{"id":388,"date":"2025-11-10T03:28:10","date_gmt":"2025-11-09T19:28:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php\/2025\/03\/07\/france-itineraries-5-routes-to-see-the-best-of-the-country\/"},"modified":"2025-11-23T09:56:01","modified_gmt":"2025-11-23T01:56:01","slug":"france-itineraries-5-routes-to-see-the-best-of-the-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/?p=388","title":{"rendered":"France itineraries: 5 routes to see the best of the country"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"content-block lg:w-full\" data-astro-cid-d3bt3f4h=\"\">\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Sampling oysters on the northern coast of Normandy, sipping stellar vintages in Bordeaux and wandering the soul-stirring streets of Paris: the French holiday of your dreams awaits.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Whether you want to tick off\u00a0the greatest hits\u00a0or seek out more under-the-radar spots, these itineraries will take you all over the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Ranging from a 3-day north-south journey from Calais to the Alps to a 9-day trip crisscrossing\u00a0France\u00a0to cover many\u00a0highlights, these routes can be extended by adding extra days at various stops or combining multiple routes to make the perfect trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"my-24 lg:w-[calc(100%+5rem)] lg:-ml-10\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/iconic-france-itinerary.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop\" alt=\"Enjoy the highlights of France, from the banks of the Seine, to the amphitheater of Arles and the beaches of Marseille.\" width=\"3264\" height=\"2020\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"max-w-full object-contain w-full bg-black-100 \" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1200px) 1200px, (min-width: 1024px) 1024px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, (min-width: 640px) 640px, (min-width: 320px) 320px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/iconic-france-itinerary.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=320 320w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/iconic-france-itinerary.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=640 640w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/iconic-france-itinerary.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=768 768w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/iconic-france-itinerary.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1024 1024w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/iconic-france-itinerary.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1200 1200w\"><figcaption class=\"mt-2 text-right text-xs\">This highlights tour will take you from the banks of the Seine through the amphitheater of Arles and to the beaches of Marseille. L\u2013R: Amir Hamja for Lonely Planet, Adrienne Pitts for Lonely Planet, Theo Giacometti for Lonely Planet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"article-h2 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">1. Hit France\u2019s most iconic sites\u00a0<\/h2>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Allow at least 9 days\u00a0<br \/><\/b><i>Distance: 1200km (746 miles)<\/i>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">If you\u2019ve always dreamed of seeing the best of France, this highlight-studded trip is for you. Expect world-class museums and ch\u00e2teaux, Roman relics and a dizzying dose of urban action by the sea. With more time, each stop can (and really should) easily be extended by a few days.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Paris: 2 days<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">The bird\u2019s-eye city view from the Eiffel Tower\u00a0\u2013 especially by night \u2013 is a breathtaking introduction to the capital that never gets old. Alternatively, gorge on the Paris panorama that unfurls from atop the Arc de Triomphe instead. Don\u2019t miss a concert in the soul-stirring\u00a0Sainte-Chapelle and the splendor of\u00a0Versailles. Factor in ample time for cafe lounging, bistro lunches and Seine-side strolls.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop:<\/b> Take a train from Paris to Blois (1.5 hours).\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Blois: 1 day<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Four centuries of French history come alive in the small town of Blois, the one-time feudal seat of powerful counts. Play the French fl\u00e2neur in its old-town tangle of tuff mansions and half-timbered houses, then plunge into Ch\u00e2teau de Blois\u2019 bloody history. Rent a bicycle or e-bike to devote the afternoon to the Renaissance confection\u00a0Ch\u00e2teau de Chambord, 16km (10 miles) east.