Trip Planning / France — July 2025
Boise → SW France via Europe

Three
ways in

You're heading to Hossegor and the Pays Basque July 2–13. The question is how you get there — and what European city you experience along the way.

⚠️ The return flight is Monday July 13 — not July 12. Flights back to Boise on Saturday July 12 were all $2,000+, so the itinerary extends one extra day with a Sunday positioning drive to Toulouse and a Monday morning departure.

Trip Window July 2 – 13
Nights Abroad 11 nights
Home Airport BOI – Boise
Final Destination Hossegor + Pau
Explore Options
Option A

Porto, Portugal

The Atlantic city of port wine, azulejos, and fado. A classic European stopover with real grit and beauty — and a flight onward to Biarritz.

2.5 Days in Porto
~$150 Porto → BIQ flight
7.5h Total Porto → Hossegor
The Verdict
Porto is a genuinely excellent stopover — characterful, affordable, and Atlantic in spirit. The flight to Biarritz requires a connection (usually Lisbon or Madrid), but it's doable and the layover is short. Best for someone who wants a real city experience with southern European charm before sliding into surf country.
Getting There & Onward
✈️
Leg 1
BOI → Porto (OPO)
United 6:30 AM → lands Porto 6:55 AM next day (July 3). Connection likely via EWR or IAD then Lisbon or direct to Porto.
Confirmed Route
✈️
Leg 2
Porto (OPO) → Biarritz (BIQ)
Sunday July 6. Transavia, Air France, or easyJet with one stop (Lisbon or Madrid). ~3–4h total travel. Fares from ~$130–200.
1 Connection Required
🚗
Final Mile
BIQ → Hossegor
Family car available in Hossegor. 25-minute drive north from the airport along the coast.
Family Car ✓
Highlighted Flight · Porto → Biarritz
Air France · Sun July 6 · Economy · 1 Passenger
$366
OPO Francisco Sá Carneiro → BIQ Biarritz Pays Basque
6:30 AM
Porto (OPO) — Francisco Sá Carneiro
Air France AF1517 · Airbus A320 · Economy
2h 15m
9:45 AM
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
Arrives Paris
⏱ 3 hr 5 min layover · Paris CDG
12:50 PM
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
Air France AF7482 · Embraer 190 · operated by HOP!
1h 30m
2:20 PM
Biarritz Airport (BIQ)
Arrives · Free Wi-Fi · USB outlet
Baggage: 1 free carry-on · checked bag extra
Ticket: Non-refundable · changes for a fee
Note: Early 6:30 AM departure from Porto
Day-by-Day
Thu Jul 2
In Transit
Depart Boise
Depart BOI 6:30 AM on United. Full travel day across the Atlantic. Connection likely via Newark or Dulles. Arrive Porto 6:55 AM Friday morning — this is an overnight flight, so Thursday is essentially a travel day.
Depart 6:30 AM BOIOvernight flightUnited
Fri Jul 3
Porto, Portugal
Arrive & Porto City Day
Land 6:55 AM. Check in, refresh, and push through the jet lag — Porto rewards it. Livraria Lello bookshop, Clérigos Tower, São Bento station azulejos, Ribeira waterfront, port wine tasting in Gaia. Dinner in Bonfim.
Arrive 6:55 AMLivraria LelloRibeiraPort wine
Sat Jul 4
Douro Valley Day Trip
Wine Country
Drive or train 1.5 hours east into the Douro Valley — terraced vineyards cascading to the river, quinta tastings, spectacular scenery. Return to Porto for a final dinner. Early night before the travel day.
Douro ValleyWine countryDay trip
Sun Jul 5
Porto → Biarritz → Hossegor
Full Transfer Day
Depart OPO 6:30 AM → Paris CDG 9:45 AM (Air France AF1517). 3h 5min layover in Paris. Depart CDG 12:50 PM → Biarritz BIQ 2:20 PM (AF7482). Family picks up from BIQ — 25-min drive to Hossegor. Note: this is a full day of travel — an important tradeoff of Option A.
Depart 6:30 AMVia Paris CDGArrive BIQ 2:20 PMFull travel day
Mon Jul 6
Hossegor, France
Hossegor Day
A full day to settle into the Landes coast. Morning surf or swim at La Gravière, afternoon around the lac marin, pine forest walk, and dinner in town. Decompress after the travel-heavy arrival day.
BeachLac MarinSurfPine forest
Tue Jul 7
✦ Choose Your Day
Biarritz or San Sebastián
Two great options in opposite directions — both under an hour from Hossegor.
Option → Biarritz (20 min south)
