Campervan road trip from the Pyrenees to the Bardenas desert
Set off on an unforgettable 4-day road trip aboard your campervan, between the peaceful peaks of the Pyrenees, the arid lands of the Bardenas desert and the buzz of Pamplona. This unique route blends wild nature, a complete change of scene and cultural immersion in the heart of the Basque Country and Navarre. Every stage plunges you into a different atmosphere, from the majestic silence of the Vallée d'Aspe to the gentle spirituality of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. In complete freedom, sleep as close as possible to the landscapes, take the time to live, and let the road write your adventure. An ideal getaway for lovers of wide open spaces and authenticity, to be enjoyed solo, as a couple or with friends.
Itinerary & programme
Day 1 & 2 - Vallée d'Aspe: Raw nature and a wild escape in the Pyrenees
Nestling in the heart of the Bearnais Pyrenees, the Vallée d'Aspe is an invitation to escape. It's the kind of place where you feel very small in the face of the power of the mountains. The van winds its way through authentic villages, flower-filled meadows and deep forests. Crystal-clear rivers accompany your impromptu stops, perfect for a coffee break or a night's sleep overlooking the peaks. There's no network here, just a total connection with nature. It's a rejuvenating first stop before diving into the adventure with intensity and serenity.Day 3 - Bardenas Desert: a moonlit road trip to the heart of the unreal
Set course for an extraordinary landscape: the Bardenas Reales Desert. This arid land, sculpted by wind and time, is reminiscent of a Western setting just a few hours from the border. Travelling here in a van means experiencing the thrill of total freedom, in the heart of a natural park classified as a biosphere by UNESCO. The red earth tracks, spectacular rock formations and silent atmosphere give this stage a rare intensity. A truly exotic interlude to be experienced as a cinematic adventure.Day 4 - Pamplona: Experience the pulse of Navarre's culture
After the majestic solitude of the Bardenas, Pamplona welcomes you with its warmth, lively streets and soul deeply rooted in Basque and Spanish traditions. With its tasty tapas, colourful architecture and friendly atmosphere, the city is an ideal place to immerse yourself in the local culture. Stroll in the footsteps of the famous San Fermín festival, enjoy a drink on a terrace, and let yourself be carried away by the gentle yet vibrant energy. A lively and contrasting stop-off on your road trip.Day 5 - Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: Back to basics, between history and spirituality
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the last stop on this tour, is a jewel nestling at the foot of the Pyrenees, with its lush greenery and remarkable heritage. This fortified town, gateway to the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela, exudes a unique atmosphere where time seems to stand still. Stroll along the cobbled streets, admire the stone houses with their red shutters and breathe in the pure mountain air. In a van, it's the perfect spot to round off your adventure in style, with a final night lulled by the calm of the Basque valleys.
They say it better than we do!
We set off from Bordeaux and met Noémie just a one-minute walk from Dax station, where she showed us the campervan. Noémie is really lovely, welcoming and very helpful. After a quick and clear handover, we hit the road for a vantrip in the Pyrenees. On the programme: discovering magnificent lakes, lovely hikes and glorious sunshine throughout the trip. As for the campervan itself, no problem at all, everything was spotless and easy to use. It was perfect, thank you TheFamilyVan!
Tailor-made trip
I would 100% recommend going for the tailor-made route. It is packed with gems found off the beaten track, perfect for a genuine experience :)
Wonderful experience, the campervan is fitted out perfectly! We followed the roadbook and Noémie's recommendations, it was spot on 😊 Can't wait for the next van trip!
We had an excellent trip thanks to thefamilyvan. We went as a couple with our two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, it was our first campervan trip and they played their part in making it unforgettable!
I had heard about this company on social media and I admit that the idea of travelling electric appealed to me from an ecological point of view.
Right from the booking, our questions about the car seat (which was bought for the occasion, thanks again!) and other details were answered very quickly.
The campervan was very pleasant to drive and everything you need was available. Camping chairs and a tent + sleeping bag were even provided. Everything is ultra practical and good-looking on top of that. The double mattress is very comfortable and suited all 3 of us!
You get used to electric very easily. We had a bit of a scare in the Spanish Basque mountains with the battery running down quickly, but if you know that, honestly we did not feel slowed down at all by the electric side. It is great to drive and to say to yourself that you can enjoy nature while polluting it a little less.
