two week driving tour of france

2 week road trip in France itinerary [2024]

By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 26th April 2021 | Updated: 6th December 2023

Road tripping is a great way to experience a country. So why should a road trip in France be any different? With rolling countryside filled with vineyards, boulangeries on every corner, and tiny villages so perfect you could only dream of them, France is not only a great place to spend a weekend or two but even a few weeks exploring via car, (something which we have done countless times over the years)

So here is our guide for the best 2 week road trip in France itinerary;

📍 Day 1 – 3 Brittany

📍 Day 4 – 6 Paris

📍 Day 7 – 10 Fontainebleau

📍 Day 11 Troyes

📍 Day 12 – 14 The Alsace

Table of Contents

• 2 week road trip in France map
• 2 week road trip in France itinerary
• 2 week road trip in France itinerary FAQs

Planning Your Trip? Use our favourite travel resources below:

Accommodation: We recommend Booking.com

Rental Car: We recommend Rentalcars.com

Flights: We recommend Kiwi.com

Tours: We recommend Get Your Guide

2 Week Road Trip in France Itinerary Map

2 Week Road Trip in France Itinerary

🚐 Total driving time between locations – 11 hours 15 minutes (not accounting for stops you are bound to take on route)

🚐 Total kilometres driven between locations – 940km

Road Trip in France: Day 1 – 3 Brittany

📍 Where to stay – We stayed in a tiny guesthouse just outside of Saint-Malo, so it was within a couple of hours’ drive to all of the destinations that we visited.

🚐 Travel Time / Distance – Saint-Malo / Rochefort-en-Terre to Paris – 4 hours 30 minutes 420km

To start off your 2 week road trip in France begin in Saint-Malo, a stunning port city in Brittany’s northwest.

If you are coming from the UK, you can take an overnight ferry to Saint-Malo from Plymouth, from elsewhere take a flight to Rennes, an hour’s drive away, or take the train directly into the centre of Saint-Malo. Now to explore Brittany for a few days!

The first day and it’s Saint-Malo we’re interested in. Saint-Malo really has to be visited to be believed. With a stunning coastline, the district of intra muros, and two islands that can only be reached at a low tide, it’s a wonderful place to discover.

Wander around the tall granite buildings inside the famous walls, before hitting the walls themselves out to the beaches. Make sure you grab some Bretagne biscuits for your exploring, they are heavenly!

Day two and we are off to the picturesque Morlaix . This medieval town is famous for its 19th-century viaduct and quaint timbered houses all alongside the harbour and out to the Bay of Morlaix . There are numerous walks you can do in and around the town, but some of the best are along the steep streets to behind the main town, up to Venelle aux Prêtres and the viaduct.

Josselin & Rochefort-en-Terre are your stops for the final day in Brittany and boy are they beautiful! Start off in Josselin and get wandering the quiet streets heading towards the castle, which has to be one of the most fairytale-like castles you have ever seen. With walks along the Nantes-Brest canal here you can get away from the main town and enjoy some peaceful views before heading back to climb the tower of the Gothic Basilica Notre Dame du Roncier .

Next, we want to head a little further down the road to Rochefort-en-Terre , one of France’s most beautiful villages. With narrow cobbled streets and half-timbered buildings covered in geraniums, (which is very much encouraged in this village), it is easy to see why it is one of the most beautiful places to visit in France.

Every street is full of artists’ residences, craft makers, and lovely cafes. Be sure to stop by a biscuit maker or two to try the pain d’épices, which are famous in the region.

From here you can either head straight on to Paris or stay the night in Saint-Malo before travelling, it’s the same time either way.

Road Trip in France: Day 4 – 6 Paris

📍 Where to stay – Anywhere in the Montmartre area. It’s cheaper than being much more central to the city and is much easier to get around. Plus being a little out of the central area means more options for parking.

🚐 Travel Time / Distance – Paris to Fontainebleau – 1 hour 15 minutes 70km

For your next three days, you will be exploring all Paris has to offer , from the typical tourist sights to the hidden delights!

For the first day get to grips with your local area and explore Montmartre in the morning then the north of the River Seine in the afternoon. Not only is this the perfect way to get to grips with the Metro transport system in Paris, but you get to experience some of the more unusual and often overlooked areas of Paris.

Begin at Sacre Coeur then wind your way through the surrounding streets and artist hideouts. Keep an eye out for the windmills… Then hop on a Metro to Place de la Concorde to wander through the Jardin des Tuileries and Le Palais Royale .

End the day at Notre Dame before walking back via Pont Neuf and the many restaurants and bars along the way!

For the second day in Paris and it’s all about the famous sights, galleries, and museums. Starting at Place du Trocadero and quite possibly the best place to view the Eiffel Tower . From here walk down to said Eiffel Tower and through the Champ de Mars before exploring anyway and every way you fancy.

We ended up walking to the northwest through the beautiful Parisian neighbourhoods, stopping at cafes and boulangeries along the way, before reaching the Musee d’Orsay . In the evening stop at Terrass Restaurant for some of the nicest food and the best view over Paris imaginable.

For your final day in Paris relax and take your time visiting the Arc de Triomphe and grabbing a crepe or two, (banana and chocolate or sugar and lemon are by far the best!), before hitting the road south to Fontainebleau.

Planning your own trip to France? Make sure you check out our Travelling Tedaldi Amazon Store Travel Guides for all your guidebooks and maps. (We’ve done the hard work for you and linked all the things we used to plan our trip!)

Road Trip in France: Day 7 – 10 Fontainebleau

📍 Where to stay – Le Parc du Gué in Montigny-sur-Loing. This tiny commune in France is the perfect base to explore the surrounding Fontainebleau forest, with the perfect boulangerie for breakfast every morning and all the village shops you could need all within walking distance of the campground, which is just stunning.

🚐 Travel Time / Distance – Fontainebleau to Troyes – 1 hours 30 minutes 120km

Now is for four days of exploring one of the most famous bouldering spots in the world… Fontainebleau ! It’s completely up to you how you spend these four days, either relaxing and wandering the local towns or as we did, lacing up those climbing shoes and hitting a few of the famous bouldering spots around the area.

If you decide on the latter, then you have to stop by l’Éléphant, Le Cul du Chien, (think a beach surrounded by forest), Diplodocus, and Le Gruyère. Even if you are not into your bouldering then these areas still have some of the most wonderful hiking and walking routes to discover. If you are thinking of bouldering, then be sure to either bring your climbing equipment with you or hire some from one of the main towns.

Make sure you leave one day to visit the Château de Fontainebleau , with its opulent grounds and incredible 1500 rooms! Once residence to the kings of France, (technically 34 kings and 2 emperors), it is well worth a day trip to see as it is one of the largest Châteaux in France.

Road Trip in France: Day 11 Troyes

🚐 Where to park – There are numerous places to park throughout the centre, just be aware some of them can be very tight to get a larger car around!

📍 Where to stay – As it is only a day trip, we would highly recommend heading onto the next destination on the road trip and stay the night in Colmar.

🚐 Travel Time / Distance – Troyes to Colmar – 4 hours 330km

Day 11 of the road trip in France and we are off to the historic capital of Champagne. Troyes is a medieval town full to the brim with timber frame buildings and cafes galore all serving the famous drink known from the area. Hidden alleyways so narrow cats can pass from one building to the next fill the old city centre and from above it’s even shaped like a champagne cork.

Other than the stunning timber buildings, the town is also home to numerous gothic places of worship including Troyes Cathedral , which is incredible inside and out, a must-visit if you are in Troyes. Finally, explore the newer areas of Troyes not far from the cathedral where Le Coeur de Troyes can be found before heading back to the car and on to the next destination.

Be sure to take some champagne away with you so the designated driver can enjoy some at the next stop on route!

Road Trip in France: Day 12 – 14 Alsace

📍 Where to stay – The outskirts of Colmar near the train station, plenty of parking, and an easy walk/cycle into the center of Colmar and out on the wine route.

After arriving in the Alsace make your way to your base for the next 3 days, Colmar. This town is the perfect place to stay not only because of its beautiful centre full of lively eateries and often a festival or two but also due to its proximity to the Alsace Wine Route . This is precisely how you will be spending your last 3 days on the road trip in France, exploring the unique wine of the region.

For your first full day in the Alsace, you have two choices, head north out on the Wine Route or south out on the Wine Route. It doesn’t really matter which one you pick as you will do the other one on the following day. Hire some bikes, or if you have brought them with you, hit the road out on the Wine Route and get exploring all the quaint local wine towns and villages you can find.

We highly recommend a visit to Riquewihr and Kientzheim in the north and Wintzenheim and Eguisheim in the south. If you are visiting in the autumn towards the end of September / early October then you may be in luck with the local wine festivals as we were, ( check out our full Alsace itinerary here ).

For your final day of the road trip in France head into the center of Colmar and explore until you can explore no more. With countless beautiful roads to wander and a good café or two, you can easily while away the hours relaxing and enjoying Colmar. There is also a town Discovery Trail that you can follow so look out for the Lady Liberty gold triangles on the floor.

Fancy a trip to France? Check out our other blog posts here

2 week road trip in france faqs, how to get to france.

If arriving from the UK the best way to get to France is via the ferry to a number of locations across the northern border of France such as Dunkirk, Calais, or Le Havre. You can also take the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais. If arriving from elsewhere in Europe you can either fly, take the train (as Europe is really well connected by trains), or drive.

Driving in France – Is it easy to drive around France?

Driving around France is really easy. It’s no different to driving elsewhere in the world other than driving on the right, so the steering wheel is on the left-hand side of the vehicle. The only issue we ever had was when we came to the first roundabout… (coming from a driving on the left-hand side country it was a bit odd-looking the wrong way!), but you soon get used to it!

The only thing to be aware of is the motorway tolls, as is the same throughout most of mainland Europe. So have lots of spare change with you or set up an Emovis Tag account to pay as you go via your bank. You can also just pay by card as you get to each toll booth, but this doesn’t work so easily if there is only one person in the car…

What do I need in my car when driving in France?

The obvious stuff that you should always have with you in your car anyway; break-down equipment such as a warning triangle and a hi-vis jacket is a must as well as your full driving license. If you have come from the UK you should also have a GB sticker and headlamp converters if you are bringing your own car.

One thing you can’t bring is a radar detector or a satnav / GPS that shows where speed cameras are, as it is illegal so make sure that if you have this function, it is turned off or you may be fined! You don’t need to have a breathalyser with you anymore unlike a few years back.

If you a looking to rent a car, generally they all come with the above, but it is always worth a check when you first get the keys.

What vehicle to take / Car rental in France

Don’t take anything too big or that you wouldn’t want to drive through smaller country lanes as well as in cities. We’ve visited France a few times with a vehicle and believe us you wouldn’t want to have a massive thing around some of the locations we’ve been to! The same goes for when renting a vehicle, get something you are comfortable driving.

If you are looking to rent a car, we would highly recommend booking through Rentalcars.com we have used them in multiple destinations across Europe and they are also great vehicles.

Best time to road trip in France

The best time to road trip in France is in early spring or late autumn in our opinion. The weather can still be a little cold in the spring, but the cities are full of blossoming trees and fields full of wildflowers. In the autumn you can almost guarantee running into a wine festival… Take your pick!

How long does it take to drive from one end of France to the other?

From Calais in the north to Montpellier in the south, it takes on average 10 hours. From Strasbourg in the east to Nantes in the west, it takes roughly 8 hours. This is with no stops however and you can’t drive across the entire country of France and not want to stop somewhere!

How long do I need for a road trip in France?

This is slightly dependant on where you want to visit as part of your road trip in France, but we would suggest taking at least a week for any road trip and sticking to either one region or a couple of locations.

How many days in France is enough?

You can never have too many days in France. This road trip in France is designed to be undertaken over the course of two weeks but depending on how much you like to explore and take stops along the route you can easily spend a few more days here and there. Let’s be honest the food, wine, and experience of just being in France will make you never want to leave.

Is France good for road trips?

France is a fantastic country for road trips! We’ve done a few road trips in France over the years and each one is always filled with the most beautiful landscapes and places to visit, wonderful camp grounds and, (this is the best bit), incredible food!

Should I road trip in France with a campervan or car?

This is all down to preference, but as we mentioned above, in some locations you do not want to be driving a large vehicle, so if you have a smaller campervan, (think VW or Ford Transit-type size), then you should be fine, anything larger and you might struggle. We have enjoyed road trips in France with both a campervan and a car and both were great.

With a campervan, you can stop and camp in some incredibly scenic places, whereas with a car you are more limited to staying in hotels, B&B’s, etc. Again it is down to your preferences.

What is the most scenic route through France?

There is no correct answer to this, as if you ask the locals they will all tell you different answers! The Alsace is very scenic, but the Loire Valley, Route des Grandes Alpes, and Grand Corniche are all stunning too.

What is the best coastal road in France?

Anywhere that takes in the coastline of Brittany is the best coastal road in France. The scenery in Brittany is like no other in France, with beautiful towns and villages alongside the Pink Granite Coast and the famous Mont St-Michel, it really is stunning.

How big is France compared to the United States?

France is tiny in comparison to the US, with the state of Texas alone being the closest in size to France, (but even that is a little large as you could fir Switzerland in there as well!).

Conclusion: 2 Week Road Trip in France

There you have our guide to a two-week road trip in France. There are of course many more locations to visit in France, but this is a great place to start your French journey. Maybe next time we will do a north-to-south trip…

Why not head to Switzerland or Germany next? Finishing your road trip in France in the Alsace region means you have really easy access into neighbouring Germany or Switzerland so why not stop by Basel or Stuttgart, or even continue your road trip through Europe on the Grand Tour of Switzerland.

Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.

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15 Best France Road Trip Itinerary Ideas (+ Driving Tips!)

Chock full of storybook-worthy villages, beautiful castles, and incredibly epic and diverse nature–from the Alps to the beaches of the Riviera to the lavender fields of Provence and the cliffs of Etretat and beyond–it’s not hard to understand why taking a France road trip tops so many bucket lists around the world.

Throw in excellent roads, a great travel infrastructure, and enough exciting places to see that you could spend a lifetime traversing it without turning over every stone, there’s no doubt that a road trip through France is an amazing way to see the country.

We’ve rounded up the best France road trip itinerary ideas here, covering all corners of the country–plus included important France driving tips you’ll need to know before setting off!

Table of Contents

Logistical Tips for Driving in France

Other france road trip tips, 15 of the best road trips in france.

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Rent the smallest car you can.

Especially if you’re coming from the USA like us, you’ll likely find French roads–especially in small villages and in the countryside–are smaller than what you’re used to.

Save on gas, rental costs, and stress while driving in France by renting the smallest car you can manage to fit yourselves and your belongings into.

We recommend searching for your (tiny) rental car through Discover Cars , which will allow you to sift through all your options and choose the right car for you based on price, the reputation of the company that is renting it, and the terms of the rental contract.

Book your rental car for your France road trip today!

Plan on renting a manual, or prepare to pay.

Like the rest of Europe, manual cars are the norm in France.

If you only drive automatic, you’ll absolutely be able to find a car to rent for your France road trip… but be prepared to plan ahead (especially if you’re traveling during the busy season when the cars get reserved quickly), and to pay extra fees for the privilege.

Always carry cash… just in case. 

While you can generally pay tolls (and they are pricey–budget accordingly!) with a Visa or Mastercard in France, you never know when you’re going to need cash for gas or small restaurants.

When taking a driving in France, it’s best to always have some Euros with you–and don’t forget to carry small coins for bathroom fees!

Plan your parking in advance.

This especially applies overnight–ie, look for hotels that include parking or have a plan for parking listed–but also during day trips. 

For example, our trip to Cassis would have been much easier if we had researched the parking situation beforehand and paid to reserve a spot in one of the parking garages in town.

For hotels, we use Booking.com and ideally look for places using the “free parking onsite” filter.

Depending on where you are going during your road trip in France, though, free parking may not be possible–in that case, carefully check and see what hotels have reasonably-priced parking nearby.

A hotel that is an extra 20 Euros/night may end up being an excellent deal if there’s inexpensive parking nearby!

Strongly consider purchasing extra insurance.

Driving on unfamiliar roads in a foreign country is always going to be an exercise in risk-taking.

While driving in France is typically perfectly safe, if you’re not used to driving in congested urban environments or driving abroad, we’d recommend that you strongly consider purchasing additional CDW (collision damage) insurance for your vehicle–though going through the rental agency is often the most expensive place you can buy this coverage.

Check first to see if your credit card covers it (and in France specifically–not just in your home country), and if they don’t, some insurance policies do.

Get a quote to insure your France road trip today!

Not all gas stations are self-service.

We’ve come across both self-service and attendant-provided gas stations in France–when you pull up to get gas, take a quick look around to see what the other drivers are doing before jumping out of your car!

An International Driver’s Permit isn’t required. 

Unlike in Italy, an International Driver’s Permit isn’t required to rent a car or drive in France (though you do, of course, need to be licensed to drive–for example, driver’s licenses from our home country of the USA are valid for driving in France as a tourist).

However, if your license is written in something other than English or French, or you just want to make any potential communication easier, you may want to consider getting one anyway.

Your life will be easier if you buy a French SIM card.  

This assumes your phone is unlocked, of course, but seriously: getting a local SIM card before taking off on your road trip in France will make your life so much easier!

Having access to everything from a GPS to restaurant reviews is a huge benefit of traveling in the modern age, and bringing those tools along with you as you explore France by car is a fantastic idea.

You can absolutely purchase a local SIM card once you arrive, but if you want to get everything set up before you go, you can also purchase a France SIM card at home in advance.

Pack toilet paper.

Rest stops along highways in France will generally have toilets, but toilet paper is far from guaranteed–best to bring your own just in case.

I usually carry a pack of these with me in my purse when I travel, and they’ve come in handy more than once when driving in France.

Brush up on your French.

Ubiquitous advice for traveling in France, I know, and not exclusive to a road trip in France, but I promise that at least being able to ask for (and follow) simple driving directions in French–not to mention reading basic road signs–will make your France road trip much better!

The first rule of road trips in France: leave room for spontaneity!

One of the best things about taking a road trip in France is that no matter how carefully you plan, no matter how much research you do, you’re still bound to show up in the country and be blown away by something you had never heard of before.

So, just roll with it… and leave room for new discoveries.

I’m a big planner myself, so I get the urge to organize every. last. detail. 

… But during our own trips exploring France by car, I’m also so glad that we randomly decided to spend extra time in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, that we gave Port Miou a chance when we saw photos of how lovely it was, that we delayed our departure from Annecy because its market was coming to town, and that we ended up cutting Roussillon from our Luberon Valley trip because we simply weren’t ready to say goodbye to Goult.

In other words: sketch an outline of your days and nights, yes, but be open to changes. Those stops may just end up being some of your favorite stops during your France road trip!

Pay attention to market days (and show up early).

Visiting local markets in all of France’s adorable villages is one of my favorite parts of taking a road trip in France: with a car, there’s no need to worry about managing train times or having to skip the tiniest villages.

If at all possible, aim to visit towns on their market days. Depending on the town, this is generally one, two, or three times a week. Many villages have a small daily market, with larger markets on certain days–those are the ones to aim for.

Also: show up early! Early in the morning is the absolute best time to visit markets on your France road trip. You’ll get to experience both the smallest crowds and also have your pick of the best products before they potentially sell out for the day.

Pack a picnic on travel days.

All those markets full of delicious bread, cheese, meat, and produce that you pass each day? Those are your future lunch!

Double up on practical purchases and fun experiences in France by using market days to stock up on picnic materials to use during your days spent driving in France.

Rest stops in France are plentiful along the highways (look for the signs for “aires”), and are generally very clean and well-stocked, with some even including restaurants.

Don’t change locations every day.

Packing your bags, checking in and out of a hotel, loading the car, unloading the car… all of these things may not seem like much, but by the fifth or sixth day in a row, you’ll be incredibly tired of doing it.

These kinds of transitions eat up way more of each day of your France road trip than the estimated driving time between whatever two towns you’re visiting–so do yourself a favor and limit the number of times you swap lodging.

Instead, set up a series of bases for at least a few days each, and use your rental car to take day trips from there.

For example, we used Avignon as a base to visit the Luberon Valley and Alpilles, and Aix-en-Provence as a base to visit Cassis!

Focus primarily on smaller towns & natural attractions.

Don’t get me wrong–we adore France’s cities, but places like Paris, Lyon, and Nice don’t require a car to visit–quite the opposite. A car is a hindrance there!

One of our France driving tips is to focus on the smaller towns, beautiful countryside, dramatic castles, and endless natural highlights (beaches, lakes, mountains–you choose!) that make up this incredibly diverse and beautiful country.

If you hope to include any of France’s major cities as part of your itinerary, we recommend visiting them at the beginning or end of your trip and only renting your car when you’re ready to leave and head to smaller towns.

The slow pace is part of the fun.

Often, the best memories from a trip are the ones where you let go of the long wish list of towns and villages you hope to see, the markets you want to visit, and the tourist sights you can’t miss and just. breathe.

I learn this again virtually every time I go to France: some of my best memories in the country are of the day we did literally nothing but walk around Colmar and admire how beautiful it was, the day we lounged in Paris’ Luxembourg Gardens all afternoon, the days we’ve sat at outdoor cafes for hours because the sunshine and people-watching felt too good to leave behind, and the long, leisurely lunch we ate in Goult .

Each and every one of those memories is something we exchanged for missing out on a piece of sightseeing or photo-taking or research we had planned to do–something that seemed important at the time.

I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything.

Write down where you go.

Sure, no one is going to forget visiting Nice or Aix-en-Provence… but that tiny town with the cute fruit stand you passed through that one afternoon? Yeah, that name will fade almost immediately.

You’ll want to remember the names of all the small villages you visited, pretty beaches you swam at, cozy restaurants you ate at, and hiking trails you conquered long after your France road trip is finished, so write them down as you go!

Jeremy loves to star the places we visit on Google maps, and I keep my own record in my One Line a Day journal that I’ve been keeping daily for years (and highly recommend!).

Alsace Wine Route

From Arzo of Arzo Travels

A  fun road trip to take is from Strasbourg to Colmar (or the other way around) which is also known as the Alsace Wine Route .

Especially in the summer months (or early fall), it is a beautiful drive with scenic window views and many beautiful towns, villages, and cities along the way.

The Alsace Wine Route is one of the most famous road trips in France and besides being a beautiful place, it has a lot about…well, you guessed it, wine. 

Start your trip in Strasbourg (which is not officially part of the Alsace wine route), the beautiful main city in the region, and explore what it has to offer, including lots of half-timbered houses and many medieval buildings, and then plan in time for stops like Obernai, Ribeauville, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, and Eguisheim.

These are all beautiful little villages, though Riquewihr is probably the prettiest of all. 

Then it is time to end your tour in Colmar where you can end your road trip and explore one of the cutest towns in the country.

If you are a wine drinker, you can visit the vineyards along the way and try out some of the local wines in the wineries or restaurants. They are supposed to be some of the best wines in the country!

Driving Distance

170km or 105 miles.

Recommended Road Trip Length

3 days is the absolute minimum for this road trip. 4 or 5 days are the better options if you do not want to rush and like to do some wine tasting.

Marseilles to Nice

From Chrysoula of Travel Passionate

After exploring Marseilles , why not head eastwards along the gorgeous coastal road to Nice? The drive is best done at a leisurely pace over a few days so you can savor the delights of Provence and the Cȏte d’Azur. 

The coastal road has many spectacular views and the first is as you leave Marseilles. Les Calanques are dramatic, sheer-sided coastal inlets that have been carved through the limestone and they can be found between Marseilles, Cassis , and La Ciotat. 

A little further on you will be tempted by the seven beautiful sandy beaches of La Croix Valmer.

The first main stop is St Tropez, a favorite with the international jet-set in the sixties. It is still popular for its beaches and nightlife. Those ‘in the know’ explore Port Grimaud- the Crêpes au Chocolat (chocolate pancakes) and cider are worth sampling. 

Cannes is another famous city, loved by the super-rich and known for its international film festival. Antibes lies close to Nice and is a delightful old town with ramparts and once Picasso’s home. 

There will be many other detours inland to make to Domaines (wineries) to sample the area’s superb rosé and villages like Maximin-Le-Sainte- Baume with its famous basilica and Grasse (north of Cannes) is world-famous for its perfume industry. 

St Paul de Vence is loved by painters and writers. When you arrive in Nice, you will be able to park the car and leave it, as there is a large traffic-free zone in the center.

235 km or 146 miles.

Suggested Road Trip Length

It takes around 3 hours to drive between Marseille and Nice but if you really want to enjoy the area explore Marseille, Nice and a few towns between I suggest you spend around 4 to 5 days on this South of France road trip.

The Champagne Route

From Jane and Duncan from To Travel Too

Without a doubt, France’s Champagne Route is one of the most popular driving tours in the country.

When driving the  Champagne Route of France there are several routes to consider, including Massif Saint Thiery Route the northern route starting from Reims, Marne Valley Route from Epernay, and the Cote des Blancs Route from the south of Epernay. There are also others, or you can mix and match to create your own France road trip route!

If you only want to visit some of the major towns you can start from Troyes and head to Epernay, then onto Reims.

There are many small towns and villages around the Champagne region to visit.  The routes will take you past beautiful chateaux, quaint villages, churches, and many champagne houses.

The major champagne houses such as Mercier and Moet Chandon can be found in Epernay and in Reims you can visit Veuve Clicquot, Mumm, Taittinger and many smaller boutique champagnes houses as well.

The best months to visit are between May and October.

The Champagne region is easy to travel to from Paris.  The journey from Paris to Reims is only 45 minutes and from Paris to Epernay 1 hour 10 minutes.

The distance from Troyes to Epernay is 112 km or 70 miles, and Epernay to Reims is 29 km or 16 miles.

You can visit either town on a day trip and visit some of the Champagne Houses within walking distance of the train station.  The ideal time to enjoy all that the Champagne region has to offer is between 5 – 7 days.

The Opal Coast

From Nichola of Globalmouse Travels

Paris to Normandy Road Trip

The following Paris to Normandy road trip is ideal for those looking to escape the city for a few days to a natural and verdant environment.

From Paris, go north to Mont Saint Michel (4-hour drive), where you should stay for at least 1 night. Consider taking the toll-free road which adds 30 minutes to your driving time, but gives you the chance to drive through Normandy’s charming villages and countryside. 

Once you’ve checked into your hotel, walk, bike, or take public transportation to the island that is Mont Saint Michel. When visiting Mont Saint Michel during low tide, go onto the island, grab a spot along the high stone wall and witness the rising of the tide as the sea surrounds the island, isolating it from the mainland.

The next day, drive east to Étretat. Consider spending half a day to a full day here.

While Giverny may have been home to impressionist painters, Étretat was their inspiration. Étretat sits on the Normandy coast and is home to where grayish-white limestone cliffs meet the untamed blue sea. The cliff tops are paved with dirt paths and staircases making them accessible for walking, hiking, and sight-seeing.

On your way back to Paris from Étretat, stop in Honfleur to aimlessly walk through the port and old town. The various architectures are beautiful in their own right: the medieval old town and the port with its tightly packed, vertical, colorful buildings. When you’ve finished exploring Honfleur, it’s an estimated 2.5-hours drive to Paris.

This road trip from Paris through Normandy and back can be comfortably done in 3 days. 

The French Alps from Chamonix

From Whitney of Designs for Travel

One of the most incredible road trips in France is through the Frech Alps.  With the beautiful green mountains (or white in the snowy season), aqua blue lakes, and quaint chalets, the Frech Alps is one of the most picturesque areas in Europe. 

This Frech Alps road trip is a loop that starts and ends in the popular adventure town of Chamonix.  The closest major airport is Geneva, Switzerland.

Start in Chamonix, a beautiful resort town at the base of Mont Blanc.  It’s one of the best places to ski in the winter, but I recommend taking this trip in the summer, where you can take a gondola to the top, and enjoy the panoramic views and do some hiking. 

The next stop on this road trip is 1 hour and 20 minutes west, to the gorgeous alpine town of Annecy .  The pristine lake, river, cobbled old town, pastel cottages, and medieval chateau make Annecy a must-see town in the Alps. 

From here, head east to Le Grand Bornand, another beautiful alpine resort town.  Drive back to Chamonix for a raclette dinner, which is sure to be a favorite meal.

After visiting France, if you have more time, you can drive south to Italy to continue your road trip.

130 miles, 210 kilometers.

This road trip itinerary can easily be done in 3 days and if you have more time, a week is even better!

Gorges du Verdon + Valensole Plateau Road Trip

From Elisa of France Bucket List

This 2-day road trip in Southern France covers the Verdon National Park and some of the best  lavender fields in Provence . This French road trip starts in the city of Aix-en-Provence, and it takes two days. Aix-en-Provence is the quintessential Provencal city with many interesting things to see and do. Ideally, take one day or two to visit Aix-en-Provence before hitting the road.

From Aix-en-Provence, drive to Valensole, a pretty small town world-known for its lavender fields. Enjoy these never-ending seas of ‘blue gold’- it is not only beautiful to see, but it also smells very good!

Back to the road, drive to the Verdon National Park and stop at Esparron de Verdon and Lac Quinson de Verdon, two small lakes with absolutely no crowds. At Lac de Quinson, you can rent a kayak or an electric road and explore the Gorges du Verdon from the water.

Spend the night at Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, a picturesque hilltop village with the label ‘most beautiful villages in France’.

Day two visits Lac Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon. This is the main lake in the area, and the perfect place to relax on the beach and have a picnic with a view. In the afternoon, visit the hilltop village of Aiguines, which is less touristy than Moustiers and with a more local atmosphere.  Have an alfresco dinner in one of the two restaurants on the main square before driving back to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie for the last night of this road trip.

270 km, 168 miles.  

This road trip lasts two days. Add one or two more days if you want to visit Aix-en-Provence.

Bordeaux + France’s West Coast

From Kat of Wandering Bird

If you’re looking for a mixture of beautiful sandy beaches, cities, and dramatic scenery, head for the west coast of France. 

You can begin your trip almost anywhere along the coast, but let’s start in the major hub of Bordeaux. Here you can hire a car or camper van and set off on your adventure, but take a day or two first to explore this beautiful city.

If you only have one day, focus your time on the Cathedral and the mirror pool (you’ll need to wake up very early to nab photos here without the crowds).

Once you leave the city, you have some choices to make. Do you want wine, sea, or one of the most incredible natural wonders you’ve ever seen?

Bordeaux is surrounded by vineyards and they are all worth visiting. If you’re  touring France in a motorhome , you can even stay overnight at many of the vineyards (no worrying about drinking and driving!)

If you want to be wowed, head to Arcachon and the jaw-dropping Dune du Pilat. This natural wonder is the largest sand dune in Europe, standing at around 106m high and runs for nearly 3km. Walking up it is not for the faint-hearted!

Lastly, if you want to see more of the beautiful Atlantic coastline, head up to Île de Ré. This stunning island has some beautiful beaches and is a great place to witness the incredible sunsets you find on the French coast. 

From Dune du Pilat to Île de Ré (past Bordeaux), this driving trip in France is 276 km or 172 miles.

You can drive from Dune du Pilat to Île de Ré in under 3 hours if traffic is clear.

However, we recommend at least a day in Bordeaux, a day near the dune and Arcachon, and a day on Ile de Re, so allow at least 3/ 4 days for your trip. 

Calais to the Pyrenees Loop

From Jenny of TraveLynn Family

For those located in the UK, Calais is an obvious starting point for a France road trip as it’s a short crossing from Kent, either on the ferry or Eurotunnel. This Calais to the Pyrenees road trip  itinerary does a big loop down to the Pyrenees via the Auvergne and Perpignan, then back up again via Bayonne, Île d’Oléron, and the Loire Valley, returning to Calais.

Between each stop is about 4 to 5 hours of driving, although do note that this is along tolled roads (which can add up, but they are very efficient).

Staying at campsites, this summer itinerary steers away from main tourist sites and explores the French countryside, rather than the cities. It is advisable to take a bike to explore each stop further using the many cycle lanes and marked tracks. And don’t forget to pack your swimsuit , as there are lots of opportunities for a dip to cool off after a day of exploring.

From the peaceful wooded valleys of the Auvergne to the Catalan charm of the Western Mediterranean; the majestic peaks of the Pyrenees to the fashionable beaches of the Basque country; and the idyllic fishing villages of Ile d’Oléron to the chateaux of the Loire Valley steeped in history; each stop is notably distinct from the other, providing a true cross-section of cultures and landscapes across the French countryside.

2005 miles 0r 3225 kilometers (using toll roads).

The French Alps From Grenoble

From Sasha of The Alternative Travel Guide

149  km / 92 miles.

Recommended Trip Length

Gorges du Tarn

Gorges du Tarn  offers one of the most scenic landscapes in Southern France, which makes it the perfect destination for a road trip. This loop road trip will take you along the rivers Tarn and La Jonte in the Causses and Cévennes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The trip starts and ends in Millau, a sleepy Medieval town, famous for the tallest bridge in the world – the Millau Viaduct. After visiting the bridge, head to the hamlet of Peyre, which is literally glued to the rocks – a fine example of the so-called ‘ troglodyte ’ villages. The area abounds in this type of dwellings, where the backside is carved into the rocks and only the façade is at street level.

After Peyre, head upstream the Tarn all the way to Florac. The dramatic gorge, cut by the Tarn, is dotted with a string of cute little villages and hamlets: Les Vignes, La Malène, Hauterives, Saint-Chély-du-Tarn, Sainte-Enimie, Prades, Castelbouc, Ispagnac.

At Les Vignes make a detour (11 km/ 7 miles) to Point Sublime for the most breathtaking views of the gorge. At La Malène, you can take a boat tour on the Tarn with the famous flat-bottom boats of Les Bateliers.

Another village that deserves more attention is Sainte-Enimie. Together with Peyre, it’s included on the official list of the Most Beautiful Villages in France.

From Florac, take D16 across Causse Méjean and visit the incredible cave, Aven Armand. Afterward, take D986 to Meyrueis and continue downstream La Jonte, following D996 and Gorges de la Jonte. The last stop on this road trip, before you return to Millau, are the twin towns of Le Rozier and Peyreleau.

215 km or 135 miles.

Although you can cover the whole distance in one day, I highly recommend that you do this in at least 3 or 4 days. The best time to do the trip is in the summer – between June and September, as in the low season as most places will be closed.

