Our France & Spain Road Trip - Week 1 Recap
This summer, we packed up the van, bundled the kids in, and set off on a month-long adventure through France and Spain. With the ferry booked, the first couple of campsites reserved, and a rough plan in hand, we set off ready for four weeks of exploring, swimming, cycling and discovering new places together as a family - often the ones we hadn’t even planned for.
In this post, we’re sharing Week 1 of our journey, from our first ferry crossing and coastal campsites to bike rides, unexpected detours, and finding our rhythm on the road. It was a week full of sunshine, splashes, and a few challenges, but it set the tone for the rest of our trip beautifully.
Days 1–7: Setting Sail & Finding Our Rhythm
Day 1 – The Long Stint in the Van!
After a hectic morning of packing, cleaning, and making sure the house was left in order, we finally hit the road for Plymouth, ready to catch our 22:00 ferry to Roscoff. Before boarding, we made a little detour to a nearby park, not far from where I lived during my university days, to give the kids a chance to stretch their legs. It turned out to be the perfect pause. Dinner was Italian (not very French, we admit, but exactly what we needed) before we queued for our very first family ferry adventure.
Booking two cabins was a wise decision. The kids were exhausted, and everyone managed a solid sleep before arriving in Roscoff at 7 am.
Our first stop was pre-planned: Flower Camping La Guichardière. When choosing, I’d searched for a coastal campsite with a pool within four hours of the ferry. But Dorothea had other plans; she’d decided long van journeys were no longer her thing. We broke up the 321km drive with a stop in Lorient: a short stroll around the harbour and the unbeatable combination of coffee and pain au chocolat gave us all a lift.
When we finally arrived, Camping La Guichardière exceeded expectations. A brilliant pool and splash park for the kids, spotless facilities, a shaded and level pitch, and a sandy beach just five minutes away. The on-site play park was the cherry on top. A gem of a site - highly recommended!
Day 2 – Sunny Bike Rides
The day began in the best possible way: fresh, pre-ordered croissants and a crusty baguette after a quick play at the park. Simple, delicious, and very French. Then came our big adventure, we hired bikes and cycled part of the Vélodyssée trail. The route was flat and perfect for little legs, with a lovely break at Place du Port aux Ânes for paddling and snacks.
Back at the van, lunch was followed by pool time and a late discovery of the campsite’s games area. Cue fierce table football battles before a relaxed dinner of pasta and evening card games.
Two nights here felt just enough to rest and recharge between drives. The only niggle? The lack of fresh produce at the campsite shop. A supermarket stop beforehand would have been handy.
Day 3 – Sun Chasing
We woke to rain, which made it much easier to leave! The idea had been to stop in La Rochelle, but with the weather looking grim, we pressed on straight to Bordeaux. The long, wet journey was punctuated with little breaks to keep spirits up.
By 17:55, we arrived at Côte d’Argent, and the first impressions were superb. Friendly staff, a thoughtful welcome gift, and a gorgeous setting among pine forests just a short stroll from the beach.
After a quick setup, we tucked into pizzas and burgers at the on-site restaurant and still made it to the beach in time for sunset, which was a perfect ending to a dreary travel day.
Day 4 – Swimming Fun!
The morning was relaxed: Lewis took the girls to the park while Dougie and I had some quiet van time. After breakfast, it was pool time and what a pool it was! Sparkling water, endless slides, splash zones, and pools for every age group.
As the weather was cooler, the indoor pool was especially welcome. Everyone had a brilliant time.
Day 5 – We’re Lost!
Still buzzing from our previous cycling adventures, we hired bikes again, this time aiming for a lake about an hour away. The route was beautiful, though I managed to add an extra half hour by taking a wrong turn (oops!). At last, we arrived at a stunning lake, rewarded with ice creams and a refreshing swim for the kids.
The real drama came on the way back. Tempted by a “shorter” route, we ended up pushing bikes up a rocky, steep path and across dunes that were totally unsuitable. What should have been a pleasant ride became a two-hour walk, and we got properly lost. Six hours and 20km later, we stumbled back to the site, utterly exhausted but oddly triumphant. The kids were absolute stars and earned every bite of their pizza and pasta that evening.
Day 6 – Making the Most of Côte d’Argent
With the sun due to break through around midday, we started the morning at Hourtin Plage, just a short cycle away. Golden sand, rolling waves, and squeals of delight from the kids, it was pure seaside joy.
The afternoon was dedicated to that incredible pool complex: lazy rivers, slides galore, splash zones, and sunshine. We treated ourselves to fries and drinks at the bar beside the pool, soaking in the atmosphere. This pool is easily one of the best we’ve seen on our travels.
Day 7 – A Change of Plan
We left Côte d’Argent with pastries and baguettes in tow, ready for the next stage. I’d hoped to take the slow coastal route to Hossegor, but long drives weren’t working for the kids. Instead, we compromised with a stop east of Arcachon Bay. Watching locals swim in the Bassin de Baignade, spotting swallows, and playing at the harbour-side park made it a worthwhile detour.
Originally, we’d booked a Yelloh! campsite, but plans shifted and we pulled into Camping La Civelle in Hossegor instead. It wasn’t our favourite as it was smaller, with more exposed pitches and facilities lacking in cleanliness (no hand soap, which for me is a deal-breaker). Still, it worked as a base.
Hossegor beach was our reward. The kids splashed happily while we navigated the crowds. Vegetarian food options were slim, but at least it wasn’t another Margherita pizza night! Despite the fun, we quickly realised Hossegor’s lively, youthful vibe wasn’t quite our scene. The decision was made: we’d switch sites in the morning.
Looking Back on Week 1
And that wrapped up our first week on the road, a mix of long drives, seaside sunsets, splash-filled days and the occasional unexpected detour! We quickly learned what worked for us, what didn’t and how to balance adventure with downtime.
By the end of the week, we were already finding our rhythm as a family on the move: pastries for breakfast, swims whenever possible, and the flexibility to change plans when things didn’t quite click. It felt like the perfect start to our month-long adventure, with plenty more discoveries still ahead.