<\/p>\n<p><astro-ad data-container-id=\"gpt-ad-211326176593\" data-path=\"\/9885583\/LonelyPlanet.com\/articles\/in-content-top\" data-slot-size=\"[[970,250],[970,90],[728,90],[300,250],[320,50],[1,1]]\" data-targeting='{\"url\":\"france-best-itineraries\",\"destination\":\"France\",\"continent\":\"Europe\",\"country\":\"France\"}' data-size-mapping='[{\"viewport\":[0,0],\"slot\":[]},{\"viewport\":[300,0],\"slot\":[[300,250],[320,50],[1,1]]},{\"viewport\":[768,0],\"slot\":[[728,90],[300,250],[1,1]]},{\"viewport\":[960,0],\"slot\":[[970,250],[970,90],[728,90],[300,250],[1,1]]}]' data-debug=\"false\" class=\"block gpt-ad my-24 lg:w-[calc(100%+5rem)] lg:-ml-10\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"p-3 text-xs leading-none tracking-wide text-center uppercase text-black-400\">\nAdvertisement\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"gpt-ad-211326176593\" style=\"min-height:min-content\">   <\/div>\n<p>  <\/astro-ad><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop:<\/b> Drive from Blois to the Vez\u00e8re Valley (4 hours).\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Vez\u00e8re Valley: 1 day<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Descending into caves painted by prehistoric artists is the subterranean thrill of this rural valley in the Dordogne. Learn the back story at the Mus\u00e9e National de Pr\u00e9histoire in the pretty riverside village of Les Eyzies before plunging into nearby Grotte de Font de Gaume and later Lascaux in Montignac. Buy tickets for both in advance online.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop:<\/b> Drive from the Vez\u00e8re Valley to Carcassonne (3 hours and 15 minutes).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Detour:<\/b> Break up the journey by stopping in Toulouse to explore the Canal du Midi (add 1 day).\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Carcassonne: 1 day<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">The drive south through honey-colored Sarlat-la-Can\u00e9da and cliff-hanging Rocamadour is beautiful. Along the way, stop at a farm to buy a round of the eponymous goat cheese. After the wilderness of the southern Lot\u2019s Causses de Quercy (a UNESCO Geopark), crowded Carcassonne can jar. Linger over a late lunch of cassoulet and save the vast fairy-tale citadel for sunset.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop: <\/b>Drive from Carcassonne to Pont du Gard (2 hours and 15 minutes).\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Pont du Gard: 1 day<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Roman history buffs will have a field day today. Stop in Narbonne in\u00a0Languedoc-Roussillon to pour over Roman history at the city\u2019s world-class museum before continuing along the A9 to the awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage\u2013listed\u00a0Roman aqueduct. Bring your swimsuit for daredevil diving and high jumping from the rocks nearby after exploring the extraordinary monument.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop: <\/b>Drive from Pont du Gard to Arles (50 minutes).\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Arles: 1 day<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Camargue capital Arles is a sultry southern showstopper. Stroll the golden-hued streets and riverside greenways that inspired Van Gogh, sit in the stalls where Romans once sat in the town\u2019s lovingly restored amphitheater, and shop for Proven\u00e7al produce at the Saturday-morning market. A taste of contemporary flair: the sensational, Frank Gehry-designed Fondation Luma.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop:<\/b> Drive from Arles to Marseille (1.5 hours by car).\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Marseille: 2 days<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Embrace the high-octane energy of Provence\u2019s sprawling metropolis, stitched from an eclectic portfolio of museums and 111 wildly diverse \u201cvillages.\u201d To get under its salty, weathered, Mistral-kissed skin, begin your DIY tour of Marseille with the fishermen at\u00a0Vieux Port. Don\u2019t forget the beaches along the coast and Les Goudes, an old-world launchpad for hikes and sea kayaks in Les Calanques.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"my-24 lg:w-[calc(100%+5rem)] lg:-ml-10\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/france-john-harper-GettyImages-521655660-rfe.