Our France & Spain Road Trip - Week 3 Recap

Week 2 of our France and Spain road trip was full of Atlantic surf, mountain lakes, medieval castles and our first taste of Spain. Refreshed and eager, we hit the road again to see what the next chapter would bring. In week 3, we shifted pace: coastlines, calmer days, surprises and spontaneity became the order of the week. Join us as we dive into sunshine, slower rhythms and unexpected twists on this leg of our France & Spain road trip.

Days 16–23: Coastlines, Chaos & a Slower Pace

Day 16 – Classic Beach & Pool Day

Life slowed right down once we settled into Camping Cala Pola. The beach was only a short stroll away, ideal for snorkelling, swimming, and soaking up the sunshine. The pool didn’t have slides, but the kids didn’t mind, as they created their own games while we enjoyed the calm atmosphere.

After a homemade dinner in the bungalow, we rounded off the evening with ping pong and darts, simple pleasures that ended the day just right.

Later that night, news of protests in Barcelona reached us. With the weekend approaching and the children in tow, we decided to avoid the city altogether. It was disappointing to skip it, but we swapped plans for a family favourite: PortAventura World.

Day 17 – Farewell Tossa de Mar

We weren’t ready to leave Cala Pola, but there was no availability left. Thankfully, we’d made the most of it, including one last wander along the beach in Tossa de Mar.

The town is home to the stunning 12th-century walled old town, Vila Vella, perched dramatically above the sea and the only surviving fortified town on the Catalan coast. The climb to the top rewarded us with spectacular views.

From there, we drove toward Salou for a stay near PortAventura. I accidentally booked the wrong campsite (I was aiming for one with an African-themed pool!), but La Siesta Salou Resort turned out to be a good choice. The kids loved the pools and flumes, and we soon discovered it was a Spanish bank holiday - suddenly, the limited availability made perfect sense.

Day 18 – PortAventura World

Theme park day arrived! We got there early with snacks, suncream, and fast passes, which were an absolute essential with three small kids. It allowed one adult to dash onto the big rides while the other stayed back with the children.

The whole park was brilliant. With water rides, shows, roller coasters, and endless food stalls, everyone found something they loved. By the end of the day, we were exhausted but agreed that PortAventura was a total hit.

Day 19 – Decision Time

Day 19 was our most indecisive day, as we considered continuing down the Spanish coast, but we felt the atmosphere had changed, as it was getting noisier, busier, and not really what we were after.

We thought about retracing our route back to Tossa de Mar, but ultimately chose to head inland toward Spain’s northern coast instead. It meant a long stint in the van with no firm plan, which was a bit nerve-wracking, but exciting too.

Zaragoza became our halfway stop, primarily chosen because it was marked on the map and had hotels. With the temperature hitting 39°C, camping wasn’t an option. Parking the van was a challenge, but after removing the surfboards, we managed to squeeze into an underground car park.

Our hotel was centrally located, allowing us time to explore, including a visit to the breathtaking Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. We only saw a small part of Zaragoza, but with the heat and our energy levels, that was enough for the day.

Day 20 – To the Beach!

Craving the coast again, we aimed for Saint-Jean-de-Luz. After a quick stop at Parque Natural del Señorío de Bertiz for a quick leg stretch, we arrived at Camping Bord de Mer, just steps from Plage d’Erromardie.

Our pitch was close to the beach, and after a simple veggie pasta dinner, we headed down to the sea for an evening swim and some shell collecting (including sea glass — always a win!).

That evening, we stumbled upon a brilliant pop-up food spot in the field beside the campsite. Topa, a pizza truck and tapas bar, was warm, welcoming, and delicious. The kids played pétanque and lawn games while we chatted with locals and soaked up the relaxed atmosphere. We’d recommend it a thousand times over, if only we could find them online to tag!

Day 21 – Busing It Into Town

With a bus stop right next to the campsite, we hopped on and spent the morning exploring Saint-Jean-de-Luz. The town is full of charm, with a lovely beach, independent shops, and plenty of places to eat.

The kids tired quickly, so we didn’t linger long, but we stocked up on veggie bits from a small supermarket and headed back. The rest of the day was spent on the beach and in the van, finished off with a cosy little campfire before bed.

Day 22 – Beach Day Bliss

We loved it here so much that we extended our stay another night. It was the most relaxed we’d felt the entire trip, with the beach, sunshine, sea, and our van just steps away. We wandered back and forth as we pleased, enjoying the freedom of having no plans.

Another dramatic thunderstorm rolled in that night, but tucked up safely in the van, it felt wonderfully cosy.

Day 23 – Bidart Bound

Morning brought rain, so we packed up soggy gear (van life reality!) and headed to Carrefour to restock. It was a treat to find some vegetarian alternatives after so many meals of pasta and baguettes.

Just 15 minutes up the coast, we arrived at Yelloh! Village Ilbarritz near Bidart. With only a few pitches remaining, we treated ourselves to one with a private bathroom, a touch of luxury that we thoroughly enjoyed.

We hired bikes from Marty Surfshop and cycled to the nearby beach. With the tide in, we continued on to Bidart village — utterly charming. We grabbed a drink, soaked in the atmosphere, and celebrated having a proper base for the next couple of nights.

Wrapping Up Week 3

And just like that, week 3 came to an end, a blend of carefree beach days, surprise detours, new favourite spots and a slower rhythm that we didn’t know we needed. From the chaos of changing plans to the calm of the Basque coast, this stretch of the journey gave us space to breathe, reset and savour the simple moments together.

Next up is week 4, the final week of our France & Spain road trip with a few more coastal gems, some final adventures, and making the most of our last days on the road.