France is a country made to be explored by road. If you’re coming from the UK, you can even arrive here by car if you hop on the ferry or Eurotunnel, so the road trip can begin from your front door. Whether you want to discover the Atlantic coast and countryside of Brittany, the vineyards of Bordeaux and Burgundy, or head south to the hilltop villages of Provence and the sparkling shores of the Mediterranean, it’s all just a skip across the channel. Read on to start planning your four-wheeled adventure with our seven best road trips in France...
1. Provence and Ardeche
2. The French Riviera
3. Brittany
4. Burgundy and Champagne
5. Corsica
6. Perigord
7. The Basque Country and Landes
Provence and Ardeche
Drive through the Camargue region in southern France in a 4x4, spotting flocks of pink flamingos, wild white horses and reeds wafting in the wind, while keeping one eye on the horizon. Wander down the mile-long beaches of Beauduc, reached via a thin strand of asphalt that winds between ponds and salt marshes. Stop in Arles to marvel at Montmajour Abbey, before heading to the vast gorge of the Ardeche. Here, you can leave your car by the side of the road and meander down the steep slopes, through chestnut groves, to reach the water. Settle down on a smooth rock to admire the view or dive into the fresh, icy water (if you’re feeling brave).
Image by Faustine Poidevin
The French Riviera
In Marseille, tuck into tasty shellfish lunches at Les Goudes, shop for spices and halva at the Noailles Market, or escape the city by boat to the Frioul Archipelago, enjoying a glass of wine on board or diving into the cooling water. In Cassis, you can stay in a château surrounded by pine forest and creeks, overlooking the Cap Canaille, while in Ramatuelle, settle into a majestic hotel located on Pampelonne Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in France.
Image by Ian Hanning/REA
Brittany
Gaze out of the window at Brittany’s untamed landscapes as you cruise alongside the coastline of jagged rocks facing the Atlantic, soaking in the smells of the sea air mixed with the marsh and forest. Then experience some calm in the sheltered Gulf of Morbihan, a protected inland sea dotted with fantastic islands. The long sandy beaches, coastal paths, lost villages and salt marshes make this one of the best road trips in France.
Burgundy and Champagne
In Champagne, you can drive through the vineyards, cross the Marne River and visit the best Champagne houses, from Ruinart to Taittinger. Then, head south to Burgundy, where you'll plot a course through gently curving countryside dotted with the world's most renowned vineyards, neatly lined up in tight rows and sheltered by dry stone walls.
Image by Tsuyoshi Kaneko/Adobe Stock
Corsica
Start in the north at the Corsican Cape - a finger-shaped peninsula pointing at Genoa and Liguria - and meander south along quiet, scenic roads until you reach the limestone cliffs of the Bonifacio region. Small fishing ports and villages are scattered across wild valleys in the north of the island, while the citadel of Corte, glorious walking trails and fresh streams sit in the centre. In the south, it’s all about white cliffs, blue creeks and beautiful beaches (although you’ll find the latter all over the island).
Image by Maksim Shutov/Unsplash
Perigord
On a road trip through Perigord, expect to see green forests crisscrossed by rivers, white limestone plateaus and purple vineyards dotted with bastides (fortified towns). Perigord is set in the valleys of the Dordogne and the Vezere – home to dense forests and green hills cloaked in oak trees. The region is also full of caves and troglodytic dwellings, fortified villages and farms with lauze stone (like slate, but thicker) roofs. Winding through holm oaks and junipers, the region’s hilly lanes are an absolute winner for road trips.
The Basque Country and Landes
With the peaks of the Pyrenees facing the ocean, and pine forests and sandy beaches as far as the eye can see, driving from the Basque Coast to Bordeaux is up there as one of our best road trips in France. You’ll pass white houses in Guethary, surf breaks along endless beaches and forests of oaks and pines. Cross the Landes towards Arcachon Bay and Cap Ferret, where you can enjoy the contemplative calm of a bike ride or a coffee-flavoured canele pastry.
Image by Alix Pardo
Written by Luisa Watts | Header image by Lucentius/Getty Images