Cannes to Saint-Tropez

From Elena of Passion for Hospitality

The Côte d’Azur, or the French Riviera , is one of the most breathtaking coastlines, lined with picturesque cosmopolitan coastal towns and villages, golden beaches, rich nature scenes, the southeast corner of France has been blessed by natural beauty.

Driving from Cannes to St. Tropez is definitely a good way for those seeking to discover the gems of the French Riviera while enjoying a relaxed hustle-free little trip. 

To get the most out of the road-trip make sure to start early in the morning from Cannes. The first stop is Theoule-sur-Mer, a small medieval town located on the Golfe de La Napoule. Enjoy breathtaking views of the bay La Pointe de l’Aiguille or grab a delicious coffee and croissant before departing for the next destination, the resort town of St. Raphael.

We recommend enjoying lunch by the harbor’s restaurants and later, losing yourself around the narrow streets of the colorful old town. The last stop before reaching St. Tropez, where an overnight stop is recommended, is Saint Maxime, a quiet small village which landscape has inspired and continues to do so for many artists and writers.

Depending on your budget there are many different accommodations options, from simple cozy apartments by the beach, to luxurious resorts. 

Alongside the coastal road, there are many little spots scattered, where drivers could take a quick stop to admire the dazzling views, take a few photographs or stretch their legs. 

85 kilometers / 53 Miles 

It is an hour and a half car trip from one city to the other. With the short and one overnight stop, we recommend 2 days enough for this trip.

Toulouse to Andorra Loop

From Ucman of BrownBoyTravels

The tiny sovereign state of Andorra is a mere 190km from Toulouse and makes a perfect road trip back and forth which can be easily done over a weekend. 

Leaving Toulouse in the early morning, you will head in the southwestern direction to the highway. If you want a more scenic route head to Lacroix-Falgarde. The small rural roads will eventually lead you towards the Pyrenees. The Pyrenees appear shortly and the midi- Pyrenees towns and villages take over.

They are perfect for a coffee break or if you are going slowly, for a lunch break. These quaint little villages and towns offer a great insight into the southern french style of life. The streets are neatly trimmed and the everblooming shadow of Pyrenees mountain range dominates everything ever so lovingly.

The drive here is quite easy and simple but that changes significantly when you reach the mountain range. The roads become narrow and the sharp turns take over. The elevation also increases quite dramatically, make sure to take a break to pop your ears. 

The drive is really beautiful here especially in winter with the snow but also quite dangerous, black snow is a real threat here so drive with caution. 

If you drive fast you can cover this entire distance from Toulouse to Andorra La Vella in 3-4 hours but I’d recommend taking a day and going slow to enjoy the scenery. (Make sure to bring your passport although most of the time there are no border checks).

It is quite easy to drive around in Andorra from the ski slopes of Encamp to the quaint little town of Ordino or if you just want a relaxed weekend the beautiful spas of Andorra la Vella. If you like shopping, Andorra offers duty-free shopping , there something for everyone here.

The road trip to Andorra from Toulouse is a memorable and easy France driving trip.

120 miles or 190 kilometers.

2-3 days is enough to enjoy this France road trip itinerary.

Brittany Road Trip in France

From Victoria of Guide Your Travel

This driving route will be between 800 and 100 kilometres, 500 – 620 miles.

Montpellier to Toulouse Loop

Finally, you should head 100 km to Toulouse. Toulouse is nicknamed “la Ville Rose” – the pink city – because so many of the buildings are made from pinkish bricks. Important sites to visit are Basilique Saint-Sernin, the largest romanesque church in Europe. It also has more relics in the crypt than any other church in France, many of which are from Charlemagne (9th century).

You should also spend time at Place du Capitole and the square in front of it. Some parts of the building date back to the 12th century. It has beautiful frescos and offers tours.

Montpellier – Carcassonne – Toulouse is 245 km or 150 miles.

It would take about 3 hours to drive this France road trip route straight through without stopping. However, to truly enjoy each location, I would give yourself a minimum of 5 days.

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About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

10 thoughts on “15 Best France Road Trip Itinerary Ideas (+ Driving Tips!)”

hello 🙂 just finished reading your ” escape clause” and i found some great tips so just like to thank you for that first of all. I’m planning on travelling to France by car from west Yorkshire in the UK for a 10 day holiday in total, we would start of by a 5 hour drive to dover then get the ferry crossing to Calais and carry on from there. we will have a 3 year old and a 1 year old too with us so we want to see plenty of beaches and coastal scenery. i wondered if you could maybe point us in the right direction on places to visit/stay ( ideally 2 different locations on family friendly campsites with lodges or tents) and go off on day trips from there if that makes sense 🙂 look forward to hearing back from you guys iain

Hi Iain! Unfortunately, we haven’t had a chance to spend much time in northwestern France (we were supposed to this year, but alas, 2020 had other plans). I can tell you our personal wish list in that general corner of France, though, includes all the major hits: Etretat, Le Havre, Honfleur, Lille, Rouen, and if you get that far south, of course, Mont Saint-Michel. Etretat is ideal for the coastal scenery you mentioned!

Wish we had more detail to offer, but there are some stunning places up that way!

Staggering beauty here Kate. Wow. France surprises me with its range. Definitely a worthy spot for a serious road trip. Fabulous images guys!

thank you for this! we are planning visit in aug/sept 2022 x 21d staring our in paris and heading toward bordeaux, the sw coast, basque, french pyrenees, and andorra. Wasn’t sure how to finish up the loop back to paris but I would love to incorporate provence. I also love your focus on gorges! I just started following you on IG and will look out for more inspiration!

Thanks so much, Leigh! Sounds like an incredible trip.

We’re toying with a trip to Basque Country and/or Bordeaux ourselves this spring–it never stops being difficult to narrow down our options!

Hope you guys have a wonderful time!

Very good coverage of driving tours in France. One suggestion for drivers I don’t recall was mentioned. After you pick up your car rental stop somewhere and invest in materials to clean your windshield. We have driven thousands of miles on many car trips and estimate that most of the time gas stations don’t have squeegees, sponges, paper towels, or even water available. Well worth the small cost. France is a large agricultural country and bugs abound.

Thanks so much. Very useful

Happy to help!

Hello Kate. I am planning my trip to France. It is our first trip to France. We will fly from New York to Paris and we want to explore France as much as we can within 9 days. We want to rent car and use train if we need. My plan is to start from Paris and go to other nice places including small towns/villages and end up in south and fly back to US from other south city. We need your advice please. Thank you in advance.

With 9 days, the first thing I’d do is narrow down what general region of France you want to visit, as you can access a wide variety of beautiful small towns in that time!

Normandy and Provence are both popular regions for first-time visitors to France, though it sounds like you’re most likely wanting Provence. For Normandy, you might drive right from Paris, and for Provence, you’d likely want to take a train to Aix-en-Provence and then pick up a car. This itinerary covers Provence: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/south-of-france-itinerary/

If you want to stick very close to Paris, consider the Loire Valley.

Other options could include the Bordeaux area (we love St. Emilion: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/saint-emilion-france/ ) or Burgundy ( https://www.ourescapeclause.com/things-to-do-in-dijon-france/ ).

You obviously can’t cover all of that, but narrowing down where you want to go will be the first step. France has lifetimes worth of villages to explore. 🙂

If you’re wanting to fly home from the south of France, you’ll want to look at flights from Bordeaux (in the west) or Nice, Marseille, Lyon, or Toulouse (in the east).

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Home » Itineraries » 2 Weeks Driver-Guided

2 Weeks in France Driver Guided Tour

Private tours, free refunds & rescheduling, customizable itineraries, tailor your 2 week-long itinerary to suit you.

Discover France in style and luxury as you travel across the regions in our executive class vehicle with your private driver guide.

Featuring highlights and iconic locations from Paris,  lush wine regions in the Loire Valley and the Dordogne, and heart-melting TerraCotta brick cottages in Toulouse villages. Read on to find out what we have planned for you on our 2-week driver-guided tour.

Tour highlights:

• Paris Highlights
• Chambord, Amboise & Tours
• Bayonne & Biarritz
• Tarbes & Toulouse
• Castelnaudary

What is included:

• Certified English-Speaking Expert Local Guides
• Complimentary Bespoke Tour Itinerary
• Select Central Luxury Accommodations
• Luxury Air Conditioned Vehicles for Tours & Transfers
• Unbeatable Refund Guarantee
• Skip-The-Line Tickets & Entrance Fees
• 24-7 In-Country Support

Day 1: Arrival in Paris

We start our tour of Paris, the city of lights, with your driver guide who will be waiting for you in the reception of your hotel. Today is a familiarization tour and we’ll drive around Paris to see all the key monuments and attractions and where possible stop for photographs.

Your tour will include Sacre Coeur at Montmartre, the Champs Elysees, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and Place de la Concord, Opera, Louver and the Arc de Triomphe.

Stop for lunch in Montparnasse in one of the pretty squares and afterward browse the local market.

In the afternoon we head to the Pompidou Center which is universally recognized as Europe’s most important center for Modern Art. The building itself is steeped in controversy due to its polarizing very modern design and huge bill – It cost almost £60 Million and that was in 1977 when it was completed! Inside the building, there is also a library housing over half a million books as well as the main gallery itself that has 200,00 modern art exhibits. Your guide will plan your visit with you to ensure that your tour takes in all the works you want to see.

Day 2: Paris

This morning we have an epicurean tour of Paris starting with the traditional French petit dejeuner (or petit dej as the calls call it) at a local boulangerie where the head baker will teach you about the different breads and pastries they bake every morning. 

Top tip – if you are ever buying bread in France never go to an empty boulangerie – the French are perfectly happy to queue outside their favorite for 20 minutes rather than buy bread from a shop where they believe the bread is of inferior quality. Your tour will include a visit to an award-winning fromagerie as well as local charcuterie and poissonnerie.

Following lunch, we visited Sainte Chapelle. Usually, the Gothic cathedral of Notre Dame is at the top of everyone’s ‘must see’ list in Paris. Unfortunately for the next few years, tourists will not be allowed inside the cathedral until the renovations are completed following the disastrous fire. 

If you are looking to see impressive Gothic architecture look no further than the Sainte Chapelle, built by Louis IX to house Christian relics including Christ’s crown of thorns. This stunning gothic building was built in only 7 years and cost almost a tenth of the cost of the relics housed there. 

The chapel is made up of 2 parts – the Upper Chapel – for the king and his family and the lower chapel for servants of the king. As you would expect the upper chapel has to be seen to be believed, such is the opulence and extravagance of the decorations which include exquisitely carved statues of the 12 apostles and beautifully painted ceilings. The main feature of this stunning building is the stained glass windows – the world’s largest display of Medieval glass with over 600 m 2 of stained glass.

Situated close to the Chappelle is the Conciergerie, a stunning Medieval building with a dark history. The building was used as a prison during the revolution and many famous prisoners were held here until their fates including Marie Antoinette.

The building has 4 main towers, one of which is the  47 M high Tour d’Horloge is home to the oldest working public clock in Paris. This heavily decorated gilt clock was commissioned by Charles V in 1371 and was created by Henry de Vic, one of France’s most reputable clock designers.

Day 3: Paris - Giverny - Paris

Today we visited Giverny, a beautiful village nestled on the banks of the Seine, and home to the great artist Claude Monet who first visited the village in 1883 and fell in love with the area and stayed for 30 years until his death. Later in his career, his influence across the arts resulted in many other artists moving to Giverny to paint this amazing landscape. 

We start our day in Giverny in the famous water garden. Monet was fascinated by Japanese culture and he spent over 10 years creating this magical water garden, selecting the best oriental trees and plants like bamboo, ginkgoes, and peonies. He also planted many different types of water lilies, the subject for the famous ‘ Nymnpa’ that he started painting in the late 1890s. We then head to the Clos Normand, which means closed Norman Garden. This part of the gardens leads up to Monet’s house and is filled with hundreds of flower beds, bursting with color. Monet was said to adore flowers and when you step foot in this garden you will see why – from daffodils and tulips in Spring through to Irises, poppies, pansies and roses later in the season the garden is an explosion of beautiful fragrance and color.

We continue our private tour into Monet’s house which has been faithfully restored and is said to be a true representation of the house’s interior. Inside the stunning yellow dining room and vibrant blue kitchen, the rooms feature many of his artworks displayed on the walls. Alongside Monet’s beautiful artworks that he created, you will also find 

a collection of Japanese engravings. Monet adored all things Japanese and he built up an incredible collection of rare engravings by famous Japanese artists such as

Utamaro and Hokusai which you will see as you visit each room.

Following your tour of the house, we then stop for lunch at one of the charming brasseries located around the village.

In the afternoon you will be taken on a private tour of the Impressionist Museum which features works from many famous Impressionist artists as well as a permanent exhibition of Monet’s works. End your tour with a visit to the colorful and contemporary museum gardens that feature fountains and wild prairies.

Following your private tour sit back in your air-conditioned car and let your diver guide take you back to your hotel in Paris.

Day 4: Loire Valley - Chambord

Today we head to the Loire to spend a few days exploring fairy tale castles and tasting the best this region has to offer including spectacular vin de la Loire to meaty rillettes and local cheese such as Port Salut and Valencay (Valençay is a pyramid shape cheese with the top section cut off – legend has it that after his defeat in Egypt Napoleon stayed in the Loire and when he was given this pyramid-shaped cheese he was so incensed that he chopped the top of the cheese off, hence the shape today).

The Loire Valley is known for its picturesque landscapes, beautiful rolling hillsides sprinkled with villages along the banks of the majestic river Loire and is also called the ‘Garden of France’ 

No trip to the Loire would be complete without visiting the truly incredible chateau of Chambord, the park and grounds of the castle alone are as big as central Paris and it is the largest park in Western Europe covering 5440 hectares and 32 kilometers of walls.

Commissioned by King Francis I and imagined by the great Leonardo da Vinci, the Chateau de Chambord is the largest and most majestic castle of the Loire.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site calls the site “the architectural equivalent of the Mona Lisa.” The incredible double-helix staircase is just one reason. It is a world-renowned, architectural marvel!  The palace comprises 426 rooms, 83 staircases, 282 fireplaces as well over 4,500 objets d’art on display in superbly recreated apartments in the chateau.

In 2001 a study started aimed to replicate exactly the palace gardens as created during the reign of Louis XIV and in 2017 this study finally came to fruition with the reopening of the gardens.

The result today is incredible and awe-inspiring with more than 800 shrubs, 600 trees, over  200 rose bushes, 15,250 border plants, and 18,874 m² of lawns. A garden fit for a King!

Day 5: Loire - Amboise

Today we head to Amboise, a city famous for its connection to Leonardo da Vinci who lived and eventually died here.

Our first stop is the incredible Chateau d’Amboise, which was home to King Charles VII and Louis XII. The chateaux have evolved over the centuries and are now smaller than originally built but the imposing turrets and huge stone castle walls still dominate the skyline.

Inside the chateau, rooms are restored in both Gothic and Renaissance styles with elaborate tapestries and fine artworks throughout. Your private tour will also include a tour of the beautiful formal gardens before we head to the next chateau in Amboise Château du Clos Lucé. 

Not only home to the great artist Leonardo da Vinci, but it was also home to both Mary Queen of Scots and Anne Boleyn, The chateau was bought by Charles VIII and turned into a Royal residence and it was Francis I that asked Da Vinci to come and visit Amboise.  The great artist had lost his Italian patron and so he made the trek to Amboise by mule (over the Alps). He brought some of his artworks including the Mona Lisa with him, which explains why the most famous painting in the world is in Paris and not Rome! 

Your private tour will also reveal the tunnel that Francis I had constructed from his residence in the Chateau d’Amboise to Clos Luce that enabled the King to meet with the great artist privately. This chateau is considered the only real home Leonardo had throughout his life and both the chateau and its gardens pay home to this great artist with several of his inventions made into life-size models dotted throughout the grounds.

Our day ends with a tour of Amboise, a beautiful Medieval town with narrow cobbled streets and half-timbered houses, the perfect destination for aperos whilst you watch the sunset.

Day 6: Loire Valley - Tours - Bordeaux

We spend the morning visiting Tours, twice the home to the French government in 1870 and 1940 and the largest city in the Department, but not the capital (this is Orleans). 

We visit the old town, le Vieux Ville, and explore the Medieval streets and houses, all wonderfully preserved. In the heart of the old town is the impressive Gothic Saint-Gatien Cathedral – its sheer size dominating the area around it. This enormous building is as impressive inside as out with its vaulted knave and highly decorated stained glass windows and beautiful rose windows. 

Inside there are various chapels, including one dedicated to the local hero, Jean d’Arc, and a stunning 16th-century organ that has been carefully restored to replicate exactly how it would have looked when first constructed. Tours were also strategically important in WWII and was home to a large American base  – the contribution of the Americans in the war is recognized in the city by the famous Woodrow Wilson bridge over the Loire.

We head to one of the many riverside restaurants for lunch ‘with a view’ – overlooking the magnificent river Loire.

In the afternoon your driver guide will take you to the station where you will travel by TGV to Bordeaux, just around 2 hours away by high-speed train.

On arrival in Bordeaux, your chauffeur will be waiting for you by the platform and will take you and your luggage to your hotel for the next few days in the Bordeaux region.

Day 7: Bordeaux

Nestled on the SE Atlantic seaboard lies Bordeaux, France’s 5th Largest city and as of 2007 both the city and its port were granted UNESCO World Heritage status. This coastal city includes the largest estuary in Europe and is home to over 350 Monuments Historique, only Paris has more historically significant buildings.

Your private tour starts at the Place De la Bourse – (Stock Exchange square) this was created by Jacques Gabriel who may be better known as the principal architect behind Versailles. Next to these impressive Neoclassical buildings is the more contemporary Water Mirror, the world’s largest reflecting pool and was created in 2006. This 3,7000 sq foot pool is made from granite slabs and is covered with 2 cm of water. Every 15 minutes steamrolls across the surface creating perfect photo opportunities. La Grosse Cloche  (the Big Bell) is certainly worth a visit and dates back to the Middle Ages where you can still visit the prison and dungeons in the Bell’s gateway.

Nestled amongst Bordeaux’s impressive architecture you will find over 35 Michelin-starred restaurants as well as the longest shopping street in Europe -Rue Sainte Catherine at 1.2Km long. From designer fashion houses to local artisan craft shops this street has something for everyone.

Day 8: Bordeaux - Arcachon

Next, we visit the relatively new town of Arcachon. Napoleon III, a regular visitor, and lover of the area signed township deeds in 1857 creating this new town. Its popularity grew in the early-mid 19th century when it became a health destination for TB sufferers who would visit to take advantage of the clean sea air and ocean. Latterly, once the railway was extended here Arcachon became popular for the elite of Paris and Bordeaux, and its most famous residents were probably Dumas and Toulouse -Lautrec. Today it is a chic holiday destination, famed for oysters, spectacular period architecture, and the Pilat dune and we have a relaxing day visiting the best this pretty city has to offer.

The town is split into 4 main areas, named after the seasons – each with a very distinct vibe. We start in the Ville d’hiver and take a tour of the stunning villas and mansions from the 19th century which represent fantastic examples of various architectural styles from huge rambling Swiss chalets, to colonial and neo-gothic villas; there is an eclectic mix of styles on show. Your guide will point out some of the most famous villas on your tour including Villa Faust which is based on a Moorish castle, and Villa Trocadero an enormous building built in the style of a luxury Swiss ski chalet!

Next, we head to one of the most amazing natural attractions (and in fact the second most visited natural attraction in the whole of France)  – the impressive Dune du Pilat. This enormous dune contains over 60 million metric cubes of sand and is an incredible 110 meters high, 500 meters wide and over 2.5 Km in length, It is Europe’s tallest sand dune and from the top, you have wonderful views of the Arcachon Basin, the Banc d’Arguin nature reserve and the Bassin d’Arcachon. There are steps and a handrail and so it is a relatively easy climb.

In the afternoon relax on one of the many beautiful beaches in the area – for those of you wanting to go more off the beaten track your driver guide will take you to some of the less well-known coves to explore.

In the evening head out to one of  Arcachon’s well-known award-winning seafood restaurants and sample the local delicacy: freshly caught oysters.

Day 9: Basque Country - Bayonne

We venture into the heart of Basque territory today and head out to Bayonne, famed the world over for ham but also and also a much less well-known fact is that Bayonne is a huge center for the production of chocolate. During the Spanish Inquisition, many of the cocoa traders living in Spain were from the New World and so fled to nearby Bayonne in France to escape the Inquisition.

Bayonne is also known as the capital of French Basque Country – this is an area of land between SW France and NE Spain. As soon as you arrive in Basque you will notice the red and white flags everywhere, these colors represent everything Basque. It’s not only the dominance of red and white flags that show this is a distinct part of France – the street signs are all written in French and Eurasia, the official language of Basque. It is strange to think that an area of land between France and Spain has a language that has no basis in French or Spanish (a language isolate) and is considered the oldest language in Europe developed in Prehistoric times.

Our tour starts today with a private tour of the Basque Museum, which charts the history of the Basque people and hosts the largest collection of Basque exhibits including boat building, sporting, and woodworking artifacts. Our next stop is the Bayonne cathedral, an imposing Romanesque and Gothic building whose twin spires dominate the horizon. Originally constructed in 1213 to be a place of worship for pilgrims to stay on the way to Santiago de Compostela. 

Inside the cathedral admire the huge vaulted ceilings decorated with ornate stone carvings, the numerous artworks, and the many chapels on each side of the building as well as the shrine of Saint-Léon de Carentan, bishop of Bayonne in the 9th century. 

Your private tour will also include a visit to the cloisters, built in 1240 and are amongst the largest in the whole of France.

Following your private tour head down the Rue d’Espagne, and have lunch in one of the local brasseries 

In the afternoon we head to Chocolate Street, a section of the old town filled with artisan chocolatiers, and have a tour of the workshop and factory and learn about why this area of France produces such high-quality chocolate. Your tour ends with the obligatory chocolate tastings, what a lovely way to finish the afternoon.

In the evening choose from one of the many waterfront restaurants and sample local fresh seafood paired with delicious French Basque wine.

Day 10: Basque Country - Biarritz

Just a few Km south of Bayonne lies the coastal city of Biarritz, originally conquered by the Romans and named Aquitania in the 6th century, but the first settlers were in fact Vikings who realized the great fishing potential of the town and many Scandinavians made their way here, renaming the town Bjarnihus, which is where the name Biarritz originally comes from. In around the 1850’s Napoleon III’s wife, Empress Eugenie commissioned a palace to be built on the beach which elevated the city’s social status amongst the elite in Paris and London. Queen Victoria and Prince Edward had many holidays here and this, along with the construction of the famous Hotel Casino Paris, served to cement Biarritz as a destination for the rich and famous. 

We started our private tour of Biarritz at the Cathedrale de St Eugenie, which sits on a hill above the Vieux Port. It was built in 1856 in opulent Roman-Byzantine style and was built in honor of Napoleon III’s wife  Empress of France. Inside the grand interior, there are spectacular stained glass windows designed by Merson, ornate stone carvings, and incredible-looking fonts that were constructed with seashells from Manilla. 

From here we head to Porte des Pechers, a tiny village within a village consisting of around 60 ‘crampettes’ – small white-washed cabins set into the rocks with green red, or blue shutters (think Greek Islands, not SW France!) We stop for lunch in one of the converted crampettes overlooking the busy harbor.

After lunch visit the (the Rock of the Virgin)  Rocher de la Vierge, so called after the Holy Virgin statue which sits on top of a huge rock that can only be reached via a footbridge, not any footbridge but one designed by Gustave Eiffel. Your guide will tell you about the legends and tales surrounding the rock and why the statue was built here.

Biarritz is also known as the California of France and is widely recognized as one of the places in France for windsurfing, surfing, kite surfing, and sailing.  You will have a private lesson in the watersport of your choice and really make the most of the Atlantic wind. For any golf enthusiast amongst you, there are 12 great and somewhat challenging courses in and around Biarritz including Biarritz le Phare, the second oldest golf course in Europe.

For those less sporty this afternoon we embark on a Basque cookery masterclass where you will learn how to cook famous dishes from the region such as piperade, lamb axoa, and Basque cake with a local award-winning chef.

Day 11: Tarbes

Our next destination is Tarbes, a beautiful Medieval town perfectly positioned in SW France and home to the birthplace of Marshal Ferdinand Foch,  who served as supreme commander of the Western Front during WW1 and was responsible for leading the charge that ultimately defeated Germany. The armistice was signed in his private carriage and many, if not all French towns and cities have a road/building or monument named after this great soldier.

We start our day with a visit to the birthplace of Foch which has now been turned into a museum and there are many genuine exhibits including documents and photographs from the war displayed here. Our next stop is the Musée de la Déportation et de la Résistance, which charts the Resistance movement in the area and includes amazing moving exhibits including accounts from escaped prisoners, internees, prisoners of war, and importantly personal stories from some of the key resistance fighters in Tarbes. Tarbes was SO central to the Resistance in this part of France that it was awarded the ‘Croix de Guerre’ (War Cross) 

Lunch in one of the many cafes and brasseries which are dotted around the main square and try some locally produced foie gras or poule au pot made with  Poule Noire d ‘Asterac – Bigorre. 

Jardins Massey (Gardens of Massey) is a stunning 11-hectare formal public garden and our next stop after lunch. It was created in the 19th Century by Placide Massey, not only a local of Tarbes but more importantly, the royal gardener to King Louis Philippe I and also responsible for the management of the Gardens of Versailles,  The garden has received one of the highest accolades in France and is a ‘Jardin Remarquable’, one of less than 300 across the whole of France. Explore the gardens with your guide and visit the Orangerie as well as the incredible cloisters with a total of 40 arches situated in this exotic garden paradise.

At the end of the afternoon, your driver-guide will take you to Toulouse where you will be based for the next 3 nights.

Day 12: Toulouse - Albi - Toulouse

Your driver guide today will take you north-eastwards out of Toulouse to the incredibly beautiful city of Albi, built on the shores of the river Tarn.  The Cathedral of St Cecile is the most imposing building in the city and dominates the skyline as you head into the city.

It is here we start our private tour and it is easy to see why this building and the surrounding ecclesiastical buildings have been given UNESCO World Heritage Status. The sheer size of the structure is impressive and it is said to be the largest brick building in the world. The bell tower is 78 M high and the building really looks more like a fortress. Inside are beautiful highly intricate stone carvings and sculptures with religious friezes and paintings along the walls and ceiling.

Just next door to the cathedral is the original Bishop’s House which is now home to the Toulouse Lautrec museum. Henri Toulouse Lautrec was born in Albi and definitely takes pride in place as the most famous resident. The museum itself is a majestic building and was constructed to show the strength and importance of the Catholic church. Your private tour of the museum will give you an insight into the life and times of this famous artist and an understanding of each of his most important works which are displayed here.  We finish the museum tour with a guided tour of the beautifully manicured formal gardens surrounding the Bishop’s house.

Next, we continue through the old town with its narrow streets lined with art galleries, artisan patisseries, and cafes and bars. Stop for lunch and admire the view towards the Vieux Pont – (meaning Old Bridge) constructed over 1000 years ago and still in use today as it is an iconic landmark of the city – our driver guide will take us there later on the way back so we can get some great pictures.

After lunch, go for a stroll along the riverbanks and take in the beautiful views of the city across the river – many of the famous pictures of Albi tend to be taken from the other side of the river and your guide will point out the best spots to get perfect pictures.

At the end of the day, your driver-guide will take you back to your hotel in Toulouse (not forgetting to drive past le Pont Vieux) for you to spend the evening at leisure.

Day 13: Toulouse - Castelnaudary - Toulouse

About 45 mins drive south of Toulouse is Castelnaudary – famous for being the home of Cassoulet, and where you can find Le Grande Basin – the largest body of water on the Canal du Midi. 

The incredible 241 Km Canal du Midi connects the Mediterranean to Toulouse and was created in the 17th Century and is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

We explore the Grand Bassin and the various monuments and the enormous obelisk by the Seuil de Naurouze watershed and your guide will explain to your the history of the Canal du Midi and why it is one of the most popular and certainly one of the most picturesque canal routes in Europe.

Your tour will then take you into the city itself where you can stroll through the market and sample charcuterie from one of the market stalls before heading to one of the many restaurants lining the leafy avenues of the city. Try local specialties such as confit du canard, but if it is your first time at Castelnaudary then you should try the cassoulet. As we are self-proclaimed as the cassoulet capital of the world, what better place to try authentic cassoulet made with beans grown in the Lauragais and local duck confit? 

In the afternoon we head back to Toulouse for some important last-minute present shopping! Depending on what you are looking for, your driver-guide will take you to the best part of the city. Most guests love the Carmelite Quarter which is the perfect place to find artisan chocolatiers and patisseries, many of them will ship to your home address directly. 

Day 14: Transfer from Toulouse

This morning your driver guide will be waiting to take you and your luggage to your next destination. Relax and finish your coffee whilst your driver guide takes care of your luggage and when you are ready step into a perfectly air-conditioned luxury car ready for your next journey.

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Meet your personal tour planner

Salut from France! I’m Debbie, founder of Luxury France Tours.

Having developed into a Francophile on a trip to the French Alps many years ago while still in school, I moved to France after a career traveling the world led to me meeting my (now) French Husband in Johannesburg. I created Luxury France Tours as a way of sharing my love of France & igniting this passion in others.

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The Best of France: A Two Week Itinerary

France is a country that offers visitors incredible diversity. It is loved by so many and is one of the most visited countries in the world. But the majority of those people only visit Paris. This two week France itinerary aims to get you outside of Paris and exploring other equally incredible parts of the country.

My France two week itinerary covers key areas of France to give you balanced itinerary to follow taking in its physical beauty, culture, history and culinary delights. It brings together the best bits of France in two weeks so you can get a taste for this beautiful country and make the most of your precious vacation time.

If you follow this trip to a tee you’ll be driving close to 2,000 km so you’ll want a vehicle that is comfortable for both the driver and passengers, plus one that has plenty of space for your luggage (and the goodies you might pick up along the way!.

For all my car hire bookings I use and recommend Hertz . I’ve found they offer the most comparable prices, let you search and compare multiple vehicle types and they have a great customer service team who can help if you come into any unexpected troubles.

France Two Week Itinerary

Days 1 to 4 – Paris

Day 1 – Start off your two weeks in France by arriving in Paris. This itinerary assumes that you arrive in the morning giving you most of the day to start seeing the sights.

The City of Lights, Paris, is one of the most visited cities in the world and rightly so. It is dripping with amazing architecture, world class art and culture and mouth-watering food. Paris is a city for everyone and its highlights can easily be explored in just a few days.

What to See & Do in Paris

Eiffel Tower – The icon of Paris is the perfect place to start your visit. Admire the architecture of what was once the world’s tallest tower before being whisked to the top in an elevator to enjoy the most spectacular uninterrupted views of the city. Skip the queues and pre-booked your visit to the top of the Eiffel Tower here .

Arc Du Triomphe – Take a walk up the famous Champ Elysees to enjoy the approaching view of this imposing arch. Built to honour those who fought and died for France, check out the inner and outer surfaces of the Arc for the names of French war victories and generals inscribed in the stone. You can climb the steps to the top for nice views over Paris and down the avenues that run off the centre of the Arc. Avoid long queues with this pre-booked ticket to the top.

Notre Dame Cathedral – One of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in the world, Notre Dame is famous for its incredible stained glass windows and for the gargoyles that guard the cathedral from above. Inside it is simply breathtaking and the view from the top allows you to get a closer look at those gargoyles, the cathedral’s roof and spires and over the city.

The Louvre – Home of the famous Mona Lisa, the world’s largest and most visited museum is spread across three wings with eight different departments and around 35,000 works of art and artifacts on display. One visit is most certainly not enough to take it all in so a little forward planning about what you want to see is a must. You might also want to nab yourself a timed entry ticket here to avoid the really long queues.

Montmartre & Sacre Coeur – For many hundreds of years the area of Montmartre has attracted artists from around the world. Today the area has a very bohemian vibe with tons of character and notorious nightlife. The most notable structure in the area is the lovely Sacre Coeur Basilica which holds services daily for locals and visitors. Make sure you enjoy the view from the area in front of the Basilica looking out over Paris. With so much interesting history in this area, a short tour with a local guide is a must!

Cruise the Seine –  Some of Paris’s best architecture and landmarks line the Seine River making a sightseeing cruise a must do (especially this evening illuminations cruise where you will see Paris sparkle!). My top tip is to hop aboard the Bateaux Mouches for a one hour cruise at night on an open top boat that will take you under all of the city’s famous bridges and past its famous sites.

Palace of Versailles – This grand chateau was once home to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette and is simply spectacular inside and out. Grand rooms filled with priceless works of art, furniture and antiquities on the inside and sprawling perfectly manicured gardens on the outside make this a worthy half to full day trip from the centre of Paris. As with most popular Paris attractions, having a skip the line entry ticket is a must.

Enjoy the Gardens – Paris has some really stunning gardens that are a haven from the busy streets of the city. Stroll the length of the Jardin des Tuileries from the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde or enjoy the spectacular flower displays of the Jardin du Luxembourg, just to name two of the city’s best green spaces.

Where to Stay in Paris

Here are three accommodation options to suit all budgets that I recommend you check out. All are centrally located, highly rated and come with excellent facilities. You can also check out my whole post dedicated to places to stay in Paris here .

Budget – Hotel Marignan

Mid-Range – Hotel Le Relais des Halles

Luxury – Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris

Read More About Paris

30 Things to Do in Paris

The Best Tours in Paris for Sightseeing

The Best Day Trips from Paris

Days 5 to 6 – The Normandy Region

Drive:  Paris to Caen – approx. 2.5 hours. Leave Paris early to give yourself plenty of time to stop along the way.

Suggested Stop

Like Paris, Rouen is set on the River Seine and has a rich medieval history. In just a few hours you can easily check out the city’s Gothic Cathedral (a favourite subject for artist Monte), wander the medieval quarter and visit the site where Joan of Arc met her demise.

From its dramatic coastal landscape to its rolling green fertile hills and rich history, Normandy is one of France’s hidden gems. Visit to delve deeper into its Norman, Medieval and War Time history; taste the freshness of the regions orchids, seafood and cheese; and explore the dramatic yet charming coastal towns.