Old port, Grand Plage, Rocher de la Vierge at sunset, Halles market for lunch, surf museum. The most iconic French Basque town.
Option → San Sebastián (45 min south, Spain)
One of the world's great food cities. Pintxos bar crawl in the Parte Vieja, Concha beach, Michelin-starred lunch if budget allows. A genuine "wow" day.
~45 min driveInto Spain option
Wed Jul 8
🚴 Tour de France
Pau, France
Tour de France + Pau
Drive 1 hour east to Pau. Watch the Tour de France — check the July 2025 stage schedule for what's passing through or near Pau. Between stages: Château de Pau (birthplace of Henri IV), boulevard des Pyrénées panorama, lunch with family.
Tour de FranceFamilyChâteau de PauStay in Pau overnight
Thu Jul 9
🚴 Tour de France
Pau, France
Tour de France Day 2 + Pau
Second day based in Pau. More Tour watching — the race often passes through the Pyrenean stages around this time of July, and Pau is a traditional finish town. Explore the covered market (Halles de Pau), the old quarter, and time with family in the afternoon.
Tour de FranceHalles de PauFamilyOld Quarter
Fri Jul 10
Pyrenees
Pyrenees Mountain Day
Drive south from Pau into the high Pyrenees. Col d'Aubisque or Col du Tourmalet for dramatic mountain passes (both are legendary Tour de France climbs). Or the Gavarnie cirque — one of Europe's most breathtaking natural amphitheatres, a UNESCO site. Return to Pau or Hossegor for the night.
Col d'AubisqueTourmalet optionGavarnie optionScenic drive
Sat Jul 11
✦ Flexible Last Day
Pau or Hossegor — Night Before Fly-Out
Final full day in SW France. Relax with family in Pau or head back to Hossegor for one last beach afternoon. Tomorrow (Sun Jul 12) is the easy drive to Toulouse before your Monday flight home.
Option → Stay in Pau, drive to Toulouse Monday AM
Relaxed family day Saturday. Sunday easy. Monday morning: ~1h 45m drive Pau → TLS, depart 11:25 AM. Comfortable buffer.
Option → Return to Hossegor for the weekend
Coast weekend, then drive ~2h Hossegor → Toulouse Monday morning. Departs 11:25 AM so a 8–9 AM departure from Hossegor works fine.
Fly Mon Jul 13Depart TLS 11:25 AM~1h 45m drive from Pau
Sun Jul 12
SW France → Toulouse
Drive to Toulouse / Rest Day
Easy travel day. Drive from Pau (~1h 45m) or Hossegor (~2h) to Toulouse. Check into hotel near TLS airport for an early start tomorrow. Explore the Pink City if energy allows — Place du Capitole, Canal du Midi.
~1h 45m from Pau~2h from HossegorEarly hotel near TLS
Mon Jul 13
Toulouse → Boise
Fly Home via London & Seattle
Drive to Toulouse Blagnac (TLS) — about 1h 45m from Pau or 2h from Hossegor. Depart TLS 11:25 AM. Route: TLS → LHR → SEA → BOI. Arrive Boise 10:21 PM. Operated by British Airways / Alaska / American / Finnair. Total travel time: 18h 56m.
TLS dep 11:25 AMVia LHR + SEAArrive BOI 10:21 PM18h 56m total
Honest Assessment
What Works
  • Porto is a genuinely world-class city — not a tourist trap
  • Atlantic character pairs naturally with SW France's ocean vibe
  • Affordable — food, wine, hotels all cheaper than France
  • Douro Valley day trip is hard to match anywhere in Europe
Watch Out For
  • No direct flight to BIQ — connection through Paris CDG required
  • Sunday July 6 is a full travel day — 6:30 AM departure, arrive Hossegor ~3:30 PM at best
  • Porto city time is compressed to 1 full day + 1 day trip (arrive Friday AM, depart Sunday 6:30 AM)
  • BOI → Porto is nearly 24 hrs of travel on arrival
  • July is peak tourist season in Porto — book ahead
Flight Cost Tracker — Option A (Porto)
Flight Leg Route Airline / Notes Cost / Person
Leg 1 BOI → Porto (OPO) United · via EWR or IAD · Thu Jul 2 $700 Confirmed estimate
Leg 2 Porto (OPO) → Biarritz (BIQ) Air France AF1517 + AF7482 · via CDG · Sun Jul 5 · dep 6:30 AM $366 Google Flights · Economy
Return Toulouse (TLS) → Boise (BOI) British Airways / Alaska / American · via LHR + SEA · Mon Jul 13 · dep 11:25 AM · arr 10:21 PM · 18h 56m · ~1h 45m drive Pau→TLS $1,330 BudgetAir lowest · Economy
Car SW France — family car No rental needed $0 Family car
Flights subtotal All 3 legs confirmed $2,396 / person
Option B

