe, we’ve stumbled upon an unexpected yet delightful aspect of our travels: the simplicity and convenience of laundry days in France. In this post, I’m sharing our experiences and some tips for fellow travellers and worldschooling families.
The Convenience of French Launderettes
One of the pleasant surprises has been the widespread availability of self-service launderettes in France. Often found in supermarket car parks, these facilities offer great value and ease of access, meaning we don’t have to lug our family of 5’s washing miles from the car. The inclusion of detergent with each wash is a welcome bonus, and our clothes came out smelling lovely every time. We also loved that at many of them, card payment was accepted.
For those planning a caravan trip across Europe or looking into the worldschooling lifestyle, understanding the local amenities like these launderettes can make daily tasks less of an interruption to your adventure. These facilities are easily found using google maps.
Turn it into a Lunch Break
Our laundry days have evolved into a new family ritual. While our clothes spin in the machines, we take this time as an opportunity to enjoy a leisurely lunch in our car. This has not only been a practical solution to fitting in necessary chores but also a unique way to spend quality family time. Every day isn’t about excitement, it’s nice sometimes to slow down and get on with the boring jobs without them feeling like they take over the day.
The Unexpected Joys of Travel
Our journey so far has taught us valuable lessons about embracing the simplicity of daily tasks and finding joy in the mundane. Simple chores help teach the kids lifelong, necessary skills. They love to help with the laundry, cooking, caravan maintenance etc. Working together as a family teaches them more than we ever imagined.
Final Thoughts
As we continue to explore and adapt to new environments, we’re reminded of the importance of flexibility and the value of embracing local customs and conveniences, such as France’s efficient launderettes. Our blog aims to guide other families considering this lifestyle, offering insights into both the extraordinary and the ordinary aspects of travelling the world with children.