What to See & Do in Normandy

Arromanches – On the 6th of June 1944 during World War II, Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy beginning their victory on the Western Front. You can visit those beaches, including Arromanches, where you will see remnants of the ‘Mulberry’ harbour the troops built. Then head up to the cliff tops to the 360 Cinema to get just a small feel for what it would have been like for the troops.

American Cemetery at Colleville – Laid out over 70 hectares overlooking the beaches where the troops landed and the chalky cliffs of the Normandy coast is the largest American cemetery in the area. Start your visit in the Visitors Centre which details the mission. Then head outside to wander the 9,387 gravestones perfectly aligned on a majestic expanse of green lawn. At the end of every day you can watch the ceremony of the Lowering of the Colours to the sound of a military hymn. (Book a guided tour that includes the cemetery and other American D-Day sites.)

Bayeux Tapestry – Known to the French as La Tapisserie de la Reine Mathilde , this 230-foot long tapestry is one of the largest and most detailed in the world, and tells the story of the events leading up to the Norman invasion in 1066. While you’re in Bayeux the town itself is also worth a look.

Camembert – France’s most famous cheese, Camembert comes from the village of the same name right in the heart of Normandy. You can take a tour to see how it is made and taste this creamy brie-like cheese at the President farm located in the heart of Camembert.

Where to Stay in Normandy

Here are three accommodation options to suit all budgets that I recommend you check out. All are centrally located in the town of Caen, highly rated and come with excellent facilities.

Budget – B&B Hotel Caen Memorial

Mid-Range – Ibis Styles Caen Centre Gare

Luxury – Hotel Restaurant Spa Ivan Vautier

Days 7 to 8 – Loire Valley

Drive:  Caen to Tours – approx. 2.5 hours OR 4.5 hours with a detour to Mont St Michel. Leave Caen early to make the most of the day.

Suggested Detour

Pictures of Mont Saint-Michel are among some of the most iconic images of France. The town which is topped with a monastery is built on a rocky outcrop in the middle of a tidal flat and connected to the mainland by a causeway. Try to get there early to wander the steep winding streets up to the monastery without the crowds.

Famous for its abundance of chateau, The Loire Valley has to be one of the most beautiful regions of France. Explore the chateau, wander the sprawling gardens and orchids, taste the local produce and wine and just simply soak up the beauty of the landscape.

What to See & Do in the Loire Valley

Chateau Chambord – The biggest and most famous of the chateau in The Loire Valley, Chateau Chambord was built by King Francis I as a hunting lodge. Of course it has been upgraded and expanded considerably since then. It is one of the best examples of renaissance architecture in the world. A small number of the 440 odd rooms in the chateau are open to the public to explore. See this incredible building without the queues by booking here in advance.

Ainy-le-Vieil Chateau & Gardens – One of the many chateau in the region, what sets Ainy-le-Vieil apart from the rest is the incredible gardens which are split into a series of rooms each with a different theme. The chateau itself has been in the same family since 1467 and you can explore the interiors to check out some of the personal mementos left behind by past family members.

Cycle along the Loire River – The Loire Valley is relatively flat making it the perfect place to hire a bike or take a bike tour ( like this one !). There are bike hire places in most villages along the river and the path is well sign posted. Whether its just a short ride or a full day, you’ll see plenty of beautiful chateau and have the opportunity to stop by plenty of quaint little villages on your ride.

Bourges Cathedral – One of the most remarkable Gothic cathedrals in France, the Bourges is located in the town of the same name and dates back to the 12th century. Modelled on Notre-Dame in Paris, the cathedrals biggest draw card is its spectacular stained glass windows intricately depicting biblical stories.

Explore the Vineyards – The Loire Valley has some of the best wine-making soil in France and some of France’s most well-known wine is produced in the region. You can explore the vineyards on your own in the car, hire a bike or take a tour like this one . Maps are available from local tourist offices making it easy to navigate between the vineyards.

Where to Stay in the Loire Valley

Here are three accommodation options to suit all budgets that I recommend you check out. All are centrally located in the town of Tours, highly rated and come with excellent facilities.

Budget – Hotel Italia

Mid-Range – Best Western Plus l’Artist Hotel

Luxury – Chateau Belmont Tours

Days 9 to 10 – Lyon

Drive:  Tours to Lyon – approx. 4.5 hours. Leave Tours early to make the most of the day and allow time for plenty of scenic stops along the way.

This is my personal favourite place on this France 14 day itinerary. If the main reasons you’re visiting France are for the culture and the food then you’ll love Lyon. France’s third largest city is home to interesting museums, cultural events year round and food offerings for those with an adventurous palate. 

What to See & Do in Lyon

Explore the Vieux – Lyon’s Vieux (old town) is a great place to start your visit. Take a wander around the cobblestone streets through narrow passageways past delicatessens, artisan stores and sidewalk cafes. Keep your eye out for an old traboule which are passageways used in medieval times by the silk industry, some of which have been recently renovated. A guided tour, like this one , will help you find all those hidden spots.

Dine in a Bouchon – These small restaurants serve the most traditional of Lyonnaise cuisine and are best suited to those looking to try something a little different. Dishes on the menu might include ingredients such as tripe, bone marrow or pork offal.

Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourviere – Perched high above the old town, this impressive white church dominates Lyon’s skyline and offers great views over Lyon from the promenade out the front. You can walk up the steep steps to get there or take the funicular for a few euros to save your legs. Nicknamed “the upside down elephant” because of its outside shape, inside its interior is quite pretty with lots of ornate features.

Roman Amphitheatre  – Right next to Notre Dame is one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres outside of Rome. The theatre holds up to 10,000 people and is used by the city to host many festivals and events throughout the year. When there’s nothing going on, visitors are free to wander around the theatre and picture themselves enjoying a concert in roman times.

Museum of Fine Arts – This museum has one of the broadest collections of fine art pieces of any museum in the world with their collection ranging from ancient Egyptian antiquities to modern art pieces from the last few decades. The Museum of Fine Arts also holds pieces that are among the finest in all of Europe. For art lovers, this place is heaven and not to be missed.

Hire a bike – Lyon is laid out on relatively flat ground and running right through the city are two rivers. This makes Lyon a great place to hire a bike and explore. There are Velo bike stations all over the city where you can pick up a bike any time of day for a few hours or a full day and explore along the rivers or around the city. It’s a great way to cover a lot of ground in less time.

Take a River Cruise – A great way to see most cities in Europe is on a river cruise and Lyon is no different. This one hour Saone River cruise will give you a new perspective of the most famous landmarks of Lyon and its interesting and unique architecture.

Where to Stay in Lyon

Here are three accommodation options to suit all budgets that I recommend you check out. All are centrally located, highly rated and come with excellent facilities.

Budget – Hotel Saint Vincent

Mid-Range – Hotel ParkSaone

Luxury – Villa Maia

Days 11 to 12 – Aix-en-Provence

Drive:  Lyon to Aix-en-Provence – approx. 3.5 hours. Leave Lyon early to allow time for plenty of stops along the way.

Allow plenty of time to stop at two French gems. First make stop at the Pont du Gard for a stroll out to this ancient roman aqueduct. Then head into Avignon to check out the Palais des Papes, walk over the Pont Saint-Benezet, wander the cobblestone streets browsing the boutiques and relax in one of the sidewalk cafes.

Food to the people of Provence is everything, so foodies will love exploring this region on this 2 week France itinerary. From the markets to the cafes and rolling fields of produce, Provence is a region for the senses. Its naturally beautiful landscapes and pretty little towns have been attracting artists for hundreds of years who come for the light and create masterpieces that can now be found in some of the best galleries all over the world.

What to See & Do in Provence

Aix-en-Provence – Basing yourself in Aix-en-Provence will give you plenty of time to explore this picture perfect town. Dine in one of the many fantastic restaurants that use only the best local produce. Wander the cobblestone lanes to see exactly why artists like Cezanne were so inspired by this town. And browse through the chic boutiques scattered through the town.

Arles Amphitheatre  – During the summer months this ancient roman amphitheatre comes alive with plays and concerts. For the rest of the year it is open to visitors. Take a walk around and picture yourself back in the roman days watching sporting events, wild-animal hunts, executions of prisoners, and gladiatorial contests.

Marseille’s Vieux Port – The Old Port of Marseille is the beating heart of the city and the Provence region. It is the place where locals and visitors go to relax, eat, drink, shop and just generally enjoy life. Wander through the shops and markets, have a drink or a bite to eat in one of the restaurants, bars and cafes or just stroll along the harbour people watching.

Saint-Remy-de-Provence – This quaint, traditional Provençal village is rather sleepy these days but back in Roman times it was a thriving Roman settlement, the ruins of which can still be seen today. However, this isn’t the town’s only claim to fame. It was also where Van Gogh was housed while being treated for his many psychiatric problems. It’s a lovely town to explore on foot and enjoy a break at one of the many cafes.

Moustiers Sainte-Marie – Hiding up the Gorges du Verdon is the town of Moustiers Sainte-Marie. The drive to this beautiful medieval town is on a long and winding road up the gorge with some spectacular scenery. The village itself is charming and well worth the effort to get there as it seems like time has stood still of hundreds of years.

Digne les Bains Lavender Fields – Take a drive through the rolling hills of Digne les Bains to see field after field of lavender mass planted. Stop by one of the road-side stalls or country shops to buy all sorts of lavender products from soaps and fragrance sprays to honey and other food products. The lavender blooms from June to August and the locals celebrate with a festival over a few days in August at harvest time.

Where to Stay in Provence

Budget – Hotel Le Mozart

Mid-Range – Hotel du Globe

Luxury – Villa Gallici Hotel & Spa

Days 13 to 14 – French Riviera

Drive:  Aix-en-Provence to Nice – approx. 5 hours if you take the slower coast road the whole way or 3 hours if you take the inland faster route. Leave Nimes early to make the most of the day and allow time for plenty of scenic stops along the way.

Optional Detour

To get to Nice you can take the quick route shown in the map above. Or if you have a bit more time you can detour the French Riviera coast stopping in Saint Topez, Cannes and Antibes .

A France 2 week itinerary would not be complete without a visit to the heart of the French Riviera. Nice is everything you have heard it is and so much more. Nice is a mixture of grit and opulence drenched with lots of sunshine. While the beaches and corso are the places to be and be seen, it’s the winding cobblestone lanes of the old town you’ll want to get lost in and find your own little piece of Nice.

What to See & Do in the French Riviera

Soak up with sun on the beach – While the beaches of Nice aren’t like the white sandy beaches most will be used to, the warm Mediterranean seas are more than enough to get most people over having to walk on pebbles. Whether you hire a sun lounger and umbrella for a day or brave it on the pebbles, a day by the water in Nice is an absolutely must!

Stroll the Promenade des Anglais – This palm fringed promenade runs for five miles along the beach at Nice and is the place to be and be seen when the sun is shining. You could easily spend a few hours strolling up and down the promenade watching the people enjoy life and this beautiful part of the world.

Nice Old Town – Once you’ve had your time in the sun, head to the old town to wander around the colourful winding cobblestone lanes. It’s a labyrinth you could easily get lost in passing but tiny local cafes, green grocers and artisan stores. There’s usually a market going on too which gives you a great glimpse into the lives of the locals.

Monaco – The nicest time of day to enjoy Monaco is just before the sun sets. You can take a bus or train from Nice (20-30 minutes) in the late afternoon to explore Le Palais des Princes de Monaco then watch the sun set over the billions of dollar’s worth of yachts in the marina. Finishing off the night in the Monte Carlo Casino or just outside in one of the sidewalk cafes checking out some of the world’s most expensive cars and the wealthy people who own them. This evening tour is also a great way to experience the very best of Monaco on short trip from Nice.

Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art – Get your final art fix of the trip at this museum famous for its Pop Art collection. The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art has a large collection of permanent exhibitions which are free to visit as well as ever-changing temporary exhibitions for a small fee. The building itself is also a work of art and worth a look, as is the view from the roof.

Where to Stay in Nice

Budget – Hotel des Dames

Mid-Range – Ibis Styles Nice Centre Gare

Luxury – Hotel Negresco

Read More About Nice

Things to Do in Nice

Got More Time?

If you have more than 2 weeks in France you have a few options to extend you’re time there.

You can choose to add some additional days at the places mentioned above. This will give you more quality time to spend in each place and will allow you to see more and spend a bit more time relaxing.

Alternatively you can add another destination or two to your journey. Just a few of these options include the Bordeaux wine region, the French Alps (I love the mountain town of Annecy), Dijon for the cuisine or Strasbourg on the German border to see how the cultures mix together to form a truly unique city.

Your can read more about some of these additional places to visit in France here .

Short on Time?

Check out my 10 day France Itinerary to see the best of this amazing country if you have a little less than two weeks to spend in France.

Over to you!

What is your favourite part of this France vacation itinerary or where are you most keen to visit?

Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

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27 thoughts on “The Best of France: A Two Week Itinerary”

This looks like an incredible itinerary! I’ve only been to Paris and for not that long, would love to go back and do it properly!

Thanks Madi!

Hello, is there another way to follow this itinerary if we won’t drive on our own? Can we go there by train?:) thanks

Hi Dez, You could absolutely do parts of this itinerary by train. Check out https://www.bahn.com/i/view/index.shtml for timetables. Or send me an email and I can see what I can do. Cheers Jen

When you end in Monaco, what are the options to get back to the US? Is there an airport so you can fly back to Paris then US?

Hi There, There is an airport in Nice that you can fly direct to the US from depending on the city you are going to. Otherwise you can fly via most major European cities from Nice to the US. Hope this help.s Cheers Jen

I am coming with my wife and 6 year old. We would like to tour the above (possibly shorter in Paris). Outside Paris – 05 Jun (from Paris) to 13 Jun (Nice). Is there any tour groups we can join for this itinerary or it can be done easily on our own ? Any reasonable recommendation for tour organizers for a similar tour ?

Hi Chidam, I don’t know of any tours that run for this short amount of time in France sorry. However, this trip would easily be done on your own if you hire a car. With your shorter amount of time, you would need to skip a few places and spend a few longer driving days. Cheers Jen

Hi The two week itinerary is very helpful but can you tell me if you have a valid indian licence can we drive in France and if not then how can we do this trip – suggest an alternative say bus train or cycle

Hi Surekha, I am unsure about licence validity for India I am afraid. Might be best to speak with your local licence registery to find that one out. A bus could definitely replace this whole itinerary, a train may be more tricky but not impossible. Cycling would be big distances and you would need a lot more time to cover the long distances. Cheers Jen

Hello I like you article as we are all in great need to discover new adventure in unique destination such as France, The best thing about your article that it is well organised in term of using just few lines to tell us more about France and about thing to do there, places to visit and lifestyle , Thanks for your talented lines, Your professional photos and the great destination you selected

Thanks Reem.

Hi Jen, I am planning to do this itinerary this Oct’18 last weekend upto early week of Nov’18. Is this doable? Should I be worried about any Snowfall during the drive?

HI Thejas, All you need is 2 weeks to do this itinerary. If you have less time, you can remove one or two places to make it more achievable. More time, you can add extra time in some places or some of the other suggested stops at the end. It is flexible. At that time of the year it is unlikely to snow but if it does the areas you are travelling to are well equipped to help you if it does. Have a great trip! Cheers Jen

Thank you for this wonderful article. I have pinned it for when I have more time to visit the southern area. This dec we will be in paris for 5 night and as part of that, I have been trying to find vineyards that we can visit as a day trip or spend a night in town. however, I noticed some vineyards are closed in december time – do you have any experience with that?

Thanks Anish for the kind words. I hope you enjoy Paris. I haven’t had any experience visiting Paris at that time of year i’m sorry Maybe you could find a tour that would be able to help you get to the ones that are open.

I love your itennery and descriptions! We are coming to France 4June for 7-8 days. We think 2-3 days in Paris then we want to immerse in smaller villages either by car or train. Can you recommend the best route given our limited time please Thanks, Susan

We have 8 days outside Paris and would like to visit the ff: 1. Strasbourg 2. Loire Valley 3. Bordeaux 4. Mont Saint Michel

I think its impossible to visit all 4, in 8 days. Which would you suggest we prioritise for this trip and how would you arrange them? We intend to take the train from one city to another.

Thanks so much in advance!

Hi Joanna, GOod to hear you are getting out of Paris. France is so much more than Paris. If you can squeeze in more than 8 days you will have more time to enjoy this. Otherwise suggest dropping one to give you more time to spend in each place and there is also quite a distance between some of them so you will loose whole days travelling. Suggest dropping Bordeaux only because it is so far south. All the other are up north. Order I’d suggest if you dropped Bordeaux would be Mont Saint Michel, Loire Valley and Strasbourg. Have a great trip!

Thanks for sharing your itinerary. We are planning a trip to france in Aug, and yours is pretty much a blue print for us. Having said that, i understand you drove through all these places, and i won’t be having that option. My itinerary will be pretty close to yours except that i will be using public transport to travel between cities. I know that can be more time consuming, but i don’t have any other option. With this limitation, i feel it’s better for me to stay for more nights in a place to avoid carrying luggage. I have divided your itinerary with 4 places to stay. Paris, tours, lyon and Nice. Do you think they are good choices as to embark my journey to visit near by places? These are the places we will be staying.

Dear Jen, My family of 6 with 4 kids ages 17-7 will be traveling to France Oct. 13-Oct. 30. Are there any adjustments you would make to this schedule for fall weather? Also, is Disney Paris worth a day of the trip? Any idea if the train for a family of 6 would be cheaper than renting a large vehicle? I have been so stressed about planning our trip and your schedule is a huge blessing! Thank you!

Hi Amy, Glad to hear this has been helpful! This itinerary is good for travel all year round, so no adjustments required. I have been to Disney Paris as an adult and to be honest found it a bit boring in comparison to Disney in the US. Having said that, I think the kids would love it, it is Disney after all and made for kids. For the car vs train, I would weigh up the cost between the two but also take into account fuel and parking costs. Most likely you will find the train will be cheaper when you factor everything in. Have a fantastic trip!

Hi. Thanks for the info, this is wonderful. I have 14 days of actual visit time and will be doing Paris and Saint Michel. I’ll probably do some of the loire valley, but rather than Nice, Cannes, etc, I’d like to do the french alps. I have to be back in Paris on day 15. Ideas for the Alps?

Hi Jonathan, Thanks your message. I can suggest Annecy as a beautiful village at the foothills of the Alps. It has enchanting canals, great atmosphere and incredible local food.. Hope this helps and enjoy your trip.

I like your travel plan, but will stop in Angers along the way because I went to school there in 1986-1987. I want to visit the university (l’université Catholique de l’Ouest) where I studied and visit some of my host families. Do you have recommendations for hotels? I haven’t been back to France since and it’s been thirty-six years.

Hi Mari, Glad I could help with the itinerary. Sounds like it will be a very nostalgic trip for you. Let me know what type of accommodation and/or per night budget and I will get you some recommendations. Cheers Jen

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2 Weeks In France Itinerary To See The Best Of France

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Home » 2 Weeks In France Itinerary To See The Best Of France

France is a country for lovers and dreamers — a country that offers diverse sights from modern cities to medieval towns, from alpine villages to the beautiful countryside covered in rolling vineyards, and from Mediterranean beaches to mountains.

France is one of those countries that is loved by many and is one of the most visited countries in the world.

We are currently planning our two weeks in France , including a road trip itinerary. As we are planning on hiring a car, we are designing a 2 Week France itinerary that you can easily explore by road.

We are traveling to France with baby in tow, so it’s also important for us to slow down the holiday, so we can soak in the culture and atmosphere!

How to find cheap flights to France

Cheap flights to France can be hard to come by!

If you do some research, there are a few tricks of the trade that can make it easier to score your ideal flight. Here is some advice:

• Try to book your plane tickets to France three to six weeks prior to your departure.
• Be flexible about when you arrive and depart. A few days’ difference could save you hundreds of dollars!
• Direct flights are more expensive. If you have some time, investigate the tickets that include layovers.
• Use incognito mode or private browsing when you book your flights. Search engines can track your activity and will often raise prices if they see you conducting multiple searches for the destination.
• Compare the prices of a round-trip flight in comparison to two one-way flights.

2 Weeks In France Road-Trip Itinerary

Our two weeks in France itinerary will take you around to some of the best places to see in France.

You can explore regions of Normandy or Le Mans, or head south to Nice. And then make your way back up to Paris with stops in the fairy-tale towns of Annecy and Colmar.

Paris | 3 Nights

We all know that Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world. And we all know that there are lots of things to see and do in Paris: architectural marvels such as the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe , museums, palaces, and cruises on the Seine.

But mostly it is important to have some time to just simply enjoy the food and culture in one of the many cafes that line the little alleys of Paris.

Mont-Saint-Michel | 1 Night

Leave Paris nice and early and head to Honfleur , where you can enjoy lunch. Explore this gorgeous town before making your way to Mont-Saint-Michel .

Ideally, you’ll want to reach the island commune’s Abbey a few hours before sunset so you’ll have time to explore before settling into your accommodation for the night.

Tip: You can also visit Mont Saint Michel and Amboise (our next stop) on day trips from Paris (great option for those who prefer to have a more steady base for exploring).

Amboise | 2 Nights

The next morning, head for the châteaux country in the Loire Valley . On your first day, enjoy a tour through Chambord, before exploring your base town, Amboise, for the night.

On day two, head out on a day trip to tour Chenonceau , Chambord , or Chaumont (or all three if you don’t need time later in Amboise).

Nice | 3 Nights

Catch an early-morning flight to Nice. You can choose to slow down as you enjoy this beautiful coastal city, or if you prefer, why not head out on a day trip to Marseilles or Monaco?

Annecy | 2 Nights

If you wish to save time, we recommend you catch a domestic flight from Nice to Geneva, Switzerland and hire a car for the 40-minute drive to Annecy.

Annecy is an alpine town in southeastern France. The Old Town (Vieille Ville) is just like a colorful fairytale town, decorated with sweet pastel-colored houses, canals, and old-school cobbled streets.

Enjoy your time here by exploring the canals, the lake, and the famous love bridge at the Pont des Amours.

Colmar | 2 Nights

Colmar is an adorable little town near the border with Germany. Not only do we recommend you enjoy a laid-back pace of exploration in this little town, but we also suggest you head out and explore these beautiful villages in Alsace .

Paris | 1 Nights

At the end of your France trip, you will return to Paris, where you can relax on the last day of your vacation before returning back home.

Additional Recommendations for an Extended Trip:

• Visit the nicest villages near Perpignan
• Explore the beautiful mountain scenery of Mont Blanc
• See the walled city of Carcassonne
• See the lavender in bloom by including a trip to Provence as part of your itinerary.

Wondering what to pack for your trip?

Travel Notes and Beyond has a brilliant post to help you learn more about European fashion, together with a guide on what you should pack for your trip .

How to get around France

1.  car rental.

If you follow our driving through France itinerary, you will end up covering a lot of kilometres in the space of three weeks. It will be important to hire a vehicle that’s comfortable plus has plenty of space for your luggage.

The best car rental company in Europe is Auto Europe.   Auto Europe  is a car rental booking service that quickly compares car rental prices across all the major brands like Hertz, Avis, and Europcar.  Click to see prices for car rentals .

You will need to hire a car for:

• 4 Days as you travel from Paris to Amboise
• 4 Days as you travel from Annecy back to Paris

2.  Domestic Flights

We have also decided to break up the days of driving with two domestic flights. Fortunately, you can easily find cheap France flights, and these two flights won’t set you back by much at all!

We personally book our flights on Cheapo Air , we find that they are often the cheapest (even in comparison to Skyscanner ).  Click to check on prices for your flights .

You will require tickets from:

• Nantes to Nice
• Nice to Annecy

Once you have your tickets and car hire sorted, all you need to do is to print out the France trip itinerary and book some accommodations, and your trip of a lifetime is ready to go! I can’t wait to explore France in two weeks and to visit these incredible destinations on our list. –

Over to you:

• Would you like to go on a road trip through France?
• Do you have any tips and recommendations for our two-week France itinerary?

Disclaimer: This post has been written in collaboration with GoEuro.

Feature   Image via Flickr by Nicola since 1972

Jolene Ejmont

27 thoughts on “2 weeks in france itinerary to see the best of france”.

France is so diverse and so vast, that no amount of time ever feels enough. Your itinerary has a lot of lovely places covered. Colmar and Annecy are really picturesque.

Great to hear Punita 🙂 I know that I could spend so much longer there, but we are leaving our two eldest kids behind and I can only survive that long without them haha 🙂

If at all possible, see if you can squeeze Carcasonne, Mont Blanc and Monaco (not technically France) in there too.

Thanks for the recommendations! Monaco is a possibility, depending on how we go with Avie. I think we had Carcasonne on the list, might have a look at it again 🙂

Wow!! I love France and it is the best country! This is such a great post, the tips, the photography etc! And the cheap flights is the great tips.

Thanks Victoria, glad you loved the post! 🙂

Great places on the itinerary!

Thanks Zoe!

What a wonderful itinerary! I live only a short train ride away from France and I still haven’t been to the beautiful country! This will definitely give me some tips for when I finally go!

Oh gosh Maggie! It is time to get on that train and go visit it! Although I am probably the same with Australia, I keep travelling internationally instead of exploring locally 🙂

Annecy and Colmar are jumping out at me! We’ll be in France in a few weeks, crossing Europe by car. I’ll see if we can squeeze one or both of those in, cheers!

Your trip sounds fun Alyson! I really want to see more of Europe, just so tricky with my two school aged kids! We are planning on a bigger trip next year to see Poland and maybe touch on Germany as well 🙂

We’ve been visiting France a lot this year. There are many things to do there. So I can see how a road trip for 2 weeks would be a great way to combine all of these places and see a lot. It would be really fun, I think.

I am really looking forward to France, probably mostly because we have been traveling to a lot of Asian countries, so a bit of European architecture will be a nice change!

That is an impressive itinerary for 2 weeks in France. I wish I was so organised. I did see most of these during my 2 weeks trip there but there are some misses too. Thanks for those tips on how to book cheap flights.

Thanks Indrani! I do enjoy planning out my trips! Glad you found the tips useful 🙂

Great itinerary! I used to hop over to Comar for the day when I lived in Freiburg, Germany. It’s such a cute little town! My husband and I drove from Germany to Arles, Nice, and Chamonix several years ago and we loved having a car. The countryside is so beautiful. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks Cate! I can’t wait to see Colmar and Annecey, they are sooooooo pretty! I’m really looking forward to driving around there too!

France is somewhere I have always wanted to visit. Thanks for this great itenerary.

Glad you love the look of the itinerary Jennifer 🙂

Vive la France, one of the best countries for travelers. It’s got everything. Is two weeks enough?

We have managed to extend it to 3 weeks, but still not enough! We are leave our two eldest kids behind though, so 3 weeks is all this mummy can manage without my kids next to my side 😉

Great Itinerary that will help me plan my upcoming trip to France. Thanks for sharing!

You are welcome! Exciting that you are heading to France as well 🙂

Hello, my friend & I are traveling to France in June & are keen to copy your itinerary. Curious where you stayed during you trip, Airbnb or hostels? Any tips would be very welcomed!

Hi Lisa, we mostly used AirBnB as we had our toddler with us. We found that the AirBnB’s were so much cheaper than hotels! Have fun planning your trip 🙂

Nice website. Your post really helped me a lot. I am planning to visit France in april. There are many things to visit there. Thanks for this

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France Road Trip – 13 Amazing Itineraries

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Your Complete French Road Trip Planner

Ahhh, France. A country so eclectic and beguiling, it is the most visited nation on the planet . A French road trip is the best way to explore the wonderful diversity and beautiful landscapes of this country.

A road trip in France showcases the dramatic landscapes, historic cities, abundant UNESCO sites and some of the most picture-perfect villages in Europe, like no other way to travel does.

As you road trip through France, you’ll find yourself stopping regularly for Insta-worthy images, and along the way you’ll find fantastic adventures to try like chateaux hunting, hiking in some of Europe’s highest peaks, kayaking and wild swimming in crystal clear rivers, and sampling the wonderful gastronomy across the country.

In this France travel guide you’ll find a round-up of all the best road trips in France by region, with France travel tips and information to help you plan and prepare. Come with us as we share our unmissable French road trip itineraries.

Getting to France

Flying in and opting for car rental in France is a great choice, especially as France has so many easily accessible international airports, the perfect starting point for many of our road trip itineraries.

You can fly in to Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse, Bordeaux and many other French cities to start your trip. We recommend booking your flights through Skyscanner for live deals and the best prices.

Driving to France from UK

If you’re planning to drive to from the UK to France , then you’ll find everything you need to know, including the best, fastest and cheapest routes, as well as driving tips, in our driving to France from UK guide .

Are you planning to rent a car in France? As one of the largest car hire aggregator companies in the world, we recommend Rentalcars.com because they have massive purchasing power which enables them to secure the best rental prices, which benefits you when you’re planning a road trip.

For a real adventure, hire a motorhome or campervan in Italy . We recommend Motorhome Republic , an aggregate booking site who pull together all the best deals from a number of rental agencies, to offer you a wide choice of options alongside an excellent English speaking expert motorhome Concierge Team.

Use the Park4Night app to find overnight spots and campsites, and sleep on a high mountain pass, next to a beautiful lake, or in a wildflower meadow.

Best Time to Take a French Road Trip

December to february.

The winter months can be very cold throughout France, even in the south of the country and rain is quite common at this time of year.  But, the roads and cities will be quiet and less crowded, although not all attractions will be open.

March to May

Spring is a wonderful time to visit France, with temperatures warming up across the country. Markets increase in size, restaurants start preparing different dishes and the countryside is glorious. You’ll still find the roads and cities less crowded, and most attractions will be open.

June to August

June and July are busier months to roadtrip France , with perfect temperatures for camping and outdoor activities. June is probably the best month, as schools have yet to break up across Europe and the family rush to the coasts has not yet started.

August brings the French annual holiday when many businesses close for the duration. If you’re planning on road tripping in tourist areas, then this won’t affect you too much, and you’ll have perfect holiday weather.

September to November

Autumn is a fantastic time for French road trips , especially in the south of France. The coast will be quieter but if you’re lucky, you’ll enjoy an Indian summer amongst the grape harvest and changing fall colors of the countryside.

Is this your first time visiting France? Get all the information you need in our France Travel Guide , including what to pack, the best time of year to go, getting there, and practical tips to help you have the best trip!

Road Trip France Planner by Region

France is such a diverse country, it can be hard to decide where to take a road trip, especially if you want to see the less traveled in France for a more authentic experience.

Whether you like coasts, mountains or rolling countryside, historic cities, elegant palaces, or wild landscapes, you’ll find your perfect road trip here, and there’s no dount that you’ll be ticking plenty off your France bucket list !

A road trip to France is an easy win for most Europeans and Brits, who are on the same continent, or just a hop across the English Channel.

For everyone else, Paris makes a great place to start any France road trip itinerary. Book with Skyscanner and fly in, pick up a rental car, or even a campervan, and you can be anywhere in the country within a day – that’s the beauty of a  voyage en voitre , or road trip in French!

France Road Trip Map by Region

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes

A huge region, the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes stretches from the volcanoes and plateau of the Massif Central in the west to the highest point of the French Alps in eastern France, offering some of the best roads in France, with spectacular scenery, rugged landscapes, and historic cities.

Divided by the mighty Rhone river, and with the center of the region being the vibrant foodie city of Lyon, there is great diversity here and four distinct climates. The further south you head, the more you will notice the flora, fauna, and climate taking on a Mediterranean feel.

A UNESCO Road Trip

Lyon – clermont-ferrand – le-puy-en-valey – saint-etienne.

• Distance 370km
• Duration 7 days
• Drive Time 5 hours

Start in the fabulous city of Lyon, the capital of the Rhone region. The historic heart, Vieux-Lyon, stretches across the base of Fourviere Hill and its grand basilica.

There are lots of things to do in Lyon , eating is one of the best! As you stroll the medieval streets and iconic traboules (or hidden passageways), stop in Lyon’s traditional restaurants, known as bouchons , and get up close to Renaissance facades and buildings that boast over a thousand years of history.

Next on your Auvergne road trip is one of France’s oldest cities, Clermont-Ferrand, known for its string of volcanoes called the Chaine des Puys. The dormant volcano Puy de Dome is one of the highest and has been a tectonic hotspot on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2018.

In the city itself, don’t miss the jewel of Notre-Dame-du-Port Basilica and the highly distinctive black lava stone Gothic Cathedral.

In Le-Puy-en-Valey, visit the imposing cathedral, the silhouette of which stands proud on the slopes of Mount Anis. The building, celebrated for housing the enigmatic Black Madonna, and one of the most beautiful cloisters in Europe, is a key monument of Romanesque art.

Finally, around Saint-Etienne, a UNESCO Design City, the site at Firminy hosts Le Corbusier’s largest European work. Visit the four buildings featured on the architectural walk, including the famous Maison de la Culture, where you can trace the legacy left by modern architecture.

Not far from Lyon, pay a visit to the Tourette Convent, the last great building by Le Corbusier in France, which will be a fitting end to your UNESCO road trip.

Road trip here if you like…

• Mountains – if outdoor activities are your thing, start  hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc  from Chamonix at the foot of the country’s easternmost mountains, explore the medium-high extinct volcanoes of the Massif Central, or take a road trip on the Route des Grandes Alpes .
• Gastronomic delights – There’s  so much to do in Lyon , not only one of the most beautiful cities in France, it is the food city of this gastronomic country. Regional dishes are influenced by the mountains and tend to be hearty and wholesome. 
• Water sports – with Lake Geneva, Lake Annecy, and Lac de Bourget in the region, summer sailing, wind-surfing, paddle boarding, and kayaking are on the doorstep.

Make sure you have travel insurance you can trust when visiting France . We recommend True Traveller for their 5-star TrustPilot reviews, variety of cover options, best activities cover as standard, great prices, and excellent service.

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte

This beautiful region of France is famous for its rich history and viniculture. Sometimes abbreviated to BFC, this area is around a five to six hour drive from Calais on the A26, and just a few hours from Paris, making it a great option if you’re short on time. 

Part of this area is the old historic region of Burgundy, once the heartland of France and known for its wines, such as Beaujolais and Chablis.