Geneva, Switzerland

A refined, efficient stopover in one of Europe's most spectacular settings — with a direct SWISS flight to Biarritz and the Alps at your doorstep.

Fri AM Arrive Geneva
Direct GVA → BIQ (SWISS)
1h 45m Geneva → Biarritz flight
The Verdict
Geneva solves the connection problem entirely — SWISS flies direct to Biarritz. The city itself is compact and expensive, but it punches above its weight for 2.5 days: the lake, day trips to Chamonix or Annecy, and a distinctly different European energy from France. Best for someone who wants Alpine drama and a clean, uncomplicated routing.
Getting There & Onward
✈️
Leg 1
BOI → Geneva (GVA)
United / SWISS / Lufthansa · Thu Jul 2, depart 8:30 AM · 2 stops via ORD + FRA · arrive Geneva 9:25 AM Fri Jul 3. Operated by SkyWest on first segment.
Confirmed Route
✈️
Leg 2
Geneva (GVA) → Biarritz (BIQ)
SWISS nonstop GVA → BIQ. Dep 6:40 AM, arr 8:00 AM. Only 1h 20m. Best arrival of any option — in Hossegor before 9 AM with the whole day ahead. $196/person.
Direct Flight ✓
🚗
Final Mile
BIQ → Hossegor
Family car available in Hossegor. 25-minute drive north from the airport along the coast.
Family Car ✓
Highlighted Flight · Boise → Geneva
United / SWISS / Lufthansa · Thu Jul 2 · Economy · 1 Passenger
$604
BOI Boise → GVA Geneva · 16 hr 55 min · 2 stops via ORD + FRA
8:30 AM
Boise (BOI)
United / SkyWest · Economy · Thu Jul 2
via ORD
Stop 1 · Chicago O'Hare (ORD)
Chicago O'Hare (ORD) → Frankfurt (FRA)
Lufthansa · Economy
via FRA
Stop 2 · Frankfurt (FRA)
Frankfurt (FRA) → Geneva (GVA)
SWISS · Economy
16h 55m total
9:25 AM
Geneva Airport (GVA)
Arrives Friday Jul 4 · +1 day
Fare: Economy ($604) · Basic Economy $504 also available
Checked bag: 1st bag free at Economy tier
Changes: Free change · possible fare difference · No refunds
Day-by-Day
Thu Jul 2
In Transit
Depart Boise
Depart BOI 8:30 AM on United. Two-stop routing via Chicago O'Hare and Frankfurt. Overnight flight across the Atlantic — Thursday is a full travel day.
Depart 8:30 AM BOIVia ORD + FRAOvernight flight
Fri Jul 3
Geneva, Switzerland
Arrive on the Lake
Land Geneva 9:25 AM. Check in, walk the lakefront to the Jet d'Eau, stroll the Old Town (Vieille Ville), dinner in the Pâquis neighborhood by the water. Geneva's compact size is an asset on a tired arrival day.
Arrive 9:25 AMLac LémanOld TownJet lag day
Sat Jul 4
Chamonix or Annecy Day Trip
Alpine Escape
Two options: Chamonix (1h drive) for Mont Blanc views, cable car up the Aiguille du Midi, and dramatic glacier scenery. Or Annecy (45 min) for the impossibly pretty turquoise lake town — often called "the Venice of the Alps." Both are unmissable.
AlpsChamonix optionAnnecy option
Sun Jul 5
Geneva → Hossegor
Half Day Geneva, Then Direct to the Atlantic
Morning free — CERN visitor center, the International Quarter, or a final stroll along the lake. Board the SWISS direct flight to Biarritz (~1h 45m). Family picks up from BIQ, 25-minute drive to Hossegor. Arrive with the afternoon ahead.
CERN optionDirect GVA→BIQFamily pickup BIQArrive Hossegor
Mon Jul 6
Hossegor, France
Hossegor Day
First full day on the Landes coast. Beach at La Gravière, the lac marin, pine forest. A total contrast to the Alpine precision of Geneva — raw Atlantic energy.
BeachLac MarinSurfPine forest
Tue Jul 7
✦ Choose Your Day
Biarritz or San Sebastián
Two great options in opposite directions — both under an hour from Hossegor.
Option → Biarritz (20 min south)
Old port, Grand Plage, Rocher de la Vierge, Halles market for lunch, surf museum. The iconic French Basque town.
Option → San Sebastián (45 min south, Spain)