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop\" alt=\"Tourists sit on the sandy Dune du Pilat on the Bassin d\u2019Arcachon at sunset.\" width=\"5300\" height=\"3393\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"max-w-full object-contain w-full bg-black-100 \" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1200px) 1200px, (min-width: 1024px) 1024px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, (min-width: 640px) 640px, (min-width: 320px) 320px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/france-john-harper-GettyImages-521655660-rfe.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=320 320w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/france-john-harper-GettyImages-521655660-rfe.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=640 640w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/france-john-harper-GettyImages-521655660-rfe.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=768 768w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/france-john-harper-GettyImages-521655660-rfe.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1024 1024w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-08\/france-john-harper-GettyImages-521655660-rfe.jpeg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1200 1200w\"><figcaption class=\"mt-2 text-right text-xs\">Ride a bike to Dune du Pilat on the Bassin d\u2019Arcachon. John Harper\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"article-h2 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">2. Cruise along the Atlantic Coast<\/h2>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Allow at least 7 days\u00a0<br \/><\/b><i>Distance: 565km (351 miles)\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Pea-green vineyards, open-sea oyster farms and the golden contours of Europe\u2019s largest sand dune shimmering in the sun: France&#8217;s wind-whipped Atlantic coast is one long parade of postcard views and tantalizing culinary stops. Driving allows you to motor off-track between villages and vines, but this highly appealing train itinerary is the greener route.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Nantes: 1 day<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Atlantic Ocean and Loire River vibes mix in the old Breton capital Nantes. Catch mechanical bestiary at Les Machines de l\u2019\u00cele on a river island in the heart of town, visit the city\u2019s ch\u00e2teau, and track the its edgy urban scene along the art-studded walking trail Le Voyage \u00e0 Nantes. Grab lunchtime oysters at the city\u2019s covered market and sunset drinks at a waterfront bar at Hangar \u00e0 Bananes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop:<\/b> Take a train from Nantes to La Rochelle (1 hour and 45 minutes).\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">La Rochelle: 2 days<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">A prominent French sea port from the 14th to 17th centuries, La Rochelle remains one of France\u2019s most attractive seafaring cities. Scale the sturdy stone heights of the city\u2019s maritime\u00a0towers\u00a0for bird\u2019s-eye city and coastal views. Enjoy spectacular seafood, enjoy an afternoon stroll to Cap Horn\u2019s curious 16-sided lighthouse and spend one day cycling around breezy \u00cele de R\u00e9.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop:<\/b> Take a train from La Rochelle to Bordeaux (3 hours).\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Bordeaux: 1 day<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">A day spent feasting on exceedingly fine architecture, art, food and some of the country\u2019s most prestigious wines in Bordeaux is a day well spent indeed. The historic part of the city forms the world\u2019s largest urban UNESCO World Heritage Site\u00a0\u2013 yet\u00a0Bordeaux\u2019s flush of contemporary museums and edgy art spaces are equally captivating.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop:<\/b> Take a train from Bordeaux to Arcachon (1.5 hours).\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Arcachon: 2 days<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Old-fashioned seaside charm is the order of the day in palm- and pine-tree-scented Arcachon. Whittle away a blissful day flopping on the golden-sand beach, sampling seafood with sea views and riding boats across the bay to oyster-rich Cap Ferret and \u00cele aux Oiseaux. The bike ride to Dune du Pilat is as exhilarating as the colossal sand dune itself.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop: <\/b>Take a train from Arcachon to Bayonne (3 hours).