by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:27th October 2020
Another 12 delightful French locations to combine into a road trip
In these trying times, Gary and I are longing to return to France on a road trip. It’s so tempting to hop across the English Channel when you can see France from the Kent shorelines.
We know the joys of touring the beautiful French country lanes will return. Nevertheless, in the meantime, we’re just going to have to reminisce from our home in the UK and start planning the next French adventure.
France has so many alluring towns and villages from north to south. Often, we head to France for a mini-break; although, our favourite type of trip is a road trip.
We usually try and avoid the autoroutes and weave our way through vineyards, orchards, the lush rolling hills and charming harbour towns. Stopping along the way at a local boulangerie or street-side café to grab some lunch.
Why not Pin it for later?
An old fishing boat, St Tropez
So, as a sequel to 16 of our much-loved towns and cities in France, and Our favourite towns and villages in France, part deux. We’ve selected a few more places for you to add to your French road trip itinerary.
Our next 12 destinations
We'll be discovering the following;
You can click on the link to jump to the section, and to return, just click on the title.
Tourrettes-sur-Loup is an incredibly charming hill-top village snuggled into the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in the South of France.
Its tiny narrow lanes weave their way amongst honey-coloured homes, with delightful French blue shutters flung open to the striking views of the French countryside.
Twisting lanes through Tourrettes-sur-Loup
Doorway to 46, Tourrettes-sur-Loup
Tourrettes sur Loup teeters on the edge of the southern French hillside, and you just fall in love with its charm as soon as you discover what lies beyond its ancient walls.
You can’t just help being inquisitive when you see cobble-stoned passageways lined with quaint medieval homes and window boxes overflowing with fragrant roses.
Suppose you love the work of French artist Claude Monet and his enchanting Water Lily paintings. In that case you’ll want to detour to his family home in Giverny.
Giverny is located in the north-west of France in the Normandy region. The village itself is extremely charming; however, you must head to Monet’s home. Monet and his family lived in this residence for over forty years until his death in 1926.
Peeking through to the lily pond in Giverny, Normandy
When you stroll around the beautiful gardens brushing past overhanging flowers and crisscrossing bridges over the ponds, you’ll immediately understand why Monet fell in love with this home.
There is no mistaking where the inspiration came from with many of Monet’s famous works.
If you would like to stay in Giverny, then we would recommend La Dime de Giverny. Stylish accommodation, set in an 18th-century house just a short walk from Monet's house & gardens. It also has free on-site parking.
If you would like to base yourself in a historic city, then we would recommend Rouen. Why not stay at the Mercure Rouen Centre Champ de Mars. The hotel’s location is about a 10 to 15-minute walk to the heart of the old town, an ideal place for discovering Rouen as its surrounding towns & villages. If you are driving, this hotel has a chargeable underground carpark with direct access to the hotel. We had no problem parking here for the 3 nights, and ideal if you have a larger vehicle.
We love visiting France and each region so different from one another. I find the DK Eyewitness Guides really helpful in planning a trip and so often find interesting little snippets of info.
Take a peek at this revised Top 10 Pocket Travel Guide and see what you can discover.
Yes, the home of Dijon mustard.
Dijon is a charming city located in the east of France in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region and the capital of Burgundy.
The Hôtel de Ville de Dijon
The architecture in Dijon is stunning, particularly around the Place de la Liberation with its dancing fountains leaping through the centre. My advice is to take a seat at one of the welcoming cafés and enjoy a glass of Burgundy and a sample of the local fromage and watch the world pass by.
Also, in this delightful square is the Ducal Palace, the Palais des Ducs et des États de Bourgogne. This province of France was home to the Dukes of Burgundy from the 11th to the late 15th centuries.
Place de la Libération in Dijon
Dotted through the historical centre, you’ll find some wonderfully preserved half-timbered buildings, dating from the 12th to 15th centuries.
Dijon is an ideal city in France to enjoy a mini-break. If you want to stay in Dijon we'd recommend the Hôtel des Ducs. A stylish, centrally located accommodation, ideally placed to enjoy the city.
We’re heading to the south of France along the French Riviera to Saint Tropez and what a stunning part of the country this is.
St Tropez is in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, and yes it does get busy at times. However, it is one of those places that you really should pop into, even if it is just for a few hours as the old harbour is breath-taking.
Harbour view and fishing boats in St Tropez
Lining the quay of Saint Tropez are charming buildings painted in different shades of ochre & pink, with their pastel window shutters and the balconies teetering high above. Dotted all around are smart boutiques, eye-catching galleries and bustling restaurants.