So we highly recommend the experience, and with thefamilyvan in particular. Thanks again to the whole team for the organisation and the quality equipment you make available.
Claire, Raphael and Alma
Self-drive rental
We tried out TheVanFamily's electric campervan on a 4-day road trip in the Landes. We really enjoyed this eco-friendly and economical experience. Indeed, no need to fill up with petrol (that's the whole point) and for the charging, we stopped for the night at campsites or used rapid charging points during our lunch or sightseeing breaks. And what can I say about the layout of the van? Ideal for 1 or 2 people, it has a bed, a fridge and a kitchen area. A little studio flat on wheels, super practical. Personally, we're completely sold on this new concept.
Self-drive rental
It was a great experience, a human, sporty and really enriching adventure. The idea of mixing a road trip in a campervan, with an electric vehicle, and all of it as a group makes the trip very interesting in every respect. As for the surf lessons, Antoine is quite simply the best! Both cool and a good teacher, he plays an important part in this trip by not limiting himself to his job as an instructor, he is a guide who is there from the beginning to the end of the trip. It was a real summer camp for grown-ups, I could not have hoped for better!!
Surf camp
A first time in an electric campervan that went really well!
A friendly team, quick to respond and ready to listen. There was everything you need to travel for a few days. We'd taken an extra little blanket given the temperatures (February). We hadn't planned a precise itinerary and made it up as we went along with places that were recommended or found online. Would do it again!
Self-drive rental
A really lovely discovery of the South West with the 100% electric campervan! Everything inside is well thought out and optimised. The campervan's range is enough for exploring the region over a few days. The The Family Van team took great care of us. Despite fairly chilly weather we made the most of it and we happily recommend them!
Self-drive rental
The van has every comfort, the team super quick to respond if needed, it was a great first vanlife experience 😎There were three of us, so we chose the mattress-on-the-front-seats option for the 3rd bed and it was very good. Driving-wise, it's child's play and so is charging the van! In short, no reason not to give it a go :)
Self-drive rental
Vann well equipped and the battery has a good range. We were well looked after by WhatsApp and the Landes region is well set up for an electric road trip. Spot on and we'd do it again with the same family
Tailor-made trip
We went as a couple for a week, roaming the French and Spanish Basque coast, as well as the Pyrenees. We came back with stars in our eyes:
- Very well equipped vehicles,
- magnificent landscapes,
- a tailor-made itinerary put together by the family van meaning we didn't have to ask ourselves a single question during the trip: a list of places to sleep and places to visit depending on what we fancied...
In short, all you have to do is let go and enjoy.
Tailor-made trip
Great experience with TFV! I really recommend it, an excellent opportunity to discover the south-west, "van life" and to meet some lovely people. A perfect balance between the van adventure, visits around the region, sporting activities and sociable moments. A special mention for Noémie for the organisation and for Ascelle for the pilates, they're perfect!
Pilates retreat
Budget
Il variera en fonction de vos envies et de ce que vous voudrez ajouter lors de la création de votre séjour sur mesure avec nos conseillers (restaurants, activités, hébergements...).
Ce prix comprend
- Un van aménagé 100% électrique
- La création de votre séjour sur mesure
- Un roadbook personnalisé pour votre voyage
- L'assurance tous risques pour votre véhicule
- Un service de conciergerie disponible 7/7
Optionnel dans la création de votre séjour sur mesure
- Votre assurance voyage personnelle (recommandée)
- Le transport de et vers Dax
- Les excursions, extensions, autres activités et services payants
- Les dépenses personnelles (restaurants, cafés, etc...)
- Les hébergements (campings, aires naturelles etc...)
Your road trip will be like no other
- 1
Inspiration
Browse our trip ideas and pick the one that looks most like you.
- 2
Personalisation
Together we adapt the route, the stops and the length to what you want.
- 3
Support
You set off with a tailor-made roadbook, and we stay reachable throughout the trip.
Our campervans
100% electric
Up to 330 km of range, silent driving and zero emissions on the road.
Fitted kitchen
Stove, sink, fridge and storage: everything you need to cook anywhere, at any hour.
Sleeping options for 2
A bed made up on departure, a dry toilet and everything you need on board.
Automatic gearbox
Air conditioning, cruise control and automatic gearbox: you are at home right away.
Practical information
Estimated budget
From €400




