France beckons travellers with its sophisticated culture, gastronomic delights and Monet-inspired landscapes. But beyond the glamour of sidewalk cafés and the Eiffel Tower, the true heart of France is revealed on the open road. Fasten your seatbelts and we'll guide you along some of the most exciting driving routes that promise an unforgettable introduction to the diverse beauty of France.
La Route des Grandes Alpes: The high road to Alpine splendour
Starting at Lake Geneva and descending to the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, La Route des Grandes Alpes is a high-altitude adventure. This route winds through the majestic French Alps, passing through the roof of Europe. Around every corner a new Alpine panorama opens up, more breathtaking than the previous one. You'll drive through iconic mountain passes including the Col du Galibier and Col de Iseran, some of the highest paved passes in the Alps. Lovely stops at ski resorts such as Chamonix and roadside cheese vendors complete the Alpine experience.
Starting at Lake Geneva and descending to the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, La Route des Grandes Alpes is a high-altitude adventure. This route winds through the majestic French Alps, passing through the roof of Europe. Around every corner a new Alpine panorama opens up, more breathtaking than the previous one. You'll drive through iconic mountain passes including the Col du Galibier and Col de Iseran, some of the highest paved passes in the Alps. Lovely stops at ski resorts such as Chamonix and roadside cheese vendors complete the Alpine experience.
La Route des Vins: A toast to the wine countries of France
No journey through France is complete without savouring the country's most prized beverage - wine. La Route des Vins in Alsace winds through medieval villages and vine-covered hillsides, where there are plenty of opportunities to sample Rieslings and gewürztraminers straight from the source. This scenic route is not only a pilgrimage for wine connoisseurs, but also an enchanting drive through fabulous landscapes, especially during the autumn harvest.
No journey through France is complete without savouring the country's most prized beverage - wine. La Route des Vins in Alsace winds through medieval villages and vine-covered hillsides, where there are plenty of opportunities to sample Rieslings and gewürztraminers straight from the source. This scenic route is not only a pilgrimage for wine connoisseurs, but also an enchanting drive through fabulous landscapes, especially during the autumn harvest.
Les Corniches of the French Riviera: A coastal cruise with glamour
Three different roads - Grand Corniche, Moyenne Corniche and Inferior Corniche - collectively known as the Corniches, offer different but spectacular views of the French Riviera. From the highlands on the Grand Corniche, featured in Hitchcock's film To Catch a Thief, to the seaside retreat of the Inferior Corniche, the Mediterranean Sea sparkles here. These routes connect Nice and Menton, with the option of stopping in the Principality of Monaco for the glitz of Monte Carlo.
Three different roads - Grand Corniche, Moyenne Corniche and Inferior Corniche - collectively known as the Corniches, offer different but spectacular views of the French Riviera. From the highlands on the Grand Corniche, featured in Hitchcock's film To Catch a Thief, to the seaside retreat of the Inferior Corniche, the Mediterranean Sea sparkles here. These routes connect Nice and Menton, with the option of stopping in the Principality of Monaco for the glitz of Monte Carlo.
Loire Valley: Castles and charm
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Loire Valley offers a scenic route where the grandeur of man's creations and the beauty of nature harmonise. The castles of the Loire Valley are architectural marvels and travelling through the region is like turning the pages of a storybook - each castle tells its own story. From the regal Château de Chambord to the enchanting Château de Chenonceau overlooking the Cher River, this itinerary is a journey through Renaissance France.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Loire Valley offers a scenic route where the grandeur of man's creations and the beauty of nature harmonise. The castles of the Loire Valley are architectural marvels and travelling through the region is like turning the pages of a storybook - each castle tells its own story. From the regal Château de Chambord to the enchanting Château de Chenonceau overlooking the Cher River, this itinerary is a journey through Renaissance France.
