10 Best Road Trips in France Car Biblescar Bibles Best-road-trips-in-france
Driving through France is a great way to experience what the country has to offer; the scenery, the history and, of course, the wine (but only once you've agreed on the designated driver!). Here are ten of the best driving routes through France to get you planning your perfect road trip itinerary.
The distances provided are not direct between the Start and End points, but assume some diversion from the main route, allowing you to explore more of each region.
Road Trip: The French Riviera
Atlantic to Mediterranean road trip
Start – La Rochelle; End – Nice; Distance – approx 900 miles/1450km
Salty Atlantic ports, pristine mountain vistas, the heady bouquet of fine wine, reminders of Rome and Hollywood glam: this classic sea-to-sea trip takes you through the best of southern France. Maison du Vin de St-Émilion is perfect for wine tasting and shopping; walk the ramparts of France's most magnificent fortress city Château Comtal and soak in the atmosphere of Marseille along the way.
Loire Valley road trip
Start – Chinon; End – Chambord; Distance – approx 120 miles/190km
From warring medieval warlords to the kings and queens of Renaissance France, a parade of powerful men and women have left their mark on the Loire Valley. The result is France's most magnificent collection of castles.
Travel doesn't get more quintessentially French – or splendidly pampering – than this tour of the most famous Loire Valley châteaux, which brings together supremely refined architecture, richly dramatic history, superb cuisine and delectable wines. With so many to choose from, châteaux not to miss en route are Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau, Amboise and, of course, Chambord.
Alpine road trip
Start – Annecy; End – St-Véran; Distance – approx 225 miles/360km
This scenic road trip through the heart of the French Alps runs from pretty lakeside city Annecy to St-Véran, France's highest village. Along the way, you'll see Mont Blanc, Col de l'Isera (its highest mountain pass) and Alpine villages of incomparable charm. Leave plenty of time for some of the best adventure activities the region has to offer: mountain biking, white-water rafting, riding knee-trembling cable cars and crossing the French Alps' most spectacular passes.
Basque Country road trip
Start – Bayonne; End – St-Jean Pied de Port; Distance – approx 70 miles/110km
Feisty and independent, the Basque Country is famous for the glitzy resort of Biarritz. But on this tour you'll also fall for delightful fishing ports, chocolate-box villages such as Itxassou, and jade-green rolling hills.
Driving into the village of Espelette you'll be struck by how different everything is from other parts of the country. The houses are dressed up in the red and white of Basque buildings, streamers of chili peppers hang from roof beams, and from open windows comes a language you don't recognise. St-Jean de Luz is a prime spot to discover traditional Basque seafood dishes.
Riviera road trip
Best for exploring the South of France
Start – Cannes; End – Cap Ferrat; Distance – approx 50 miles/80km
What could feel more French than a cruise down the legendary stretch of Riviera highway? This drive has quaint villages, culture, history and, of course, stunning views of the Mediterranean at every twist and turn. There's a reason so many artists, writers, painters and filmmakers have fallen in love with this sexy stretch of coastline: now, for one day at least, it's your turn to be the star.
This seductive south of France driving route takes you to the coast and its dazzling, decadent cities, and inland to chic hilltop villages. Along the way, the sun-kissed cuisine of Nice will enchant, the sea will sparkle, and you'll breathe in the scent of wooded isles and feel the cobbles of hilltop villages beneath your feet.
Lavender Route
Start – Coustellet; End – Plateau de Valensole; Distance – approx 135 miles/215km
Get out among the purple haze, sniff the heady summer breezes and navigate picturesque hilltop towns, ancient churches and pretty valleys. The Luberon and Vaucluse may be well-trodden (and driven) destinations, but you'll be surprised at how rustic they remain. This trip takes you to the undoubtedly big-ticket (and exquisitely beautiful) sights but also gets you exploring back roads, sleepy villages, big skies and one stunner of a mountain. And yes, past fields and fields of glorious purple blooms. Be sure to stop at Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, Sault and Prieuré de Salagon.
Unesco road trip
Start – Paris, End – Albi; Distance – approx 715 miles/1150km
When it comes to World Heritage Sites, France is in the European premier league, with an impressive 35. A cross-country tour can tick off both well known and off the beaten track sites, including the banks of the River Seine in Paris, the magnificent Château de Fontainebleau and the Théâtre Antique in Orange, one of the world's few surviving and intact Roman theaters.
A top-to-tail adventure is a must for lovers of French history and architecture, and provides a great introduction to the country's history and landscapes, Be sure to stop at Provins, Abbaye de Fontenay, Arc-et-Senans, Avignon and Pont du Gard.
Pyrenees road trip
Best for getting off the beaten track
Start – Pau; End – Tarascon-sur-Ariège; Distance – approx 300 miles/480km
They might not have the altitude of the Alps, but the Pyrenees pack a mighty mountain punch, and if you're an outdoors-lover, you'll be in seventh heaven here. With quiet villages, rustic restaurants, spectacular trails and snowy mountains galore, the Pyrenees are a wild adventure – just remember to break in your hiking boots before you arrive.
The craggy peaks of the Pyrenees are home to some of France's rarest wildlife and most unspoilt landscapes, and every twist and turn in the road seems to reveal another knockout view. Vallée d'Aspe, Cauterets and Col du Tourmalet are great stops along the way.
D-Day's beaches drive
Start – Caen; End – Utah Beach; Distance – approx 80 miles/130km
One for history buffs, this trip explores the events of D-Day, when Allied troops stormed ashore to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation. The coastline is strewn with memorials, museums and cemeteries and is a fascinating and sobering experience.
You'll have heard the D-Day story many times before, but there's nothing quite like standing on the beaches where this epic struggle played out, marking the turning point of WWII. There are several signposted driving routes around the main battle sites – look for signs for "D-Day-Le Choc" in the American sectors and "Overlord – L'Assaut" in the British and Canadian sectors. The tourist office publishes a free ebook visitors' guide with details on each of the beaches.
Champagne road trip
Start – Reims; End – Le Mesnil-sur-Oger; Distance – approx 50 miles/80km
You can sip Champagne anywhere, but a road trip slips under the skin of Unesco-listed vineyards and by the end of this tour, you could drink enough to last several lifetimes. Starting at the prestigious Champagne centre of Reims, passing through Épernay, Verzy, Hautvillers and Cramant and ending in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, this fizz-fueled trip includes stops at some of the world's most famous producers – with ample time for tasting en route. Tip: tour the back roads in search of small producers, especially when the aroma of new wine hangs in the air and the vines are golden in autumn.
This article was originally published September 2020 and last updated June 2021.
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10 Best Road Trips in France Car Biblescar Bibles Best-road-trips-in-france
Source: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-road-trips-france