UK to Barcelona - Any tips?

[MattS3]

OK, I'm off to Barcelona with 3 mates for the F1 in May. We've already got flights booked and accommodation for when there, but I'm now thinking of taking a few days each side (2 to get there and 2 to get back) and having a little break/drive down there on my own in the MX5 (it never gets used and would be a good test as to whether I sell it or not this year) and meet them.
I'm happy to spend 6-8 hrs or so driving per day, but am looking for ideas of routes.
Typing into Google maps just gives

1. Calais-Reims-Lyon-Valence_Avignon-Narbonne-Perpignan-Barcelona
2. Calais-Paris-Montpellier-Narbonne-Perpignan-Barcelona
3. Calais-Paris-Bourges-Limoges-Tolouse-Carcossone-Narbonne-Perpignan-Barcelona

I've driven most of route 1 when I went to Monaco F1 in 2013 and found it rather dull, and most of route 2 and 3 when travelling down to Bordeaux 3 years ago, again on toll roads, all a little dull.
However I'm thinking it was dull due to road choice.

Happy to go via Carcossone as I've a mate who lives there and I could drop in and stay the night there in either direction.

Ideally I'd not be on toll roads and be able to enjoy some top down fun driving. But no idea how to go about getting a decent route, any ideas fellow PH'ers?

[MattS3]

d11fdj said:

Apologies for hijacking the thread, but would you mind sharing where you booked accommodation in Barcelona? I'm doing a road trip from Santander up throughout the Pyrenees to Barcelona and back, but am struggling to find decent accommodation + parking in Barca without spending loads.

Any recommendations would be very welcome!

I booked an apartment for me and the others. A friend did it last year and said they were decent.
http://en.keybarcelona.com/

No idea regards parking, I've not looked into that yet.

[MattS3]

Cheers Zed, I'll take a look.