Heading South for the Winter — Matilda on Tour

Part 1: Dover and France

Sunday 19 January – Dover

Day 1 on the road

Kent, England

After a long drive from Prestatyn to Folkestone, we’ve checked into The Chequers Campsite — perfectly placed for a short hop to Le Shuttle at noon tomorrow. France, here we come!

The journey down wasn’t bad — slow in places but no major holdups. The campsite didn’t look quite as charming on a cold January night as it did on Google, but inside the van we’re warm, cosy, and it’s been lovely to unwind after a hectic few days getting everything ready.

End of Day 1: snug and settled, dreaming of croissants and French roads ahead.

Monday 20 January – Montreuil-sur-Mer

Day 2 – A smooth hop under the Channel

Pas-de-Calais, France

After a good night’s sleep we woke to crisp, freezing air — the van needed a quick blast of heat and a cup of tea before we felt human again. Then it was pack up and go.

The drive to the terminal was smooth and we even managed an earlier Le Shuttle crossing — a lovely bonus, especially with France being an hour ahead. Our first time using the tunnel and it really is the easiest way to cross.

From Calais it was only a short drive to Montreuil-sur-Mer, where we found free parking right by the historic centre. We spent the afternoon wandering cobbled streets and strolling the old ramparts — a gentle, lovely start to the trip.

Montreuil-sur-Mer is a picture-perfect medieval hill town overlooking the Canche Valley: stone houses, 13th-century walls and a peaceful sense of charm. It served as the British Army HQ in WWI under General Haig, and Victor Hugo was so inspired by it he used it in Les Misérables. A beautiful first stop in France.

Tuesday 21 January – Lailly-en-Val

Day 3 – A foggy day on the road

Loiret, France

We woke to cold, foggy weather, and it stayed that way all day. Driving through mist with barely fifty metres of visibility wasn’t the most relaxing way to travel. We caught the odd glimpse of blue sky, but it never lasted — such a shame, as I’m sure the views would’ve been lovely.

On the plus side, temperatures are going to rise tomorrow, so fingers crossed for better weather ahead.

Tonight’s stop sits beside a lovely lake and park, only a short walk from town. At twelve euros with electricity it’s a great deal, even without showers or toilets. We took a short walk after dark but must have gone the wrong way, as we never found the village centre.

We didn’t see much on arrival — it was late, freezing, and still foggy — and with the forecast looking poor we’ll move on toward Spain tomorrow.

Lailly-en-Val is in the Loiret region, just west of Orléans, set beside the peaceful Étang des Bois lake. It’s known for gentle countryside, birdlife, and quiet walking paths, offering a little taste of rural France away from the crowds.

End of Day 3: fog outside, warmth inside, and hopes for sunshine ahead.

Wednesday 22 January – Souillac

Day 4 – A charming stop by the Dordogne

Lot, France

Another long day of driving, but we did manage to get the gas tank filled. I was very pleased with myself — I handled it all on my own. The staff at the service station were friendly and helped me find the right adapter, and I was glad I’d brought a full set after reading that not all tanks use the same fittings.

I’m starting to get the hang of the new sat nav now and can plan the day with a few stopping points built in along the way.

We arrived early enough for a gentle stroll through the old town, which was full of charm even on a quiet day. Most shops were closed, but all the empty parking spaces made it easy to imagine how busy it must be in summer. Sadly, we never did find anywhere open for an afternoon beer.

Back at the van, I headed out on my own along a lovely route by the Dordogne that I found on Strava. It dropped down to the river where children were playing football, people were running and walking, and a group were having horse-riding lessons. The weather felt transformed — from 1 °C yesterday to a very welcome 14 °C today.

We’re settling well into van life now, with a decent routine for all the everyday jobs. I’m looking forward to reaching somewhere warmer soon, where we can pause for a while and simply enjoy being in one place.

Souillac is a small market town on the Dordogne River, known for its 12th-century Abbaye Sainte-Marie and handsome stone buildings. Surrounded by rolling countryside, it offers easy access to walking and cycling along the river — an ideal overnight stop on the way south.

End of Day 4: sunshine at last, a stretch by the river, and feeling more at home on the road.

Thursday 23 January — Carcassonne & Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda

Day 5 - Sightseeing in Carcassonne before settling in for a quiet night in the Pyrenees.

Pyrénées-Orientales, France

Another day has come to a close, and we're just a hop away from Spain! The temperature sat around 12°C with beautiful blue skies — perfect for exploring.

It was good to take a break from the driving and do a bit of sightseeing along the way. Our stop today was Carcassonne, one of France’s most striking medieval cities. Its double-walled citadel, La Cité, rises high above the River Aude like something straight out of a fairytale. We wandered through narrow cobbled streets, passed little artisan shops, and admired the sheer scale of the fortress walls and turrets. Even out of season, it’s an atmospheric place — quiet but full of history, with panoramic views across the surrounding countryside.

As we approached the border, the roads became noticeably busier. By the time we reached Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda, evening had set in. It’s a peaceful spa town tucked into the foothills of the Pyrenees, known for its thermal baths and gentle climate. We didn’t venture out tonight — just settled in at the campsite and enjoyed a quiet evening, ready for whatever Spain brings next.

🌙 A steady driving day that ended quietly in the foothills of the Pyrenees. It feels good to pause for a night before crossing into Spain tomorrow — one more small step on the road south.

After five days on the road, things were starting to feel familiar. The ferry, the long French drives, the small daily routines — all of it beginning to settle. We were just about to cross into Spain, with winter still behind us and a different pace ahead. Matilda rolled on steadily, and it felt like the journey had properly begun.