BFC is sparsely populated and sees relatively little tourist footfall, making this cross-country road trip a joy for anyone looking to get off the beaten path. The route takes you through a mix of low agricultural lands to the fabulous mountains and lakes of the Jura.

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The Jura Route des Lacs

Dijon – marigny – thoirette.

• Distance 350km
• Duration 3-5 days
• Drive Time 3 hours

Start in the beautiful historic city of Dijon, surrounded by the Cote d’Or vineyards where over 3,000 winemakers produce their world-famous wines in the heart of ancient Burgundy.

The UNESCO old center of Dijon is packed with half-timbered medieval houses and elegant Renaissance buildings. Make sure to try the wines from the region, and Dijon’s other claim to fame, Dijon mustard.

Head south to off-the-beaten-track Marigny for the deep navy and turquoise lakes of the Jura Massif, where you can explore museums, regional crafts, and local gastronomy, as well as remote places, natural sites, and plenty of waterfalls.

You might want to get in the water too, there are twenty lakes to choose from!

• Great gastronomy  – the home of the unique Vin Jaune, Boeuf Bourguignon, Coq au Vin, Comte cheese, and Dijon mustard is a powerhouse of French cooking, particularly where the use of wine is required!
• Atmospheric historic cities – Beaune and Dijon are just two gorgeous cities in this region, packed with history, Gothic and medieval architecture with a typical French ambiance.
• Breathtaking castles – there are well over thirty well-preserved chateaux in the northern half of this region, you’ll see them literally on every bend in the road!

The rugged peninsula of western France, Bretagne, is an ideal place for a one or two week northern France road trip itinerary.

With Rennes, the capital of the region, being just an hour’s drive from St Malo, it is literally a hop over the channel and the perfect place for a road trip from the UK to France .

With a wild and dramatic coastline and an undiscovered feel beyond the well-known tourist spots, this western France road trip offers a shared Celtic culture, ancient mysticism, and every type of beach imaginable!

Brittany Coast to Coast

Saint-malo – brest – quimper – vannes – rennes.

• Distance 540km
• Duration 10 days
• Drive Time 6 hour

The peninsula of Brittany lends itself to a jaunt around its coast, enjoying the superb seafood and friendly nature of the locals.

Start in historic St Malo before taking in the endless sightseeing opportunities of the peninsula’s varied 1600km long coastline. 

There’s a beach here for your taste, from secluded coves and surfing hotspots to long white stretches, dramatic cliffs, and rocky outcrops.

Around Perros-Guirec is the Cote de Granit Rose with its pink beaches, one of the most interesting coastlines in France, and across to the west is the Finistere coast with its huge beaches and quaint fishing villages.

If you want to dip into every cove, explore every interesting finger of land that protrudes into the sea, and visit all the charming towns and villages en route, then allow at least two weeks for this magical road trip.

• Beautiful gardens – also known as the Garden Coast, Brittany has some of the best gardens in France. From English-style cottage gardens to exotics, there’s something here for every green-fingered visitor.
• Delicious cider – Brittany is the cider country of France. With more than 600 apple varieties grown in the region, there’s a cider to suit everyone’s tastes.
• Customs and tradition – the pan-Celtic tradition is very evident here; the Breton language is spoken with pride and widespread cultural festivals celebrate Celtic music and dance.

Don’t forget your road trip essentials! Our free road trip checklists help you remember everything, including road trip snacks , podcasts , and road trip songs for the journey!

Centre-Val de Loire

Centre-Val de Loire is a landlocked region, located to the southwest of the French capital Paris. As the name suggests this region is all about the magnificent river Loire. Just four to five hours from Calais to the capital of Orleans, and three from Paris, this region is a popular holiday region and makes an ideal destination for a road trip.

This is a real France bucket list trip. Fine historical cities and towns, many of which stand on the banks of the Loire, offer superb Renaissance religious buildings and architecture and of course, the fabulous and extravagant chateaux the region is best known for.

Chateaux of the Loire

Orleans – blois – tours – angers – nantes.

The enchanting chateaux and picturesque towns of the Loire Valley make this historic region the perfect place to take a 10 day road trip in France.

Follow this Loire Valley road trip between famous cities and marvel at the natural wonders, opulent architecture, charming towns, and breathtaking castles of one of France’s best-loved regions.

You’ll visit the many chateaux on the route, including the famous Chateau de Chambord and Chateau de Villandry, and explore the Loire’s historic towns, learning about French history, architecture and culture and you go.

Discover Joan of Arc’s legacy in Orleans and take a ride on a giant machine elephant in Nantes as you take in the beautiful Loire landscape.

• Delicious white wines – Touraine, Vouvray, Pouilly-Fume, Sancerre, and Valencay are just some of the well-known whites produced in this region. Take a vineyard tour and make sure to enjoy a wine tasting afterward!
• Historic cities – from gracious Orleans to Gothic Blois and Tours with its beautiful old town, the cities of this region are must-sees.
• Bird watching – La Brenne Natural Park is the hidden gem of Centre-Val de Loire. To the south of the region, this huge park containing over a thousand lakes is a wetland paradise for birders. 

Want to plan your own road tri p? Get our step-by-step road trip planning guide to help you organize the perfect trip.

Grand Est borders Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, and a small part of Switzerland so it’s not surprising that this region has multicultural influences.

Grand Est is one of the most accessible regions if you’re taking a France road trip from Calais, a four hour drive will take you to the heart of the rolling Aube, and in six hours you can be in  Strasbourg , the capital of the region and home to one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. 

Previously known as Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine, the region is home to typical French countryside with an eclectic mix of vineyards, the low-lying Vosges mountains, and some of the prettiest small towns in France, found along the Alsace wine route.

In some less-visited and remote wooded parts of the Vosges, lynx, boar, and wolves can still be found in the wild, making the rich nature and biodiversity of the area of particular interest.

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Route Touristique du Champagne

Reims – trigny – epernay – cumieres – essoyes.

• Distance 285km
• Drive Time 5 hour

The whole of the Champagne Route stretches for around 700km across the departments of Marne, Aube, and Aisne, with eight marked trails to authentic villages, ancient monasteries, imposing châteaux and churches, and of course, vineyards!

This bit of the route takes you from Reims and its world-renowned champagne houses to the massif of Saint-Thierry where you can enjoy beautiful views from Trigny, a flower-filled village with medieval ramparts.

Visit the Verzenay lighthouse, which watches over a rolling swathe of vineyards and now houses the Musée de la Vigne, where you can learn about the history of champagne before driving on to Epernay, and its famous champagne houses of Moet & Chandon, Perrier Jouet and Pol Roger.

From Cumieres, embark on the Champagne Vallee boat to discover the vineyards along the water in the Marne valley. 

Further south on the Côte des Blancs road, admire the panoramic view of the vineyards from Mont Aimé and enjoy the charms of the pretty village of Oger. 

In Aube around Bar-sur-Seine, with its half-timbered houses, make a stop at Essoyes where Impressionist artist Auguste Renoir lived for a few years, and visit one of the 28 champagne cellars in the area.

• Champagne – of course! This champagne road trip is perfect for lovers of bubbles!
• Medieval   cathedrals – Grand Est is home to some of the most beautiful cathedrals in Europe, many are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
• War history – the Verdun & Argonne battlefields and war graves cemeteries of WWI can be found in the region, along with the WWII Maginot Line forts. The Surrender Room in Reims is where German forces capitulated to Eisenhower in May 1945, bringing an end to the long war.
• Accessible hiking  – easier on the heart and lungs, the hiking routes of the Vosges are a pleasure. With stunning rolling scenery and trails to take you through historic villages and make the most of the views, hiking in the Vosges is a real highlight. 

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Hauts-de-France

This is is the most northerly region of France and home to the port city of Calais, meaning it’s on the doorstep of the UK and a perfect French road trip destination for those wishing to nip across the Channel for a weekend from the UK, or for anyone looking for a few beach days on a longer trip in Paris. 

Not a major tourist region, the area is known for the battlefields of World War I, most notably the Somme, a four month battle in which over a million people lost their lives, and many people come here for the memorials and war sites.

But there is more to see in this part of France, including the incredible beaches, elegant resort towns, and pretty fishing villages dotted along the unspoiled and beautiful Cote d’Opale, or Opal Coast.  

Explore the Opal Coast

Calais – boulogne-sur-mer – le touquet – etaples – montreuil – abbeville.

• Distance 144km
• Duration 3 days
• Drive Time 2 hour

From Calais, head south and visit Cap Blanc-Nez (cape white nose), opposite the white cliffs of Dover, and Cap Griz-Nez, (cape grey nose), the closest point in France to England. Both headlands offer fine views across the channel and coast and some great walking opportunities.

Boulogne is the largest fishing port in France and is home to all things sea! Visit the excellent Nausicca Aquarium, full of fascinating displays, interactive exhibits, and sea life, before visiting the historic old town and port, where you can join an organized tour. 

Le Touquet is the jewel of the coast, known as Paris-Plage because this is traditionally where Parisians came for their long August break. Nowadays, it’s a lively resort known for its fantastic beach, water sports, and nightlife, including clubs and casinos.

Don’t miss the lighthouse, La Phare de la Canche, which rewards you with breathtaking views if you’re happy to climb the 274 steps to get to the viewing platform at the top!

Stop at the peaceful nature park of Baie de Canche, situated east of Étaples-Sur-Mer, a protected area of 45 hectares teeming with wildlife, before heading to Abbeville.

The capital of maritime Picardy and your final stop, Abbeville is a beautiful city and boasts rich historical monuments including the flamboyant Gothic style Saint-Vulfran collegiate church, with its magnificent carved facade.

• Mining history – much of the infrastructure in the northern parts of the region has been shaped by mining, a now redundant industry in this part of France. Visit the UNESCO listed Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin for a fascinating insight into the industry and a miner’s life in the pits.
• Beautiful belfries –  tall and often ornate clock towers attached to civic buildings, belfries are common in the region and were built to symbolize the power of the local alderman and councillors. The Belfries of Belgium and France is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features Roman, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles of architecture.
• Battlefield tours  – the battles of Flanders, the Somme, Vimy, and Ypres were all fought on the soil of the Hauts-de France by French, British, Canadian, Australian, and African troops. The memorials and cemeteries marking these battles make for moving visits.

France Road Trip Essentials

Lonely Planet France

France driving essentials

France SIM card

UPF 50 travel sun hat

France beaux villages guide

universal adaptor + USB

Ile-de-France

Ile-de-France is the small region surrounding the beautiful city of Paris. Surrounded by cities and forests that prospered from the patronage of the Kings of France, the area is rich in royal history, elegant palaces, and medieval towns. 

A four hour drive from Calais and on the doorstep for those flying in, it is perhaps not the first destination road trippers think of, but it is the ideal opportunity to combine a five day trip to Paris with a road trip to see the best bits of this compact region.

A Road Trip Around Paris

Chantilly – provins – fontainebleau – versailles – saint-denis.

• Distance 275km
• Duration 5 days
• Drive Time 4 hour

Start in Chantilly, a town obsessed with horses, and join the Parisians at the elegant Chantilly racetrack, home of the French Derby (or Prix du Jockey Club).  

Head along the pretty country roads to Fontainebleau forest for a spot of activity. Once the hunting grounds of French kings, and home to a beautiful palace, the area is dotted with massive boulders that attract anyone wanting to try bouldering. 

If hiking is more your thing, there are more than 500km of marked trails in the forest, with the 25 Bosses Trail being the most well-known. This challenging day hike will reward you with incredible views of the surrounding area. 

If you prefer to see it from the air, then hitch a ride on a hot air balloon, a popular way to see the forest.

From here, drive to the UNESCO site of historic Provins, a fortified city full of medieval half-timbered houses and cobbled streets inside the well-preserved ramparts. Built to accommodate an annual fair linking northern Europe with the Mediterranean, most of the buildings here are still in their original form.

Versailles is a once-in-a-lifetime visit and you must book online in advance as it can take five hours to queue in the summer if you don’t have a ticket. This shining, golden Baroque palace was once home to the Kings of France and spreads over 800 acres.

The inside is full of gold leaf, pink marble, and other finishes so opulent it almost hurts the eye. The formal gardens are beautifully symmetrical and soothing, with thousands of trees and water features – the perfect place for a picnic.

From Versailles, head north-east to the beautiful Basilica of Saint-Denis, one of the most important religious buildings in Ile-de-France. The first Gothic cathedral was built at the exact spot where Saint-Denis, the patron saint of Paris and France was buried.

• Iconic cities – although driving in and around Paris is to be avoided at all costs, you can stay outside Paris and get the train in, just follow this perfect  Paris one day trip itinerary  to see top sights like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame in one of the most cultured cities in Europe .
• Theme parks –  meet all your favorite characters at Disneyland Paris , just three and a half hours from Calais and an hour from Paris.
• Modern architecture – there are four Le Corbusier villas in Ile-de-France. Villa Savoye is in Poissy and Villa La Roche, Villa Jeanneret, and Immeuble Molitor are wonderful hidden gems in Paris.

Normandy borders the English Channel and is easily accessible from all the channel ports, the furthest being St Malo around a three to four hour drive. Le Havre is in the region itself and a perfect arrival port popular with UK road trippers, as well as being close to pretty Honfleur.

The whole region was a significant medieval empire and controlled much of England and Wales, leaving a rich history for visitors to explore on a Normandy road trip.

The three huge attractions of Rouen cathedral, the Bayeux Tapestry, and Mont Saint-Michel are the must-sees of the region. Along with the pretty fishing port of Honfleur and the D-Day beaches, this region has much to recommend and is one of the best road trip destinations in France.

The World War II Sites of Normandy

Benouville – ouistreham – arromanches – colleville-sur-mer – bayeaux.

• Distance 180km
• Drive Time 3 hour

You could visit the key places on this tour in a day, but to the sites justice and spend time at the memorials, you need three to five days.  

Start at Benouville, just north of Caen, for Pegasus Bridge and its museum, the site of a daring landing by gliders of the British 6th Airborne Division in shortly before the sea invasion.

From here, it’s a short hop to Ouistreham to visit Le Grand Bunker, part of the German Atlantic Wall defenses, and the German Battery to the north. 

Heading west, you’ll find the landing beaches of Sword (British and French), Juno (Canadian), Gold (British), and Omaha and Utah (American). Each has a number of visitor sites to be explored.

At Arromanches, watch an educational film at the 360-degree cinema on top of the cliff before you descend into the town itself and visit the Landing Museum built near the site of the Mulberry Harbours, which were constructed to aid the Allies in getting supplies ashore. 

As you continue west, don’t miss the German Gun Battery at Longues, before arriving at the atmospheric American Cemetery at Colville, where you can hear the Last Post daily at 5pm.

From Utah beach, skirt back to Bayeaux, home of the British and Commonwealth Cemetery and Battle of Normandy Museum (and of course, that famous tapestry).

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• Medieval heritage – Rouen, where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake, is chock full of medieval architecture and history. The Bayeux Tapestry, telling the story of the Norman invasion of England in 1066 is on glorious display in the town of the same name.
• Gorgeous gardens – if you are a gardener or painter, then there is no better garden in the whole of France than Giverny, Claude Monet’s country home and garden. Gloriously and unashamedly colorful, this beautiful place has provided inspiration to generations of gardeners and painters alike.
• Impressionist art – known as the birthplace of impressionism after Monet took inspiration in Le Havre and painted ‘ Impression, soleil levant ‘ (‘Impression, sunrise’) in 1872. Normandy houses two major collections and has no fewer than fifteen museums dedicated to impressionist art and history.

Nouvelle-Aquitaine

One of our personal favorites for a France road trip holiday, Nouvelle-Aquitaine is the largest region of France. From the ports of Caen or Cherbourg, the capital Bordeaux is a good seven to eight hour drive, making the region an ideal destination for a two or three weeks holiday. 

This region in the southwest of France is incredibly varied, from the mountains of the Pyrenees and the gently meandering Dordogne valley, to the almost continuous beach of the long Landes coastline. There’s also great French wine heritage here, along with classic gastronomy which uses the abundance of high-quality ingredients grown and produced in the region.

Pine forests, vineyards, elegant resorts and rustic villages shape this space, along with great regional food and wine which give life and color to a seriously enjoyable region of France.

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The Best of the Dordogne

Bordeaux – bergerac – la roque-gageac – sarlat-la-caneda – rocamadour – perigueux.

• Distance 380km
• Duration 5-7 days

Staring in the magnificent city of Bordeaux , known as the wine capital of the world, follow the Dordogne to beautiful Bergerac, a historic city, whose narrow streets are lined with fine houses and filled with blooms and quirky art installations.

Of course, you’ll also find a statue of Bergerac’s most famous son, Cyrano de Bergerac. A French soldier remembered chiefly for fighting many duels often over the size of his nose! 

From here, head for the medieval village of La Roque-Gageac, the gateway to the Valley of the Five Chateaux, home to five impressive castles, including Chateau Beynac and Chateau Castelnaud. You’ll also find the stunning Gardens of Marqueyssac hanging on the cliffs above the village.

Head east for the gorgeous town of Sarlat, deep in the wooded hills of the Dordogne. With cobbled streets and Gothic mansions galore, Sarlat makes a great base to explore locally and enjoy some of the fantastic gastronomy of the region.  

Cross into Occitanie for Rocamadour, home to the cheese of the same name, and the Gouffre de Padirac, two of the must-see attractions in the area which can be visited in a day if you’re pushed for time.

Allow a full day to explore the final stop of  Perigueux, making sure to visit the Saint-Front Cathedral, the quays, and the Vesunna Gallo-Roman Museum.

• Mountains  – the eastern Pyrenees are to the south of the region and beyond the towns and cities provide amazing cycling and hiking opportunities, including this seven day Pyrenees hiking tour . 
• Beaches – there are hundreds of miles of soft golden beaches along the coast. Stretching from the glamorous resort of Biarritz in the south to La Rochelle in the north, only interrupted by the river Garonne and the Arcachon Basin. If you like sand, head for the largest sand dune in Europe, Dune du Pilat, with an incredible view of the blue, turquoise and green crystal clear waters of the Arcachon basin. 
• Surfing –  people come here to surf the huge Atlantic rollers coming in from the Bay of Biscay and there is an annual world surf competition held in Lacanau-Ocean. If you can’t stand up, get a body board, or just spend hours deciding whether to float over the next wave or power under it.   

Occitanie (previously known as Languedoc) makes up almost one-half of the south of France and is a region of huge contrast. A solid ten to eleven hour drive from Caen, Occitanie makes a good destination if you have a couple of weeks to travel or, as part of a longer trip.

We think it’s worth the drive time for the atmosphere, history, and beauty you will find in this region. 

From the sun-drenched Herault of the deep south and the Mediterranean coast to the wild and raw beauty of the Cevennes and the majesty of the Pyrenees, the landscape and climate differ greatly.

This is a busy part of France, home to Carcassonne, Lourdes, and the Pont du Gard. These three top the busiest tourist destinations in Europe list and are best visited outside of July and August.

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Beaches & Mountains of the Languedoc

Montpellier – sete – agde – beziers – carcassonne – gorge d’heric – pezenas – saint-guilhem-le-désert.

Start in the growing city of Monpellier and head south along the coast to the pretty fishing port and the seaside resort of Sete, surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea on one side and the Etang de Thau salt lake on the other.

The main canal running through the Sete city center is lined with bars and restaurants offering fish and seafood delicacies. Make sure to try a tielle, a local specialty comprising of octopus cooked in olive oil, tomato, and red wine and baked in pastry.

The salt lake Etang de Thau is sandwiched between vineyards and natural scrubland and is the ideal place to learn more about what the area is famous for – shellfish, and in particular oysters. There are a number of oyster farms open for visits where you can learn about the farming process.  

Agde, just along the coast, is famous for its black volcanic sand beaches which are unique to the region. La Grande Conque is one such beach, a small bay carved into the coast and a great place to while away the day sunbathing and swimming.

Your next stop is the beautiful town of Beziers, home to the Fonserannes Locks, the famous staircase of nine locks on the Canal du Midi, which allow boats to be raised 21.5m over a distance of 300m. You can hire a bike here and cycle along the canal towpath, for a peaceful afternoon ride.

Head west and inland for the iconic city of Carcassonne. The beautifully renovated citadel, La Cite, is a must-see in this area of France. Vast and imposing, it towers above the Aude and ‘new’ Carcassonne and feels a little Dinsneyesque inside, with lots of touristy (and expensive) bars and restaurants.

From here, if you have more time, you can head into the Pyrenees if you want to hike, kayak, and see the religious castles the area is famous for. 

Otherwise, the magnificent Gorge d’Heric is next up, with hiking and wild swimming opportunities in abundance. This dramatic gorge, in the heart of the Haut Languedoc nature reserve, is home to the river Heric as it rushes down from the Massif de Caroux.

You can walk up the Gorge for around 5km, or hike and rock climb the Caroux if you want something a bit more challenging. All the way up the gorge are massive boulders and private natural swimming pools, filled with clear turquoise waters and wonderful for a cooling dip on a hot summer’s day.

From here, pretty Pezenas calls, with its Friday wine festivals through summer, local craft shops, and weekly farmers market. A perfect place to stop for a few days and catch your breath, before taking in the Pont du Diable, perfect for a spot of cliff-jumping and paddle boarding.

A few miles away from the Devil’s Bridge is Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, nestled in the heart of the Herault Gorges and a major stop for pilgrims making their way to Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain. The centerpiece of the village is the Gellone Abbey, a 1200-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site, tucked in the corner of the main square.

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• Wild swimming – the gorges of the region have some of the best  wild swimming  and canyoning in France. Tucked into the Montagne Noire or the midi-Pyrenees, the water is crystal clear and refreshing.
• Outdoor adventures – head for the Gard and Lozere departments where you’ll find nature at its finest. Winding rivers like the Tarn are superb for kayaking and often have small river beaches and swimming holes, with perfectly placed rocky ledges to jump from. The Cevennes National Park offers great hiking in a wild and natural environment.
• Religious history – The Aude and Ariege have a strong Cathar history and you can see remnants everywhere. Follow the Route of the Cathars through fortified hilltops, castles, villages, and towns for a fascinating insight into a religion that shaped this part of France for centuries.

Pays de la Loire

The Pays de la Loire is a region of north-western France that adjoins the region of Centre-Val de Loire. Both regions share many characteristics including the Loire Valley and large numbers of famous chateaux.

One difference is the long Atlantic coastline of the Pays de la Loire known as the Vendee, a very popular UK tourist destination due to its proximity to the eastern channel ports, and enjoyed for its gentle waves, sandy beaches, and quintessential sea-side resorts.  

An easy three to four hours from Caen to Nantes places you in the heart of this region, with the Loire Valley to the east and the beaches of the Vendee to the west.  

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The Coast of the Vendee

Nantes – saint-gilles-croix-de-vie – les sables-d’olonne – la tranche-sur-mer – la rochelle.

Starting in increasingly popular Nantes, home to the Les Machines de L’ile, this west coast road trip is more about the relaxed coastal resorts than cities.

Make for Saint Gilles-Croix-de Vie, stopping at Sallertaine on the route, to explore the peaceful canals of the Marais Breton in an open canoe.

Once in Saint-Gilles, enjoy the chic and lively ambiance, as well as superb sardines, caught locally and on your plate within a few hours.

On the Côte de Lumière or Coast of Light, the coastal resorts here enjoy 2400 hours of sun every year, making this a perfect place to relax on a sun lounger for a few days.

Continue south to Les Sables-d’Olonne, the point of departure for the Vendee Globe round-the-world sailing race. A popular seaside resort, it has a superb sandy beach and a pretty seafront promenade plus a casino and golf course to keep you busy.

Next up is La Tranche-sur-Mer, known as ‘little California’ because of its exceptional sunshine hours and 13km of sandy beaches.

With an authentic vibe and lively family atmosphere, this is a great stop for teenagers, with lots of water sports on offer, as well as free concerts and street entertainment in the evenings in summer.

Your final stop is the historic sea town of La Rochelle, a laid-back resort town with a well-deserved reputation for great seafood, and the best old port on the French Atlantic.

Spend a day meandering around the charming town before exploring the maritime museum and aquarium.

• Bucket and spade holidays – perfect for family holidays, the Vendee is lined with some of the best French holiday parks offering fantastic facilities. Kids love the beaches for perfect sand-castle building and gentle waves.
• Theme parks – the Puy du Fou historic theme park has  over 1,5 million visitors a year and is one of the most popular attractions in the whole of France, and perfect for a day out if you are traveling with kids.
• Beautiful chateaux – one of the main attractions of the region, the chateaux of the Loire Valley are world famous.

Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur

A favorite of many, this region, often abbreviated to PACA, covers a large and diverse area. From the sparkling Mediterranean Sea to the French Alps, and from the river Rhone to the Italian border, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur is the furthest of France’s regions from the UK.

It takes a whopping eight hours of driving from Paris and twelve to thirteen hours from Calais, making the journey a road trip to the south of France in its own right.

For the glamorous and fashionable resorts of the French Riviera, the lavender fields and whitewashed towns of Provence, and the off-the-beaten-path wilderness of the Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue, those driving hours are so worth it.

The sun-baked landscapes, beautiful hilltop towns and villages, abundant local produce, and delicious wines just add to the attraction. 

The Route Napoleon

Grenoble – laffrey – la mure – corps – col bayard – gap – sisteron – digne – castellane – saint-vallier-de-thiey – grasse – antibes.

• Distance 314km
• Drive Time 8 hour

The most picturesque south of France road trip, the historic Route Napoleon begins in the Auvergne-Rhone- Alpes region.

The road trip starts (or ends, as the route starts at the coast, but can be road tripped either way) in Grenoble, the route follows the footsteps of the famous General on his return from exile in Elba, as he headed north for Waterloo.

Inaugurated in 1932, you will see statues of the Imperial French Eagle marking the way, along what is now (mainly) the N85.

The road is really spectacular, with switchbacks, sweeping bends, and challenging mountain stretches making it one of the best road trips in France.

Peaking at 1246m at Col Bayard before passing into Provence and the towns of historic Sisteron, beautiful Digne, and fragrant Grasse, you’ll also pass the stunning Gorge du Verdon and the beautiful lavender fields of the Valensole plateau.

From Castellane to Grasse, the views to the coast from the road are spectacular, across lush green slopes dotted with magnificent villas, to the sparkling blue of the Mediterranean, just one of the reasons to start in Grenoble and head south. 

This route smells heavenly too – the scent of hot pine sap and the essential oils of regional herbs being warmed by the sun is the fragrance of southern France.

RELATED POST: Route Napoleon: A Historic French Road Trip

• Glitz and glamour – St Tropez is one of the most famous Cote d’Azur holiday resorts. People on Riviera road trips flock to the vieux port where the rich and famous berth their mega-yachts, and enjoy the honeyed stone buildings and pretty squares of a slightly more relaxed and authentic St Tropez. If you want more, head to Monaco, Nice or Cannes, or one of the ridiculously opulent villas which open their doors to the public. 
• Iconic Lavender – field upon field and row upon row of beautiful and fragrant lavender carpets  Provence  in June and July. Go early in the day for the best photo opportunities.
• Local produce – experience a marchés hebdomadaires ( farmers market). Most towns have a weekly market where you will find fresh bread, wonderful fruit and vegetables, pungent cheeses, meaty saucisson sausage, fat olives, and pretty much any other fresh food stuff you might want to buy. 

France Country Road Trip Resources

Here are the websites and services we personally use and recommend for traveling in France.

• Search for affordable flights to France with Skyscanner
• Search for availability and book hotels and accommodation in France with Booking.com
• Find and book the best campsites in France with Eurocampings
• Book the cheapest and most reliable hire cars in France with Rentalcars.com
• Best for ferries from UK to France Direct Ferries
• Find and hire your perfect motorhome or campervan with Motorhome Republic
• Get highly rated, reliable, and trustworthy travel insurance with True Traveller
• Check if you need a visa and arrange your documents with Visagov

Information About Driving in France

Road trips in France are usually pleasurable, thanks to their extensive and well-maintained autoroute network, and generally good local roads. French drivers can be impatient and are dreadful tailgaters and really, really dislike being overtaken, but, c’est la vie, this is France!

Whether your road tripping France in a campervan , car, or motorbike, follow these tips for driving safely and legally;

• You must have at least three months remaining on your passport (issued in the past ten years) at your intended date of departure from France.
• You must have at least 3rd party insurance for your vehicle.
• Citizens of non-EU third countries may require an International Driving Permit for driving in Europe . You can check whether you need an IDP here .
• You must carry at least one reflective jacket within the passenger compartment of your vehicle and must put it on before you get out in an emergency or breakdown situation. You must also carry a warning triangle.
• You may require a Crit’Air sticker which is placed in the windscreen of your vehicle to provide a visible way to identify the level of emissions produced. If you’re renting a vehicle, the Crit’Air sticker should already be on display in the windscreen. Find out more and purchase Crit’Air stickers from the official certificat-air.gouv.fr website.
• On 1 November 2021 the Loi Montage II or ‘mountain law II’ came into force in 48 French mountainous departments within the Alpes, Massif Central, Jura, Pyrénées, and Vosges regions. Anyone traveling in a car or motorhome or through one of these areas between 1 November and 31 March will be obliged to fit four approved winter tires or carry at least two snow chains or socks in the vehicle.
• French motorways are privately managed and you’re not allowed to request your own assistance company to attend to you if you break down. If you do break down use the orange emergency telephones that are situated every 2km along French motorways to call the police or the official breakdown service operating in that area or dial the emergency services on 112. You will be towed to a safe designated area where you can make onward arrangements for your own breakdown insurer to assist you if you have it. Otherwise, the towing company will be able to provide support or signpost you. 
• You do not need to carry a breathalyzer, the law requiring that you do has been repealed.
• You may want to consider carrying an  electronic toll pass  for the duration of your French road trip itinerary. These devices deduct the toll fees from a credit card automatically, meaning you don’t have to stop at a booth or barrier.

RELATED POST: Driving in Europe – Everything You Need to Know

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The Ultimate South of France Road Trip Itinerary (2 Weeks)

Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France This article may contain compensated links. Please read disclaimer for more info.

Here’s the Best Road Trip South of France Itinerary

The South of France is the perfect French holiday destination. There are many great places to visit in Southern France , the scenery is always beautiful, and the food and culture are hard to beat.

This area of France has a wonderful climate with long warm summer days stretching through to September and October. Winters in Southern France, especially along the Mediterranean coast, are always mild.

The best way to explore Southern France is by car. This South of France road trip itinerary from Toulouse to Nice (or vice-versa) covers the French regions of Occitanie and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. This Southern France road trip itinerary lasts two weeks, and it is a good itinerary for first-timers in Southern France who love history, sightseeing, outdoor activities, and great food.

This road trip south of France is one of the best road trips in France . Read more about road-tripping in France:

Southern France Road Trip Overview

• Start: Toulouse
• Finish: Nice
• Duration: 14 days
• Suggested route: Toulouse – Narbonne – Arles – Camargue – Aix-en-Provence – Cassis – Cannes – Nice
• Total distance: 751 Km, 8.5 hours drive in total
• Region covered: Occitanie and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
• Best for: history, sightseeing, nature, small towns, food & wine

This South of France road trip itinerary starts from  Toulouse , the capital city of the Occitanie region. Toulouse is easy to reach by train from Paris or Bordeaux. The journey from Paris to Toulouse by train takes around 4 hours while Bordeaux to Toulouse by train is only 2 hours.

Toulouse also has one of the major airports in France . Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS) has regular and seasonal international flights from Europe, Africa, and America – Click here for flight times and rates to Toulouse .

TIP: If you are looking for a road trip from Paris to South of France, here’s the perfect road trip itinerary for you .

South France Road Trip Map

Click here to see this South France Road Trip Map on Google

South of France Road Trip Itinerary

For this South of France roadtrip, you don’t need the car until day 2, so if you are taking a South of France driving holiday in a hire car, wait until then to pick up your rental car in Toulouse. Click here for our best tips for renting a car in France .

Click here to rent your car in Toulouse

Day 0 | Arrival at Toulouse

Arrive at Toulouse the day before the start of this road trip South France. For your two nights in Toulouse, the Boutique Hotel SOCLO  is comfortable, beautiful, and very central. Its swimming pool and garden are ideal for the warmest days in Southern France.

Click here to book your stay at Boutique Hotel Soclo

Day 1 | Toulouse

Located in the Southwest of France, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, Toulouse is the fourth largest city in France. Boasting a rich historical heritage and sumptuous monuments, the famous “Pink City” always ranks among the most beautiful cities in France .

Cradle of aviation and space, Toulouse is ranked among the most advanced technology parks in terms of research. With many elegant mansions, historical buildings, museums, and monuments, Toulouse welcomes many students and tourists each year, making the city very lively and an excellent base to explore the region.

The list of interesting things to visit in Toulouse includes:

• Toulouse free walking tour
• Place du Capitole
• Basilique Saint-Sermin
• Toulouse bike tour
• La Cité de l’Espace
• The banks of the River Garonne
• La Maison de la Violette
• Halle de la Machine (exhibition hall of performance machines)
• Nocturnes at Marché Victor Hugo (Thursday night)

TIP: with this Toulouse City Card , enjoy free entrance to museums along with discounts at dozens of participating partners. Travel for free on city buses, trams, and the metro, save money on cruises, boat rental, and much more!

Day 2 | Toulouse – Carcassonne – Narbonne

It’s time to hit the road and drive to Narbonne, the next stop of this South of France trip. The drive from Toulouse – Narbonne via the A61 highway is straightforward and only takes 1.5 hours.

If you are not in a hurry, stop for a couple of hours at Carcassonne to admire one of the most beautiful medieval towns in France . The Cité de Carcassonne is listed UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the top sights of the Cathar Country .

For your stay in Narbonne , book two nights at Hôtel La Résidence . Set in an elegant 19th building well located to the Canal de la Robine, with restaurants and public parking nearby, Hôtel La Résidence offers everything you could expect for a perfect stay in Narbonne.

Click here to book your stay in Hôtel La Résidence

Day 3 | Narbonne

Located in the Aude department, in the Occitanie region , Narbonne is a touristy city thanks to its 5 km of thin sand at Narbonne-Plage . It is also a city with a rich history that goes back to Roman times (118 BC) and an excellent base to explore the Massif de la Clape and the Fontfroide Abbey.