\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Bayonne: 1 day<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Seriously good chocolate, ham and Basque buzz make the small but larger-than-life French Basque capital of\u00a0Bayonne well worth lingering in. Delve into its rainbow of half-timbered houses and get to know Basque culture at the Mus\u00e9e Basque et de l\u2019Histoire de Bayonne. Then overdose on France&#8217;s finest hot chocolate and shop the lively market.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><astro-ad data-container-id=\"gpt-ad-987000164645\" data-path=\"\/9885583\/LonelyPlanet.com\/articles\/in-content-middle\" data-slot-size=\"[[970,250],[970,90],[728,90],[300,250],[320,50],[1,1]]\" data-targeting='{\"url\":\"france-best-itineraries\",\"destination\":\"France\",\"continent\":\"Europe\",\"country\":\"France\"}' data-size-mapping='[{\"viewport\":[0,0],\"slot\":[]},{\"viewport\":[300,0],\"slot\":[[300,250],[320,50],[1,1]]},{\"viewport\":[768,0],\"slot\":[[728,90],[300,250],[1,1]]},{\"viewport\":[960,0],\"slot\":[[970,250],[970,90],[728,90],[300,250],[1,1]]}]' data-debug=\"false\" class=\"block gpt-ad my-24 lg:w-[calc(100%+5rem)] lg:-ml-10\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"p-3 text-xs leading-none tracking-wide text-center uppercase text-black-400\">\nAdvertisement\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"gpt-ad-987000164645\" style=\"min-height:min-content\">   <\/div>\n<p>  <\/astro-ad><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Detour: <\/b>The glitzy seaside resort and surf capital of Biarritz is just a bus ride away (add 5 hours).<\/p>\n<figure class=\"my-24 lg:w-[calc(100%+5rem)] lg:-ml-10\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/cote-d-azur-itinerary.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop\" alt=\"Wander the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, the farmers markets of Aix-en-Provence and kayak through the Gorges du Verdon.\" width=\"3264\" height=\"2020\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"max-w-full object-contain w-full bg-black-100 \" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1200px) 1200px, (min-width: 1024px) 1024px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, (min-width: 640px) 640px, (min-width: 320px) 320px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/cote-d-azur-itinerary.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=320 320w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/cote-d-azur-itinerary.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=640 640w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/cote-d-azur-itinerary.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=768 768w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/cote-d-azur-itinerary.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1024 1024w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/cote-d-azur-itinerary.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1200 1200w\"><figcaption class=\"mt-2 text-right text-xs\">Wander the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, savor the farmers markets of Aix-en-Provence and kayak through the Gorges du Verdon. L\u2013R: Violette Franchi for Lonely Planet, Adrian Hancu\/Getty Images, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"article-h2 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">3. Explore the sunny south of France<\/h2>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Allow at least 7 days\u00a0<br \/><\/b><i>Distance: 385km (239 miles)\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">If there\u2019s one region to take your open-top convertible for a spin, it\u2019s the flashy Riviera, and Nice\u2019s legendary corniches. This itinerary \u2013 best avoided in July and August when coastal roads are clogged to bursting \u2013 whisks you from the glamorous heights of the C\u00f4te d\u2019Azur to the wild, untamed gorges of northern Provence.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Nice: 2 days<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Exceptional modern-art museums, street markets, emblematic Mediterranean beaches (pebbles!) and a rabbit-warren Old Town: Riviera queen Nice\u00a0simply sizzles. Best up, its traditional cuisine is having a moment as city\u2019s chefs elevate it to semi-gastronomic status. So be sure to pack in three square meals a day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop: <\/b>Travel from Nice to Menton (35 minutes by train, up to 1 hour by car along Moyenne or Grande Corniche).