One of the world's great food cities. Pintxos bar crawl in the Parte Vieja, Concha beach, Michelin-starred lunch if budget allows.
~45 min driveInto Spain option
Wed Jul 8
🚴 Tour de France
Pau, France
Tour de France + Pau
Drive 1 hour east to Pau. Watch the Tour — check July 2025 stage schedule for what's passing through near Pau. Château de Pau, boulevard des Pyrénées, lunch and time with family. Stay overnight in Pau.
Tour de FranceFamilyChâteau de PauOvernight Pau
Thu Jul 9
🚴 Tour de France
Pau, France
Tour de France Day 2 + Pau
Second day in Pau. More Tour watching — the race often runs Pyrenean stages around this time. Halles de Pau market, old quarter, afternoon with family. The Alps-to-Pyrenees arc of this trip reaches its peak.
Tour de FranceHalles de PauFamily
Fri Jul 10
Pyrenees
Pyrenees Mountain Day
Drive south from Pau into the high Pyrenees. Col d'Aubisque, Col du Tourmalet, or the Gavarnie cirque. All legendary — both for the Tour and as landscapes. Return to Pau or Hossegor for the night.
Col d'AubisqueTourmalet optionGavarnie option
Sat Jul 11
✦ Flexible Last Day
Pau or Hossegor — Night Before Fly-Out
Final full day in SW France. Relax with family in Pau or head back to Hossegor for one last beach afternoon. Tomorrow (Sun Jul 12) is the easy drive to Toulouse before your Monday flight home.
Option → Stay in Pau, drive to Toulouse Monday AM
Relaxed family day Saturday. Monday morning: ~1h 45m drive Pau → TLS, depart 11:25 AM. Comfortable buffer.
Option → Return to Hossegor for the weekend
Coast weekend, then drive ~2h Hossegor → Toulouse Monday morning. 11:25 AM departure means an 8–9 AM departure from Hossegor works fine.
Fly Mon Jul 13Depart TLS 11:25 AM~1h 45m drive from Pau
Sun Jul 12
SW France → Toulouse
Drive to Toulouse / Rest Day
Easy travel day. Drive from Pau (~1h 45m) or Hossegor (~2h) to Toulouse. Check into hotel near TLS airport for an early start tomorrow. Explore the Pink City if energy allows — Place du Capitole, Canal du Midi.
~1h 45m from Pau~2h from HossegorEarly hotel near TLS
Mon Jul 13
Toulouse → Boise
Fly Home via London & Seattle
Drive to Toulouse Blagnac (TLS) — about 1h 45m from Pau or 2h from Hossegor. Depart TLS 11:25 AM. Route: TLS → LHR → SEA → BOI. Arrive Boise 10:21 PM. Operated by British Airways / Alaska / American / Finnair. Total travel time: 18h 56m.
TLS dep 11:25 AMVia LHR + SEAArrive BOI 10:21 PM18h 56m total
Honest Assessment
What Works
  • Only option with a direct flight to Biarritz — cleanest routing
  • Chamonix / Annecy day trips are spectacular and easily done
  • Very different from France — genuinely outside the country
  • Arrival day is low-stress in a compact, walkable city
  • SWISS is a premium carrier — pleasant flight experience
Watch Out For
  • Geneva is expensive — easily the priciest of the three options
  • The city itself is somewhat limited for 2.5 days (day trips carry it)
  • 6:40 AM departure means early Geneva airport run (taxi/train by ~5 AM)
  • Less "character" than Porto as a stopover city on its own
Flight Cost Tracker — Option B (Geneva)
Flight Leg Route Airline / Notes Cost / Person
Leg 1 BOI → Geneva (GVA) United / SWISS / Lufthansa · Thu Jul 2 · 8:30 AM dep · via ORD + FRA · arr Fri 9:25 AM $604 Economy · 1st bag free
Leg 2 Geneva (GVA) → Biarritz (BIQ) SWISS · Nonstop · Sun Jul 5 · dep 6:40 AM → arr 8:00 AM · 1h 20m · $196 — TBD
Return Toulouse (TLS) → Boise (BOI) British Airways / Alaska · via LHR + SEA · Mon Jul 13 · dep 11:25 AM · arr 10:21 PM · ~1h 45m drive Pau→TLS $1,330 BudgetAir lowest · Economy
Car SW France — family car No rental needed $0 Family car
Flights subtotal Leg 1 confirmed · Leg 2 + return pending $1,934+ / person
Option C — France Mediterranean