The Canal de la Robine is one of France’s oldest canals, and it separates the Historical Center and the Cité district in central Narbonne. Here, you will see vestiges of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and Narbonne’s Age of Gold at the end of the 19th century.

The list of interesting things to visit in Narbonne includes:

• Stroll around the Old Town
• Visit the Cathédrale Saint-Just-et-Saint-Pasteur
• Visit the Archaeological Museum of Narbonne
• Visit the Musée Lapidaire de Narbonne
• Explore the Musée Roman Horréum (ancient Roman galleries)
• Beach day at Narbonne-Plage
• Sail the Canal de la Robine on an electric boat (no boating license required).

Day 4 | Arles

After three days in the Occitanie region, this road trip Southern France moves to Provence. Provence is one of France’s favorite destinations and a must on any Southern France itinerary. With gorgeous towns such as Cassis, Grasse, St Remy, and Arles and stunning countryside, you can see why it remains one of the most popular destinations in France to visit.

Start the day early with a coffee and drive to Arles , where you will spend one night. For your stay in Arles, book at L’Hotel Particulier , a charming private mansion built in the 18th century and lovingly renovated in the center of Arles. L’Hotel Particulier offers stylish rooms with comfortable beds, beautiful floral gardens, a pool, and private parking.

Click here to book your stay at L’Hotel Particulier

Located in the heart of Provence, Arles is always a favorite. Arles has it all: an interesting Roman heritage, beautiful 17th-century mansions, mazy streets, modern museums, and the wide rolling Rhône River. When the temperatures are warm, all the café-terraces and restaurants are full of locals and tourists, creating a lively atmosphere.

Arles was also the base for Paul Gauguin and Van Gogh. Here, Van Gogh painted some of his most famous masterpieces.

The list of interesting things to visit in Arles includes:

• Arènes d’Arles
• Roman Theater
• Arles through Van Gogh: Espace Van Gogh & Fondation Van Gogh
• Abbey of Montmajour
• Church and Cloister St Trophime
• Musée Départamentale Arles Antique
• Les Alyscamps (Roman necropolis)

Days 5 and 6 | The Camargue

From Arles, this south of France itinerary 14 days takes a detour for the sole reason of visiting the Camargue. The Camargue Regional Natural Park is the largest wetland in France, covering a surface of ​​100,000 hectares. It is famous worldwide for its stunning landscapes, lakes, and exceptional fauna.

Located on the axis of migration of birds from northern Europe to Africa, this area is also home to one of the main nesting sites for pink flamingos in France. But above all, the Camargue is an area for breeding Camargue horses and bulls! Here, bulls and horses live in semi-freedom, most often in herds, watched over by herdsmen on horseback.

From Arles, take the road D570 to Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer . Considered the capital of the Camargue, Les Saintes is a little corner of paradise with beautiful beaches, wild nature, and some places of interest.

After four days on the road, it’s time to relax for a couple of days in one of France’s most beautiful natural regions! For your stay in the Camargue, book two nights at the Hotel La Tramontane . The hotel offers individually-decorated, airy rooms which lead to the outdoor swimming pool, the garden, and a private pond.

Click here to book your stay in Hotel La Tramontane

To get the most out of this natural paradise, book this guided safari in a convertible 4×4 , which starts from Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. If you prefer to explore the Camargue from the water, rent a boat (with or without a skipper) at Port Camargue.

Day 7 | Aix-en-Provence

Start the day early and enjoy a last breakfast in the gardens of Hotel La Tramontane. Back to Arles, take the N113 road direction to Aix-en-Provence , the next stop of this Southern France road trip.

For a unique stay in Aix-en-Provence, book a night at the  Hotel des Augustins , a former 12th-century convent just off the famous Cours Mirabeau in the heart of the Old Town. The hotel features spacious rooms combining historic and modern features and a magnificent lobby.

Click here to book your stay at Hotel des Augustins

Aix-en-Provence   is the typical Provencal city and a wonderful place to explore in Southern France. Aix’s historic center, with Italian influences, boasts beautiful architecture and pretty squares adorned with stone fountains. Aix is also known for its traditional markets. The Aix-en-Provence markets are worth exploring for their colorful stalls and delicious local products.

The list of fun things to do in Aix-en-Provence includes:

• Stroll around the Old Tour
• Aix-en-Provence markets walking tour with tastings
• A coffee break at Cours Mirabeau
• The Mazarin neighborhood
• Paul Cézanne’s workshop
• Granet Museum (art museum)
• Taste the famous  calissons  (Aix’s typical sweets)
• E-bike tour of Montagne Sainte-Victoire

TIP: Don’t miss this 3-hour gourmet walking tour in Aix-en-Provence’s Old Town!

Days 8 and 9 | Cassis

From Aix-en-Provence, drive to Cassis , the last Provencal destination of this South of France itinerary by car. For your stay in Cassis, book two nights at Le Jardin d’Emile . This characteristic Provence-style house has the perfect location by the beach with a short walk to the port/town. Le Jardin d’Emile offers uniquely decorated rooms, each with a different color and atmosphere, a garden, and an outdoor terrace overlooking Cape Canaille.

Click here to book your stay in Le Jardin d’Emile

Cassis  is a cute fishing town located on one of the sides of the  Parc National des Calanques de Marseille-Cassis . This colorful town near  Marseille , so typical of Provence, is one of the best coastal towns in France , perfect for a couple of relaxing days by the Mediterranean Sea.

Spend day 8 exploring Cassis. The town is dominated by a castle built in the 8th century, and it is renowned for its trails running along the Cap Canaille, its round pebble beaches, and a little bit further, its creeks and their majestic cliffs plunging into deep blue water (Calanques). There’s also an adorable little port lined with multicolored buildings, cafés, and delicious restaurants offering bouillabaisse, seafood, and fish dishes.

On day 9, you can take a day trip to Marseille – here’s a list of the best things to do in Marseille . You can also explore the Calanques of Cassis on foot or on a catamaran tour.

Suggested tours and activities:

• Calanques National Park sea kayaking tour
• Calanques Cassis Hike: Port-Miou, Port-Pin & En-Vau
• From Marseille: 5-hour catamaran tour with lunch
• Calanques & Viewpoints guided tour with mountain e-bike
• Rent a boat, with or without a skipper, in Cassis

Days 10 and 11 | Cannes

The last days of this South France road trip are spent in Côte d’Azur, also known as French Riviera . Côte d’Azur is well-known for its beaches and coves, impressive views, azure water, and for being a playground for the wealthy. The French Riviera is also home to pretty towns and villages, and there’s a vibrant cultural scene, especially in the summer.

From Cassis, drive to Cannes , where you will spend two nights. For your stay in Cannes, book at Hotel Croisette Beach Cannes Mc Gallery . Located in central Cannes, 150m far from the famous La Croisette beach, this hotel offers the best of the French Riviera: stylish and comfortable rooms, a swimming pool, a restaurant with sea views, and a private beach at an extra cost.

Click here to book your stay in Hotel Croisette Beach Cannes Mc Gallery

Known for its luxurious accommodations and shopping, as well as for the world-famous Cannes Film Festival, Cannes truly is a dream destination for many travelers. Cannes is the kind of place you visit when you want to relax and enjoy some luxury. With its stunning beaches, warm weather, and convenient location close to Nice, this is where the stars go for a holiday.

Use the first day in Cannes to visit the city. The list of fun things to do in Cannes includes:

• Cannes free walking tour
• Explore Le Suquet (Cannes’ oldest neighborhood)
• La Croix des Gardes neighborhood
• The Old Port
• La Croisette Walkway
• Sandy beaches
• Villa Rothschild

For your second day, you can take a relaxing catamaran tour with lunch or drive to one of the many great places to visit on the French Riviera near Cannes:

• Juan-les-Pins
• Boat trip to the Calanques d’Esterel
• Mandelieu-la-Napoule
• Private boat trip to Lérins Islands and Cap d’Antibes

Days 12, 13, and 14 | Nice

The last stop of this road trip South of France is Nice , the capital of the French Riviera. For your stay in Nice, book three nights at the  Hotel La Pérouse Nice Baie des Anges . This 4-star hotel is nestled into the Colline du Château, and it comes with Nice’s best view over the Baie des Anges. Rooms are huge, with elegant Mediterranean décor, and some of them also come with a private balcony with great ocean views. 

Click here to book your stay at Hotel La Pérouse Nice Baie des Anges

In Nice , take your time to explore the Old Town, taste some provençal specialties, and, of course, have a stroll on the famous  Promenade des Anglais ! Nice also has some of the  best French Riviera beaches , and their turquoise waters are calling for a dip.

For your first two days in Nice, we recommend this  Nice 2-day itinerary , which also explores the colorful neighboring town of Villefranche-sur-Mer . For your last day in the city, take one of these best day trips from Nice . We recommend Éze Village and Menton , but all the places on the list are lovely.

So, what are you waiting for? Book this South of France road trip itinerary today!

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Travel Guide

• Things to Do
• Planning a Trip
• In One Week
• In Two Weeks
• For Families
• For Art Lovers
• For Food and Wine Lovers

In Two Weeks in France

If you have two weeks to explore France, you’ll have time to visit several regions—not only Paris, but also the best of the Loire Valley châteaux, the most history-rich town of Provence (Avignon), and several resorts on the Riviera, taking in the beaches, art galleries, and even the Principality of Monaco.

For days 1 through 7, follow the “In One Week in France” itinerary here .

Day 8: Orléans , gateway to the Loire Valley

Leave Paris on an early train to Orléans (trip time: 1 hr., 10 min.). Rent a car here and drive west to the Château de Chambord,  the largest château in the Loire Valley, representing the apogee of the French Renaissance architectural style. Allow 2 hr. for a visit. Back on the road again, continue southwest to the Château de Blois,  called “the Versailles of the Renaissance” and a virtual illustrated storybook of French architecture. Stay overnight in Blois.

Day 9: Amboise & Chenonceau

In the morning, continue southeast from Blois to Amboise, where you can check into a hotel for the night. Visit the 15th-century Château d’Amboise,  in the Italian Renaissance style, and also Clos-Lucé,  last residence of Leonardo da Vinci. In the afternoon, drive southeast to the Château de Chenonceau,  famous for the French dames who have occupied its precincts, including Diane de Poitiers (mistress of the king) and Catherine de Médicis (the jealous queen). You can spend a couple of hours at the château before driving back to Amboise for the night.

Day 10: Avignon , gateway to Provence

From Amboise, get an early start and drive east to Orléans to return your rental car. Then take an early train from Orléans to Paris’s Gare d’Austerlitz, then the Métro or a taxi to the Gare de Lyon, and hop on a TGV bound for Avignon (2.5 hr.).

Check into a hotel in Avignon,  one of Europe’s most beautiful medieval cities. Before the day fades, you should have time to wander through the old city to get your bearings, shop for Provençal souvenirs, and see one of the smaller sights, such as the Pont St-Bénézet.

Day 11: Avignon to St-Tropez

In the morning, spend 2 hr. touring the Palais des Papes,  the capital of Christendom during the 14th century. After lunch in one of Avignon’s cozy bistros or cobblestoned outdoor cafes, rent a car and drive to St-Tropez.  Spend a good part of the early evening in one of the cafes along the harbor, indulging in that favorite French pastime of people-watching.

Day 12: Chic Cannes

Before leaving St-Tropez in the morning, check out the Impressionist paintings at Musée de l’Annonciade.  Drive 50km (31 miles) east along the coast until you reach Cannes.

Assuming it’s summer, get in some time at the beach, notably at Plage de la Croisette,  and feel free to wear your most revealing swimwear. In the afternoon, take the ferry to Ile Ste-Marguerite,  where the “Man in the Iron Mask” was imprisoned. You can visit his cell. That evening, you may want to flirt with Lady Luck at one of the plush casinos.

Day 13: Nice , capital of the Riviera

It’s only a 32km (20-mile) drive east from Cannes to Nice, the Riviera’s largest city. After checking in to a hotel (the most affordable options along the Riviera), stroll through Vieille Ville,  the Old Town. Enjoy a snack of socca, a round crepe made with chickpea flour that vendors sell steaming hot in the cours Saleya market. Then head for the promenade des Anglais,  the wide boulevard along the waterfront. In the afternoon, head for the famed hill town of St-Paul-de-Vence , only 20km (12 miles; p. ###) to the north. You can wander its ramparts in about 30 min. before descending to the greatest modern-art museum in the Riviera, the Fondation Maeght.

Continue on to Vence  for a visit to the great Henri Matisse’s artistic masterpiece, Chapelle du Rosaire.  From there, it’s just 24km (15 miles) southeast back to Nice, where you can enjoy dinner at a typical Niçois bistro.

Day 14: Nice to Menton

While still overnighting in Nice, head east for the most thrilling drive in all of France, a trip along the Grande Corniche highway, which stretches 31km (19 miles) east from Nice to the little resort of Menton  near the Italian border. Allow 3 hr. for this trip. Highlights along this road include Roquebrune-Cap Martin and La Turbie.  The greatest view along the Riviera is at the Eze Belvedere, at 1,200m (3,936 ft.). Return to Nice by dinnertime and prepare for your flight home in the morning.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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2 Weeks in France: 3 itineraries

DISCLAIMER: This post might have links to travel services and products that we enjoy. We might make a commission from it at no extra cost to you.

Do you know that France is the most visited destination in the world ? Year after year, France receives 90 million tourists from all over the world. It’s undeniable that choosing where to spend 2 weeks in Europe is difficult.

There are so many to see with so little time. But with France, a person has to visit it at least once in their lifetime. If there are other places in Europe you want to see, you can plan a 2-week South Europe trip .

France is a country well-known for many things, including fashion, food, wine, football, and of course, Paris, the city of love. The French language is even dubbed the most romantic language.

Europe’s highest mountain can be found here, and their gastronomy was even granted a UNESCO World Heritage status. For cheese lovers, France has 1,600 different types of cheese, so you’ll never run out of options. Escargot is also something distinctly French that is a must-try for those who are adventurous in terms of food exploration.

Aside from that, a lot of people include France in their bucket list of places they want to visit, that’s why it’s the world’s most popular tourist destination. The reasons are endless, whether it’s because of the museums or the Eiffel Tower.

Below, you will see three different itineraries for those who want to stay for 2 weeks in France. Aside from that, we’ll also provide you with travel tips on how to make your vacation more seamless.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING FRANCE

Before we get into the itineraries, there are a few things that you need to know first, such as getting around, the best time to go, as well as the language and currency.

It is imperative to know the modes of transportation available in various locations to account for the time it would take you to travel from one place to another. The information below will help you plan and write your own itinerary for 14-day France.

When is the best time to go to France

The best time to go depends on what season you prefer. April to May is their springtime, June to August is summer and September to October is their autumn seaso n. Their winter season is from December to February, so this is perfect for those who love or want to do winter activities.

However, please take note that summer is a peak season. There are more tourists, and the prices of accommodations and tours skyrocket. If you prefer the off-peak season, this is during February, right after the end of the winter season or sometimes after summer.

The shoulder seasons in France are spring (April to June) and fall (September to October). These periods offer milder weather, fewer crowds, and often lower prices for accommodations and flights compared to the peak summer months.

Getting around

There are various modes of transportation in France, including riding a train, ferry, taking a bus or coach, or boarding a plan e and of course, you can use a bicycle, rollers, or segway.

Taxis are the most commonly used mode of transport in the city. On the other hand, city buses are another option and more affordable.

Renting a car to travel around France is actually one of the most affordable and convenient modes of transportation. You will have control of your time and the freedom to change your mind about the destination. You don’t need to book domestic flights and buses beforehand.

Just remember that in France, most cars are still using a stick or manual transmission. So, make sure that you are comfortable using that.

Language and currency

I’m sure you already know that France’s main language is French . Now, it’s time to learn some of the most common phrases that each tourist should know

• bonjour – hello
• merci – thank you
• pardon – excuse me/sorry
• parlez-vous Anglais – do you speak English
• s’il vous plait – please
• au revoir – goodbye

France’s currency is the Euro, which can also be used in 18 other countries that are a part of the EU. The euro replaced France’s previous currency, which was called Francs, in 2002.

It’s easy to get around France and pay using your bank card. However, it is still best to bring cash in case your card doesn’t work or the terminal is glitching.

Cost of a 2-week France trip

France is one of the most popular destinations in the world making it one of the most expensive in the world especially during the peak season (summer and Christmas). Here are some ideas on what to budget:

• Affordable: Budget travellers might spend around €1,200 to €1,800. This includes hostel stays, supermarket meals or street food, public transportation, and free attractions.
• Mid-Range: For a comfortable experience with mid-tier hotels, some restaurant meals, domestic travel, and paid admissions, expect to spend about €2,500 to €4,000 .
• Luxury: A luxury trip with top hotels, fine dining, private tours, and exclusive experiences can cost €7,000 to €12,000 or more .

If you narrowed down the dates you plan to go, it’s best to make travel arrangements in advance – more specifically accommodation booking.

France implements the same visa policy as the entire EU . This means that if your passport is from North America, some Latin America, some East and Southeast Asia, and most of Oceania. Of course, if you have a passport from an EU member, you don’t need a visa to enter France, and you can stay for as long as you want.

Other travel tips

Top things to see in france (pinned map).

Click the icon on the top right to enlarge the map. Credit: map data: Google

2 WEEKS IN FRANCE ITINERARIES

France is one of the largest European countries regarding landmass and population. It is well-known for its culinary reputation, backed by the fact that it has the most Michelin-starred restaurants and chefs.

France is also famous for its historic towns, rich culture, and ancient waterways. 2 weeks in France might not be too much, but it’s enough to get a glimpse of its culture, history, and delicious food.

There are a few travel itineraries for 2 weeks in France below and you can decide which one you prefer or you can simply get some ideas and create your own .

Itinerary #1: First-time (Paris, Calais, Dunkirk, Nice, Marseille)

The first itinerary option for your 14 days in France includes the cities of Paris, Calais, Dunkirk, Niece, and Marseille.

Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Aside from the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Notre Dame, it is also well-known for the terraces in its cafes. A family trip to Paris is also a great plan since you have Disneyland to visit together.

Calais, on the other hand, is a transport hub, a fishing port, and a centre for fish marketing. It is also France’s gateway to England. It’s also a known historical place, an awesome destination for history enthusiasts.

Nice is popular among tourists for its beautiful scenery , Mediterranean climate, and annual festivals and parades, one of which is the Carnival de Nice.

Marseille is the sunniest major city in the country , and since the historic sights are well-preserved, expect to be amazed by the castles, museums, churches, and old streets. It also has some local dishes, including Bouillabaisse and Pastis, which are both must-try.

Paris for 3 days

If you need further convincing to visit the city of love, then prepare to be amazed. For art enthusiasts, you’ll find one of the most famous paintings in the world here, in the Louvre Museum, it’s Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.

It also has an underground city called The Catacombs, and if you love taking long walks or going for a run and exploring nature, then you’re in for a treat because they have 450 parks and gardens.

If you’re going to spend two weeks in France, you can allot 3 days in Paris and then spend the rest doing day trips around the city.

The capital can be an expensive city to explore, but there are many free things you can do in Paris . this includes visiting artworks and historical sites, all at no cost.

Calais and Dunkirk for 3 days

You can get to Calais from Paris by riding a bus, boarding a train, or drivin g. The fastest option would be to drive, and the cheapest would be to ride a bus. Both destinations are popular for having a lot of historical sites, including places related to World War II.

To reach Dunkirk, if you’re from Paris, you could either ride the train or drive. Some of the top tourist attractions here include Musee Portuaire, Beffroi de Dunkerque, Dunkirk 1940 Museum, and Parc Zoologique de Fort Mardyck, among others.

Nice for 4 days

From Calais to Nice, you could ride the train, ride a bus, drive, or a combination of taking a train and boarding a plane, which is the most recommended option as it is the fastest.

If you’re coming from Dunkirk to Nice , you could also board the train, ride a bus, drive, or a combination of a train ride and boarding a plane, which, like the Calais to Nice route, is also the most recommended option.

Marseille for 4 days

You can go to Marseille from Nice by train, bus, or drive. The cheapest option would be to use a bus, and the fastest would be to drive.

Marseille is a popular destination because it is a lively and vibrant city . It has a well-known port that also carries a lot of historical value and still plays a big part in France’s economy. You can even take a ferry from Marseille all the way to Algiers in Africa. You can take boat trips or go on a cruise in Marseille.

However, if you want a true beach destination, Nice and Montpellier are the two best places to have stunning beaches near Marseille.

Itinerary #2: City, Beach, Wine (Paris, Bordeaux, Nice)

The second itinerary option for your 2 weeks in France includes the cities of Paris, Bordeaux, and Nice. Aside from being dubbed the city of love, Paris is also called the city of lights because it is among the first major cities in Europe to adopt street lighting.

Aside from the world-famous tourist attractions previously mentioned, Paris is also well-known for its contribution to world literature. Bordeaux is famous for its wine, so much so that it is considered the wine capital of the world.

It is also well known for its mansions, art museums, and cathedrals. It is even declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its wealth of architectural treasures. Plus, it’s the region to go surfing.

Nice is famous not only for its beaches and natural scenery but also because of its museums, food, and Roman archaeological sites.

Paris for 5 days

You’ll already be able to enjoy a lot of famous sights and sceneries in Paris. However, it only gets better from there as it is also close to Calais and Dunkirk, cities filled with traces of history.

Some of Calais’ famous tourist attractions include Burghers of Calais, Town Hall, La Cite de la Dentelle et de la Mode, Calais Lighthouse, and Musee des Beaux-Arts de Calais, amo

Bordeaux for 4 days

To reach Bordeaux from Paris, you could take a train or bus or fly. The most recommended option would be to ride the train, but the fastest is to board a plane.

Bordeaux is perfect for wine connoisseurs and surfers. Some of the most famous tourist destinations in this area are Cathedral St. Andre, Chateau de la Brede, guided winery tours, Pont de Pierre, River Garonne cruise, Cote d’Argent surfing spot, and much much more.

Nice 4 days

If you’re coming from Bordeaux, you can go to Nice by train, bus, or plane. You will save a lot of time if you take a domestic flight.

This French Riviera coastal city is popular for many reasons. Beautiful sandy beaches, museums, historical sites, and a port that will take you to many places in the Mediterranean Sea. From Nice, you can also reach the famous Cannes and Antibes.

Itinerary #3: City Enthusiast (Paris, Lyon, Nice)

The third itinerary option consists of the cities Paris, Nice, and Lyon. Whether you’re sipping coffee or tea on one of the cafe terraces of the Boulevard of Saint Germain or having a cruise at the Seine River, you could do all of these in Paris.

Aside from having world heritage sites, Lyon is also known as the gastronomy capital of France and is famous for the production and weaving of silk. While Nice is a Mediterranean seaside city with a temperate climate all year round and looks most like Southern Italy.

Paris for 6 days

We couldn’t get enough of Paris, just like everyone else, and for a good reason. We fell in love at first sight upon seeing the Eiffel Tower, but that’s not all there is with this magical city. Each neighbourhood (also known as a quartier) has its own charms.

The Latin Quarter has a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and pedestrian streets. Champs Elysees, on the other hand, is brimming with energy, and Montmartre has an old-world village charm. Aside from that, Paris is close to both Dunkirk and Calais, which are both havens for history buffs.

Lyon for 4 days

You can go to Lyon from Paris by train, bus, driving, or boarding a plane. The travel time would take two to six hours, depending on your choice of mode of transport. The most recommended option would be riding a train.

Aside from all of the wonders Lyon offers, you could even have a day trip to Geneva, Switzerland, as it is only 2 hours away. Visiting two countries in a day is such a cool thing to experience.

Ending your trip in Nice is a good decision since you can go hiking, enjoy the local food, and enjoy the beach – a true relaxing way a vacation should be .

The modes of transportation from Lyon to Nice include boarding a train, riding a bus, using rideshare, driving, and boarding a plane.

The travel time would take anywhere between three hours to eight hours, while a plane ride would be the fastest.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN FRANCE

Now that you have an idea of places to include in your 2 weeks in France itinerary, it’s time to show you the top and most popular attractions in each city.

Paris and around

• Opera National de Paris
• Boulevard du Montparnasse
• Jardin du Luxemburg
• Eiffel Tower – you can skip the line and hike up the stairs or take the elevator
• Notre-Dame Cathedral
• Louvre Museum – get a skip-the-line ticket without a guide or with a live guide
• Arc de Triomphe – scale the rooftop
• Pompidou Centre
• Seine River Cruise – you can book a 1-hour cruise or a cruise with a yummy gourmet dinner
• Champs-Elysees
• Sacre-Coeur
• Musee de Montmartre
• Moulin Rouge Cabaret Show – enjoy with champagne or a dinner
• Musee d’Orsay
• Luxembourg Gardens
• Catacombs of Paris – explore with an audio guide
• Sainte-Chapelle
• Grand Palais
• Versailles – join a guided tour
• Tuileries Garden
• Shakespeare and Company

Lyon and around

• Quartier Saint-John and Quartier Saint-Georges
• Musee de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine
• Colline de la Croix-Rousse
• Presqu’ile District
• Parc de la Tete d’Or
• La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere
• Cathedrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste
• Rhone Valley – book a wine-tasting tour
• Place Bellecour
• Musee des Confluences – get your ticket in advance
• Teatro Galo-Romano
• Vieux Lyon – join a food tour or an Old Town walking food tour
• Lake Geneva, Switzerland – 2 hours from Lyon
• Musee Cinema et Miniature
• Saone River – get on a cruise and visit UNESCO sites or a cruise with a dinner
• Musee de l’imprimerir et de la
• Musée des Arts de la Marionnette
• Fresqye des Lyonnais
• Bartholdi Fountain
• Lyon Botanical Garden
• Vieille Ville
• Promenade des Anglais
• Castle Hill Park
• Musee Matisse
• Jardin Albert 1er
• Marc Chagall National Museum
• Villefranche Bay – enjoy a 1-hour cruise or have fun snorkelling
• Castle of Nice
• Modern and Contemporary Art
• Foundation Maeght
• Field of Lavender and Gorges of Verdon – best if visiting from spring to summer, then you must book a tour of the Lavender fields
• Cathedrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice
• Parc Phoenix
• Cimiez Monastery
• Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption
• Opera de Nice
• Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde
• Abbaye Saint-Victor
• Chateau d’Ilf
• Mucem – Museum of Civilizations of Europe, you can skip the line and save some time
• Old Port of Marseille
• Cathedrale La Major
• Massif des Calanques – have fun on a 5-hour cruise or explore with an e-bike
• Palais Longchamp
• Parc National des Calanques – sign up for a kayak tour
• Calanque de la creme
• Do a day trip to Provence – best if you have a max of 7 people in your group or book a wine tour to Provence
• Winery tours
• Place de la Bourse
• La Cite du Vin
• La Grosse Cloche
• Porte Cailhau
• La Cité du Vin – learn everything about the wine of Bordeaux by joining this tour
• Bordeaux Cathedral
• Saint Emilion – book a day trip sightseeing with wine tasting
• Musee d’Aquitaine
• Gran Teatro de Burdeos
• Bordeaux Museum of Fine Arts
• River Garonne – enjoy a cruise with a glass of wine
• El Espejo de Agua
• Jardin Public
• Book a walking tour to hit up the top sites in one go or a tour of Bayonne and Biarritz together
• Basque Museum
• Bayonne Cathedral
• Saint-Esprit
• Cathedrale Sainte-Marie de Bayonne
• Cerreau des Halles
• Bayonne Botanical Garden
• L’Atelier du Chocolat-Musee du Chocolat – book a chocolate tasting
• Plaine d’Ansot de Bayonne
• Miramar Beach
• Milady Beach
• Marinella Beach
• Plage d’Ilbarritz

ACCOMMODATIONS

Below is a compilation of places to stay in France, categorised by city. This list will help you find accommodations for your trip, depending on your budget. You should be able to find hotels, from budget ones to luxury resorts.

• Affordable: Hotel des Belges or City Inn Paris
• Mid-range: B&B Hotel Paris or Au Pacific Hotel
• Luxury: Pullman Paris or citizenM Paris
• Affordable: Alter’hostel or Away Hostel & Coffee Shop
• Mid-range: Bayard Bellecour or Hotel Edmon W Lyong Part-Dieu
• Luxury: Hotel Le Roosevelt or Cour des Loges Lyon
• Affordable: Villa Saint Exupery Beach Hostel or Hostel Ozz Nice
• Mid-range: Hotel Byakko Nice or Villa Berlioz or Centrum Nice
• Luxury: Hotel de France by AMMI or Hotel La Villa Nice Victor Hugo or Hotel Florence Nice
• Affordable: Hotel du Theatre or Central Hostel
• Mid-range: ibis Hotel or B&B La Maison Galiene or Gabylou
• Luxury: Maison Ferdinand B&B or Best Western Premier or Quality Hotel or Hotel de Tourny
• Affordable: Toyoko INN or Montempo Marseille Centre Dome
• Mid-range: Best Western Hotel or Maison Juste
• Luxury: La Residence Du Vieux Port or Hotel Belle-Vue Vieux-Port

Calais/Dunkirk

• Affordable to Mid-range: Holiday Inn Calais or Hotel Les Jardins Dunkirk or B&B Hotel Dunkirk or ibis Dunkirk
• Affordable to Mid-range: Hostel 20 or ibis Hotel or Hotel Cote Basque
• Luxury: Hotel Villa Koegui or Hotel des Basses Pyrenees or Boutique Hotel Un Appart en Ville or Libertitu B&B

SUMMARY OF 2 WEEKS IN FRANCE

2 weeks in France sounds like not a lot of time, and it’s true. However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have a good time in only 14 days. Thankfully, France has a pretty good transportation system making it easier for visitors to get from one place to another.

When making your own itinerary for France, don’t try to see and do everything. If you really like this country, leave some for your future visit. During this upcoming trip, list only 3-4 cities to see so you have plenty of time to enjoy it all without rushing yourself.

I hope that you found this 2 weeks in France itinerary helpful.

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2 weeks in France, our French Road Trip Itinerary

Over summer we spent a magical 2 weeks in France. We travelled from the UK by ferry and car heading straight through the centre of the country all the way down to Bordeaux and back, trying to take in some of the lesser explored parts of the Country. Here’s our French road trip itinerary so you can start planning your next family holiday to France.

This post contains affiliate links. This means I receive a small commission if you book through one of these links. At no extra cost to you. 

List of Contents

• 1.1 Day One on our French Road Trip Itinerary
• 2.1 Day two
• 3.1 Day Three
• 4.1 Day Four
• 5.1 Day Five
• 7.1 Day 7 to 11
• 8.1 Day 11 and 12
• 10.1 Day 14
• 11 A final thought on our two weeks in France

UK – Lille

Day one on our french road trip itinerary.

Miles Traveled:

This one took most of the day, we left home super early to catch the lunchtime ferry from Dover to Dunkerque. The sailing was around two hours. On arrival on French soil the drive from Dunkerque to Lille took about an hour and a quarter. In total this was just over 300 miles. And a great start to this France road trip with kids.

Where we stayed:

On arriving into Lille we immediately headed to our hotel. The Ibis Styles Lille Centre Grand-Place  was the perfect location for exploring Lille. Right in the centre of town with a carpark just across the road. This was the first of several Ibis hotels we stayed in during our trip. They’re such great value, always clean with good sized family rooms.

Where we ate:

As with most meals during our two weeks in France we just wandered the town and stopped wherever had space and looked good. This time we totally struck gold. We found La Pate Brisee on Rue de la Monnaie and grabbed one of their pavement tables. This is a great French restaurant with super friendly waiting staff and great food (and wine). Of course we had to try the local delicacy, Le Welsh. It’s kind of a supercharged rarebit. Bread soaked in beer, covered in Cheese with an egg on top. Baked in the oven to make it super gooey. It was delicious but crazy rich, I could never manage it all. Piper had a fish and chips which she gobbled up and Nigel enjoyed a rich beef stew.

Lille – Chantilly

Miles Travelled:

Lille to Chantilly is a fairly easy 120 miles. The drive took around two hours and included some toll roads.

We stayed at the beautiful Mercure Chantilly Resort . It’s set in stunning countryside and forests making it the perfect place for a family friendly walk. We had a family room which easily slept the 3 of us. It even has a swimming pool if you are traveling with a little mermaid like us!

Eating in Chantilly was all about the cake. The bakeries lining the main road through town serve up some delectable treats and we mainly survived on these. They also create some amazing savoury treats and we enjoyed fresh pizza and pastries picnic style as we walked around town. We also stopped for a super strong coffee hit at one of the pavement cafes. Perfect!

Chantilly – Versailles

The drive from Chantilly to Versailles is just over 40 miles. It will take quite a while, maybe up to two hours as you’ll no doubt get stuck in traffic on the outskirts of Paris. It was very cool however to see the Eiffel Tower from the motorway. This route also includes toll roads. Read all about our trip to Versailles with kids and our visit to the spectacular Palace.

In Versaille we were back to another brilliant Ibis, and this one was right across the road from the train station. The ibis Versailles Chateau  hotel is a great value 3 star located within easy walking distance to the Palace and plenty of places to eat and shop. We opted for a family room and had a great continental breakfast before heading off the next day.

Again we wandered the streets and stopped at a pavement restaurant that looked popular with locals. We were after a bit of comfort food so shared a pizza whilst Piper opted for spaghetti bolognese. Then it was early to bed before a busy day, with full stomachs and happy memories. I recommend just wandering down the Rue de Satory and picking somewhere you like the look of.

Versailles – Paris

Paris with kids is absolutely magical and this was a super easy travel day. It’s around 13 miles from Versailles to Paris and we traveled by train. It took less than an hour on a direct train which was very clean and extremely quiet. I loved that we utilised public transport for one of the days of our France road trip with kids.

Read more about how we managed Paris in one day here.

We enjoyed our second night at the ibis Versailles Chateau hotel.

On our way back to the train station we wandered past the brilliant Quai Liberte on the river front. It’s a lovely beer garden with a real “vacay” vibe. It’s only open over the summer months but is well worth stopping in if you’re passing. Food is small, fresh and simple but it’s the atmosphere that should convince you to stay!

Versailles – Limoges

This was a fairly intense travel day as we wanted to get down South as soon as possible. We covered over 250 miles in around 4 hours. Again there were toll roads to pass through but we were so impressed with them. It’s very easy to navigate and the roads never got too busy.