Ahh yes, then there are the superyachts hugging the harbour, within touching distance of you, boy there is some money here.
If you would like to stay in Saint Tropez but don't want to break the bank, why not check out Le Mouillage. Just a 15-20 minute walk into the old town. If you are on a road trip, it has the advantage of free onsite parking
If you love Provence as much as we do, you'll want to start planning your visit now.
I so enjoy using the DK Eyewitness books, as they are extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
We used a previous version of this book to plan our Provencal road trip, now you can grab the revised copy.
Amiens is a significantly historical city located in the Hauts-de-France region in northern France and the capital of Picardy.
Amiens Cathedral from the Place du Don
This particular region of France is remembered by the horrific atrocities that took place in World War I during the Battle of the Somme.
The River Somme weaves its way through the centre of the ancient city with the awe-inspiring 13th-century Amiens Cathedral, looking down from high above.
The UNESCO Gothic cathedral is a truly stunning example of a church from this period and the intricate detail both inside and out is magnificent.
The Monument to Jules Verne in Amiens
One of Amiens famous residents was the renowned author Jules Verne, who lived in Amiens with his wife from 1857 until his death in 1905
It was in Amiens that Jules Verne wrote many of his notable novels; Around the World in Eighty Days, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, & Journey to the Centre of the Earth.
For a centrally located hotel stay at the Mercure Amiens Cathédrale. It's just a short stroll to the Old Town and has France's largest cathedral on your doorstep.
Have you seen?
Our post on 12 of France’s incredible UNESCO World Heritage Sites, you may want to add some of these to your road trip.
12 UNESCO Sites to visit in France
by Janis on 10 May 19
Heading back south we are in the captivating Provencal area of France, and one of my favourite parts of the country.
Cucuron is a village hidden in the heart of the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Cucuron may be small (although that’s its charm), but you will be left speechless when you turn the corner into the main square, and you are greeted with Bassin de l'étang.
The village pond at Cucuron, Provence
This rectangular basin of water dates from the beginning of the 14th century, and it’s incredible. The charming basin is surrounded by lofty trees that offer welcomed dappled sunshine while you sit and enjoy your lunch. Tuesday’s is market day, and tempting local delicacies are on offer around the Bassin de l'étang.
You may even recognise Bassin de l'étang from the movie ‘A Good Year’
If you love Provence as much as we do, The Olive Route, a delightful book by Carol Drinkwater, will transport you to the beautiful olive groves in the South of France instantly.
Carol, a British actress now living in Provence, takes you on an enchanting journey through the breathtaking Provençal countryside in search of liquid gold; what's not to love?
Ahh, not too far of a hop from Provence and we are back on the Côte d'Azur, Nice to be exact.
I love Nice and not just for its spectacular location on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. However, the far-reaching views when you promenade along the bay are impressive.
The shoreline at Nice on the Cote d'Azur
However, it’s the captivating colourful lanes around the Old Town that I love. The lived-in rustic appeal is what really charms me, laundry fluttering on washing lines overhead, flowerpots crammed with herbs and ancient architecture stretched high above.
That’s all before I had a delicious ice-cream, from Fenocchio’s ice-cream parlour in Place Rossetti.
Rustic lanes in the centre of old Nice
Janis and an ice-cream from Fenocchio in Nice
Don’t miss the market along Cours Saleya, the vibrant, juicy fruit, and the fragrant garden-fresh flowers on offer are irresistible.
Nice is perfect for a weekend away in the south of France.
Tempted by Nice? Looking for your ideal accommodation? You will be spoilt for choice, so pick what suits you. Why not check your options for Nice?
Now we’ve jumped to the northwest of France to the picturesque town of Dinan in Brittany. Dinan is flowing with cobbled streets, half-timbered shops, homes and some fantastic restaurants too.
The quaint Chez la Mere Pourcel in Dinan
The medieval centre of Dinan
What is so delightful about Dinan is that not only do you have the maze of narrow lanes to discover high in the Medieval old town. If you stroll down to the port, you are met with the charming waterside quarter in Dinan.
The quayside in Dinan
The quayside is lined with beautiful old stone houses, restaurants and bars and as you stroll by the river La Rance, you’ll hear the jangle of yachts bobbing in the water.
It’s been quite a few years since we last visited Dinan, I think a return visit is long overdue for a weekend break.
When we visited the charming town of Dinan, we stayed at Le Poisson Ivre, which is located along the quayside. It was lovely waking up in the morning listening to the jangling of the masts of the yachts.