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Detour: <\/b>Ride the \u201cTrain des Merveilles\u201d with locals into the Vall\u00e9e de Roya \u2013 a scenic trip past gorge, forest and waterfall into the C\u00f4te d\u2019Azur backcountry.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Menton: 1 day<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">The last taste of France before Italy, Menton\u00a0has got its groove back thanks to its juicy lemons and star chef Mauro Colagreco. Enjoy a fascinating guided tour of a working lemon farm, followed by lunch in the terraced groves, at La Ferme des Citrons. Afterwards amble around the\u00a0Old Town, admiring its miniature microclimate through its gardens.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop:<\/b> Drive from Menton to St-Tropez (2 hours).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Detour:\u00a0<\/b>Playground of the super-rich, the pint-sized principality of Monaco\u00a0is next door (20 minutes by train).\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">St-Tropez: 1 day<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">The drive along the coastal Corniche de l\u2019Est\u00e9rel toward\u00a0St-Tropez is what Riviera motoring is all about: a serpentine road, first inaugurated by the Touring Club de France in 1903, that weaves between the flaming-red rock of Massif de l&#8217;Est\u00e9rel and the sun-dappled turquoise sea. Mythical fishing village turned over-touristed hot spot St-Tropez is equally glam.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop: <\/b>Drive from St-Tropez to Bormes-les-Mimosas (1 hour).\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Bormes-les-Mimosas: 4 hours<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Every road spiraling spectacularly to Bormes-les-Mimosas promises a heart-in-mouth ride. The inland D98 nosedives into the forested Massif des Maures; the coastal D559 tangos past sea gardens in Domaine du Rayol; and the Route des Cr\u00eates is scenic driving on steroids. Catch your breath later over lunch and exquisite flower displays in the medieval village.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop:<\/b> Drive from Bormes-les-Mimosas to Aix-en-Provence (1 hour and 45 minutes).\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Detour:<\/b> The Route du Mimosa driving itinerary from Bormes-les-Mimosas to perfume capital Grasse is at its blooming best in winter (add 1 day).\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Aix-en-Provence: 1 day<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">With its grandiose architecture, elegant avenues shaded by plane trees, profusion of cafes spilling onto sun-baked streets and collection of sculpted stone fountains, Aix-en-Provence encapsulates that classic Proven\u00e7al vibe. Follow in the footsteps of homegrown painter Paul C\u00e9zanne around town, admire art in the Mus\u00e9e Granet and shop at the market.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop:<\/b> Drive from Aix-en-Provence to Saignon (1 hour).\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Saignon: 4 hours<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Chic hilltop villages in the Luberon never fail to delight. Tiny Saignon, perched on the top of a hill above main town Apt, is the cr\u00e8me de la cr\u00e8me of Provencal <i>villages perch\u00e9s<\/i>. Meander its narrow lanes, taking in limestone houses, its ch\u00e2teau and the <i>\u00e9picerie<\/i> (corner shop) selling goods from local \u201cmicro-producers\u201d to hungry visitors. Then settle in at a table at one of several memorable lunch spots.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop:<\/b> Drive from Saignon to Gorges du Verdon (1.5 hours).<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Gorges du Verdon: 1 day<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Get set for heart palpitations. Home to eagles, vultures and wild boars, Provence\u2019s Gorges du Verdon is France\u2019s most spectacular canyon. Drive snail-slow from Moustiers Ste-Marie to take in the canyon panorama from the vertigo-inducing, cliffside D952. In places, the walls of the deep ravine rise to a dizzying 700m (2297ft) \u2013 twice the height of the Eiffel Tower.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"my-24 lg:w-[calc(100%+5rem)] lg:-ml-10\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/LPT0812025.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop\" alt=\"Mont St-Michel at mouth of Couesnon River at low tide.\" width=\"5120\" height=\"3407\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"max-w-full object-contain w-full bg-black-100 \" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1200px) 1200px, (min-width: 1024px) 1024px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, (min-width: 640px) 640px, (min-width: 320px) 320px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/LPT0812025.