We booked ourselves in at the Novotel Limoges Le Lac  mainly due to the fact it has an outdoor pool. This is always a massive positive for Piper and she loved cooling off after being in the car for so long. It’s slightly out of town in what feels like a rather industrial area but the Lake in the grounds of the hotel made for the perfect place for a post walk dinner. We saw some amazing sunsets.

As none of us could face getting back in the car we chose to eat at the hotel. The restaurant was nice and food excellent. I had a delicious Caesar salad and Piper was delighted to discover her first kids menu of the holiday. It was of course super expensive but that’s to be expected in a hotel.

Limoges – Perigueux

Miles Travelled: 

This was one of the easiest legs of the journey with just 60 miles to travel. We took it slow and covered the distance in under two hours.

The Ibis Perigueux Centre  is a brilliant place to stay in Perigueux with kids. It’s right in the centre of town near the cathedral. So you wont struggle for things to do or great places to eat. You can park onsite for a small charge and family sized rooms are available which are great value.

We stopped for lunch at a tiny bistro we found in a small town we passed through. I love these places, they often have locals indoors watching TV, enjoying an afternoon beer. Don’t be afraid to stop somewhere and give it a go.

Perigueux is very much a tourist town so you definitely won’t struggle to find good restaurants. We went boringly British and opted for Watson’s Pub . It’s absolutely huge with heaps of indoor and outdoor seating and serves pub classics such as burgers and fish and chips.

Perigueux – Pessac-sur-Dordogne

Day 7 to 11.

You can read all about visiting the Dordogne with kids over on this post, it will give you a great idea on the activities that we tried but some of our favourites included visiting Chateauxs, pretty French towns , vineyards and inland Dordogne beaches .

Another super easy travel day and the start of our rest break. It was around 50 miles from Perigueux to our lovely Dordogne holiday rental. With a stop for coffee along the way the journey was around an hour and a half.

Being the longest stay of our two weeks in France we chose a holiday rental for accommodation in this part of the Dordogne. We loved having the extra space to fully unpack and a kitchen to cook some healthy food in. We spent evening sat on the terrace watching the sunset over nearby vineyards. While Piper raided the DVD library and caught up with friends.

This part of the stay was all about cooking. We mooched into town each day and stocked up of local produce and meat for the barbeque. We took picnics on our day trips and had lazy breakfasts before heading out. These slow days are so important when covering long distances and I highly recommend including some in your French road trip itinerary.

Pessac-sur-Dordogne – Talence near Bordeaux

Day 11 and 12.

After our lovely few days relaxing the 45 mile drive to our hotel on the outskirts of Bordeaux felt completely manageable. Although it took us longer than expected – around two hours as we got a bit lost looking for the hotel.

This had to be my favourite hotel of our stay. And was actually the reason we chose to stay in Talence rather than Bordeaux city centre. Domaine de Raba  is an absolutely stunning Boutique hotel. It’s quirky design coupled with its focus on wellness and the outdoors made for a wonderful stay. They even have a private cinema you can book! I think this was our favourite hotel on the whole of this France road trip with kids. Read more about this stunning hotel near Bordeaux and get booking!

We loved the hotel so much we just didn’t want to leave so ate onsite at Les Petits Caprices . The food was amazing and the decor beautiful. I recommend a visit even if you’re not staying in the hotel.

Talence – Le Mans

And so the long trip home begins. We wanted to get as close to the North Coast as possible so covered just under 300 miles. It was an exhausting 5 hours and one of the longest travel days of this France road trip itinerary.

We opted for the Novotel Le Mans  again because it had a pool. We only needed somewhere en route, clean and good value. The Novotel ticked off all those boxes. Piper loved a dip in the small outdoor pool and we got a great nights sleep before our long drive home the next day.

We ate at the hotel for convenience. It was a lovely end to the break. We opted for a charcuterie board, breads and cheeses. Plenty of fine French food for our last supper.

Le Mans – Home

Finally it was the last 500 mile stint home. This time we sailed from Calais which cut down the driving distance further but the journey did still take the whole day. We arrived home happy, disheveled and with case loads of washing and many happy memories.

A final thought on our two weeks in France

Long travel days call for a good hotel, preferably with a pool to burn some energy. On days when we were exploring cities, budget hotels were fine as we weren’t in them for long.

If we were to head off on another trip around France I would hopefully extend this French road trip itinerary to include more beach time and make it further South. France is immense and varied, I don’t really feel we scratched the surface.

For more French inspiration make sure you check out my post on Bergerac, France .

Make sure you pin for later to plan your next French road trip itinerary.

• Trip Advisor

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St Céré on market day Cochise Ory

Bordeaux & Dordogne's Heritage

The Bordeaux area and Dordogne are 2 very rich regions in terms of heritage . . . and of course gastronomy & wine. From the Middle Ages to the Renaissance (and even prehistoric times), you will find what you like here!

Traditional costumes from the Basque Country OT Hendaye

Focus on the South West of France

From the Unesco city of Bordeaux and the surrounding world-famous vineyards, to the mythical beach towns of Biarritz and St Jean de Lu z, feeling the fresh air of the Pyrenees foothills, and ending in the mysterious medieval town of Carcassonne . . . what a program!

Experience the Real France with France Just For You

Our fully personalized and unique tour packages will help you explore and discover the real France. We'll tailor these to suit your preferences, and guide you to our favorite hidden beauty spots. We'll also help you experience the most popular tourist attractions in France away from the tourist crowds.

From the delightful wine regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy , the fascinating cultures of the Basque Country and Brittany , to the historical depths of Normandy , Verdun , and beyond, your wish-list destinations will come alive on a France vacation planned just for you.

A tour with France Just For You means more than just sightseeing. We take into account your preferences, interests, and pace, crafting experiences that balance exploration, relaxation, and immersive experiences. Whether you're a wine connoisseur, history enthusiast, art lover, or gourmet food aficionado, we've got something for everyone!

How we'll plan your itinerary and what's included

You'll tell us about the places you wish to visit and activities you enjoy. We'll then get to work, curating a unique itinerary that fits with your preferences. All our France tour packages include boutique hotel or premium B&B accommodation with friendly English-speaking French hosts, car hire, private guided tours, and advance-booking activities. We do all we can to ensure you have a seamless journey and unforgettable trip to France.

Why book with France Just For You?

We offer you our personal touch and attention to detail. On your trip, you'll have a personalised guidebook that covers your whole itinerary and access to our MyFrance mobile app for smooth navigation. We believe one of the most important things about visiting another country is being able to interact with the locals. So we've handpicked our B&B hosts who speak good English and will offer you the warmest of welcomes.

And don't just take our word for it - hear from our travelers themselves:

"For our journey in the Loire Valley , we could not have hoped for more gracious, friendly and hospitable hosts. They made us feel like long time friends. It has been wonderful sharing this time with this French family and we hope we may meet again. The guidebook was totally professional and indispensable! Au revoir et merci beaucoup!"

Carol & Don 

We warmly invite you to reach out to us with your ideas for your dream trip to France. We'd love to start planning your French adventure!

Explore our sample France vacation packages and France tour packages on this page, or click on the region you're most interested in visiting.

All our tours can be customized to your preferences and will give you an authentic experience of the French way of life during your trip. Come visit France and discover its magic - just for you!

We cover  Alsace , the Basque Country , Bordeaux , Brittany , Burgundy , Carcassonne , Champagne , Dordogne , the French Riviera , the Loire Valley , Lyon , Normandy , Lille and northern France , Paris , Provence , the Somme and Verdun .

Do not hesitate to ask us if you have a specific town, site or city in mind.

The duration of your trip depends on how much of France you'd like to visit and what you want to see and do. A well-rounded trip to France could range anywhere from 10 days to over a month. Contact us and we can advise you on how long you'll need in France.

Our packages include boutique hotel or premium B&B accommodation, car hire, private guided tours, advance-booking activities, your personalized guidebook, 24/7 emergency number and a phone concierge service, and more.

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Our Travelers’ Reviews

France-Just for You is the best agency/coordinator we have EVER used. We have traveled around the world to more than 50 countries and this was by far the best job of coordination we ever experienced. The owner, Emilie, lives in France and is 100% accessible by email or phone. We emailed her the first time we learned about her business and from then …

France-Just for You is the best agency/coordinator we have EVER used. We have traveled around the world to more than 50 countries and this was by far the best job of coordination we ever experienced. The owner, Emilie, lives in France and is 100% accessible by email or phone. We emailed her the first time we learned about her business and from then on her attention to detail and efficiency were outstanding. She outlined a custom trip for us based on our criteria and then created a detailed plan for us to follow with options for various activities. She took care of every detail, bike rental, car rental, cooking class , museum passes, directions etc etc. Then, about a month before we went , she mailed us a 300+ page book custom created for our trip which gave background information on all the places we were to visit, gps directions, options for different routes, recommendations for restaurants, background on bed and breakfast hosts (whom she personally meets with), comments on French customs, and hundreds of tips and suggestions. Her guide was so complete, we did not need any other books. She created an experience for us we will never forget. When we return to France we will ask her to plan the trip for us.

There are not enough superlatives for our experience with Emilie. Prompt correspondence and thorough questions led to the perfect vacation for my family. Her choice of hotels in Paris and Provence were exactly what I would have chosen on my own. Her tour guide recommendations were spot on. The fact that she arranged all of our transfers, train …

There are not enough superlatives for our experience with Emilie. Prompt correspondence and thorough questions led to the perfect vacation for my family. Her choice of hotels in Paris and Provence were exactly what I would have chosen on my own. Her tour guide recommendations were spot on. The fact that she arranged all of our transfers, train tickets, and rental cars was priceless. I was happy to begin with, but when we received our tour book, I was amazed. It is a bound, personalized several hundred page book of everything from French customs and phrases to personalized walking tour suggestions, to GPS coordinates for points of interest. Pictures of our hotels and hosts, small maps in the book, large maps for each day we ventured out. Even Paris metro tickets to get us started. We were a group of 8, ages 12 to 75 and it could not have been more seamless. For all of this personalized service, her fees were very reasonable. Next time we travel to France, we will surely use France Just For You again. Merci beaucoup!

My wife and I are fairly seasoned travelers so when we decided to include a trip to France in our year long 50th Anniversary Celebration we wanted to do something different. We looked at group travel companies including those who specialize in "small" groups. None of them had the flavor we were looking for. In my search for somethin new I happened …

My wife and I are fairly seasoned travelers so when we decided to include a trip to France in our year long 50th Anniversary Celebration we wanted to do something different. We looked at group travel companies including those who specialize in "small" groups. None of them had the flavor we were looking for. In my search for somethin new I happened upon the website of France Just For You and was intrigued by the idea of having a custom-designed French experience. One or two emails later we discovered just how great our experience was going to be. Emilie Thyebaut takes your wishes and likes and turns them into realities. Her extensive planning made our two week trip a memory of a life time. Nothing was omitted--dining recommendations, excellent B&B reservations, rental car reservation, pre-booked guides for such locations as Mont-Saint-Michel--nothing was left to chance. Loke at the France Just For You website and you should be able to make your vacation dreams come true.

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Two Week Road Trip in South of France: Our Travel Itinerary

Longing for the South of France. A proper road trip through this part of the country has been on our wish list for what feels like an eternity. Is it the lavender fields? The mountain villages of Provence? The coastal roads of the Côte d’Azur? After two weeks “on the road” we would say that it’s definitely the scenic variety, which makes a road trip through South of France so special.

One day we could be enjoying the idyllic houseboat in the Camargue, the next day we could be stumbling across the market of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. The South of France can be full of stereotypical spots (such as the Provence) as well as surprises. Would you have ever imagined that South of France also has spectacular canyon landscapes??

In this travel guide, we will describe the itinerary of our two-week road trip through South of France. At the end of the article you will find useful tips for planning your trip as well as a map with the most important places in our itinerary. Wanderlust guaranteed!

1. Two Week Road Trip in South of France: Our Itinerary

2. general travel tips for south of france, 3. map & video: more impressions from our road trip in south of france, via carcassonne to narbonne.

Our road trip through southern France starts at the airport in Toulouse . The city is said to be charming – unfortunately, we didn’t stop here due to time constraints and headed straight to Carcassonne in the Départment Aude. The medieval fortified city of Carcassonne is the most visited destination in the region and we think rightly so! Our road trip then continued on to Narbonne – the pretty French town on the Canal de la Robine captivated us immediately.

You can find our more detailed travel article here:   Aude in Southern France: Our Tips for Carcassonne, Narbonne

Our Accommodation in Narvonne: La Maison Gustave

Lozère: the gorges of the Tarn and the Jonte

From Narbonne, our Southern France road trip takes us inland to the north and for two days we explored the Lozère, the most populated Département of France. With our rental car we cruised along the spectacular gorges of the Tarn and the Jonte and explored the tiny mountain villages scattered along it.

The region is so sparsely populated that sometimes it would be many many miles before we encountered another car. One of our highlights here was our visit to sheep farmer Anaïs and Fromagerie La Fédou.

You can find our more detailed travel article with our tips here:   Lozère: The Tarn and Jonte Gorges of the Cévennes National Park

Our Accommodation in Lozère: Le gîte de La Doline

Pont du Gard & Camargue

The next stage of our itinerary takes you to of the most important sights in the South of France: the Pont du Gard . The aqueduct is one of the best preserved Roman buildings and we got to explore the monument by foot as well as paddle under the Pont du Gard by kayak.

After that we were in for one of the most amazing experiences and the highlight of our entire South of France journey… a trip with a Houseboat ! Yes, you heard right! We navigated our our 12m long boat around the Camargue and discovered some beautiful places. Our journey with the Houseboat extended all the way down to the pretty town of Aigues-Mortes .

Our Accommodation in  Aigues-Mortes: Boutique Hôtel des Remparts & Spa

Provence: The Villages of the Luberon

The entrance of the Provence! For two days we explored one of the most beautiful places on earth: the villages of the Luberon , including Bonnieux, Lourmarin and Roussillon. If there is anywhere that the stereotypes of Provence come true, then it is here: lavender scents, local farmer’s markets and picture-perfect streets lined with olive trees. Honestly, this section of the road trip will positively astound you as much as it does us.

You can find our more detailed travel article about Luberon here: Provence: The Charming Villages of Luberon

Our Accommodation in Lourmarin: Mas La Cheneraie

Aix-en-Provence

Our itinerary takes us to the former capital of Provence: Aix-en-Provence. The young, vibrant city sure knows how to impress! In the narrow streets of the old town we felt right at home. We visited the studio of Paul Cézanne, admired the many old wells and even made a trip to the mountains. But not just any mountain, the most famous mountain in the region, the Montagne Sainte-Victoire . The artist Cézanne was well known for his canvas work of this repeatedly painted mountain.

You can find all our highlights shared in this travel article here:  Best of Aix-en-Provence: Our Travel Guide & Tips

Our Accommodation in Aix-en-Provence: Maison Dauphine

Roquebrune-sur-Argens

From Aix-en-Provence our road trip continues to Roquebrune-sur-Argens. The pretty, relatively untouristic village is located directly on a structure of rocks: the Rocher de Roquebrune . Since we were there, we simply had to see the view from the summit .

Said and done. About three hours later, we conquered this rather challenging hike and were rewarded with spectacular remote views of the area. The following day, we explored the area from the water: During our kayak trip along the Argens River, the Rocher de Roquebrune would frequently reappear in front of us.

Our Accommodation in Les Issambres :  Mer du Mer

Cannes on the Côte d’Azur

The last stop on our South of France road trip was the vibrant Cannes on the Côte d’Azur . You could easily spend two weeks along the Côte d’Azur alone. There are so many places worth seeing here, but out of all the possibilities, we decided on the film festival city of Cannes – smaller than Nice, but not quite as luxurious as Saint Tropez. We love the combination of urban and Mediterranean flair and even made a trip to the offshore island of Sainte-Marguerite .

You can find more detail about our tips and sights in Cannes here: Cannes Travel Guide: Top things to do and see

Our Accommodation in Cannes:  B&B Villa Du Roc Fleuri

Car Hire: Tips & Info

In principle there are two possibilities : Either you travel with your car from Germany or Austria to France. Or you rent a car on the spot. We picked up our rental car directly at the Toulouse airport and returned it two weeks later at the Nice airport.

Important thing to pay attention to when booking rental cars, is having the right insurance . We ourselves always book the best option with reimbursement of any liabilities without question. This means that any liabilities made in case of damage will be refunded afterwards.

We have had good experiences renting via Sunny Cars and have been the victim of a non-witnessed hit-and-run incident to our parked car in New Zealand. Sunny Cars reimbursed us for the 700 Euros in liability with no questions asked. This is a liability we would have had to pay if not for the right insurance with Sunny Cars.

Tolls on Highways

Important to know: Most highways in France are subject to road tolls and the fees are quite high. However, the motorway network is operated by several companies. The toll fees therefore vary depending on the region you are in. For our route we paid a total of about 40 Euros in tolls.

You pay at the Toll Gates , in French it’s called “Péages” – either in cash or by credit card. There is also an electronic billing system, called “Télépéage”. For this you need a special automatic device in the car (which costs extra), so it was out of the question for us. Beware: Make sure you’re in the right lane at these toll booths! They have signs and symbols above: for example money and coins, which means you can only pay by cash at that Toll Booth. Card payments will be accepted at the toll booths under the card symbol.

Safety in South of France

Before our trip, we read some horror stories about car burglaries in the South of France and along the Côte d’Azur. Thankfully nothing happened to us, but we talked to a lot of locals about this issue and many have confirmed that this is becoming a huge problem.

To minimise the risk, you should not leave anything and certainly no valuables in the car . This is of course easier said than done, because every so often you might like to visit some other attractions on the way to a new destination. More often than not, it’s simply easier and more practical to just leave the suitcases in the car.

In such cases we have taken the following two precautions:

• Always looked for monitored or well-frequented parking lots .
• We make sure that you can’t see there is luggage in the trunk from the outside and that there are no incentives for them to break in.

Of course these are just precautions and ultimately if you’re unlucky then there’s nothing more you can do about it. Don’t let this fear drive you crazy however.

The keywords ‘ terrorist threat ’ in Southern France seems to be brought up as an issue for some. Granted, if you follow the media coverage, then you will let them instil unnecessary fear in you. However, we strongly advise you not to let the recent media play with your head too much. The chances of something happening is like a pin in a haystack – there are more fatalities per year due to car accidents than terrorism and warfare combined. The only thing you need to get used to is the sight of military machine guns patrolling certain places. We noticed this in Aix-en-Provence for example, but in general, we never felt unsafe.

Food & Drink in Southern France

France is a country full of indulgence . Meals, especially dinner, are a big deal here. You rarely only ever eat just a main course, but rather a ‘ Menu ’ of three courses consisting of Entrée, Plat and dessert. Prior to your meal, you will usually be served fresh baguette with tapenade (a delicious olive paste). Throughout the courses you will drink Vin in huge quantities. Okay, we may be exaggerating, but the Frenchmen do love their excellent wine and almost always order at least one bottle for the table. In the south of France, Rosé tends to be amongst the favourites.

Meat and fish dishes dominate the menu. In all seriousness, these are the only two divisions you will find on the menu apart from appetisers and desserts. In France, meat is traditionally always part of a meal. Hard to believe but we got ourselves some very shocked expressions on more than one occasion when we asked for a vegetarian dish. But not to worry: the vegetarian culture is slowly gaining momentum – after all, we dined in an   excellent vegan bistro during our time in Aix-en-Provence. However, one has to accept that the selection of meat-free dishes is very limited.

What lacks in creative, vegetarian dishes, France makes up for with its patisserie . Simply to die for. We stopped counting how many ‘tartes au citron’ we ate in the two weeks. There are countless French desserts, which have you on your knees and for us, crème brûlée is one of them!

As far as coffee is concerned, there is still room for improvement. In other words, really good espresso was hard to come by. An interesting cultural difference however, is that what is known as an “Espresso Macchiato” (or in Austria “Kleiner Brauner”) is a “Noisette” in France.

Travel Costs: Prices in South of France

Dining in Restaurants : Eating out in France unfortunately has its price. Restaurant visits are at least 50 percent more expensive than in Austria. Main courses in a good restaurant usually cost around 15 to 20 Euros. For special meat dishes you should account for about 30 Euros. The three-course dinner menu is usually also offered at around 30 euros. The price-performance ratio in these three-course-menus is usually great, but then it very quickly adds up to 80 Euros for one evening if you include the wine, which is much more affordable.

Fuel prices : petrol is a bit more expensive in France than in Germany and Austria. One Litre of gasoline during our visit (September 2018) cost around € 1.50. For a full tank, we paid about 70 Euros.

Toll and Parking Fees : For our itinerary you can expect about 40 Euros in tolls. (More info can be found earlier in this article.) The amount of parking is very different: in general, the larger and more touristic a place is, the more expensive parking is. In small towns you can sometimes park for free, but in Cannes, for example, we paid just under 20 Euros for a few hours.

Hotel prices : Hotel accommodation is of course a flexible cost factor. In the high season the prices rise. But you can definitely expect to budget around 100 Euros per night for a double room if you want to have a certain level of comfort. This is very realistic as even in Cannes, our hotel did not cost much more than that. The stereotype that South of France is so expensive, is by no means true.

Best Travel Period in South of France

The summer months of July and August are absolute high season. The beaches are often overcrowded, because the locals also migrate down here for the summer holidays in their own country. Another reason why summer is a very popular travel time, are the lavender blossoms. It starts around the beginning/middle of June and goes until the beginning/middle of August. These fields of ​​flowers in Provence is the main tourist magnet during this period. You can find more information about lavender flowers, in this blog article: Provence Travel Tips .

September sees the end of peak season and tourism starts to quieten down. We ourselves visited during the 2nd and 3rd week of September in southern France and found this time ideal, because it was not so crowded. Still averaging 30°C during the day, we were able to swim in the sea just fine. You can also get good weather still in October if you’re lucky. Another popular travel period is in spring . The sea is not yet warm enough for swimming perhaps, but you can witness the slowly blooming landscapes.

Getting around without any French Knowledge?

Don’t fret , it’s a fairytale that you have to speak French to travel to France. Even though in more rural areas, where people don’t have good English , you can still get by just fine. You can almost always find someone who speaks at least a little bit of English. If necessary, one can also communicate with hands and feet and if you have data roaming in France, then it’s also easy to use google translation.

However, from experience it is definitely easier to know at least a few phrases in French. We both learned French at school, and although we have unfortunately forgotten most of it, we can still remember many of the basics. This benefited us a great deal because we were able to read the menu, for example, without having to use our phones constantly to help us translate. In addition, we had very pleasant encounters with locals who seem very happy when tourists speak their language. So… Bon voyage!

Disclaimer: Advertisement & Affiliate Links

For this travel guide we collaborated with the French National Tourist Board (Atout France). As part of the nature campaign #gesichterfrankreichs – we had the privilege of travelling for two weeks through the South of France. Of course, this collaboration does not influence our opinions in any way.

This travel guide contains our personal recommendations in the form of so-called affiliate links. If you book or buy something through the links, we will get a small commission. For you, this does not change the price at all. A million thanks from the both of us!

Have you ever done a road trip through the South of France or another region in France? How did your itinerary go? If you have any more tips or questions, please leave us a comment!

You might also be interested in this

Cannes Travel Guide: Top Things to Do and See

Best of Aix-en-Provence: Our Travel Guide & Tips

Provence Travel Guide: The Charming Villages of Luberon

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South of France road trip: A two-week itinerary

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The purple fields of lavender, the heart and soul of Provence, are a regular sight on this road trip itinerary through the southern reaches of France . As the premier fruit-growing region in France, the agricultural land of Provence is covered in orchards growing such things as apples, pears, figs and stone fruit. You’ll see these interspersed with olive groves the further south you travel.

The landscapes change considerably in these parts, from agricultural land, steep cliffs and sheer ravines falling away into turquoise waters below. The food develops a Mediterranean feel to it as the cities edge closer and closer to Italy .

This itinerary covers what we did on a two-week itinerary in the south of France. These are our tips to make the most of these regions’ offers and are meant as a guide to help your French road trip planning.

Auvergne Rhône-Alpes

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Separate regions before 2015 when the French administration merged many of the existing regions and departments, Auvergne brings the towns of the central-south whilst the Rhône-Alpes adds those from the south-eastern Alps area. Combined, it’s an area that is well known for outdoor adventures and sports, making the most of the mountainous landscapes.

In this region you’ll find the highly regarded area known collectively as Provence, influenced by the Mediterranean, home of many incredible national parks and outdoor adventure locations and the world-famous lavender fields. It is combined with the coastal areas that run along the French Riviera, brimming with visitors, celebrities and fancy cars, yachts and hotels.

Digne-les-Bains

Gorges du verdon, luberon valley.

• L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

• World-famous lavender fields of Provence
• Spectacular natural landscapes; gorges, national parks, mountains, thermal springs
• A blend of large cities, mid-sized towns and small villages
• Home to some of the “prettiest villages in France” – Les Plus Beaux Villages de France
• Regional food like ratatouille, bouillabaisse and tapenade and the wines of the Rhône along with many local fresh food markets plus the gastronomic city Lyon
• Medieval architecture

Make your road trip a breeze with some quick pre-planning.

• Motorhome hire  – We use and recommend Anywhere Campers . Read our  comprehensive review  here and if you are getting a quote, be sure to use our link here . Anywhere Campers are also the best for one-way motorhome hire in Europe.
• Car hire  – If you are planning on taking a road trip and staying in hotels, we use and recommend  Discover Rental Cars .
• Travel insurance  – We always recommend  travel insurance , especially so when on a road trip in a motorhome or a rental car.
• France road rules  – Take the anxiety out of your road trip in France with this simple guide to  driving in France . Be sure to read our comprehensive article on whether you need a crit air sticker to drive in France .

The regions of Auvergne Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur are perfect for a road trip. Apart from the major cities, public transport is not common, so having your own vehicle gives you freedom and flexibility. Having a motorhome, as we did for this journey, means you are fully self-contained. Hiring a car and staying in hotels is another option.

This itinerary, along with all others we write, is an example of areas that you can travel in France as a short journey. Many travellers, particularly those who may come from the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe, or retirees, often spend many months, even years travelling throughout this great country.

Others though, come from far away and often do not have the luxury of time. For these people, many from Australia and New Zealand, even South Africa, Canada and the USA, can only come for a few weeks at a time. Sometimes four weeks is the maximum they can get away.

We’ve done six and 12-week road trips through Europe, but this is not the norm for many. Our itineraries can be seen as building blocks. With a selection of short road trips, travellers with only a few weeks at their disposal can choose from our selection and just follow one of them. However, they can all be tacked together to turn a short trip into a much longer one.

For an extended road trip, this itinerary can be easily bolted onto our Burgundy itinerary.

More reading >> Looking to spend more time in the south of France? Start with this itinerary that takes in Burgundy first.

We are huge fans of using the France Passion network whenever we are in France. Throughout this itinerary, you can assume that we have stayed at one of these wonderful locations, usually sampling on local wines and fresh food, proudly made by the property owners. If we haven’t stayed in such a place, we will note the name of the campground we used.

There are over 250 France Passion locations in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes and 144 in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

You might also like to read >> Learn more about the France Passion network? Read our comprehensive article here

DEPARTMENT: Rhône REGION: Auvergne Rhône-Alpes

Lyon is one of France’s most significant cities and is universally known as being at the centre of all things food-related. From Michelin starred chefs to incredible food markets, its matched with a long and proud history.

Lyon is a beautiful town situated where the rivers Saône and Rhône join. Divided by the river, there is old Lyon and the new Lyon.  Both are very different, and if you are visiting, it’s the old town that you want to see.

You’ll need a lifetime to get to know Lyon well, but for those who don’t have that luxury, try to spend at least 48 hours in Lyon.

There is so much more to do in Lyon. These are some of the highlights.

Explore the streets of the old town (Vieux Lyon)

The best way to get to know Lyon is by putting on your best walking shoes and walking all over the old town. Up and down the lanes. In and out of tiny nooks that you’ll find, exploring the traboules.

Lyon has such beautiful architecture that you’ll be enthralled just with the everyday buildings as much as the most important, historical ones. Lyon’s wealth was made centuries ago on the silk trade.

Lyon was known to be a city of great wealth and there is no more splendid exhibition of this than in the Renaissance buildings. You can see many of these right in the heart of Vieux Lyon in the Saint-Jean, Saint-Georges and Saint-Paul districts.

Find and explore the traboules

Lyon is known for its traboules. Across the old town, a simple door can hide a secret passageway. Many of them run between several buildings, connecting them to streets, the river and other buildings.

These ancient thoroughfares were built to give the silk workers a path to the river, where the silk was transported to other locations.

If you know what you are looking for, you can identify the door by a bronze plaque that is placed nearby, usually providing you with some information about that particular traboule.

Some have open doors. Others have doors that are not. In this case, you need to know to press the button to open the door and let yourself in.

Residents of the buildings have an agreement with the local authorities to ensure the traboules always remain accessible. They must agree to keep the laneways clean and open to the public until 7 pm each night. In return, those who use the laneways must be respectful of the residents and their right to privacy and peace and quiet.

Each traboule is different. Some have exquisite balconies and others have unique pastel-coloured plasterwork. Gardens and courtyards can be a feature. Some are only within one building, whilst others run under four buildings panning an entire block.

It’s a unique way of getting to know a city.

La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière

Take the funicular up to the top of the hill that overlooks the old town of Lyon. Here you will find the Basilica Notre Dame de Fourvière, built in the latter part of the 1800s.

If you go inside, you’ll be rewarded with the opulence and wealth usually found inside these centuries-old European churches. The Museum of Sacred Art resides here as well.

If you make it here, don’t miss the opportunity to get a photo from the best seat in the house.

St Jean Cathedral and Place

Lyon’s oldest pedestrian square, St-Jean Place is always a hive of activity. The St-Jean Cathedral watches over it, an impressive, part Romanesque building has also been influenced by Gothic architecture, especially on the facade.

Chill out in Place Bellecour

The largest pedestrian square in Europe is home to cafes, restaurants, buskers and a throng of people daily. Here visitors mix with locals on a work commute or simply moving from place to place.

Eat Lyonnaise food

Foodie or not, you can’t come to Lyon without having some kind of food experience. Chefs the world over suggest that Lyon is the culinary capital of the world, partly because Chef Paul Bocuse, a name synonymous with food in France, lived here.

Lyonnaise food culture sits at the heart of everything here. From the incredible Les Halles permanent market to fine dining restaurants and the traditional Bouchon, finding good food won’t be difficult here.

Traditional Lyonnaise cuisine comes with a few different flavours and different foods, not eaten often in many parts of the world. Andouillette sausages made with intestines, boudin noir (blood sausages), kidneys, Lyonnaise saucisson, quenelles (fish dumplings ) are just a few of this city’s specialities.

Hop-on-Hop-off bus

Short on time? Have your ticket already purchased for the Hop-on-Hop-off bus and see all the main sights of Lyon.

Buy your Hop-on-Hop-off bus tickets

Lyon City Pass

We also recommend these passes if you are planning on being in Lyon for a few days. They include entry to all the major sights as well as public transport.

Buy your Lyon City Pass and avoid the queues

There is no shortage of hotels in Lyon . For those driving, if you are planning on staying in Lyon, we recommend staying at a campground. Free parking is not possible in Lyon and finding a street park where you can fit a larger vehicle in the city centre is difficult, if not impossible.

When in Lyon, we head straight to the campground and just take public transport into the city.

Camping des Barolles

Accessible for tents, caravans and motorhomes, there are bungalows here as well.

Open all year round, there is a small grocery store, bar, laundry and good bathroom facilities. Bread may be ordered for the following day and tickets for the buses and metro can also be purchased here.

The campground is approximately 7.5km outside Lyon (to the south-west) and access to the city is possible (and recommended) by bus. The journey will take about 30 minutes.

Location : 88 avenue Maréchal Foch 69230 Saint Genis Laval

Distance from Lyon to Gap – 214 km (132 miles). If you don’t want to drive the entire distance from Lyon to Gap, Grenoble is a larger city that sits at the halfway point between the two.

DEPARTMENT: Hautes-Alpes REGION: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

Gap is the next larger city as you leave Lyon to head further south through the Provence region. Gap is very close by the southern French Alps and as such, the mountains can be seen surrounding the city. It’s a city where the Mediterranean vibe is still highly visible, but you are left in no doubt that you are in the mountain country too.

Many of the things to do in Gap rely heavily on being in the outdoors, from hiking and walking to exploring the parklands.

In the city itself, visit the local markets if you can and take the time to explore the city streets. There are also several museums here.

Distance from Gap to Sisteron- 50.4 km (31.3 miles).

DEPARTMENT: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence REGION: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

It’s hard to know where to look as you approach Sisteron. Regardless of direction, your gaze will firstly be drawn to the citadel that sits on top of a seriously craggy mountain. The kind of mountains that define this area. In the shadows of the citadel is the village of Sisteron, their brightly coloured buildings pops of colour against the wall of mountain grey.

Cast your eyes down even further and you’ll be met with the turquoise waters of the Druance River.

Sisteron Citadel

The citadel is the main reason to visit Sisteron. The citadel has seen its fair share of change since it was first built in the 12th-century. Some of the original architecture still exists along with additions from more modern times.

During the second world war, it was used by the Germans as a prison. The French government, then based in Vichy, did the same. The citadel was also impacted by bombings during the same war.

Visit the village centre

Sisteron is an easy town to walk. Take your time to explore the town full of wonderful medieval buildings and winding laneways.

Before you leave, be sure to find the town clock and the Notre Dame des Pommiers Cathedral (Sisteron Cathedral)

Pénitents des Mées

Not far from Sisteron, (22km south), Les Mees is worth pulling off the road for. The small town, an agricultural area with fruit orchards and olives, has its own unique claim to fame.

Behind the town, 100 metre high rocks have created quite a sensation.

Known as the Pénitents des Mées, they are steeped in folklore in these parts. Said to represent the monks who were turned into stone when they fell in love with some local women, each rock is hooded as the monks held their heads in shame.

Distance from Sisteron to Digne-les-Bains – 38.7 km (24 miles).

We learned all about the dreaded French Mistral in Digne-les-Bains. As we jumped on our bikes, a must for any motorhome trip, the fierce, icy wind pushed at our backs.

