Our France & Spain Road Trip - Week 2 Recap

After a sun-soaked first week finding our feet on the road, we were well and truly in the swing of our road trip. Week 2 took us from the Atlantic surf of Hossegor to the still mountain lakes of the Pyrenees, through medieval streets in Carcassonne, and finally across the border into Spain for beach days and snorkelling in sparkling coves.

In this post, we're sharing Days 8–15 of our journey. This stretch of the trip was all about variety, from swapping surfboards for hiking boots, castles for coves, and spontaneous detours for lazy beach afternoons. Once everything was packed, we got used to the rhythm of campervan life.

Days 8–15: Surf, Slides & Spanish Shores – Hitting the Road Again

Day 8 – Let’s Get Moving!

Packing up again after less than twenty-four hours wasn’t the most joyful task, and we quickly vowed to steer clear of one-night stopovers wherever possible.

Before leaving Hossegor, Lewis had discovered a beautiful stretch of beach near Forêt Domaniale des Dunes-du-Sud, so we made a little detour for one last surf session and beach play.

Right beside the beach, there was a perfect off-grid camping spot, which was ideal if you don’t need facilities and love the sound of the waves as your morning alarm. The kids ran straight into the sea, while Dotty and I paddled in the shallows, gathering shells and soaking up the salty air.

Our next campsite was an instant hit. The pitch was large and private, wrapped in green hedges that gave us our own little haven. The site itself felt immaculate and was beautifully landscaped with modern, spotless facilities, including separate baby washing areas. After a few busy days on the move, this peaceful setup was exactly what we needed.

Day 9 – Ant Invasion & Waterpark Heaven

We woke to find an unexpected army of ants marching through the van! Our lovely, leafy pitch was clearly a paradise for insects, too. After a thorough clean-out and removing anything remotely edible, we decided to head for the pool — and, what a pool it was!

The resort featured a spectacular waterpark: a volcano-themed pool, a lazy river complete with oversized rubber rings, towering slides, and a bright indoor splash zone perfect for Dotty. She surprised us all by being an absolute daredevil, tackling almost every slide.

Lunch was simple but satisfying as we tucked into pizza and chips, before diving back in for more fun. The fun continued until a massive thunderstorm rolled in later that afternoon. We spent the evening huddled together in the van, watching lightning illuminate the sky in every direction. It was wild and dramatic, but a very fitting end to a high-energy day.

Day 10 – Into the Mountains

Our original plan was to continue toward Biarritz, but the mountains proved irresistible. Inspired by Taking the Long Road by Martin Corey, we decided to swap surf for summits and head toward Lac de Gaube in the Pyrenees.

En route to Cauterets, we stopped at Lourdes Lake, a peaceful, mirror-like spot surrounded by trees, which was ideal for a picnic and a swim. The shallow water was perfect for Dotty, while the older two spent ages snorkelling and exploring, completely in their element.

Eventually, hunger persuaded us to move on, and we found Les Chalets des Pyrénées for lunch, which was hands down the best meal of the trip. Crepes for the kids, a fresh falafel salad for me, and a fluffy omelette for Lewis. Simple food, which was perfectly done.

That night’s stop at Camping Les Glères in Cauterets couldn’t have been more different from our previous site. There was no pool, so it wasn’t a top pick with the kids; however, Lewis and I fell in love with it. It was quiet, scenic, and nestled by a river offering everything we needed and a sense of calm we’d been craving.

Day 11 – Lac de Gaube Adventure

A short drive from camp took us to Pont d’Espagne, where we hopped on a cable car, followed by a ski lift, which was absolutely worth the €54 to avoid hiking uphill with three kids in tow! From the top, an easy twenty-minute walk led us to Lac de Gaube, and the view quite literally stopped us in our tracks.

The lake was breathtaking, its water shifting between turquoise and sapphire depending on the light, with snow-capped mountains rising up behind and thick pine forests all around. We took plenty of photos, but none of them came close to the real thing.