I love nothing more than planning a trip through France and so often I use the DK Eyewitness books. I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
We used a previous version of this book to plan our French road trips, now you can grab the revised copy.
Sommières is located in the Occitanie region in southern France and is only around 35 miles (56km) from the Roman aqueduct, Pont du Gard.
The ancient settlement was built beside the River Vidourle and is straddled by a 1st-century Roman bridge. Which was built on the orders of the Roman Emperor Tiberius. The bridge has undergone many repairs over the centuries and what can be seen today is from later periods.
The Pont Du Romain in Sommières
The Roman bridge was originally constructed with 20 arches and at one time would have been lined with buildings. The present bridge now only has seven arches and unfortunately, none of the dwellings remains.
The picturesque Medieval town of Sommières has undoubtedly seen some action in its time, as it was sieged in 1573 by Catholics and then again in 1622 by King Louis XIII.
Looking for somewhere in Sommières? Then why not consider Casa Dina? It will make a great base to explore the town, and the wider Occitanie region. Why not take a look?
In our opinion
We love embarking on road trips, so our preferred mode of transport is always jumping in a car. We find it’s the best way to discover a country. Rental Cars searches multiple well-known car hire brands and discovers the deals that suit you the best.
We are still In the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, region; however, we have now headed to Cassis. Another stunning location along the French Riviera.
Cassis is only around 17 miles (27 km) east of Marseille but feels like a world apart. With beautiful coves, inlets and craggy cliffs giving an incredible backdrop to the picturesque harbour.
The harbour at Cassis, Provence
It’s a lovely relaxing town to stroll around, particularly around the quay and bays.
Don’t go thinking that you’ll find an abundance of the liqueur crème de cassis when you arrive. As this blackcurrant liqueur is actually produced further north in France, in the Burgundy region.
If you would like to stay in Cassis, then the Best Western Plus Hôtel la Rade is an excellent option, with great facilities, and close to the centre of town. Parking options are available.
Or, as I said, Marseille is a few miles away, and if you wish to wake up to a lovely view of Marseille marina each morning, then book your stay at Radisson Blu Hotel Marseille Vieux Port. It is located on the quayside with plenty of restaurants and cafes on your doorstep.
Crit'Air vignette required for driving in France
If you’re heading to France from the UK with your own vehicle, you’ll need a Crit’Air ‘clean air’ car sticker.
Just like our low-emission zones in the UK, France now legally requires the display of a Crit’Air vignette. The good news is, these stickers are readily available and affordable online through the official French government website.
The Crit’Air sticker lasts the lifetime of the vehicle, so it’s a one-off purchase. The RAC website offers an in-depth guide to everything you need to know and your requirements.
We’re back in the Occitanie region at Mirepoix in the southwest of France and only around 30 miles (47km) from the fortified town of Carcassonne.
Mirepoix is a bastide town and due to flooding was re-built in the 13th century. The incredibly picturesque town is beautifully preserved from its Medieval past.
Half-timbered Mirepoix
The medieval Mirepoix in southern France
The market square will stop you in your tracks. The half-timbered houses and shops surrounding the square are stunning, passing underneath is a decorative arched walkway supporting all the ancient buildings above.
A traditional market is held in the square on a Monday, such a delightful way to mix with the locals.
We would recommend Demeure de la Carmine if you would like to stay in Mirepoix. A true little gem; why not check it out. Parking is available nearby
Why not?
Start creating your own French adventure and discover the enchanting French countryside for yourself. Search for your flights in one easy place with ebookers.com. Over 400 airlines are scanned for your favoured routes and chosen dates.
Or alternatively, catch a Brittany Ferry and tour through France under your own steam.
Last but by no means least we arrive at one of the furthest south-western parts of France and the city of Biarritz, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
We are also in the Basque country, which straddles a small region in France and northern Spain. You can really appreciate the flavours in this part of the world, the mix of culinary influences in the local dishes are amazing.
The Rocher de la Vierge protruding in the sea off Biarritz
The coastline of Biarritz is along the Bay of Biscay and is spectacular. Golden sandy beaches and raging waves crashing against the outlying rocks. It really makes for an impressive view.
There’s such an elegant mixture of architecture around the bay in Biarritz and especially the eye-catching grand Hôtel du Palais. A palace on the beach, built in 1854 for Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III.
Biarritz makes a delightful mini-break in the Basque region of France.
A great option if you want to stay in Biarritz is the Résidence Vacances Bleues Le Grand Large. The hotel is close to the town and the coastline. Parking is available for a daily fee and needs to be reserved.
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