The yellowish leaves of the plane trees shimmered almost silver as we were pushed about by it. We’d always been fortunate to miss this wicked wind that descends from the icy Alps and down into the Rhône Valley, onwards to the coast of the French Riviera. You certainly know you’re alive when this one blows into town.

Digne-les-Bains, or simply Digne, is known as a spa town in these parts. Nestled down between the convergence of three valleys, the mountains both protect it and provide a source of water.

Long associated with being a health resort, the waters coming from the mountains are said to have healing qualities.

Digne-les-Bains also provided the backdrop for the opening scenes in Victor Hugo’s Les Miserable.

Digne-les-Bains isn’t packed with well-known tourist attractions, but there is still enough to keep you occupied for a while.

Learn about lavender

The town sits at the heart of the lavender producing area of Provence, affectionately known as the lavender capital.

Lavender is celebrated each August with a month dedicated to the strong- smelling flower that covers fields all across Provence. The first weekend of August sees their love of lavender celebrated at the festival Corso de la Lavande.

Towards the end of the month, Foire de la Lavande is a fair where you can find any kind of lavender product possible.

Explore the historic town centre

It’s easy to ride bikes or walk around the town centre. It’s small and flat. Visit Saint-Jérôme cathedral and the Gassendi Museum. A former hospital from the 16th-century, the building alone is worth the visit. Inside there are exhibitions of all kinds; modern artwork, 16th to 19th-century paintings and taxidermy.

For some time out, visit the Cordeliers Botanical Garden.

Relax in the thermal waters

The hot springs that run nearby have long been touted as having medicinal and therapeutic qualities. So much so that people come to Digne-les-Bains specifically to bathe in the thermal waters.

Buy from the local market

Every Wednesday and Saturday, the Provençal market takes place in the main street, Boulevard Gassendi. The Marché bio & “Bienvenue à la ferme” market occurs every Tuesday and the smells from the rotisserie chicken, Toulouse saucisson and other delights being cooked in the square, linger down the road, calling out to everyone to come and visit.

We couldn’t resist buying a local cheese that had been matured in leaves. Wrapped in chestnut leaves, we had seen a story on this aged chèvre back home in Australia.

Distance from Digne-les-Bains to Castellane (Gorges du Verdon)- 53.9 km (33.5 miles)

From Castellane to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, the road of the Gorges du Verdon has you clinging to the edge for approximately 42 km. Winding through the mountains, sometimes even driving through them, it’s a ride that can be a little unsettling at times if you are a nervous passenger.

If you can get past the sheer drops that seem to appear out of nowhere beside your window, you’ll enjoy the stunning scenery that this area keeps on delivering at every turn.

Tip : If you are driving in a motorhome here, you’ll just need to be on your guard for drivers that don’t have as much respect for others as they should. Whether it be that they go too fast, or too close, a trip along the gorge usually comes with a smattering of close encounters and in a large vehicle, it can be a little trickier than a standard car.

Castellane, dominated by the enormous rock that sits over it, with a church perched right on the very top, is a lovely town to spend some time in. It’s also the starting point for many of the water sports like rafting.

Not far from Moustiers-Saint-Marie lies the largest artificial lake in France, Lac de Saint Croix.  It is spectacular, especially on a bright, sunny day. Its bright turquoise water, the result of the combination of glacial waters and rock minerals that are suspended in the water, shine even in the day time.

This area is home to adrenalin based sports, with rafting, rock climbing and some serious hiking trails. In summer, this area is packed full of people trying their hand at one of these pastimes.

Make a stop at Point Sublime. Here you can walk to the edge of the mountain to score a dramatic view of the mountains and the deep ravine that carries the water into Lac St Croix. It’s also the point at which many hikes start from.

Distance from Moustiers (Gorges du Verdon) – Manosque (eastern end of Luberon Valley) 52.5 km (32.6 miles) Distance from Manosque to Gordes – 62km (38.5 miles)

DEPARTMENT: Vaucluse & Alpes-de-Haute-Provence REGION: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

Spanning over 600 square kilometres, the Luberon Valley wraps up many of the things we love about France, all in one area. Throw a blanket over the top of the Luberon and you’ll pick up many glorious small towns.

As the hills of the valley rise up and down, small villages hug their highest points, spilling over the edge, making the landscape picture postcard perfect.

Other credentials lie in the fact that a number of them are also officially regarded as Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (the prettiest villages in France).

Once a sleepy area, the Luberon Valley was made eternally famous by author Peter Mayle and his love of Provence. His book, A Year in Provence kickstarted a love affair for visitors to this area.

These are some of our favourite towns but any drive through the valley will include so many more.

This town is all about the colours of red, yellow and orange. In the Luberon Valley where the green of the rolling hills and forest trees is usually the dominant colour, this town is a standout.

Roussillon is built on the largest ochre area in the world and its loudly on display here. Follow the Ochre Trail cut through the hills. There are trails marked out for a short 30-minute walk or an hour.

Roussillon is now a heritage-protected town and mining, once an industry here, is no longer possible.

Reminding us a lot of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie in the Lot Valley of France, Gordes has the pick of the locations in the Luberon. It comes into our view from a distance, the buildings seeming to cling onto the edge of the hill on which they are built. Once a rundown village in the 1960s, today it’s one of the most upmarket, with many global celebrities owning property here.

There is a terrific market here and an 11th-century castle. Kill two birds with one stone and go on Tuesday to see both. The markets are spread around the castle and neighbouring streets. Wandering the streets here is like being in a fairytale.

The villages surrounding Menerbes are home to many local artists. Menerbes has had its share of famous artists including Picasso. It’s not hard to find an art gallery here either.

Many of the historical buildings that are important in this town are now privately owned, but you can still visit Saint Hilaire Abbey and the Saint-Blaise Chapel.

Still, there are many signs of its former medieval past in the many buildings that line the cobbled streets and fortifications that once protected the town.

Don’t miss a visit to the incredible Maison de la Truffe et du Vin du Luberon (House of Truffles and Wine). Not only is it located in one of the most prestigious Renaissance-era buildings in the village, but inside it’s a world of wonderful food and wine.

Here you can enjoy a long and distinguished lunch, or take part in a wine tasting. If learning more about wine is your thing, then take a class or workshop. If you love French food , good luck escaping the shop without buying something for your road trip or to take home.

Some special locations give an an incredible view over the valley.

No visit to the Luberon is complete without strolling the cobbles of Lacoste. Starting at the bottom, work your way up the winding streets until you reach the top of the hill.

At the top of the hill sits the ruins of the Marquis de Sade’s château. Some of it was redeveloped by fashion designer Pierre Cardin, who now lives here. He also owns a sizeable portion of the village.

Cardin also uses this area for his art exhibitions like the one below.

Distance from Gordes to L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue – 18 km (11 miles)

L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

DEPARTMENT: Vaucluse REGION: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is known as the Venice of Provence, a term that is thrown around ubiquitously in France. Here, it refers to the small waterways that circumnavigate the small town, fed by the River Sorgue, and dotted with the waterwheels of a bygone era.

These wooden water wheels dated back to the early 1800s and were used to power mills and factories in this former industrial town. Silk and wool weaving factories also used the water source.

These days, the factories no longer reside here. Instead, L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a well-known player in the antique market. Large barns line the entrance to the town, but look closely and you will find many small dealers here too.

Each weekend, the town comes alive as the antique markets open up with more than 300 vendors selling their wares. Twice a year, at Easter and in August, the international antique fair brings in people from all over the world.

Église Notre-Dame-des-Anges

Antique Villages

L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is divided into “villages” of antiques. With over 300 antique dealers and many more sellers of second-hand goods and bric-a-brac, visitors come to this town specifically to buy. It is the largest location of antiques in France outside of Paris .

Sunday markets

With the town already bursting at the seams come the weekend the Sunday market pushes it into overflow. Vendors line Quai Jean Jaurès, the main street of town. It’s one of the most scenic spots you’ll encounter for a market, with the River Sorgue bubbling away alongside the road.

Here you’ll find many fresh food vendors. Fish, vegetables, fruit, pastries and fabulous French bread are intertwined with flea market oddities, handmade soaps and straw shopping baskets. The market also spreads into the streets behind and in front of the cathedral.

During the first week of August each year, the river plays a different role, hosting the floating market.

In the main waterways of the town, you will see many flat-bottomed boats, not dissimilar to the punts you might have seen in the United Kingdom . The Nego Chin has been purposely designed to be able to manoeuvre in areas of shallow water. They have historically been used for hunting and fishing.

In town, you can catch a ride on one to take you from one part of town, or one side of the river, to another. Alternatively, watch for fishermen giving displays during the weekend, the floating market or various festivals and races that occur during the year.

Partage des Eaux

Located about 1.5 km from the centre of L’isle -sur-la-Sorgue is the Partage des Eaux, a large area of water with a leafy green backdrop of plane trees. The same trees are prolific throughout the town also. It is here that the River Sorgue is divided into two sections running in different directions.

It is said that the Sorgue maintains a constant temperature of 13° Celsius, making it a hive of activity during the hot summer months. Even on the hottest day, 13° is way too cold for me.

Fontaine de Vaucluse

8.6km along the D24 takes you to Fontaine de Vaucluse and the commencement of the River Sorgue. This tiny town, seemingly hidden away, with a population of around 600, sees visitors thronging to it each summer.

The emerald green waters that originate from the rainwater and melted snow from surrounding mountains swirl around this town, creating a feeling of peace and tranquillity. Fontaine de Vaucluse is the only location where this underground network of rivers come to the surface and can be seen.

This area, where visitors walk and swim, is flanked by the plane trees that sway in the breeze overhead. It’s a beautiful place to come to chill out, particularly when the weather is warm.

The water source here is one of the most powerful in the country, with over 630 million cubic metres making its way to other areas each year.

It’s a little bit touristic here with souvenir shops lining the pathway down to the waterhole, but that’s not a reason not to visit. It’s truly a beautiful town.

Bishops of Cavaillon castle

On a rocky outcrop perched above the village, the Bishops of Cavaillon castle, also known as Château des Evêques de Cavaillon can be seen. Built in the 12th-century they are now ruins.

To visit the ruins and to get an incredible view of the area, take the stairs near the Museum and Library Petrarca. The stairs do turn into a rather steep, unsurfaced pathway so it is not recommended for visitors who require more accessible walking tracks.

The Galas Aqueduct Bridge

We love aqueducts, so you can imagine our delight at seeing one in this region. The Galas Aqueduct was constructed as part of the Carpentras Canal, built in 1853 as part of the irrigation infrastructure for the area, drawing its water from the Durance River.

Distance from L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue to Avignon – 32.4 km (20 miles).

Avignon is one of those French towns that you can just keep coming back to. It’s easy to get to it and simple to navigate. Personally, I also think Avignon receives a bit of a raw deal from many who seem keen to miss it altogether, or to think of it as more of a base for trips to other parts of Provence.

The attraction for us starts at its walls. Once a completely walled city, its ramparts are still highly visible, wrapping this beautiful city in its arms.

During the 14th-century, Avignon became the home of the Popes, who resided here outside Rome until the late 1370s. Much of the city is dedicated to and celebrates this history.

Pont Saint-Bénézet

Commonly known as the Pont D’Avignon, this bridge was once the only place that the Rhône River could be crossed. It was also part of the path the pilgrims travelled from Italy through to France.

Originally spanning almost 1200 metres long, the bridge, finished in 1185 had 22 arches. But, it had its share of drama. The bridge was heavily damaged during a siege in 1226, leaving only a small portion of it remaining. Surprisingly, the chapel on the bridge remained intact and locals later rebuilt the bridge.

The bridge was destroyed once again in the early 1600s when floods and constant water pressure wiped out some of the arches. Today only four arches and the Chapel of Saint Nicholas remain.

For a different perspective, go across the river to the park L’ile De Barthelasse. Alternatively, for a higher view, head up to the Rocher des Doms in the centre of the city.

Need to know: Tickets must be purchased to gain access to the bridge and chapel. Buy a ticket to both the bridge and the Palais des Papes to secure a discount. Access to the bridge is available for visitors with disabilities.

Palais des Papes

The Pope’s Palace commands your attention once inside the walls. It should also command your presence inside. As the largest Gothic palace constructed in medieval times, it’s a brilliant place to visit to get an understanding of the influence the Catholic Popes had on this city and its surrounds.

Not being a massive fan of museums and organised tours, here you can do it independently and interact with many of the rooms, features and exhibits with the aid of technology.

Town Square

Whether it’s taking a stroll across the cobbled square, people watching or having a coffee, take some time just to get involved in what is going on. It’s a hive of activity with locals and visitors blending here in the rich mosaic of daily life.

L’ile De Barthelasse

Many years ago, we stayed overnight in our motorhome at a great campground on this small island in the middle of the Rhône.

Pedestrian and vehicle access is possible via the Pont Édouard Daladier. There is also a free river ferry that goes back and forth across the river. Catch the ferry at Quai Joël Bameule, near the Pont D’Avignon.

Visit the Manguin Distillery to try some eau-de-vie (essential for making Cognac ) and regional favourite pastis.

Explore the streets within the walls

Avignon is perfect for just taking your time and meandering through the cobbled streets that project out from the main town square. You can’t get lost in Avignon so make the most of a few hours to explore. The inner parts are also pedestrianised, making for a safe and hassle-free place to walk.

Note : When the river cruises are operating, Avignon, as one of the major ports on these journeys, can become quite crowded as guests try to make the most of their few hours onshore.

Climb to the top of Rocher des Doms

With plentiful trees and places to sit on the grassy hill, enjoy a picnic with fresh food you can buy at the local Les Halles market. Grab a bottle of champagne and take in the view, or simply watch the animal life hop in and around the fountains.

Enjoy a light meal or drink at the cafe and watch the world go by. As the highest point in Avignon, it’s also the best spot for a view across the river, towards Villeneuve-lès-Avignon or to Mont Ventoux in the north-east.

There are several options for access to the gardens. Walk up the steps near the cathedral, the Sainte-Anne steps or from the river.

Visit the Les Halles market

One of our favourites in France, this food market follows a typically French architecture style, used in many of its markets. Industrial looking, it permanently houses the best fresh produce and food vendors in the region.

You’ll find plenty of things to buy here for your picnic by the river or in the Rocher des Doms. Or, if you’re like us on a road trip, stock up the onboard fridge for our eating pleasure.

If you are looking for a bite to eat, there are many places within the market where you can eat and drink.

Museums of Avignon

The Musée du Petit Palais has a collection of medieval art, whilst the Musée Angladon will keep you enthralled with archaeological exhibits and the work of Picasso, Cézanne and Van Gogh.

Even better, many of the museums in the city are free.

For those who want some extra information and assistance during a visit to Avignon, we can recommend the following tours.

3-hour walking tour of Avignon

• View Avignon from the top of a medieval rampart
• Visit the Pope’s Palace (includes express entry)
• Visit Place de l’Horlage, town clock and theatre
• Wine tasting upon completion

Check your dates for availability and book online

Full and half-day tours from Avignon

Depending on your timing and where you are staying, there are many excellent full day and half-day tours that start (and end) in Avignon.

Explore the tours available from Avignon

Distance from Avignon t o Châteauneuf-du-Pape – 17.5 km (10.8 miles).

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a small village in the centre of a vast wine-growing region. Here over 300 winegrowers produce wine that is grown in unusual terroir. Around 13 different grape varieties are grown here, kept warm at night by the rocks underneath that have soaked up the warmth of the Provence sunshine during the day.

The village itself is beautiful. Its size makes walking around very easy. Park your car and get out and walk in the streets, visiting the numerous cave à vin (wine houses) you’ll find. Most of them offer wine tastings and will be happy to talk to you about their own varieties.

If you don’t have time to visit them individually, try Vinadea . Located in the centre of town, you can select from a vast range of local wines.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Castle

Built for Pope John XXII, this castle is a shell of what it would have been when built in the early 1300s. The majority of the castle was destroyed, like many significant buildings in France, during World War Two.

Visit here to walk around the ruins and get a spectacular view of the valley below.

Private Guided Walking Tour

• Guided tour through village
• Visit castle ruins
• Walk through the vineyards learning from the producers, wine tasting
• Take your own picnic lunch for a special picnic in the vineyard
• Note: Approximately 7 km of walking on uneven terrain
• Pickup from hotel in Avignon

Check availability and book online

Distance from Châteauneuf-du-Pape to Mont Ventoux- 60.4 km (37.5 miles).

Mont Ventoux can be added into any part of your trip once you get down into the Luberon area. You can deviate from the Luberon itself, make a day trip from L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue, or venture east on your return back to Lyon. If you have the time and enjoy the driving, fit in a visit to the highest mountain in Provence.

At 1912 metres above sea level, on a good day, Mont Ventoux offers one of the best views across the region. It’s also a great drive with views possible along the way.

The roads leading to the summit are excellent, but you will need to be mindful of cyclists. Crazy as you might think they are, there is no better achievement for many bike aficionados than to reach the top under pedal power.

Often part of the Tour de France course, hardcore cyclists, many either emanating their tour de France heroes or wanting to be one, use Mont Ventoux as a training ride.

As I watch them from the comfort of my comfy motorhome, I take my hat off to them. What incredible stamina.

As the road takes you higher, the pine forest trees thin out and the landscape becomes more barren, not unlike some of the scenery I’ve seen in Iceland . There is less vegetation as the limestone rock face shows itself. I can totally imagine this mountain top being covered in snow.

We couldn’t believe the number of people at the top. It was so lively. I guess if you’d cycled 1912m you’d have plenty to celebrate.

There is a great sweet shop up here and a few other market stalls. There’s also a cafe where you can grab a coffee, or in our case, a tasty cold beer to sit back and enjoy the view.

Note : You can also do a trip to Mont Ventoux from L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue

Distance from Mont Ventoux to Valence – 158 km (98 miles).

DEPARTMENT: Drôme REGION: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Valence is a small city which depending on your timing can be a longer stop or merely a stopover point before making your way back to Lyon.

Distance from Mont Ventoux to Valence – 104 km (64.6 miles).

Notwithstanding additional driving to and from other locations, the total distance for this itinerary is approximately 900 km (560 miles). The distances from Lyon to Gap and Valence to Lyon are the largest. All other stops in between require relatively short driving times.

If you drive fast and don’t spend much time in these towns, this trip is easy in seven days or less. We recommend spending at least 10-14 days in this area to do it justice.

Take it slowly. These regions are some of the most beautiful in France and you should take the time to savour it. Stop on the side of the road to pick an apple from a wild tree, or pick some lavender growing on the kerbside. Stop in at the small villages, spend your money locally, and see everything these areas have on offer.

Unless you are in a hurry, stay off the toll roads and take the D roads.

The BAC level in France is 0.05. Don’t drink and drive.

English is spoken in all the big cities but less so in the small village. Try your hand at speaking some French, or use a  phrasebook  if necessary.

People who haven’t driven motorhomes will always say you can’t drive them in these regions. If that were the case, no one would ever drive one anywhere in France. Whilst smaller rental cars make things easy, if you are driving large motorhomes, just park them on the outskirts of the larger towns.  We recommend having bikes or e-bikes to get around on.

Make sure whatever vehicle you are driving has a sound GPS system, or you have data access for your phone (maps), or offline maps downloaded. Or you can go old school and have driving maps .

More reading : Here’s our guide to driving tips in France .

Winter is perfect for skiing and outdoor winter sports in the alps regions. It’s also a much quieter time, with fewer visitors. This means accommodation will be less expensive, queues will be shorter and you’ll get more places to yourselves more often. On the flip side, the weather isn’t as good as it is in summer or the shoulder months, some places will be closed and campsites might not be open.

We’ve always travelled here in Spring. It’s still t-shirts and shorts weather, but towards the end, there’s a crispness in the air. Beware the Mistral though. It loves to blow in Spring. There are fewer people than in summer, but everything is still open and able to be accessed. The shoulder season of Autumn is similar.

Summer is the premier time to visit, but it comes with some downsides. The weather is brilliant, Mediterranean style with the sun shining most days, although the heat can be stifling and thunderstorms are possible. August is when the French take their annual holidays so this adds to the hordes of visitors making their way to the south of France.

Everything is more crowded, more expensive and booking in advance is necessary for many areas to avoid disappointment or issues.

Join our Facebook community “Planning for motorhome travel in France” Click HERE

You might like to check out these itineraries. Click on the links below for more information.

• Travelling through the Loire Valley along the canals
• Canal du Midi motorhome itinerary
• 10 days (or so) in Occitanie region of France
• 20 days in south-west France  +  France Passion stopovers in south-west France
• Lot River and Lot Valley itinerary
• Following the Tour de France in a motorhome
• 10-day itinerary Burgundy France
• Itinerary through Rhone-Alps and Provence
• Travelling through Europe in a campervan – a 42-day itinerary

Click on the links below for more guides and tips to make travelling in a motorhome easier.

• Must-ask questions before hiring a motorhome in France
• Tips for planning a European motorhome itinerary
• What’s inside a campervan?
• Things to pack to make your motorhome life a breeze
• Tips for picking up a hired motorhome
• Tips for motorhome safety
• Comprehensive packing guide for motorhome road trips
• Do I need a crit air sticker for driving in France?

About The Author

Kerri McConnel

A former corporate business executive, Kerri is the content creator for Beer and Croissants, a trusted source of detailed guides on motorhome travel, road trip itineraries, and destinations.

Together with Stirling, they are motorhome experts, having independently road-tripped their way across much of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand since 1995. Back home in Australia, they own their own motorhome and can always be found on a regional road trips, taking in towns that often no one has heard of.

They are responsible travellers; long, slow trips in motorhomes, spending time in small regional communities where the tourists usually don't wander, and spending money in their small economies. And where possible, they travel in shoulder and off seasons, so they don't add to the tourist rush.

As an Honorary Barge Lady for Barge Lady Cruises and a regular on European Waterways vessels, Kerri is also an expert on luxury barge travel in Europe, having completed five barge cruises in France and Scotland.

Kerri is a Digital Travel Publisher Member and former board member and treasurer of the Australian Society of Travel Writers (2020-2023).

Everything written and produced on this site is our own work. there's no AI and if we've written about it, you can trust we've been there, done that!

Read more about Kerri here

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2024 Tour de France begins June 29 and includes historic firsts. Everything to know

The Paris Olympics and Paralympics will not be the only prestigious international sporting event held in France this summer. 

The Tour de France, the preeminent event on the men’s cycling calendar, will return for its 111th edition from June 29 to July 21. During the three-week ride, 176 cyclists, representing 22 teams of eight, will complete 21 stages across hilly, flat and mountainous terrain. The course includes a grueling 52,230 meters (over 170,000 feet) of elevation gain and is 3,492 kilometers (2,170 miles) long. The taxing schedule includes only two rest days. 

This year’s race will start in Florence, Italy, and conclude at the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France. It will be the first time the finish line is not in or near Paris because the city will be hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games. And the first time since 1975 the race will not finish on the Champs-Élysées.

The final stage will also break from tradition as it will be one of two time trial stages, which means the leader could be determined in the final leg. The last time the Tour de France ended with a time trial was in 1989.

In addition to Italy and France, the route passes through San Marino and Monaco. The route is famous for its picturesque scenery, from quaint rural villages to the towering Alps. 

Each stage is timed, and the rider with the lowest cumulative time across all stages wins the acclaimed maillot jaune, or yellow jersey, to signify the general classification winner. Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard, 27, hopes to seek a coveted three-peat but is still working his way back from a serious crash that hospitalized him for 12 days in April. If he does race, he will face fierce competition from a talented field that includes 2020 and 2021 winner Tadej Pogača of Slovenia.

Separate awards are also given to the best sprinter, climber and young cyclist. 

Sepp Kuss, who finished as the top American in 12th place at last year’s Tour de France, is also set to return. Like last year, he will race on the same team as Vingegaard. 

How to watch the 2024 Tour de France live

All stages of the Tour de France, as well as pre- and post-race coverage, will be available to stream live on Peacock. USA Network will also stream some of the stages. 

NBC will simultaneously broadcast select stages of the event. 

Stage 1 will begin June 29 at 6 a.m. ET. The rest of the stages typically start between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. ET. 

Full Schedule:

From Florence to the Beaches of Nice: How to Watch the 2024 Tour de France

This year’s edition starts in Italy and features one of the toughest opening stages ever, a 206-kilometer ride from Florence to Rimini taking riders through the heart of the Apennine mountains.

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How to Watch the Tour de France in the U.S.

How to watch the tour de france in canada, what happened last year, riders to watch, tour de france history.

The Tour de France was first raced in 1903 when journalist (and former bike racer) Henri Desgrange organized the event to promote L’Auto-Vélo, a French sporting newspaper that he edited–and is known today as L’Equipe. The newspaper was actually printed on yellow paper, which fuels one of the narratives surrounding the origins of the maillot jaune . That year’s Tour covered 2,428 km (1,509 mi) spread over just six stages–the average stage length was about 405 km (251 mi)–and only 21 of the original 60 starters finished the inaugural event.

Despite the low number of finishers, the event was an overwhelming success, and the Tour has since become one of the largest sporting events in the world, an event for which teams with multi-million dollar budgets spend years trying to win. For the riders, just a single stage win or day in the yellow jersey is a career-defining achievement. Riders who win the overall title–even just once–go down in history.

This year’s race covers 3,492 km (2,165 mi) spread over 21 stages, with eight days for the sprinters, two individual time trials, seven mountain stages, and about four stages for the punchy opportunists who head up the road in search of “do-or-die” breakaway stage victories–we love those guys.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 Tour de France:

The route of the 2024 Tour de France is unlike any we’ve ever seen, mainly because it’s bookended by two of the biggest “firsts” in the event’s 110-year history: it’s the first to begin in Italy and the first to end outside of Paris (in Nice).

The Tour begins in Florence on Saturday, June 29th, the first of three-and-a-half stages in Italy. And we’re expecting fireworks right away: Stages 1 and 2 are two of the toughest opening stages we’ve ever seen, even harder than the opening stages of last year’s Tour, which took place in the hilly Basque region of northern Spain.

After a day for the sprinters on Stage 3, Stage 4 begins in Pinerolo and brings the race back into France via the 2,642m Col du Galibier. The second-highest climb in this year’s race, the first rider to the summit will win a cash prize given each year in honor of Degrange. By the end of one of the earliest mountain stages in Tour history, the GC battle will be in full swing.

The sprinters will then get two more chances as the race heads north. But the GC battle will resume on Friday, July 5th, with Stage 7, the first of two individual time trials in this year’s Tour. The first week ends with Sunday’s Stage 9, an exciting stage featuring 14 sections of white gravel roads through France’s Champagne region. This will be the first gravel stage in the history of the men’s Tour de France–the women completed a gravel stage of their own through the region in 2022.

After the Tour’s first Rest Day, the race resumes on Tuesday, July 9th, and begins a southwesterly trip–through the Massif Central, which hosts a rugged finish to Stage 11–toward the Pyrenees. Along the way, the sprinters will have a few more opportunities to win a stage before the high mountains return over the weekend.

And they return in a big way, with back-to-back hors categorie (“beyond category”) summit finishes in the mountains that form the border between France and Spain. Saturday’s Stage 12 takes the riders over the Tourmalet–which Desgrange first thought was too hard for the Tour de France–and ends with a finish at the Pla d'Adet ski resort, while Sunday’s Stage 13 ends on the Plateau de Beille–after almost 198km of racing.

As if the mountains aren’t enough cause for excitement, it’s also a holiday weekend: Sunday is Bastille Day–July 14th–so expect the roads on both days to be packed with “festive” fans. By the end of the day, the list of riders capable of winning the 2024 Tour de France will be much shorter than it was a week prior.

The Tour’s third and final week takes the race back east, where an Alpine finale looms. In all, the riders will spend four days in the mountains during the third week, first in the high Alps–with summit finishes at the end of Stage 17 ( at Superdévoluy) and Stage 19 (at Isola 2000). And don’t snooze on Thursday’s Stage 18, a saw-toothed stage from Gap to Barcelonnette that’s filled with short, jagged climbs and could be the perfect place for an ambush–or a Hail Mary–before the final weekend.

But this year’s final weekend is not what we’ve come to expect from Tours of the past. With the Summer Olympics beginning in Paris just five days after the end of the race, this year’s Tour skips its traditional finish on the Champs Elysees and instead finishes in Nice–after the hardest final weekend we’ve seen in decades.

The weekend opens on Saturday, July 20th, with Stage 20, a short but intense stage through the maritime Alps featuring four categorized ascents, including a summit finish on the Category 1 Col de la Couillole.

And just in case that doesn’t settle things, Sunday’s Stage 21 certainly will, as–for the first time in 35 years–the Tour de France ends with an individual time trial. And it’s a hard one: a 33.7 km race against the clock that takes the riders over the Col d'Èze, a tough Category 2 ascent that always features in the final stage of March’s Paris-Nice, an 8-day stage race that Tour contenders often use to build form during the first part of their seasons.

This might bode well for American fans–for two reasons. First, the last time the Tour de France ended with an individual time trial, American Greg Lemond defeated France’s Laurent Fignon–who entered the day wearing the yellow jersey–to win the Tour by eight seconds.

And this year’s winner of Paris-Nice–which finished with a stage over the Col d'Èze–was American Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike), a 24-year-old from Idaho who took the yellow jersey on that final stage. Jorgenson will be lining up at this year’s Tour; could history repeat itself? We can’t wait to find out.

When it comes to watching the Tour de France, you’ve got lots of options. NBC’s Peacock ($5.99/month or $59.99/year) streams all events organized by A.S.O., which means you can watch the Tour de France now and then the Tour de France Femmes in August. (And if you’re looking for ad-free coverage, you’ll need a subscription to Peacock Premium Plus, which runs $11.99 per month or $119.99 for the year.)

The Peacock app is available on Roku, Apple devices, Android and AndroidTV devices, Google platforms, Chromecast, Xbox consoles, PlayStation 4 and 5 consoles, VIZIO SmartCast TVs, and LG Smart TVs. You can also watch online via the Peacock website.

If you have a good cable package and prefer conventional viewing on your television, you’re in luck: NBC will offer the race to cable subscribers via the USA Network and CNBC. Live coverage often starts around 7 a.m. EDT, so 9-to-5ers will likely need to record each stage and watch later. (Check the full schedule for details.)

If you’re in Canada, FloBikes ($29.99/month CDN) is the best way to watch the Tour de France. All 21 stages are available live and on-demand on FloBikes.com, the FloSports iOS app, and the FloSports app for Amazon FireTV, Roku, and Apple TV.

Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) won the 2023 Tour de France, defeating Slovenia’s Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) to defend his title from 2022. The two champions engaged in a tense battle during the first two weeks of the race and entered the second Rest Day separated by just ten seconds on the Tour’s General Classification.

But Vingegaard exploded at the start of the third week, crushing Pogačar in an individual time trial on Stage 16 and then dropping him in the Alps on Stage 17. In just two stages, the Dane’s lead went from ten seconds to more than seven minutes. Pogačar saved face by winning Stage 20, but for the second year in a row, the winner of back-to-back Tours in 2020 and 2021 was forced to settle for second place–and the white jersey as the Tour’s Best Young Rider. Pogačar’s teammate, Great Britain’s Adam Yates–won Stage 1 and wore the Tour’s first yellow jersey–finished third overall.

Belgium’s Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) was without question the Tour’s best sprinter. The Belgian won four stages and ran away with the green jersey as the winner of the Tour’s Points Classification. Italy’s Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) won the polka dot jersey as the Tour’s King of the Mountains.

Jonas Vingegaard-Hansen (Visma-Lease a Bike)

At this point in time, we’re waiting to hear if Vingegaard will even be starting this year’s Tour de France. The defending champion was one of several Tour favorites taken down in a massive crash at the Tour of the Basque Country in early April. The Dane spent twelve days in the hospital after breaking several bones and suffering a punctured lung in the fall and only resumed training a few weeks ago. Visma-Lease a Bike recently said he has a 50-50 chance of starting the race, but only will do so if the team feels he’s 100% ready to challenge for a third consecutive victory.

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates)

The uncertainty surrounding Vingegaard’s participation makes Pogačar the top favorite. The Slovenian won back-to-back Tours in 2020 and 2021 and scored back-to-back second-place finishes behind the Dane in 2022 and 2023. He’s been training since winning six stages and the General Classification at the recent Giro d’Italia and looks on track to become the first rider since Italy’s Marco Pantani (in 1998) to win the Giro-Tour double.

Primož Roglič (BORA-hansgrohe) and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal–Quick-Step)

Vingegaard wasn’t the only Tour contender who went down in that terrible crash at the Tour of the Basque Country: Slovenia’s Primož Roglič–who was leading the race at the time–and Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel were victims as well, and both riders immediately abandoned the race. Roglič injured his knee–but suffered no major injuries–but Evenepoel needed surgery after breaking his clavicle and scapula.

Unlike Vingegaard, both riders were able to get back to training relatively quickly, and they both competed at the recent Critérium du Dauphiné . Roglič won two stages and the General Classification despite almost cracking at the end of the final stage. Evenepoel won the Dauphiné’s only individual time trial, but showed he still has some room to improve after fading in the mountains. He finished the race in seventh place overall.

Carlos Rodríguez (INEOS Grenadiers)

Rodríguez, who won a stage and finished fifth in last year’s Tour de France, won the final stage and finished fourth overall at the Dauphiné, the latest in a series of high-stage race finishes for the 23-year-old. He’ll likely be joining Colombia’s Egan Bernal (who won the Tour in 2019) and Great Britain’s Geraint Thomas (Who won the Tour in 2018) on the starting line in Florence to form one of the deepest eight-rider line-ups in this year’s race.

Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike)

If Vingegaard proves unable to start the Tour, don’t be surprised if Visma-Lease a Bike turns to Matteo Jorgenson to lead the team in his place. After winning Paris-Nice and Dwars door Vlaanderen in March, the American spent much of April and all of May at training camps, building form for the summer.

Well, it must’ve worked, as the 24-year-old nearly snatched the Dauphiné from Roglič after riding away with Rodríguez at the end of the final day. In the end, he lost the race by only eight seconds–another interesting coincidence given Lemond’s margin of victory at the Tour in 1989.

The American has never captained a team at the Tour de France, but he raced the French grand tour in 2022 and 2023–so he at least knows what the Tour’s pressure-cooker atmosphere feels like. And he should benefit from the presence of his teammate Sepp Kuss , the American who shockingly won last year’s Vuelta a España and played a pivotal role in each of the six grand Tours won by the team prior to his own victory at the Vuelta last September.