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=320 320w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/LPT0812025.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=640 640w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/LPT0812025.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=768 768w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/LPT0812025.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1024 1024w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/LPT0812025.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1200 1200w\"><figcaption class=\"mt-2 text-right text-xs\">Mont St-Michel at mouth of Couesnon River at low tide. Justin Foulkes for Lonely Planet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"article-h2 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">4. Enjoy Breton oysters and Norman cheese<\/h2>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Allow at least 7 days\u00a0<br \/><\/b><i>Distance: 500km (311 miles)\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Buckle your seat belt and loosen the belt around your waist in anticipation of the copious amounts of oysters and cheese you\u2019ll end up devouring on this epicurean road trip through both\u00a0Brittany and Normandy. Tranquil beaches and mythical islands provide a perfect \u201cexhilarating sea air\u201d pairing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Carnac: 3 hours<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Begin where it all began \u2013 at the standing stones of Carnac. And take your time: these monuments date to the 5th century BCE and compose the world\u2019s highest concentration of menhirs. Guided tours shine light on myths and legends surrounding the mystifying megaliths; off trail, you can hike through the surrounding woods to soak up Carnac\u2019s primordial energy.<\/p>\n<p><astro-ad data-container-id=\"gpt-ad-627636362845\" data-path=\"\/9885583\/LonelyPlanet.com\/articles\/in-content-native\" data-slot-size='[\"fluid\"]' data-targeting='{\"url\":\"france-best-itineraries\",\"destination\":\"France\",\"continent\":\"Europe\",\"country\":\"France\"}' data-debug=\"false\" class=\"block gpt-ad my-24 lg:w-[calc(100%+5rem)] lg:-ml-10 shadow p-6\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"gpt-ad-627636362845\" style=\"min-height:min-content\">   <\/div>\n<p>  <\/astro-ad><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop:<\/b> Travel from Carnac to Quiberon (30 minutes by car, 50 minutes by boat).\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Belle \u00cele: 2 days<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Sail from Quiberon on the southern tip of 4km(2.5-mile)-long Presqu&#8217;\u00eele de Quiberon to Belle \u00cele. This ravishing Breton island lives up to its <i>belle<\/i> (beautiful) name: think wild coastline, sandy beaches, traditional fishing villages painted in pretty pastel shades and a fun dining-drinking scene in main settlement Le Palais. Rent a moped to razz around.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop:<\/b>\u00a0Drive from Quiberon to St-Malo (3 hours).\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">St-Malo: 1 day<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">The enthralling, mast-filled port town of St-Malo is a dramatic sight. With one of the world\u2019s greatest tidal ranges, brewing storms under blackened skies often bring waves that lash the ramparts ringing this beautiful walled city. Privateers ruled the roost here in the 17th century \u2013 and their ghosts linger in the old city\u2019s cobbled lanes and opulent private mansions.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop:<\/b> Drive from St-Malo to Mont St-Michel (50 minutes).<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Mont St-Michel: half a day\u00a0<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">There is no more dramatic introduction to Normandy than this mysterious abbey-island. Celtic mythology claims Mont St-Michel was a sea tomb to which souls of the dead were sent. Keenly feel its history as you approach \u2013 barefoot across rippled sand with a hiking guide is best. Stay late to see the abbey at sunset. Dine on local foraged produce and sleep over at Auberge Sauvage, which has a Michelin \u201cgreen star.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop:<\/b> Drive from Mont St-Michel to Cabourg (1 hour and 45 minutes).