France Car Tours: Top 5 Unforgettable Road Trips
Thinking of visiting France? You know, for a totally brilliant adventure, right? There’s seriously no finer way to experience its beauty, you know, than from behind the wheel on a French car tour, is that right? Instead of those group tours or fixed itineraries, you’re pretty free to explore super beautiful vineyards, super charming villages, and super dramatic coastlines pretty much at your very own relaxed speed, and that’s a fact! This is one pretty perfect way of totally discovering hidden gems, you know, that most folks may just pass over; like those roadside boulangeries that bake bread like no other.
1. The Classic Loire Valley Route
Oh, you like those fairytale-type castles? You definitely should tour the Loire Valley, which pretty much just seems ripped straight from the pages of a storybook, actually. This well-known route basically starts in the gorgeous city of Orléans, known mostly for its important historical connections to Joan of Arc, or something, anyway. Then you’ll make your way through those beautiful countryside, and of course, eventually make plenty of stops at the magnificent châteaux dotted right across the valley. Like Chambord; it is like the largest and arguably most recognized château, and it’s seriously an awesome symbol of French Renaissance architecture; the kind of place which simply takes one’s breath away, too it’s almost spiritual!
From Chambord, you then kind of meander along to Château de Chenonceau. Chenonceau kind of charmingly spans the River Cher and does, by the way, give a completely unique perspective, you see? Next is Château de Villandry, of course famed for its beautiful gardens, its design being so intricately arranged you’re easily transported back in time. A really scenic drive it is; expect it to be lined mostly by sprawling vineyards and rolling hills. Do actually stop to taste some regional wines along the way – Sancerre, or Pouilly-Fumé? Yeah they definitely pair greatly along with locally sourced cheeses! The route is great all year round but those summertime months bring consistently glorious weather, ideal, that is, for enjoying outdoors activities around the various castles.
2. Burgundy Wine Route
This is for you who savor fine wines! Burgundy beckons. Winding through the area around Côte de Nuits, expect the most lush vineyards that produce several prestigious wines across all of France, yet. From Dijon (which obviously needs its mustards shouting out!), expect the drive through Beaune before passing smaller picturesque villages that add character to the location, that, you know? Make the point, though, of checking places like Gevrey-Chambertin; this location’s iconic, so iconic, really, and then maybe grab some tours across local vineyards plus cellar ones where great learning comes across. Pinot Noir really sings as well as Chardonnay, too; those vineyards almost provide unmatched tasting experiences, they simply leave folks gasping. Take time here, of course; linger perhaps to try dishes like boeuf bourguignon; this heart-warmer just tastes sublime whenever accompanied alongside grand Burgundy reds. That way, the harvests tend toward late summer so driving across during this spell should capture peak sights!
3. Provence Lavender Fields
Does a vibrant tapestry appeal? Drive through Provence so one truly delights at that colorful vista formed largely through sprawling lavender beds; expect total sensory pleasure whenever traversing this path, that is. Beginning at Avignon expect Gordes along to Roussillon along roads which come packed by lavender plants from pretty much July onwards through to around August; you need your cameras here!! Feel free also, obviously, just breathing throughout these fields which provide pure relief especially on those hotter summer’s days – simply euphoric. But it gets really fascinating with some additional points of cultural note. Explore ancient remains close at Les Baux de Provence besides sampling regional specialities such as ratatouille; there are even bouillabaisse choices located throughout coastal zones here too! Do come prepared – expect large seasonal crowds which frequent; arrive relatively early if attempting photograph-capture especially at spots such as the Senanque Abbey at which lavender farms reach their majestic pinnacle.
4. The French Riviera
Seeking perhaps, something glamorous, and sophisticated along those coastline areas which hug beautiful blue seas? Why don’t we investigate La French Riviera? From gorgeous Saint Tropez (ever so very famous), and of course across Monte Carlo which comes known vastly throughout the entire casinos sphere, even Nice – prepare for the kind that boasts elegance right through their every single corner almost. Take advantage of breathtaking landscapes alongside iconic attractions. Try those art museums close at Nice which host various pieces attributed most notably across Henri Matisse plus perhaps make time for traversing further south reaching those exquisite beaches littered across Cannes also – after its own infamous movies showing week. These areas tend attracting serious attention mainly amongst Summer because those clear seas come alive! Driving becomes relatively tricky at such busy spells especially amongst constricted routes around locations such as Monaco (prepare yourself ahead) plus feel inclined perhaps selecting times, such during months classified Spring/Autumn, whenever crowd numbers drop besides perfect sunny intervals continue – almost a bliss.
5. Normandy D-Day Beaches
Look closely at that region with an exceptional depth on that timeline. Normandy attracts people’s curiosity for remembrance by visiting such pivotal historic locations specifically connected greatly towards World War 2. A visit there means coming nose against these striking coasts where brave troopers eventually started to achieve European freedoms which did forever change human fates, apparently! This trip normally initiates mostly out by Caen proceeding then toward destinations as famous these – Omaha coastline especially amongst Arromanches, with all key sights carefully remembered using visitor centres packed full on memories kept truly sacred almost regardless; yet these really can get greatly emotional while visualizing where these troopers basically battled those fierce tides whilst sustaining really grievous setbacks, it is!
Consider scheduling museums close amongst Bayeux tapestry sites which provide wider information particularly across past events mostly from ancient historic viewpoints combined into touching contemporary memorials that reflect across every bit concerning these occasions too. Remember travelling across low seasons primarily as doing so then promotes less heavy congestion while supporting a higher measured personal recognition alongside such deeply respectful journeys across crucial locations linked firmly amidst Europe’s long evolution timeline here too, as it happened!!