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Pidcock to Race Crans-Montana XCO Ahead of Tour

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Van der Poel Opts Out of Olympic Mountain Biking

Justin Timberlake breaks his silence at tour stop: ‘It’s been a tough week’

June 23, 2024, 1:02 PM

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▶ Watch Video: Justin Timberlake arrested on DWI-related charges in New York

Just days after his arrest for allegedly driving while intoxicated , Justin Timberlake took the stage for the first of two concerts in Chicago.

Between songs on Friday, he appeared to address the Sag Harbor arrest. Social media videos from the event show him addressing the audience.

“We’ve been together through ups and downs, lefts and rights. It’s been a tough week, but you’re here, and I’m here,” he said, before bowing to cheering fans.

“I know I’m hard to love sometimes but you keep loving me right back,” Timberlake added.

Timberlake was arrested on Tuesday in Sag Harbor, Long Island. The singer was stopped at 12:37 a.m. local time after he allegedly drove through a stop sign, according to court documents reviewed by CBS News. Timberlake also allegedly failed to keep to the right side of the road, according to court documents.

Timberlake allegedly told police that he had “one martini” and was following friends home, but the officer who pulled him over said that the singer was “in an intoxicated condition,” with “bloodshot and glassy” eyes, and a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath.” He also allegedly “performed poorly on all standard field sobriety tests.” Documents reveal that Timberlake refused three breath tests.

Timberlake was arrested and his mug shot was taken. Timberlake was arraigned on Tuesday morning and released on his recognizance. He will make a virtual appearance in court again on July 26, officials said.

The Chicago concerts are his first public appearances since the arrest. The stops are part of his Forget Tomorrow World Tour, his first major tour in five years. He will play a second concert on Saturday night.

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These are all the stages awaiting Tom Pidcock at the Tour de France

Part of this story

Tom Pidcock

Tom pidcock is a talented multi-threat of a cyclist, equally at home on a mountain bike as he is on the road or a cyclo-cross circuit..

Wout Van Aert

A winner of uci cyclocross world cup series title in 2021, belgian rider wout van aert also is also a regular stage winner on the tour de france..

• 1 A start on the other side of the Alps
• 2 Back to France
• 3 Heading for Western France
• 4 In the heart of the Pyrenees
• 5 The home stretch

The official route of the Tour de France 2024

© Tour de France

A start on the other side of the Alps

• Stage 1: Saturday, June 29 - Florence to Rimini - 206km - Accidental
• Stage 2: Sunday, June 30 - Cesenatico to Bologna - 199km - Accidental
• Stage 3: Monday, July 1 - Piacenza to Turin - 230km - Flat
• Stage 4: Tuesday, July 2 - Pinerolo to Valloire - 140km - Mountain

Tom Pidcock is parking his mountain bike to race the Tour de France

© Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool

Back to France

• Stage 5: Wednesday, July 3 - Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Saint-Vulbas - 177km - Flat
• Stage 6: Thursday, July 4 - From Mâcon to Dijon - 163km - Flat
• Stage 7: Friday, July 5 - Nuits-Saint-Georges to Gevrey-Chambertin - 25km - Time trial
• Stage 8: Saturday, July 6 - Semur-en-Auxois to Colombey-Les-Deux-Églises - 183km - Flat
• Stage 9: Sunday, July 7 - From Troyes to Troyes - 199km - Accidental

Discover the Red Bull Junior Brothers program

Want to become a Red Bull Junior Brother? Here's what …

What is red bull junior brothers, wondering what red bull junior brothers is all about find out more about the pro cycling program here., red bull junior brothers, red bull junior brothers aims to build the next generation of road cycling professionals., heading for western france.

• Stage 10: Tuesday, July 9 - Orléans to Saint-Amand-Montrond - 187km - Flat
• Stage 11: Wednesday, July 10 - Évaux-Les-Bains to Le Lioran - 211km - Mountain
• Stage 12: Thursday, July 11 - Aurillac to Villeneuve-Sur-Lot - 204km - Flat
• Stage 13: Friday, July 12 - Agen to Pau - 165km - Flat

Wout van Aert on Stage 9 of the 2023 Tour de France

© Kristof Ramon/Red Bull Content Pool

In the heart of the Pyrenees

• Stage 14: Saturday, July 13 - From Pau to Saint-Lary-Soulan - 152km - Mountain
• Stage 15: Sunday, July 14 - Loudenvielle to Plateau de Beille - 198km - Mountain

Who will come out top at the 2024 Tour?

The home stretch

• Stage 16: Tuesday, July 16 - Gruissan to Nîmes - 189km - Flat
• Stage 17: Wednesday, July 17 - From Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux - 178km - Mountain
• Stage 18: Thursday, July 18 - From Gap to Barcelonnette - 180km - Accidental
• Stage 19: Friday, July 19 - Embrun to Isola 2000 - 145km - Mountain
• Stage 20: Saturday, July 20 - Nice to Col de la Couillole - 133km - Mountain
• Stage 21: Sunday, July 21 - Monaco to Nice - 33km - Time trial

Sprinters forced into somewhat different preparation due to challenging start Tour de France

L ast week saw a new edition of the Tour de Suisse in the Alps, attracting many climbers due to the numerous elevation gains that were on the menu almost every day. However, a closer look at the participants list also revealed several sprinters. Why?

Bryan Coquard, representing Cofidis, won the first stage, beating Michael Matthews of Jayco AlUla. Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Dstny) was also in contention that day, though a chain issue hindered his chances for victory. Yet, none of them can be truly defined as pure sprinters.

We also noted the presence of Pascal Ackermann and his lead-out Michael Schwarzmann for Israel-Premier Tech, Arkéa - B&B Hotels’ hopeful Arnaud Démare, BORA-hansgrohe’s Jordi Meeus, and the full sprint train of Astana Qazaqstan Team for Mark Cavendish, including Michael Morkov and Cees Bol. And let's not forget Marijn van den Berg (EF) and Axel Laurance ( Alpecin-Deceuninck), both capable climbers who might ride the Tour.

We asked Bol about their participation. "Training is why we are here. It’s not difficult. It’s nice to race in the final, but that’s not possible for us here. The first day there was a chance, but it didn’t work out. Overall, we know why we are here," said the Dutchman.

Continue reading below the photo.

Cavendish is aiming for his 35th stage win in July, but the days when there were four sprint opportunities in the first week are over. "The Tour starts off very tough again, so it’s just good to start with strong climbing legs. We need to be ready, and it’s looking good so far," Bol explained, noting that his sprinter Cavendish handled the mountains well.

"We got through it relatively well," Cavendish himself said. "Of course, it was never going to be a race full of stage wins for me and my sprint group, but I’m pleased with how we and the sprinter’s group performed. We did well on a tough course, and it’s good preparation for the Tour de France. I’m very happy with it."

Good climbing and race rhythm are crucial for sprinters heading into the Tour

Bol also managed to climb well, as he explained. "The form is there. We had a good altitude camp. It’s hard to really measure form in Switzerland, but I feel good. We still have some days — and the Dutch National Championships — to do some specific work. I have ambitions for the Nationals, but it’s always a tough race. There are a few big teams at the start, so the responsibility will lie with them. Then comes the Tour, with me, Mark and Michael as a clear group. Is there extra pressure? The Tour is always exciting," Bol said confidently.

Van den Berg also rode the Swiss race mainly to fine-tune for the Tour. "I’m closing the Tour de Suisse on a positive note. It was about working on my form. I had some bad luck on the first day, which was unfortunate. After that, I turned it into a good training session, so that’s great."

Some other sprinters chose different paths: Gerben Thijssen (Intermarché-Wanty), Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Fabio Jakobsen (DSM-Firmenich PostNL) competed in the Baloise Belgium Tour, while Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) and Sam Bennett (Decathlon AG2R) chose the Critérium du Dauphiné. Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco AlUla) and Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain Victorious) opted for the Tour of Slovenia. Essentially, no sprinters are heading to France unprepared, unless we count Wout van Aert in that category.

Jakobsen trained in Spain, Philipsen in Tenerife and La Plagne

Like Cavendish, Jakobsen focused on endurance leading up to the Tour. "Literally more cycling and more focus on going from A to B, so I have more left in the final kilometers," he described his training in Spain. "We shouldn’t just focus on those last ten, fifteen or thirty seconds because a race is ultimately four or five hours plus a sprint. It’s a matter of fine-tuning. You don’t suddenly go from two to six hours. It’s in the details."

At Alpecin-Deceuninck (Philipsen), they chose the same path as for the successful 2023 season. "We basically followed the same approach as last year," said the Belgian. "I first trained in Tenerife, where I completed the necessary altitude meters, and then we went to La Plagne for an altitude camp with the team."

"From there, we actually went straight to the Baloise Belgium Tour, so we haven't been idle. I always need that race rhythm. It's good to race for five days now to aim for victory and to automate certain things. Heading towards the Tour, we have worked on peak form," said the defending champion, who, just like last year in Bilbao, will now spend the first few days in Florence getting into the rhythm.

Everything you need to know about the second season of Netflix Tour de France: Unchained

The second eight-part series is available to stream now

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What is it?

What's it like, who's involved.

• What do we know about it?

When will it be released?

How much did it cost, will there be a third season, have netflix produced tour de france documentaries before.

Streaming platform Netflix has released the second s eason of its first-of-its-kind documentary series about the Tour de France . It will came out 11 June at 08:00 in the UK. This equates to 03:00 US east coast time, midnight on the US west coast, and 17:00 in Sydney, Australia. 

Titled 'Tour de France: Unchained', or 'Tour de France: Au cœur du peloton' ('Inside the peloton') in French, here's everything you need to know about it. 

The big news is that this year's series features Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) and Mark Cavendish (Astana-Qazaqstan) as well as the stars of season one.

Tour de France: Unchained is the second season of a Netflix documentary series that tells the story of the 2023 Tour de France. 

The initial news of its production came in March 2022, with camera crews then embedding within seven teams at the race. Created as part of a joint venture between Quadbox and Box to Box Films, the makers of F1: Drive to Survive, the series offers exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to the highs and lows of the Tour de France. France Télévisions also contributed to the production.

The second season consists of eight episodes, each lasting around 40 minutes. Below is a chart of the episode titles, and which teams they are focused on. However, it is less structured than last year, so most episodes contain many different narratives.

Our very own Adam Becket reviewed the first season, concluding: "It's a thrilling watch for both those who know cycling, and those who are new to the sport. It might prove too general for the committed fan, but there is something for everyone."

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"There are flaws, with the absence of Pogačar the biggest, and it appearing surface level at times," he writes. "However, professional cycling is a confusing sport, and  Unchained  does an excellent job of breaking down the barriers to entry to show just how enthralling it is."

It was originally understood that eight teams had given exclusive access to Netflix camera crews for the series. These were: AG2R Citroën, Alpecin-Deceuninck, Bora-Hansgrohe, EF Education-EasyPost, Groupama-FDJ, Ineos Grenadiers, Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick-Step.

Netflix’s Tour de France: Unchained 's second season also includes Tadej Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates and Mark Cavendish of Astana-Qazaqstan. The UAE team are featured quite heavily, in an update from the first season.

As part of the series, the teams’ managers have undergone sit-down interviews, much like those in the F1: Drive to Survive episodes. These include Groupama-FDJ's Marc Madiot and EF Education-EasyPost's Jonathan Vaughters.

A number of journalists, working across various outlets around the world, have also been interviewed for the series. Among them is Eurosport presenter Orla Chennaoui, who revealed her involvement on her Instagram page.

What do we already know about it?

The producers of the series released a teaser trailer for the second season last month. In it, questions over doping and "scandals" appeared, as well as lots of footage of crashes. 

A clip shows last year’s winner,  Jonas Vingegaard , walking to his team bus while a narrator speaks of "scandal", before a second clip shows the recently retired  Thibaut Pinot  being asked if he thinks an unnamed rider is doping. 

Of course, the story of the race, won by Jumbo-Visma’s Vingegaard, will already be well known to cycling fans.

The series has been available to stream on Netflix on 11 June. This came a week after the Critérium du Dauphiné , the key precursor stage race to the Tour. 

Unchained is available in 190 territories, and was released at 08:00 in the UK. This equates to 03:00 US east coast time, midnight on the US west coast, and 17:00 in Sydney, Australia. 

You can access it here on Netflix's website . 

According to reports, for the first season, Netflix covered the production costs of €8 million to make the series, paying a total of €1 million to the different parties involved. The participating teams are understood to have been given around €62,000 each.

It is unknown at this stage whether there will be a third season, covering the 2024 race, but it should be pretty clear to judge come the Tour de France, with the camera crews standing out by each team taking part. It is therefore unknown which teams and riders will be taking part.

Tour de France: Unchained is Netflix’s first official docuseries about the French Grand Tour. 

The streaming platform has, however, produced three seasons of a fly-on-the-wall series about the Movistar team, titled ‘The Least Expected Day’, covering the squad’s 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons. 

Similar docuseries have been made about WorldTour teams Soudal Quick-Step, Jumbo-Visma and SD Worx for Amazon Prime. 

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Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast , which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders. 

An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides. 

He's also fluent in French and Spanish and holds a master's degree in International Journalism. 

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Tour de France 2024, your ultimate stage-by-stage guide: From Florence to Nice, here's everything you need to know

First Published Jun 19, 2024

A first-time Grand Départ in Italy, and an unprecedented finish outside Paris as the race concludes in Nice on the Côte d’Azur – whatever else happens on this year’s 111th edition of the Tour de France, those two aspects alone will make it a unique and, let’s hope, memorable one.

Florence has the honour of hosting the start of the opening stage on Saturday 29 June, fittingly for this perhaps most multi-faceted of sports.

If you see cycling as poetry, you have the city of Petrarch and Dante; as art, Michelangelo and Leonardo; as engineering and science, Brunelleschi and Galileo; as politics, the Medici family and Machiavelli; and if it’s sporting heroes you prefer, you have the great Gino Bartali.

He’s one of a trio of Italian riders who each left their unique mark on the race and will be commemorated as the Tour makes its way across the roads they grew up and trained on, the others being Marco Pantani and Fausto Coppi.

But while history, whether of the sporting kind or in its wider, more general context, will never be far from the mind in the opening days of the Tour, besides the landscapes and the architecture, the other thing that draws us to follow the race is of course how the three weeks will play out on the road itself, before the Tour reaches its climax on Sunday 20 July with a 33.7km individual time trial from Monaco to Nice. It's the first time the Tour has ended with an ITT since Greg LeMond famously snatched victory from Laurent Fignon on the final day of the 1989 edition. 

This preview focuses on the route rather than the riders, but as ever it is worth touching on a couple of the narratives that will be resolved during July. They’re often familiar ones, but with each year that passes, subtle shifts can occur.

Picture: Zac Williams/SWpix.com

Take the question of whether Tadej Pogačar can regain his crown from Jonas Vingegaard. It’s a question that was valid last year too, of course, the difference being that while 12 months ago it was the Slovenian who had to overcome an injury that disrupted his preparations, this time round it is the Dane, the defending champion, who must do so.

Both are now two-time winners of the race, but it is Pogačar who heads here fresh from a storming Giro d’Italia win that gives him the opportunity to become the first man since Pantani to win the Italian and French Grand Tours in the same year.

But will his relentless pursuit of stage wins in Italy in a race he dominated from the start cost him in France, and if so will Vingegaard, still recovering from his crash in April, be fully fit to capitalise on it?  

Among other contenders, the spotlight is on Primož Roglič, Vingegaard’s former team-mate and now leading Bora-Hansgrohe’s challenge. Being undisputed team leader takes some of the pressure and tension away, but while he comes here on the back of victory at the Dauphiné, it so very nearly slipped through his hands on the last day.

Roglič came so close of course to winning the 2020 Tour over his friend and compatriot, Pogačar, and with the Giro d’Italia also now in his palmarès can join the select group of riders to have won all three Grand Tours.

Among the first to do so was Eddy Merckx, which leads us onto one of the other big questions to be answered in this year’s Tour, again just as it was 12 months ago – can Mark Cavendish, who two years ago drew level with the Belgian great in number of Tour de France stages won on 34 apiece, forge ahead to claim the record outright?

Cavendish, who is now a Sir after he was knighted last week , crashed out of last year’s race the day after finishing second on Stage 7 in Bordeaux 12 months ago. He had also been pipped to the line in Paris on the final stage the previous year, days after drawing level with Merckx’s haul. He’s since been persuaded to defer his planned retirement and remain with Astana-Qazaqstan for one final season to try and clinch that elusive 35th stage.

Picture: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com

Whether he does or not, he is still indisputably the most successful sprinter in the history of the Tour – but one final crossing of the line, arms aloft, would be a hell of a way to bid the race adieu.

That’s just a snapshot of a couple of things we will be looking out for in the next few weeks – and as always happens at cycling’s biggest stage race, there will be thrills and spills, smiles and tears, and in all likelihood things we can’t just predict, from cops tear-gassing the peloton to spectators causing crashes while greeting their grandparents on TV, and of course athletes at the top of the sport competing against some of the best scenery that Italy and France have to offer.

Here’s our stage-by-stage preview to the race, and don’t forget that if you fancy yourself as an armchair directeur sportive, you can play our Fantasy Tour de France game – head over here to learn more and sign up .

Stage 1 Saturday 29 June Florence – Rimini (139km, hilly)

The 111th edition of Le Grand Boucle begins in Florence, Gino Bartali’s home city, with a tough stage to Rimini on the Adriatic coast that will is likely to see some hard racing from the start especially with Italian riders fighting to get in the break on home roads. Including seven categorised climbs, the 3,600 metres of climbing is unprecedented in the opening stage of the race.

The last of those takes the riders up to the hilltop republic of San Marino, the 13th country visited by the race, Covering 7.1km at an average gradient of 4.8 per cent it is crested 27km from the finish, followed by what could be a hectic descent towards the coast. As ever, the peloton will be nervous on the opening day, and any attacks from hopefuls for the overall title could blow the stage apart.

Stage 2 Sunday 30 June Cesenatico – Bologna (199km, hilly)

This stage starts in the birthplace of Marco Pantani, the last man to complete the Giro-Tour double in the same season way back in 1998. Played out entirely in Emilia-Romagna, while there is less climbing today there are still five categorised ascents, the last of those, the climb to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca above Bologna familiar from finale of the Giro dell’Emilia, tackled twice.

Primož Roglič is a three-time winner of that race, while Aleksander Vlasov and Enric Mas have also triumphed there, but a three-week Grand Tour is a very different proposition to a late-season one-day race, and today’s stage finishes not at the top of the climb, but after a descent into the city centre. You’d expect a puncheur to win today, either solo or from a very select bunch sprint.

Stage 3 Monday 1 July Piacenza – Turin (230.5km, flat)

All eyes today will be on Mark Cavendish as, in what will be his final participation in the race, he gets his first opportunity to clinch the outright record for stage wins at the Tour with victory number 35. The first of his 34 wins came 16 years ago, and to do so in Italy, his base for many years since his days at the British Cycling Olympic Academy in Quarrata, would bring his career full circle.

It’s a mainly flat stage which early on passes through Tortona, where two-time yellow jersey winner Fausto Coppi died, and with around 50km remaining after the final Category 4 climb, there’s plenty of time for the sprinters’ teams to hunt down the day’s break. Cavendish may not be consistently the fastest man in the peloton nowadays, but no-one reads a finish like him, and there would be no more popular winner.

Stage 4 Tuesday 2 July 2024 Pinerolo – Valloire (140km, mountain)

An unusually early first visit to the mountains, and one that starts in a town that has hosted the race before, with Edvald Boasson Hagen taking a memorable solo win in 2011 on an Alpine stage that finished there, the peloton setting off the following morning towards the Galibier where Andy Schleck took yellow only to be overhauled by Cadel Evans in the penultimate day’s time trial.

After a pair of Category 2 climbs, the second of which sees the race cross the border into France at around the halfway point of the stage, the riders face the Hors-Catégorie Galibier, averaging 5.1 per cent over its 23km. There’s still a descent of around 20km to be tackled, but there are time bonuses available at the summit, as well as the Souvenir Henri Desgranges prize for the first rider over.

Stage 5 Wednesday 3 July 2024 Saint-Jean-De-Maurienne – Saint-Vulbas (177.5km, flat)

The second sprinter-friendly stage of the race takes the riders north-west through the Alps along the valley of the river Arc towards Chambéry, and while there is some climbing, the second Category 4 ascent of the afternoon is crested with around 35km remaining, giving ample opportunity for anyone with an eye on the win who may have been distanced ample opportunity to get back into the group.

It’s the kind of transitional stage you might expect to see later in the race, though with a break composed of fewer riders that will be kept on a reasonably tight leash by teams looking to contest the expected bunch finish. The intermediate sprint, which comes with around a third of the stage remaining, should provide a strong pointer of who has ambitions to win the green points jersey.

Stage 6 Thursday 4 July Maçon – Dijon (163.5km, flat)

As yesterday, the strong likelihood is that today will end with a bunch sprint, and the relatively short parcours will be welcomed by those still feeling the climb of the Galibier in their legs, or who are nursing injuries from crashes earlier in the race, as the peloton heads north through the vineyards of Burgundy.

The sole Category 4 climb of the day is crested after just 10km have been ridden, so it could be a fast start as riders jostle to get into the break, which is likely to be established once the riders are on the descent. It’s then pan-flat all the way to the finish, with a straight 800-metre run-in to the line, which will count against any remaining escapees looking to keep the chasing peloton at bay.

Stage 7 Friday 5 July Nuits-Saint-Georges – Gevrey-Chambertin (25.3km, individual time trial)

The first of two individual time trials in this edition of the Tour is a short and predominantly flat one, which should limit any potential time gaps between those fighting for the overall victory. That said, there’s likely to be some shuffling of places towards the top of the general classification, and by the end of the day we’ll have a clearer picture of the chief contenders for the main prize this year.

As far as the day’s parcours which begins on forestry before heading through vineyards and forestry goes, the 1.6km climb of the Côte de Curtil-Vergy at an average gradient of 6.1 per cent is the sternest test, but you’d expect the stage win to go to an out-and-out specialist against the clock who will be targeting it specifically, rather than one of the overall contenders.

Stage 8 Saturday 6 July Semur-En-Auxois – Colombey-Les-Deux-Églises (183.5 km, flat)

France goes to the polls tomorrow for the second round of the snap parliamentary election called in June by President Emmanuel Macron; by coincidence, today’s stage finishes in a town forever associated with the towering figure of the country’s politics in the 20th Century, Charles de Gaulle, who made his home in Colombey-Les-Deux-Églises in the 1930s and is buried there.

The peloton faces five categorised climbs, the first three of which are short but punchy, and it could be a while until a break finally takes shape with the terrain likely to encourage counterattacks. Of the three ‘flat’ stages to date, this seems the one most suited to seeing the escapees prevail – although as the afternoon wears on, the sprinters’ teams will be riding hard to try and set up a bunch finish.

Stage 9 Sunday 7 July Troyes – Troyes (199km, hilly)

Time trials aside, it’s highly unusual for a Tour stage to start and finish in the same place, but that is by no means the most remarkable thing about today – instead, it’s the Champagne region’s white gravel roads, similar to Tuscany’s fabled strade bianche and used in the 2022 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, that take centre stage with 14 sectors in all to be crossed.

That could prompt some interesting bike and tyre choices in the peloton, and the weather will also have an influence on how the day turns out – if it’s been dry in the days leading up to the stage, the Tour cavalcade will kick up clouds of dust, if it’s raining, it will be a mud-fest. With lumpy terrain including a quartet of four Category 4 climbs, it has all the makings of a mini-Classic.

Rest day Monday 8 July Orléans

Stage 10 Tuesday 9 July Orléans – Saint-Amand-Montrond (187.5km, flat)

The race resumes in Orléans in the Loire Valley – as close as it will get to Paris this year, the day’s parcours taking the peloton south – with another stage that is all but guaranteed to end in a sprint in a town that as far as the Tour is concerned is best known for being where Carlos Sastre saw off the challenge of Cadel Evans in the final individual time trial to seal his overall victory in 2008.

There’s not a single categorised climb today and it’s similar to the type of stage regularly encountered in the opening week 15 or so years ago. But with the intermediate sprint coming fairly early, with 130km still to ride, if the contest for the green jersey is close there could be an incentive for teams with designs on it to neutralise breaks ahead of it to maximise their potential points haul.

Stage 11 Wednesday 10 July 2024 Évaux-Les-Bains – Le Lioran (211km, mountain)

The race may be hitting its halfway point, but the Massif Central today sees just the second mountain stage. There are six categorised climbs in all, the highest ranked of which is the Category 1 Puy Mary Pas de Peyrol, covering 5.1km at an average of 8.1 per cent, its summit coming with 31km remaining ahead of what could be an explosive finish on a day with a total elevation gain of 4,350 metres.

The availability of bonus seconds on the penultimate climb, the Col du Pertus which is crested with just under 15km remaining could give an incentive to teams with overall contenders to sweep up any escapees early, and while the stage is not officially classed as a summit finish, the top of the final ascent, the Col de Font de Cère, comes with a little over 3km remaining.

Stage 12 Thursday 11 July Aurillac – Villeneuve-Sur-Lot (204km, flat)

The start and finish towns today have both hosted the race before – Aurillac making its ninth appearance, Villeneuve-Sur-Lot its third, and on paper at least, the stage looks like one of those on in which the lead group will be swept up by the peloton ahead of the sprinters fighting it out for the win.

But undulating terrain throughout the stage, history suggests that it could be one for the escape artists, who have prevailed on both occasions on which a stage has finished in Villeneuve –two-time Italian national road champion Massimo Podenzano in 1996 and, four years later, the Dutch rider Erik Dekker. Will today be third time lucky here for the sprinters?

Stage 13 Friday 12 July 2024 Agen – Pau (165.5 km, flat)

Since hosting the race for the first time in 1930, nowhere outside Paris has welcomed the Tour more often than Pau, today marking the 75th time a stage has started or finished in the city, its location making it a natural stop on the way into or out of the western Pyrenees. Its extensive history with the race also sees Pau bill itself as The Capital of the Tour .

If the race is heading out of the Pyrenees, the city typically hosts the finish of a mountain stage; heading towards them, it’s likely to be a flat one, as is the case today. As far as the parcours goes, there are a couple of Category 4 climbs late on, and as yesterday, it could be a close-run thing as to whether the break carries the day, or the stage ends with a bunch sprint. 

Stage 14 Saturday 13 July 2024 Pau – Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d'Adet (152km, mountain)

It’s been a long wait, but finally the third weekend of the Tour sees the first of this year’s four summit finishes on a day that includes one of the most anticipated climbs of the race whenever it is included, the Col du Tourmalet, which is crested today with a little over 60km still to ride, and where the Souvenir Jacques Goddet prize is up for grabs for whoever rides over the top at the head of the race.

The climb of the Hourquette d’Ancizan precedes the final Hors Catégorie ascent to Pla d’Adet, averaging 7.9 per cent over its 10.6km, but heading into double-digit gradients in its first 4km. The big names in the overall will have been chomping at the bit for today’s stage as the battle for the yellow jersey begins in earnest – and today may show who has the legs for it, and who doesn’t.

Stage 15 Sunday 14 July 2024 Loudenvielle – Plateau de Beille (198km, mountain)

Bastille Day falling on the penultimate Sunday of the Tour invariably means not only big crowds but also a big mountain stage to match, and this could be the pivotal one of this year’s race. There’s a whopping 4,850 metres of climbing on the menu for the Fête National starting the moment the flag drops and the race heads up the Col de Peyresourde.

It’s guaranteed that there will be an almighty fight to get into the break, including from teams or riders who have had a disappointing race to date, while the GC teams will also look to get riders up the road to be able to help their team leaders later on. With four Category 1 ascents ahead of that final Hors-Catégorie climb to the Plateau de Beille, fireworks are pretty much guaranteed.

Rest day Monday 15 July 2024   Gruissan                          

Stage 16 Tue 16 July 2024              Gruissan – Nîmes (189km, flat)  

There may be another five stages to come after today, but with the race skipping Paris this year, it’s the last chance saloon for the sprinters, the sole uphill challenge being a short Category 4 climb with more than 60km remaining. Meanwhile, the GC riders will be looking to stay out of trouble and conserve energy ahead of the battle for the overall title heading back into the mountains.

Should he have drawn a blank so far during the race, it’s also the final opportunity for Mark Cavendish to move ahead of Eddy Merckx in all-time stage victories – and today’s finish is in a city where the Manxman has triumphed before, outgunning Robbie McEwan, now a TV pundit on the race, to take his fourth career stage win at the race back in 2008.

Stage 17 Wednesday 17 July 2024              Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux > Superdévoluy (178 km, mountain)

This is a stage that a punch into its final 30km or so, with three categorised climbs to be tackled including the Category 1 Col du Noyer, which has bonus seconds available at the top. It’s unlikely those will go to anyone challenging for the overall title, with this stage looking more like one that will be contested by a big breakaway group.

In part, that’s because other mountain stages this week appear to provide sterner tests and thereby the opportunity to put more time into rivals through well-planned attacks – but having said that, even if not racing for the win today, any sign of weakness from a rider towards the top of the overall standings could see the GC group explode as rivals try and capitalise.

Stage 18 Thursday 18 July Gap – Barcelonnette (180km, hilly)

Five Category 3 climbs pepper the profile today and while, barring crashes or other unforeseen events it is highly unlikely to prove influential for the overall given the mountain and time trial stages in the days ahead, it could still provide an entertaining day’s racing given that the final three days feature two mountain stages followed by an individual time trial.

Why? Well, we’re a little over a couple of weeks away from the men’s road race at the Olympic Games which features a succession of short but leg-sapping climbs throughout, so for any puncheurs or Classics specialists left at the Tour who are also eyeing up a medal, today represents perhaps their last chance to test their form in an actual race ahead of Paris.

Stage 19 Friday 19 July Embrun – Isola 2000 (145km, mountain)

The race heads towards its final weekend with the first of two summit finishes, this one including the Cime de la Bonnette – the highest paved road in France, and third highest in Europe, topping out at 2,802 metres, and one of three summits of over 2,000 metres that will be tackled today, the others being the Col de Vars and the climb to the finish at the Isola 2000 ski resort.

Whether by coincidence or design, the finish line is placed at 2,024 metres above sea level at the top of a 16.1km climb with an average gradient of 7.1 per cent. While training at altitude is the norm for big-name riders these days, the rarified atmosphere, not least on the 22.9km ascent of the Bonnette, which averages 6.9 per cent, could see some struggle through oxygen deficit.

Stage 20 Saturday 20 July 2024 Nice – Col de la Couillole (133km, mountain)

Less than four-years after Nice hosted the Grand Départ of one of the strangest ever editions of the Tour in 2020, postponed until September of that year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Côte d’Azur metropolis again finds itself at the centre of the cycling world as the race finishes outside Paris for the first time as it prepares for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, now less than a week away.

The remaining riders head out of Nice today for the final mountain stage, returning tomorrow one by one at the end of the individual time trial that brings the curtain down on the race. The penultimate day brings four big climbs, the final one being the Col de la Couillole which averages 7.1 per cent over its 15.7km.

How today plays out depends on the overall standings, due to tomorrow’s live rather than neutralised concluding stage. If things are close at the top of the GC, we’ll see attacks as riders aim to give themselves the best possible opportunity against the clock – and their rivals – tomorrow; if time gaps are too wide, conversely, they may simply defend their positions, making it a day for the break.

Stage 21 Sunday 20 July Monaco-Nice (33.7km, individual time trial)

In the 15 years we’ve been previewing the race, the final stage is the one that writes itself – the photocalls, the Champagne, the procession into Paris, the helter-skelter laps of the Champs-Élysées ahead of a frantic sprint finish and the podium celebrations in the heart of the French capital – but clearly that script has had to be ripped up this year.

It's 35 years since the race ended with an individual time trial, Greg LeMond snatching victory from Laurent Fignon in what remains the closest ever edition of the race. Starting in Monaco, the route includes two climbs, La Turbie and the Col d’Eze, before sweeping down into Nice and along the Promenade des Anglais then switching back towards the finish on Place Massena.

A spot on the final podium and even the overall title could still be in play. The penultimate day’s test against the clock in recent Grand Tours have seen Tadej Pogačar overhauling Primož Roglič to win the 2020 Tour, the latter coping with a late mechanical to take the maglia rosa from Geraint Thomas in last year’s Giro d’Italia. Organisers will be hoping for similar drama today as the 111th Tour concludes.

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Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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road.cc wrote: [stage 16]'s the last opportunity for Mark Cavendish to move ahead of Eddy Merckx

Not necessarily. I could see him (admittedly as a long outsider, but then there are only outsiders on a stage like this) infiltrating the break on stage 18 and then clinging on to the finish.

If I had to put money on him finding a win somewhere, though, doing something similar on stage 12 looks a better bet, or, more likely, sprinting from a small group after a wind-affected day.

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mdavidford wrote: Not necessarily. I could see him (admittedly as a long outsider, but then there are only outsiders on a stage like this) infiltrating the break on stage 18 and then clinging on to the finish.

Surely five Cat 3s with 3150m of climbing, including most of the last 20 km being a long drag uphill, would be too much for Cav? I think that one's got rouleur written all over it if there is a breakaway, a couple of good northern classics riders would draw his sting long before the finish. I would, of course, love to be wrong…

Yeah - like I said - very long shot, but he does have form for surprising people on parcours like that once or twice. In all likelihood though, it's too late in the race - there will be too many people seeing it as a last chance, a very large break, and so too many people who can ditch him before the finish. It's not  entirely  out of the question, though.

Well, I for one am getting a bit excited.

Seems to be starting a bit early, dont recall it starting in the month of June much.

Second week off, birthday week, nice!

ktache wrote: Seems to be starting a bit early, dont recall it starting in the month of June much. Second week off, birthday week, nice!

It has occasionally started in June but the tradition is usually to start the first Saturday after (or on) the first of July, this year they needed to start it early enough so the finish weekend won't overlap the opening of the Paris Olympiad, which it would have done if they'd gone for the more traditional 6th of July.

Have a cracking birthday week, excellent timing!

Awful if it corresponds with the rest day.

Excellent if it's a day in the mountains.

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