Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Honfleur - Cancale - Billiers - Ile de Ré - Sarlat - Arcachon - Biarritz - Carcassonne - Les Baux-de-Provence
100% customisable for you
Your epic road trip through France starts today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and enjoy some nibbles and refreshments in the airport lounge before take-off. Flight time to Paris is just an hour and a half, enough time to brush up on some useful French phrases. On arrival, collect your hire car and travel two-and-a-half hours to the charming riverside city of Honfleur, on France’s northern coast. Check in for two nights in an elegant family-friendly hotel well situated for exploring the city and spend the rest of today enjoying into your new French surroundings. We recommend heading out for a wander through town to stretch your legs and get a feel for local life. You parents can savour a glass of fine wine while the kiddos can sink their teeth into an indulgent pastry. Head back to the hotel this evening for a delicious meal before settling in for a good night’s sleep.
Your first full day in France is all about discovering this idyllic sliver of Normandy. Located just south of the Seine estuary, the charming port town of Honfleur is mostly known and adored for its artistic heritage. It was here that the world-renowned artist Claude Monet first started studying the effects of light and reflection. In fact, many historians consider this city to be the birth place of Impressionism. As you wander the picturesque riverside streets of the Old Dock, it’s easy to see why this port was such a favourite among artists. There are a few museums that showcase the city’s link with art and specifically Impressionism, including the Eugène Boudin Museum. On the other side of the estuary is Le Havre, an important port city with a scenic city centre designed by Auguste Perret, a major French architect in the post-war era. You’re also in striking distance of the beautiful Pays d’Auge countryside, a region famous for its farms, cheeses and apple ciders.
After a delicious breakfast at the hotel this morning, bundle the family back into the hire car and continue on to your next destination: the beautiful seaside town of Cancale, in the northwestern department of Brittany. While driving directly takes just two hours, we recommend taking a detour along the way to visit some of northern France’s most historic beaches. Located about halfway between Honfeleur and Concale are the five beaches where the allied forces landed on ‘D-Day’ in 1944 – Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. The beaches are home to cemeteries, memorials and museums and provide visitors with a great opportunity to reflect on this incredible portion of European history. Youngsters in particular can enjoy discovering some German canons and bunkers on certain beaches. This afternoon, continue on to Cancale and settle into a charming cottage near the beach. Spend the rest of this evening relaxing in your new home and reflecting on the day’s learnings.
One of Concale’s most incredible attractions (and Europe’s for that matter) is the enchanting island of Mont Saint-Michel. This UNESCO World Heritage site has been a major pilgrimage site in Europe since the construction of the gravity-defying Benedictine abbey at the island’s peak. Opulent monastic buildings were added throughout the Middle Ages, as well as host of elegant buildings that are now home to museums, shops and restaurants. Today, you’ll be embarking on a cruise in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel in a traditional rig. You and your family will have the opportunity to practice some simple sailing manoeuvres along the way. A delicious barbecue lunch based on fresh seafood and other local products is also enjoyed onboard the boat.
Today you’ll be swapping coastlines, heading from the northern shores of the Brittany Peninsula to its southern coast. After a hearty fresh breakfast at the hotel this morning, hop back into your hire car and travel two-and-half hours to the Gulf of Morbihan, a veritable inland sea with around 40 islands. Besides its generous natural beauty, the gulf is also home to coastal paths, medieval villages, half-timbered houses and megalithic monuments. Settle in for two nights in a historic estate perched on a rocky peninsula and spend the rest of today soaking in your new surroundings. We recommend enjoying a leisurely stroll on one of the many nearby beaches before tucking into a delicious meal at your hotel this evening.
After warming up your sea legs the other day, it’s time to get back out on the water. Today you’ll be heading out on a cruise on a semi-rigid boat on the Gulf of Morbihan with its many islands and islets. This is a great opportunity to admire the gulf’s scenic jewels, including the Auray river and its two ports, the Vannes river, Port-Navalo, Locmariaquer and the islands of Arz and Monks. Round off your day at sea with a tasting of some delicious oysters alongside a glass of crisp white wine, either on land or at sea. The rest of the afternoon is yours to play with. We recommend making the most of your time here to further explore your local surroundings. You’ll be staying in a classic Breton village near to paths leading to Pointe de Pen Lan and several beaches. You could also visit Vannes, a beautiful fortified town with a bustling port and medieval centre steeped in history.
After a tasty breakfast at the hotel this morning, hop back into your hire car and travel three-and-a-half hours along the Vendée coast to Ile de Ré, the pearl of the Charente archipelago. The island extends its elongated shape opposite La Rochelle and is connected to the mainland by a long bridge. Settle in for two nights in a charming hotel in the heart of Ars-en-Ré, a traditional village on the west coast. Spend the rest of today settling into the rhythm of island life. The long sandy beach of Campiotel is just ten-minute drive away and makes for a beautiful late-afternoon walk after a day on the road. Ars-en-Ré is also home to a lovely selection of bars and seafood restaurants, perfect for an aperitif or evening meal.
Today is all about discovering the best that Ile de Ré has to offer, which is quite a bit, so make sure to start the day bright and early with a hearty breakfast. The island is a particularly popular destination for fans of unspoilt nature and cycling so we recommend renting bikes and spending the day discovering the island on two wheels. This is a great way to soak in as many scenic and cultural delights as possible, which range from picturesque houses and streets and long beaches bordered by dunes to wild salt marshes and traditional oyster farms. It is also worth visiting the ports of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, Ars-en-Ré and La Flotte, as well as the Baleines lighthouse, which offers beautiful panoramic views from the top.