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Detour:<\/b> Oyster fiends should head to the famous oyster market in Cancale, a 45-minute drive west.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Cabourg: 1 day<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Holiday like Proust in this enchanting seaside town on Normandy\u2019s art-strewn C\u00f4te Fleurie (\u201cflowered coast\u201d). Well-heeled neighbors Deauville and Trouville-sur-Mer grab the limelight, but Cabourg delivers with an immersive museum that plunges visitors into the Belle \u00c9poque. End the day with a sunset boardwalk stroll from Cap Cabourg to Plage Le Home Varaville.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop:<\/b> Drive from Cabourg to Pays d&#8217;Auge (30 minutes).\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Pays d\u2019Auge: 2 days<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Motoring inland raises the curtain on a different Normandy, a fertile green tapestry of apple orchards, handsome half-timbered villages and fields dotted with cows whose milk goes into creamy Camembert. In two days of getting lost along quiet country lanes in Pays d\u2019Auge, you can learn how Calvados is made at a farm distillery, make a pilgrimage to the village of Camembert and dine exceedingly well everywhere.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"my-24 lg:w-[calc(100%+5rem)] lg:-ml-10\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/GettyImages-1417906348.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop\" alt=\"A light dusting of snow covers buildings on the edge of a canal in France's Annecy.\" width=\"4368\" height=\"2912\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"max-w-full object-contain w-full bg-black-100 \" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1200px) 1200px, (min-width: 1024px) 1024px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, (min-width: 640px) 640px, (min-width: 320px) 320px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/GettyImages-1417906348.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=320 320w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/GettyImages-1417906348.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=640 640w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/GettyImages-1417906348.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=768 768w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/GettyImages-1417906348.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1024 1024w, https:\/\/lp-cms-production.imgix.net\/2024-10\/GettyImages-1417906348.jpg?auto=format,compress&#038;q=72&#038;fit=crop&#038;w=1200 1200w\"><figcaption class=\"mt-2 text-right text-xs\">The village of Annecy in France. Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"article-h2 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">5. Take the Eurostar to Calais \u2013 and journey on to the Alps<\/h2>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Allow at least 3 days\u00a0<br \/><\/b><i>Distance: 985km (612 miles)\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Skiers en route to the French Alps from England typically drive this route from the trans-Channel port of Calais in 8 hours or so, stopping overnight in Reims or Troyes. When you have time to spare, take your foot off the pedal to discover a kaleidoscope of cabin-lined beaches, Champagne cellars and world-class vineyards.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Calais: 3 hours<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Head off the car ferry or rail shuttle and into town. Give a nod to Rodin\u2019s famous sculpture of the town\u2019s burghers posing in front of the town\u2019s Flemish-Renaissance town hall. Hit the sandy <i>plage<\/i> and take a tour of the beachfront inside Calais\u2019 fantastical, giant mechanical dragon. Catch DJ sets, barbecues and themed soir\u00e9es at its restaurant L\u2019Antre du Dragon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop:<\/b> Drive from Calais to the C\u00f4te d\u2019Opale (20 minutes).\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">C\u00f4te d&#8217;Opale: 2 hours<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Named for the interplay of grays and blues in the sea and sky, this stretch of coastline is an artistic masterpiece. Ogle at brilliant views of the Bay of Wissant, Flemish countryside and the distant white chalk cliffs of Dover from windswept Cap Blanc Nez. By the water\u2019s edge in Wissant, dip your toes in the sea from the wide-at-low-tide beach.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop:<\/b> Drive from C\u00f4te d&#8217;Opale to A\u00ff (3 hours and 15 minutes).