Marseille, France

Stay in France, go Mediterranean. Fly into Marseille — France's oldest city — spend two days on the Calanques coast, then train west to Hossegor via Montpellier and Dax.

2.5 Days in Marseille
1h 40m Train to Hossegor
$23 Train ticket
The Verdict
A Mediterranean adventure to open the trip. Marseille is raw, vibrant, and unlike anywhere else in France — the Calanques sea cliffs, the Old Port (Vieux-Port), bouillabaisse, and North African influences make it one of Europe's most underrated cities. The train west via Montpellier and Dax is a more direct routing to Hossegor than going north to Bordeaux first — but exact schedules and July availability need confirming.
Getting There & Onward
✈️
Leg 1
BOI → Marseille (MRS)
Delta/KLM · 2 stops via SEA + AMS · Thu Jul 2 · dep 10:35 AM · arr Fri Jul 3, 11:30 AM · 16h 55m · $937/person · Free checked bag · Free seat selection · No refunds · Free changes.
Multiple Options
🚂
Leg 2
Marseille → Hossegor (train)
⚠️ Needs more research — dates vague. SNCF route: Marseille St Charles → Montpellier Saint-Roch (dep 1:07 PM) → Dax (arr 7:31 PM) · 6h 24min · 1 connection · "On sale soon" as of search. Dax is ~20 min from Hossegor — family pickup. Confirm July availability and pricing before booking.
Best Transfer ✓
🚗
Local Transport
Family Car — SW France
Family car available throughout SW France. No rental needed — use it for Pau, Biarritz, and Pyrenees day trips all week.
Family Car ✓
Day-by-Day
Thu Jul 2
Marseille, France
Arrive on the Garonne
Arrive Marseille 11:30 AM. Head straight to the Vieux-Port — the ancient harbour is the heart of the city. Lunch on fresh seafood (sea urchin, grilled fish), walk up to Notre-Dame de la Garde for panoramic views over the city and coast. Evening: bouillabaisse dinner in Le Panier, the old Arab quarter.
Vieux-PortNotre-Dame de la GardeLe Panier
Fri Jul 3
Marseille, France
Arrive Marseille — Vieux-Port & Le Panier
Arrive 11:30 AM. Drop bags and head straight to the Vieux-Port — the ancient harbour is the city's beating heart. Lunch on fresh seafood (sea urchin, grilled fish), then walk up to Notre-Dame de la Garde for panoramic views over the city and coast. Evening in Le Panier, the old Arab quarter — bouillabaisse for dinner.
Vieux-PortNotre-Dame de la GardeLe PanierBouillabaisse
Sat Jul 4
Calanques National Park
Calanques — Cliffs, Swimming & Rosé
The Calanques are Marseille's crown jewel — dramatic white limestone cliffs plunging into turquoise water. Take a boat tour from the Vieux-Port (2h, hits the most scenic inlets including En-Vau and Morgiou) or hike down to Calanque de Sormiou for a swim. Back to Marseille for a late rosé and a final dinner on the Corniche.
Calanques boat tourSwimmingLimestone cliffsCorniche dinner
Sun Jul 5
Marseille → Hossegor
Train West via Montpellier → Dax
Morning coffee on the Corniche, then Gare St Charles. Train departs Montpellier Saint-Roch at 1:07 PM, arrives Dax 7:31 PM (6h 24min, 1 connection). Family picks you up at Dax — ~20 min drive to Hossegor. ⚠️ Route spotted on SNCF but listed as "on sale soon" — confirm July dates and pricing before booking.
Dep Montpellier 1:07 PMArr Dax 7:31 PM6h 24min⚠️ Verify Jul availability
Mon Jul 6
Hossegor, France
Hossegor Day
Full beach day on the Landes coast — La Gravière surf break, the lac marin, pine forest. After the train ride south, settle in and breathe Atlantic air.
BeachLac MarinSurfPine forest
Tue Jul 7
✦ Choose Your Day
Biarritz or San Sebastián
Two great options in opposite directions — both under an hour from Hossegor.
Option → Biarritz (20 min south)