The time has come to temporarily bid farewell to the coast, as you’ll be spending the next three days in the heart of the inland Sarlat region. After a tasty breakfast this morning, jump back into your hire car and travel to your next accommodation: a beautiful hotel on the banks of the Vézère river, a four-hour drive away. The rest of today is yours to spend at leisure. If you have some steam left in the tank after a busy day of travelling, we recommend visiting the nearby replica of the Lascaux IV cave, known by archaeologists as the ‘Sistine Chapel of Prehistory’ thanks to its 20,000-year-old paintings from the Paleolithic period.
The next two days are dedicated to soaking in the rich scenic and cultural delights the Sarlat region has to offer. Sarlat-la-Canéda, the capital of the Périgord Noir, is a city that dazzles visitors with its well-preserved medieval charm. You can easily lose track of time strolling the cobbled centre, poking your head into traditional tableware shops and tucking into the region’s rich gastronomic specialities: foie gras, walnuts and figs. The dark oak forests of the Périgord Noir treasure the Périgord truffle, also known as the ‘Black Diamond’ for being one of the most coveted fungus breeds in the world. Over the next two day you’ll also be heading down the charming Dordogne River aboard a traditional gabarre boat (a flat-bottomed wooden boat). This four-mile route winds from La Roque-Gageac, one of the most beautiful villages in France, to the Château de Castelnaud, a picturesque fortress. Along the way you’ll learn all about the region’s history and ecosystem in a fun and informative way that will keep the younger ones as engaged as the adults.
The coast is calling once again. After a delicious breakfast at your hotel this morning, it’s time to continue on to your next destination: the beautiful Arcachon Bay, a three-hour drive away. The journey takes you straight through the bustling city of Bordeaux, so we recommend taking a couple of hours to explore the vibrant city centre before continuing on to the coast. On arrival, settle in for two nights in a spacious hotel near the water’s edge and spend the rest of the day relaxing, ready for an adventurous day tomorrow.
On today’s agenda: a boat ride in the Arcachon Bay on a pinnace (a small sailing ship). The vast bay is a meeting point of the fresh waters of the Leyre Delta and the turbulent waters of the ocean. This morning you’ll embark on a private sailing trip tailored to you. You could visit the Cap Ferret, traditional fishing villages and oyster beds, as well Bird Island, with its enchanting stilted cabins. The exploring doesn’t stop when you’re back on dry land. We recommend making the most of this afternoon to enjoy some of the bay’s most attractive sites, including the 19th-century villas of Ville d’Hiver, the Moorish Park, the Moorish-style casino, Dune du Pilat and, of course, the many benches and oyster restaurants.
Your epic road trip continues today. After breakfast this morning, hop back into your hire car and travel two hours to Biarritz, a glamorous seaside resort town in the heart of the Basque Country. On arrival, check in for two nights in an elegant guesthouse well located for exploring the city. The rest of today is yours to spend at leisure. We recommend soaking in some local Basque culture in the lively district of Les Halles. Here you’ll also find a bustling food market where you can sample traditional specialities from the region, such as oysters, ham and pinxtos (Basque-style tapas). After a bite to eat, enjoy an evening stroll along Biarritz’s beautiful beach.
After a spot of culture yesterday, today is all about soaking in the rich natural beauty of this sliver of the Basque Country. After a fuelling breakfast this morning you’ll be met by an experienced local guide who’ll be taking you for a family-friendly hike off the beaten track. The area’s landscapes are home to a range of stunning hiking trails that pass through lush vegetation, as well as rivers, waterfalls and natural baths, all of which are perfect for a refreshing dip along the way. Head back to the city this afternoon for a little more exploring before a well-deserved rest at the hotel this evening. We recommend a long laze on the beach or a laid-back stroll through some more markets. We could also arrange for some or all of your clan to try their hand at a spot of surfing with a friendly local instructor.
As Biarritz is perched on France’s extreme southwest coast, there’s nowhere for you to go now but west. Today you’ll be bidding farewell to the Atlantic and embarking on a journey across the Pyrenees to Carcassonne, a hilltop medieval citadel about four hours from Biarritz. On arrival, settle in for the night in an elegant hotel within the city’s ramparts. Carcassonne, an impressive UNESCO-listed medieval city, is compact and very walkable. Spend the rest of this afternoon strolling the enchanting streets of the centre, admiring the pristine historic buildings. Head back to the hotel this evening for a delicious meal at the hotel’s restaurant and a good night’s rest before hitting the road again tomorrow.
Your journey east continues today to your final destination: the idyllic hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence (or simply ‘Baux’), just under three hours from Carcassonne. Your home for the next two nights is a traditional Provençal farmhouse surrounded by nature. Spend the rest of today exploring the village on foot. There are no fewer than 22 listed monuments, including the castle, an important relic of Baux’s medieval past. Head back to the hotel to enjoy a relaxing evening before one last adventurous day in France tomorrow.
There’s a lot on the agenda for your last full day in the South of France so make sure to wake up bright and early this morning. You’ll be heading into the heat of the Alpilles, an enchanting low-lying mountain range known for its wine and olive oil production, and breathtaking scenery. in the company of a knowledgeable local guide, you’ll visit two wine estates (with tastings, naturally) before visiting a traditional sheepfold, where you’ll have the chance to meet the owner before sampling a selection of emblematic goat's cheeses. When lunchtime comes around, settle in for a delicious Michelin-starred picnic in a pristine vineyard far from any hordes of tourists. Round off your day in the mountains with a visit to the workshop of a passionate olive oil producer before tasting several varieties of oil.
Sadly the time has come to bid France a warm farewell and embark on the journey home. After one last delicious French breakfast this morning, drive one hour to the airport in Marseille. Drop off your hire car, whizz through security and enjoy some peace and quiet in the airport lounge before boarding your two-hour flight back to the UK. If you’re not ready to leave France behind quite yet, we could also arrange for you to extend your holiday with a few days on the French Riviera.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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