This route crosses southern France to the Atlantic and heads up the coast: the French Basque Country with Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Biarritz, Bayonne and Espelette; the surf beaches of Hossegor and Capbreton; the pine forests and lakes of the Landes; the Dune du Pilat and the Arcachon basin; and finally Bordeaux and the vineyards of Saint-Émilion. It is 8 nights: you collect the motorhome on the afternoon of day 1 and return it on the morning of day 9.
It comes to about 1,700 km, and there is no need to keep count: at Segimon Rental, rentals of 7 days or more have unlimited mileage. Let us know before pick-up that you are travelling to France so we can confirm insurance. The best time is May to October; in July and August the coast is packed and it is high and peak season (7-day minimum), while in May, June, September and October the minimum is 4 days. If you prefer the Spanish side, see our Basque Country and Navarre route.
Route plan
Route map
Tap a day or a stop to see it on the map, or press "Follow the route" to travel it stage by stage.
Approximate line between stops, not a navigation itinerary. Check road conditions and restrictions for large vehicles before you set off.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 · Pick-up and a short stage to Narbonne
Collect the motorhome between 16:00 and 19:00 in Les Franqueses del Vallès and join the AP-7 without crossing Barcelona. About two and a half hours later, past the border and Perpignan, you reach Narbonne. It is a stage designed to get used to the V66 and bring the Atlantic within reach tomorrow. Stay at a campsite or an authorised area.
Day 2 · Toulouse and Pau
Around 345 km, close to four hours on the A61 and A64. Toulouse is halfway: it deserves a trip of its own, so today a lunch stop on the outskirts is enough. In the afternoon, Pau: walk the Boulevard des Pyrénées, with the mountains straight ahead on a clear day, and visit the château where Henri IV was born. A free funicular links the upper town with the station.
Day 3 · Espelette and Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Just over an hour and a half to Espelette, home of the AOP chilli pepper, with red strings drying on whitewashed façades. Park at the edge of the village, as the streets are narrow. In the afternoon, half an hour to Saint-Jean-de-Luz, with its sheltered bay, fishing harbour and the church where Louis XIV married. Try a gâteau basque and walk the beach at sunset.
Day 4 · Biarritz and Bayonne
Biarritz is 20 minutes away. Head down to the Grande Plage, watch the surfers at the Côte des Basques and cross the footbridge to the Rocher de la Vierge out at sea. There is little room for a motorhome in the centre: park outside and use the bus. In the afternoon, Bayonne, ten minutes on: colourful shuttered houses along the Nive, the cathedral, Bayonne ham and historic chocolate makers.
Day 5 · Hossegor, Capbreton and the Landes lakes
Half an hour north to Hossegor and Capbreton, landmarks of European surfing; even if you do not surf, the view from the dunes is worth it, and there are schools for beginners. Then head into the Landes pine forest, one of the largest planted forests in Europe, with freshwater lakes behind the dunes. Lac de Léon is lovely for a quiet swim or a kayak. Fire risk is high in summer: no fires or barbecues outside authorised places.
Day 6 · Dune du Pilat and Arcachon
About 140 km through the pines to the Dune du Pilat, Europe's highest dune at around 100 m. Climb it early or late in the afternoon (there is a staircase in season) for views of the Banc d'Arguin and the Arcachon basin. Then Arcachon and the villas of its Ville d'Hiver, and oysters at one of the oyster ports around the bay. Cap Ferret is best reached by boat from Arcachon rather than the long way round by road.
Day 7 · Bordeaux
An hour to Bordeaux. Leave the motorhome at a campsite or area on the outskirts, or at a park-and-ride that suits its height, and take the tram in: the centre has narrow streets, heavy traffic and may have low-emission (ZFE) restrictions. The Place de la Bourse and its Miroir d'eau, the Garonne quays, Rue Sainte-Catherine and the Cité du Vin easily fill the day.
Day 8 · Saint-Émilion, Carcassonne and Narbonne
In the morning, Saint-Émilion, 45 minutes away: a UNESCO-listed medieval village among vineyards, with a monolithic church carved into the rock. If you go wine tasting, the driver stays sober. Park outside, as the slopes are steep. Then the longest stage: about 390 km via Toulouse to Narbonne, four and a half to five hours of motorway before stops, so leave Saint-Émilion early. If time allows, stop at the Cité of Carcassonne at dusk. On day 9, about two and a half hours to Les Franqueses to return the motorhome between 9:00 and 12:00.
Where to sleep
The French Basque coast and the Landes have plenty of campsites and municipal aires de camping-car, but also many bans on overnight motorhome parking near beaches. In July and August book campsites in Biarritz, Hossegor and Arcachon well ahead. Park4Night and Campercontact help you find areas; for the general rules see our guide to where to sleep in a motorhome.
Outside campsites and official areas, parking is not camping: no awning, chairs or levelling chocks, and no emptying tanks. Do not sleep on Landes forest tracks or in signed beach car parks, which are often patrolled.
Where to sleep with a motorhome in Catalonia
Practical tips
- Crit'Air: carry the French sticker and check the current low-emission zone (ZFE) rules for Toulouse and Bordeaux before you go, as they have changed over time.
- Tolls: the A61, A64 and A63 are toll roads, and because of its height the V66 pays the higher-vehicle rate. Toll-free roads exist but are slower.
- At 2.74 m high, many Landes beach car parks have height barriers. Look for those set aside for motorhomes.
- The ocean: the Atlantic has strong currents. Swim only on lifeguarded beaches, between the flags.
- Forest and summer: fire risk is high in the Landes and Gironde; respect fire bans and track closures.
- If you like France and want something shorter, our southern France route starts an hour and a quarter from our base.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for Biarritz, the Landes and Bordeaux by motorhome?
Eight nights, as in this plan, is about right for an unhurried trip. With less time, focus on the French Basque coast or on Bordeaux and Arcachon alone. Rentals of 7 days or more have unlimited mileage.
Can you climb the Dune du Pilat?
Yes, on foot, up the sand or the staircase put in place in season. There is a paid car park at the entrance to the site. Go early or late in the day to avoid heat and crowds.
Where can you park a motorhome in Bordeaux?
The easiest option is to stay at a campsite or area on the outskirts and take the tram in. Avoid the centre: narrow streets, underground car parks too low for a motorhome and possible ZFE restrictions: check the current rules before you go.
What do you need to take a motorhome to France?
Tell us before pick-up so we can confirm insurance, carry a Crit'Air sticker and budget for tolls. The rest of the paperwork is in the vehicle.