Millau Viaduct and Aveyron: An engineering marvel and rural France
Taking the A75 motorway, you'll not only pass over the Millau Viaduct, the tallest bridge in the world, but also take in the rustic charm of the Aveyron region. With its dramatic gorges, quiet hilltop villages and Roquefort cheese caves, this route allows you to experience the French countryside and savour an amazing feat of engineering.
Taking the A75 motorway, you'll not only pass over the Millau Viaduct, the tallest bridge in the world, but also take in the rustic charm of the Aveyron region. With its dramatic gorges, quiet hilltop villages and Roquefort cheese caves, this route allows you to experience the French countryside and savour an amazing feat of engineering.
Napoleon's Mythical Route: In the Footsteps of History
History buffs and driving enthusiasts will find their fortune on the Napoleon Route, which traces the route taken by Napoleon in 1815 after his return from the island of Elba. Starting in Golfe-Juan on the Côte d'Azur, where Napoleon disembarked, the route winds its way through the Alps, passing through picturesque towns such as Grasse, famous for its perfume, and the mountain town of Gap before culminating in Grenoble. This historic route is marked by statues of the Imperial Eagle, ensuring you are on the trail of history.
History buffs and driving enthusiasts will find their fortune on the Napoleon Route, which traces the route taken by Napoleon in 1815 after his return from the island of Elba. Starting in Golfe-Juan on the Côte d'Azur, where Napoleon disembarked, the route winds its way through the Alps, passing through picturesque towns such as Grasse, famous for its perfume, and the mountain town of Gap before culminating in Grenoble. This historic route is marked by statues of the Imperial Eagle, ensuring you are on the trail of history.
Vallee de la Dordogne: River Road
This route follows the Dordogne River and features a more leisurely pace as well as magnificent views. The river valley is dotted with castles, medieval towns and prehistoric caves that beg to be explored. A trip through the Dordogne Valley can include stops at the cliff-top village of Rocamadour and the prehistoric cave of Lascaux. This region is also a gastronomic paradise, with local markets offering truffles, foie gras and walnuts, so every stop along the way will not only be scenic but also delicious.
This route follows the Dordogne River and features a more leisurely pace as well as magnificent views. The river valley is dotted with castles, medieval towns and prehistoric caves that beg to be explored. A trip through the Dordogne Valley can include stops at the cliff-top village of Rocamadour and the prehistoric cave of Lascaux. This region is also a gastronomic paradise, with local markets offering truffles, foie gras and walnuts, so every stop along the way will not only be scenic but also delicious.
Cretes Route in Provence: Landscapes dotted with lavender
The Cretes route in Provence is a must-do for those visiting in late June to July, when the lavender fields are in full bloom. Starting from the town of Saux, known as the "lavender capital", the route passes through the Valensol plateau, which becomes a sea of purple and blue flowers during the peak season. As well as lavender fields, this route offers views of the Alps and Mont Ventoux Mountain, creating a striking contrast between the serene fields and the rugged mountainous terrain.
These routes are just part of a vast network of "extraordinary routes" of France. They prove that sometimes the journey is as important as the destination. Every road trip in France is a mosaic of experiences, a canvas of landscapes and a collection of flavours to be enjoyed at your own pace. Remember that in France, every road tells its own story - you just have to drive.
The Cretes route in Provence is a must-do for those visiting in late June to July, when the lavender fields are in full bloom. Starting from the town of Saux, known as the "lavender capital", the route passes through the Valensol plateau, which becomes a sea of purple and blue flowers during the peak season. As well as lavender fields, this route offers views of the Alps and Mont Ventoux Mountain, creating a striking contrast between the serene fields and the rugged mountainous terrain.
These routes are just part of a vast network of "extraordinary routes" of France. They prove that sometimes the journey is as important as the destination. Every road trip in France is a mosaic of experiences, a canvas of landscapes and a collection of flavours to be enjoyed at your own pace. Remember that in France, every road tells its own story - you just have to drive.