France is a country full of winding cobbled streets, rolling lavender fields, beautiful countryside and incredible cuisine. There is so much to this stunning part of Europe, it makes sense why so many choose to road trip here.
Whether you’re looking for dramatic landscapes, historic towns and villages, a plethora of UNESCO sites or some of the most iconic cities in the world, France has it all. You can stroll through the romantic streets of Paris or hike through the French Alps, making the diversity here unmatched.
With so much to see and do, you’re probably wondering about the best places to road trip around France. As there are several incredible options, it can be hard to narrow it down to just one route. Below shows a list of popular road trips around this beautiful country, so that you can choose the best one for you!
Before you dive in and start planning your route around France, its first best to determine the best time of year to go. There are several things to take into consideration, where you are staying, your mode of transportation and who you are travelling with will all factor into this.
Spring is also a wonderful time to have a road trip in France. The weather is pleasant as the temperatures begin to warm after the much colder winter months. Anytime between March and May, you will find the country illuminated by flowers as they start to bloom across the countryside. Restaurants begin to prepare for the tourist season, yet the roads and sightseeing places remain relatively quiet.
If you are planning on doing a France campervan road trip, you will want to visit during the summer months. This way you can make the most of the great outdoors with the best weather.
Between June and August is a good time for those travelling France and camping along the way. With warmer temperatures, less chance of rainfall and longer days, summer is a great time to visit this beautiful country. However, it’s worth noting that this is a particularly busy time of year, so expect the roads and top attractions to be busier.
For those seeking pleasant weather yet fewer crowds, autumn is a great time to visit France. Between September and November, you will find quieter roads and the chance to see the stunning countryside as the autumn colours change the landscape. The south of France is particularly good for a road trip in autumn, as the roads are quieter but the days are still warm enough to get out and enjoy the outdoors.
France in winter can be quite cold, with a much higher chance of rainfall. Between December and February, the temperatures drop and the days become shorter. If the cold weather doesn’t bother you, this is a great time to visit for those seeking utter seclusion. The roads are generally much quieter and the cities are free from tourists and busy crowds, making it a great time for those looking to navigate the top sights with ease.
Whether you’re planning to spend a couple of days road tripping around France, or planning a full 7-day itinerary, you will need to know how to navigate the country safely. You must do your research before setting off on the roads, especially if this is your first time driving here.
There are different roads throughout France. The toll road autoroutes provide easy shortcuts, yet you will find the scenery far nicer on the smaller roads. France’s highways also provide a much busier journey, with truck drivers and speed cameras along the way.
You should plan where you want to go, look at a map and then decipher which route you are going to take. If you don’t plan efficiently, you could find yourself spending most of your time trying to navigate or stuck in traffic.
It’s best to decide on the top sights you want to see and then decide on the most scenic route from here. After all, there is no point in planning a road trip around France if you’re not going to see the best of what this stunning country has to offer.
When deciding on where to go for a road trip through France, the breathtaking French Alps are a top choice. This route provides one of the best trips for those seeking dramatic scenery and exciting adventures.
The French Alps are best explored by car during the summer months. Between June and September is when the mountains are snow free, and the surrounding landscapes show off their lush greenery and magnificent scenery.
Along the way, you will find yourself encompassed by incredible mountainous vistas, vast shimmering lakes and beautiful historic cities. Be sure to check out the breathtaking mountain pass of Col de l’Iseran and France’s highest village, St-Veran.
As you make your way through the French Alps, stop off to explore the surrounding countryside. There are plenty of opportunities to hike and bike, or you can take a trip in a cable car to see the peaks from a bird’s eye view.
Many visitors choose to plan their road trip from Provence, to the Alps and then to Cote d’Azur. This journey provides a route of contrasts, from the Mediterranean sea to the impressive mountains in the Alps and along the Italian border.
This is a great road trip to do in France with family. There are plenty of places to stop off, like the glamorous town of Cannes, the foodie area of Nice or lavish Monaco.
Wine lovers should stop off in St Tropez, where you will find many high-end bars and restaurants to relax under the beaming sun. For anyone seeking some of France’s art and culture, a trip to Antibes for the Picasso Museum should certainly be on your itinerary.