Old port, Grand Plage, Rocher de la Vierge at sunset, Halles market for lunch, surf museum. The iconic French Basque town.
Option → San Sebastián (45 min south, Spain)
One of the world's great food cities. Pintxos bar crawl in the Parte Vieja, Concha beach, Michelin-starred lunch if budget allows.
~45 min driveInto Spain option
Wed Jul 8
🚴 Tour de France
Pau, France
Tour de France + Pau
Drive 1 hour east to Pau. Watch the Tour — check the July 2025 stage schedule. Château de Pau, boulevard des Pyrénées panorama, family lunch. Stay overnight in Pau.
Tour de FranceFamilyChâteau de PauOvernight Pau
Thu Jul 9
🚴 Tour de France
Pau, France
Tour de France Day 2 + Pau
Second day in Pau. More Tour watching — Pyrenean stages often feature around this stretch of the race calendar. Halles de Pau market, old quarter exploring, afternoon with family.
Tour de FranceHalles de PauFamily
Fri Jul 10
Pyrenees
Pyrenees Mountain Day
Drive south from Pau into the high Pyrenees. Col d'Aubisque, Col du Tourmalet, or the Gavarnie cirque — Europe's most dramatic mountain amphitheatre and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Return to Pau or Hossegor for the night.
Col d'AubisqueTourmalet optionGavarnie optionUNESCO
Sat Jul 11
✦ Flexible Last Day
Pau or Hossegor — Night Before Fly-Out
Final full day in SW France. Relax with family in Pau or head back to Hossegor for one last beach afternoon. Tomorrow (Sun Jul 12) is the easy drive to Toulouse before your Monday flight home.
Option → Stay in Pau, drive to Toulouse Monday AM
Relaxed family day Saturday. Monday morning: ~1h 45m drive Pau → TLS, depart 11:25 AM. Comfortable buffer.
Option → Return to Hossegor for the weekend
Coast weekend, then drive ~2h Hossegor → Toulouse Monday morning. 11:25 AM departure means an 8–9 AM departure from Hossegor works fine.
Fly Mon Jul 13Depart TLS 11:25 AM~1h 45m drive from Pau
Sun Jul 12
SW France → Toulouse
Drive to Toulouse / Rest Day
Easy travel day. Drive from Pau (~1h 45m) or Hossegor (~2h) to Toulouse. Check into hotel near TLS airport for an early start tomorrow. Explore the Pink City if energy allows — Place du Capitole, Canal du Midi.
~1h 45m from Pau~2h from HossegorEarly hotel near TLS
Mon Jul 13
Toulouse → Boise
Fly Home via London & Seattle
Drive to Toulouse Blagnac (TLS) — about 1h 45m from Pau or 2h from Hossegor. Depart TLS 11:25 AM. Route: TLS → LHR → SEA → BOI. Arrive Boise 10:21 PM. Operated by British Airways / Alaska / American / Finnair. Total travel time: 18h 56m.
TLS dep 11:25 AMVia LHR + SEAArrive BOI 10:21 PM18h 56m total
Honest Assessment
What Works
  • Montpellier→Dax routing is more direct than going via Bordeaux
  • Saint-Émilion day trip rivals Douro Valley for wine country experience
  • Easiest option to modify or extend if plans shift
Watch Out For
  • You said "outside of France" — this stays in France the whole time
  • Less exotic feel vs Porto or Geneva as a stopover
Flight Cost Tracker — Option C (Marseille)
Flight Leg Route Airline / Notes Cost / Person
Leg 1 BOI → Marseille (MRS) Delta/KLM · via SEA + AMS · Thu Jul 2 · dep 10:35 AM · arr Fri 11:30 AM · 16h 55m — TBD
Leg 2 Marseille → Hossegor (train) TGV MRS→BOD (3h 20m) + TER BOD→St Vincent de Tyrosse (1h 40m) · Sun Jul 5 · ~$83 total ~$23 Train ticket · 1h 40m
Return Toulouse (TLS) → Boise (BOI) British Airways / Alaska · via LHR + SEA · Mon Jul 13 · dep 11:25 AM · arr 10:21 PM · ~1h 45m drive Pau→TLS $1,330 BudgetAir lowest · Economy
Car SW France — family car No rental needed $0 Family car
Flights subtotal Return confirmed · leg 1 pending $1,353+ / person
Option D — SW France Direct