\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">A\u00ff: half a day<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Trade in the traditional overnight stop in Reims \u2013 home to France\u2019s finest art deco architecture, a glorious Gothic cathedral and world-famous bubbly \u2013 for lesser-known A\u00ff instead. Enjoy its trio of world-class Champagne houses at a slower pace (and don\u2019t miss the state-of-the-art Champagne museum Pressoria). Then\u00a0grab <i>boulangerie<\/i> bites for a cheap lunch on the go.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop:<\/b> Drive from A\u00ff to Dijon (2 hours and 45 minutes).\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Dijon: 1 day<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">The dazzling Cit\u00e9 International de la Gastronomie et du Vin, new in 2022, is reason alone to linger in Dijon, the handsome seat of the Duchy of Burgundy and modern Burgundy\u2019s\u00a0gastronomic powerhouse. Food-themed exhibitions, a food court and a cooking-and-wine school at La Cit\u00e9 cook up ample entertainment and tasting opportunities. Tasting Bourgogne wine is non-negotiable (spitting allowed for drivers).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Next stop:<\/b> Drive from Dijon to Annecy (3 hours).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\"><b>Detour:<\/b> France\u2019s youngest national park, off-grid Parc National de For\u00eats, hugs Dijon\u2019s northern fringe and is perfect for a forest fix.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-h3 mb-6 mt-16 text-black\">Annecy: 2 hours<\/h3>\n<p class=\"text-md my-6 text-black-400\">Depending where you&#8217;re heading in the Alps, you&#8217;re not far away now (count an hour to Chamonix). Get in the Alpine mood\u00a0with a chestnut, <i>g\u00e9n\u00e9pi<\/i>&#8211; or pine-flavored ice cream from vintage ice-cream parlor Glacier des Alpes, buried in Annecy\u2019s\u00a0romantic, Venetian-style old town. Savor magnificent lake views from the vast lawn that tumbles down to the water.<\/p>\n<link rel=\"preload\" as=\"fetch\" href=\"\/_server-islands\/RelatedBooksLayout?e=RelatedBooksLayout&#038;p=03DA6FCE6F3E75B883AA7FC8NuQf6UM2PJFLKcDnMfRipcPLgtI8AUDP0lZ7ioHLWt2Z%2FjKi12S7qAqzKuB0Qy5xEMAKctUgBFX%2BYvOOkyzlO%2FMJFVF0HQvo%2BWfd90BAZvoN9ytow%2FwkzamNYrd4Io1rwcWHrkVu%2BiaqLVHui15PDiAmHh7VnT9FF%2Fj3ste7awr1Wdo6SzS2NTozcqZT7ujmCYdMuMNa7yecENwzpluvq4XjjKQTPLLVyR%2B6mTVIzD0gggvwMpugC2cPBA49Pr9e%2BryHRC%2FzJqYqlnX3NLH8Qy%2BOp2s9VLB2X7Pg6KZ7aX%2Fx%2FBNqAInsGQL%2FcTiu50G%2BiR99feiKGY9u5OHQ8bFO2tT0cPhoCW240Pi5uG170ReXqdsqqWLg4Ib2gkvey7hVgg6LzCHzKjpdFmhEMslG0znAt%2FoLWhu88yRnHP2w7rVCGYyjYWEHVjwluzEkP8Uum92De0TazllDtj5kF7alQTfdRvEaVJSxwSG%2F3aWLaslE%2FQr06U3qCWfucw3hLUwWhOIxJx5f9jCac%2BzOLZ1b1SayDsvs3J6s60armclryUObki2dE3a4YkLPCVRv9rfmhIBwpHPwfxkKyVZOttN8i3igxlsZ4r8xuM%2FqyyiZ%2Bc%2BvFkH91Eak5dQhVxGRW0FDZzLASNOaTH1WIYBohM%2FaDSkx%2FaGq6j7ycBaQZz5%2FiXAS%2Fu8TBTpPhW7NLNvybR%2FNwmpLR9bOWVlAfbokzj7adgDLel6RxqgU2EErmClq7%2BAnKMnW%2FR%2BYbrd2dqNm3eI%2BFEla7j%2Fg1goxWp1irpw9yYxwqL3jweNQbnbFCejlZGNcn7LPoWUidIw9TEqZQES64bDoXH2l7YAjYdCYqGbj98wJV52p2adf96rzqhQEgFb13J4dIJfkjqM7AavO7B%2F%2Fn7LJXVDnN6wCnuAe179ncjmSyXYwVYopZBwHpnjhugvs3j4aiuesimmB88H0vHzdHkALeYEjO5%2FT%2FlIkKHTmjVxyS%2B8zAIYjnVOiEvwx0sPkejt6vnNSYKB%2FKnledxbliJlSpfWmbWK8M8l4nmgBeQzV6%2FzpjlLC%2Bjlz4w1Qic7d4ClBg6XBh5vAlFvmTDU4umrL3TuMIysqLSrRWjcVunI2fFSrsddN%2BK8fCyovmCzZPutX9M5TdEkBxOyM8Ch3EDp9vZYJyil1XXuDRH%2FvRhVQ6OByTDJKjJgR0OEDFSKGX6n2F1jKNUQiuaqpX865AYuhkvdZX7w9w%2FEG96P1QBeGN6NO%2FQDFeJt1OTEQ8q9%2Flc1AxoKwvI34SlVa5eb9q%2BNLWoxDOyEyTtbD6Wev3LO8EIhJuhncbcQQPyZArWIORrktyA%2BrWewyhgD18TvizzIHAkNOkVIoAsxO8I0q71ezadUntH4J8pQzeagjp2y2ii0WEivz8qa1bdDrvDlzz%2Bsw8bht0vYDHe4Y0YafgwGuGRoT%2BbleMrgYuIuoQlJF8yFw%2BRbuw6U%3D&#038;s=%7B%7D\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sampling oysters on the n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":389,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-388","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-france-travel-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/388","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=388"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/388\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1201,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/388\/revisions\/1201"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/389"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=388"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=388"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=388"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}