For a road trip full of luxury, lavish living, art, culture and history, a trip along the Cote d’Azur offers a true sense of France from the movies. You can choose to dine in the best restaurants or relax on one of the many pristine beaches, there is something for everyone in this beautiful part of the country.
When setting out on a self-guided tour of France, The Loire Valley is the perfect place to go if you’re looking to soak up some of the country’s history and heritage. For a place full of ancient castles, mediaeval villages and stunning scenery, the Loire Valley should be on your France road trip itinerary.
Along the way, be sure to stop off at France’s most beautiful mediaeval fortress, the Chateau de Langeais. Here you will find ancient structures in a beautiful setting.
As you travel through the Loire Valley, you’ll be met with magnificent greenery and landscapes littered with vineyards. There are many great family attractions throughout the valley, with places like the Terra Botanica theme park and the lavish royal palace of Chambord.
If you’re a wine enthusiast, you have no doubt already heard of Bordeaux, as the two go hand in hand. However, there is much more to this stunning region than its wine offering. With a city full of charming castles, boutique shops and mouth-watering cuisine, there is plenty to see and do here.
After you have spent some time exploring the city of Bordeaux, you can head off to the contrasting Gascogne natural park. With pine forests, glistening lakes and wildlife in abundance, this is the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle whilst soaking up the stunning scenery and natural beauty here.
As you make your way to Biarritz, you will find several beautiful sandy shores, providing the perfect place to enjoy some time by the sea. Partake in surfing, body boarding and other water sports activities, or simply relax on the shore under the warm sunshine.
The trip from Paris to Nice includes some of the best that France has to offer. With chances to stop off in iconic places such as Paris, Lyon, Valence, Avignon, Marseille and Nice, you will find many of the country’s highlights along this route.
This journey offers the perfect opportunity to do some great sightseeing, all whilst indulging in some of the best food and wine in the world. The drive from Paris to Nice is very scenic, consisting of history, architecture, great food and plenty of wine.
Be sure to spend some time wandering through the capital, check out the renowned Eiffel Tower, learn at the Louvre Museum and marvel over the architecture at the Cathedral of Notre Dame. There is so much to see and do here, it is no surprise why so many choose to visit the romantic city of Paris.
After you have spent some time seeing all the sights in Paris, make your way to Beaune. Here you will find some of the best wineries that the country has to offer. This is a beautiful place full of history and culture and the small countryside settlement also allows for stunning landscapes in a tranquil environment.
As you continue your journey, you will next make your way to Lyon. Visit the Old Town and climb Fourviere Hill for spectacular views over the city and surrounding countryside.
There are some other great places to stop off along the way. Some highlights include the city of Avignon, beautiful Marseille and finally onto the favoured holiday destination of Nice.
Burgundy is one of the richest regions in France and offers history and culture in abundance. The area also boasts stunning landscapes with vineyards scattered throughout the countryside.
The region of Burgundy has been well-known for its artistic and historical interests. With plenty of Romanesque heritage and incredible wines, there is plenty of exploring to be done here.
Be sure to visit favoured towns and villages of Dijon, Beaune, Vezelay, Noyers and more as you make your way through Burgundy. There are castles and cathedrals to explore, alongside several incredible eateries. Indulge in mouth-watering cuisine, or simply sit, wine in hand as you soak up your stunning surroundings.
We hope that after reading through our French road trip recommendations, you can now plan to visit here with all the best places in mind. Whether you’re looking to soak up the history and culture of the country’s cities, or simply relax amidst the countryside and vineyards, there is something for everyone here. No matter where you choose to go, you will find a trip full of adventure, stunning landscapes and incredible food and wine.
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we can earn a small commission when our visitors click on them. This helps us to keep our content free and accessible for everyone, but you’ll never be charged for engaging with them.
© 2009-2024 – BACKPACKERBOY
WEBSITE DESIGN BY SEO TRAVEL
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we can earn a small commission when our visitors click on them. This helps us to keep our content free and accessible for everyone, but you’ll never be charged for engaging with them.
Where to Go in Argentina 