Bordeaux + Drive South

Fly straight into SW France. Two days in Bordeaux, then an easy 2-hour drive down to Hossegor — no train connections, no layovers in other countries.

2 Days in Bordeaux
2h Drive to Hossegor
$658 BOI→BOD (Basic)
$0 Car (family)
The Verdict
The most relaxed opening of any option. You land in Bordeaux Friday morning, have two full days in one of France's finest cities, then Sunday is a scenic 2-hour drive south through the Landes pine forest straight to Hossegor. No trains to catch, no connections — just wine, food, and open road. The family car picks you up in Bordeaux or you rent one-way for the drive.
Getting There & Onward
✈️
Leg 1
BOI → Bordeaux (BOD)
Delta/Air France · 2 stops via SEA + CDG · Thu Jul 2 · dep 10:23 AM · arr Fri Jul 3, 11:00 AM · 16h 37m · $658 Basic ($75 bag, no seat selection) or $778 Classic (free bag + seat selection) · No refunds · Confirmed for Jul 2.
Confirmed Jul 2 ✓
🚗
Transfer
Bordeaux → Hossegor (drive)
~2h drive south on A63 autoroute through the Landes pine forest. Family picks you up in Bordeaux, or rent a one-way car (~$50–80). Scenic, stress-free, no schedule to hit.
Family Car ✓
🚗
SW France
Family Car — All Week
Family car available throughout SW France. Use it for Pau, Biarritz, San Sebastián, and the Pyrenees — no rental needed.
No Rental Needed ✓
Day-by-Day
Thu Jul 2
Boise, Idaho
Depart Boise
Depart BOI 10:23 AM. Route: BOI → SEA → CDG → BOD. Long travel day — arrive Bordeaux Friday morning.
Dep 10:23 AMVia SEA + CDGDelta / Air France
Fri Jul 3
Bordeaux, France
Arrive Bordeaux — Miroir d'Eau & Riverfront
Arrive 11:00 AM. Drop bags and walk straight to the Place de la Bourse and the Miroir d'Eau — the world's largest reflecting pool, and one of the most photogenic spots in France. Afternoon stroll along the Quai des Chartrons riverfront. Dinner in the Triangle d'Or — Bordeaux has one of France's best restaurant scenes.
Miroir d'EauQuai des ChartronsArrival day
Sat Jul 4
Saint-Émilion Day Trip
Saint-Émilion — Wine & Medieval Villages
30-minute drive east to Saint-Émilion — one of France's most picturesque UNESCO medieval wine villages. Walk the ramparts, descend into the monolithic church carved into the rock, taste Grand Cru Classé wines at a château. Back in Bordeaux for a final evening at the Marché des Capucins and drinks on the Place du Palais.
Saint-ÉmilionGrand Cru wineUNESCO village30 min from BOD
Sun Jul 5
Bordeaux → Hossegor
Scenic Drive South Through the Landes
Morning coffee and croissant in Bordeaux, then hit the A63 south. 2-hour drive through the largest pine forest in Western Europe — the Landes. Arrive Hossegor by midday. First swim at Grande Plage, lunch at a beach shack, afternoon with family on the lac marin.
A63 south~2h driveLandes pine forestArrive by noon
Mon Jul 6
Hossegor, France
Hossegor Beach Day
Full day on the Landes coast — La Gravière surf break, the lac marin, pine forest walks. The Atlantic is warmer in July than you'd expect. Best surf in Europe.
La GravièreLac MarinSurfPine forest
Tue Jul 7
✦ Choose Your Day
Biarritz or San Sebastián
Two great options in opposite directions — both under an hour from Hossegor. Biarritz (20 min north): Belle Époque architecture, Grand Plage, Rocher de la Vierge, excellent seafood. San Sebastián (45 min south, Spain): pintxos bars in the Parte Vieja, La Concha beach, arguably the best food city in the world per capita.