We spent the day skimming stones across the water, dipping our toes in despite the icy temperature, and wandering through the meadows where the kids spotted tadpoles in the shallows and chased butterflies. It was peaceful, scenic, and completely memorable.

Back in Cauterets, we found a relaxed, family-friendly restaurant for dinner, complete with a pool table, foosball, and retro arcade games. Everyone was entertained, full, and happy by the end of the night!

Day 12 – Carcassonne & Crossbows

As fans of the Carcassonne board game, we couldn’t resist visiting the real-life medieval city. The forecast promised heat, and after so many nights in the camper, we decided to treat ourselves to an Airbnb stay, just for one night!

Parking was tricky, especially with the tow box, and lugging everything needed for a short stay reminded us why we usually prefer our rolling home. But once we’d settled in, we loved it.

The old town of Carcassonne was pure magic, full of cobbled lanes winding between towering stone walls, fairy-tale turrets, and hidden cafés tucked into every corner. The kids loved every minute of it, exploring the stone corridors and towers. By the time we reached the gift shop and they spotted the souvenir swords and crossbows, they were completely sold. A day that truly brought the board game to life!

Day 13 – ¡Hola, España!

Next stop: Spain! We crossed the border with excitement, heading straight to Yelloh! Camping Sant Miquel near the coast. The site had everything we could wish for from a pool with slides, a short walk to the beach, and sunshine galore.

That afternoon, we enjoyed a blissful few hours by the sea. The calm water was perfect for snorkelling, and the soft golden sand made for easy lounging. The kids raced into the sea within minutes, while I wandered along the shoreline searching for sea glass, which is my favourite holiday treasure!

Day 14 – Snorkelling in Llanca

We promised Mabel some pool time in the morning, but couldn’t resist a quick detour first by visiting a hidden rocky cove near Llanca that we’d heard about. A short scramble down led us to a secluded paradise, just for us.

The snorkelling was outstanding. The water was so clear it felt like swimming through glass, and at one point, I even spotted a cuttlefish gliding by! Dotty, now recharged, was content playing among the rocks.

Back at the campsite, we made good on our pool promise. Though the setting wasn’t the prettiest, the pool was perfectly suited to the kids’ ages, and Dotty spent the afternoon paddling confidently on her own.

Day 15 – Boat Day in Blanes

Hiring a boat had been on my travel wish list for ages, and the Costa Brava coastline turned out to be the perfect place for it. We found a Boat Rental company in Blanes, which was incredibly friendly, that rented boats without requiring a license, and before long, we were loading our picnic and setting off on our mini adventure.

The sea sparkled under the sun as we cruised along the coast, stopping at three idyllic spots to swim and explore. We had a picnic on board, and the kids were loving every minute, until Dotty hit her limit. It was clear she desperately needed sleep! Once we'd got her settled, the boys seized their chance, leaping off the side of the boat to swim and snorkel in the clear water.

We saw an array of marine life, including jellyfish (to Dougie’s horror!), and soaked up every second on the water.

That evening, we rolled into Camping Cala Pola near Tossa de Mar and were instantly impressed. With Dotty still under the weather, we opted for an air-conditioned bungalow, which was the last one available, as if by fate. It was spotless, cleverly laid out, and just what we needed to recharge.

We ended the day with dinner at the hotel restaurant, then headed down to the beach for one last snorkel as the sun set, which was the perfect way to finish.

Looking Back on Week 2

And just like that, week two came to an end. Full of surfing, slides, and Spanish sunshine. From stormy nights in France to peaceful mountain lakes and sunlit coves across the border, this leg of the journey had a bit of everything.

By now, van life felt second nature. The kids knew the routines, the van felt like home, and we’d found a balance between adventure and downtime. We’d learned to slow down, embrace detours, and enjoy the simple moments, beach picnics, mountain air, and quiet evenings after long days outdoors.

And having just set foot into Spain, we couldn’t wait to see what came next!