Biarritz 20 minSan Sebastián 45 minFamily car
Wed Jul 8
Pau, France
🚴 Tour de France + Pau
Drive to Pau for the Tour de France stage. Château de Pau in the morning (birthplace of Henri IV, stunning Pyrenees views from the terrace), then find your spot on the roadside for the stage finish or passage. Family dinner in Pau — overnight.
Tour de FranceChâteau de PauFamily dinnerOvernight Pau
Thu Jul 9
Pau, France
🚴 Tour de France Day 2 + Pau
Second Tour de France day. Morning at the Halles de Pau covered market — one of the best food markets in SW France. Afternoon watching the race, evening with family.
Tour de FranceHalles de PauFamily time
Fri Jul 10
Pyrenees
Pyrenees Day — Cols & Gavarnie
Drive into the Pyrenees from Pau. Options: Col d'Aubisque (classic Tour de France climb, 1709m, panoramic views), Col du Tourmalet (highest paved Pyrenean pass, 2115m), or Cirque de Gavarnie (UNESCO natural amphitheatre, 1400m waterfall). All within 1–2h of Pau.
Col d'AubisqueTourmaletGavarnie optionUNESCO
Sat Jul 11
✦ Choose Your Day
Final SW France Day
Final full day in SW France. Relax with family in Pau or head back to Hossegor for one last beach afternoon. Tomorrow (Sun Jul 12) is the easy drive to Toulouse before your Monday flight home.
Pau family dayOR Hossegor beach
Sun Jul 12
SW France → Toulouse
Drive to Toulouse / Rest Day
Easy travel day. Drive from Pau (~1h 45m) or Hossegor (~2h) to Toulouse. Check into hotel near TLS airport for an early start tomorrow. Explore the Pink City if energy allows — Place du Capitole, Canal du Midi.
~1h 45m from Pau~2h from HossegorEarly hotel near TLS
Mon Jul 13
Toulouse → Boise
Fly Home via London & Seattle
Drive to Toulouse Blagnac (TLS) — about 1h 45m from Pau or 2h from Hossegor. Depart TLS 11:25 AM. Route: TLS → LHR → SEA → BOI. Arrive Boise 10:21 PM. Operated by British Airways / Alaska / American. Total travel time: ~18h 56m.
TLS dep 11:25 AMVia LHR + SEAArrive BOI 10:21 PM18h 56m total
Honest Assessment
What Works
  • Simplest logistics of any option — no layovers in other countries, no trains to catch
  • Bordeaux is world-class — food, wine, architecture rival any city on this list
  • Saint-Émilion day trip is genuinely spectacular
  • Sunday drive through the Landes is beautiful and stress-free
  • Arrive Hossegor by midday Sunday — most time in SW France of any option
  • $658 Basic / $778 Classic confirmed for Jul 2 — strong value
Watch Out For
  • Stays entirely within France — no international stopover city
  • Via CDG means a Paris layover (but could be a feature, not a bug)
  • Basic fare has no seat selection and $75 checked bag — Classic at $778 is better value for checked luggage
  • July in Bordeaux is peak tourist season — book hotels and restaurants early
Flight Cost Tracker — Option D (SW France Direct)
Flight Leg Route Airline / Notes Cost / Person
Leg 1 BOI → Bordeaux (BOD) Delta/Air France · via SEA + CDG · Thu Jul 2 · dep 10:23 AM · arr Fri 11:00 AM · 16h 37m $658 Basic · $75 bag · Jul 2 confirmed
Transfer Bordeaux → Hossegor Drive A63 south · ~2h · family car or one-way rental $0–80 Family car / rental
Return Toulouse (TLS) → Boise (BOI) British Airways / Alaska · via LHR + SEA · Mon Jul 13 · dep 11:25 AM · arr 10:21 PM · ~18h 56m TBD 🔍 To book
Car SW France — family car No rental needed in SW France $0 Family car
Flights subtotal Leg 1 confirmed · return TBD $658+ / person