Going on a summer road trip by car in France is an excellent way to discover the different facets of a region or to move easily from one landscape to another in a few hours. You can stop wherever you want, for as long as you want, and in the end, it's a real feeling of freedom that comes over you. So, if you also want to take advantage of the good weather to drive around France, here are some road trip ideas for a holiday full of discoveries.
The Nationale 7, a must-see
The advantage of France is that you can cross a multitude of landscapes in just a few hours of driving. That's why it's a perfect territory for a road trip with family or friends. Following the Nationale 7 is part of the ideas for a trip in France to consider well to vary the atmosphere and experiences. You can spend a day in the capital and enjoy the calm that reigns there in summer. On the agenda: a stroll along the banks of the Seine, one or two exhibitions and, of course, a café on the terrace. Then it's off to take the Nationale 7 and drive the 1,000 km from Paris to Menton on the Mediterranean coast. You can start by stopping off in the vineyards of Sancerre, where you can stroll through the vines and along the banks of the Sologne ponds before enjoying a good glass of wine, but be careful, just before going to bed! We then stop in Moulins to see its superb architectural heritage, the castle of the Dukes of Bourbon - La Mal coiffée at the top of the list. You can also visit the Museum of Children's Illustration, the National Centre for Stage Costume, and it's always a pleasure to wander through its charming alleys with polychrome bricks. The next part of the road trip along the Route des Vacances goes through Roanne, with the pleasure of tasting a succulent meal at the Maison Troisgros. We then begin to seriously feel the air of the South, and the next stage which takes place in Avignon will confirm it. Avignon is the beauty of its downtown and its squares where it is good to settle down for lunch or dinner, the Palace of the Popes, its museums and the vineyards around where you can leave the car and cross them by bike. The trip ends in the beautiful city of Menton, jewel of the French Riviera. After all these hours of driving, we will take the time to stroll in the Old Menton to admire its colored facades, to join the gardens, the port of Garavan and to swim at the beach of Sablettes. The Nationale 7, it is the dolce vita in short.
The Jura, the pleasure of the gentle mountains
For those who prefer to escape the hectic atmosphere of the coast during the summer, the Jura is an ideal destination for a road trip in the middle of nature. This is where you can take the Route des Lacs and enjoy stopping at lookouts offering breathtaking views. Let's mention the belvedere of the 4 lakes, very close to the village of La Chaux-du-Dombief. From this viewpoint, you can admire the shades of blue of the Ilay, Grand and Petit Maclu and Narlay lakes, the vegetation-covered reliefs around them and in the air, you can see birds of prey circling. Not far away, the Aigle peak awaits visitors and reveals a panorama suitable for many photos with children or friends. If a road trip in the Jura can be considered as a mini road trip in terms of distance covered, it is still an opportunity to see a multitude of natural treasures, including the Hérisson waterfalls. This series of waterfalls can be visited on foot, and the route is an opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and to get the freshness of the waterfalls.
And then, during the road trip, we will also stop by the lakes of the Jura to enjoy the beaches, lazing in the sun, swimming and water activities (kayaking, etc.). At Chalain, Clairvaux, Vouglans, the baths are supervised and equipped. The surrounding environment is beautiful.
Follow the Breton coast to get some sea air
It is difficult for many holidaymakers to resist the call of Brittany during the summer season. It may be a little cooler than elsewhere, but some would say so much the better, and then the sunny days remain numerous and what a pleasure to discover the coast and its many faces. A road trip along the coastline ofwill allow you to reach first the north of the region, where the Emerald Coast awaits holidaymakers. Here, some of the most beautiful beaches of Brittany reveal translucent waters like those found in the prestigious seaside resorts of Saint-Briac and Saint-Lunaire. Following the Breton coast by car also means stopping at Cap Fréhel for its breathtaking cliffs, and on the Pink Granite Coast, for its enigmatic rocks and communes such as Perros-Guirec, where you will not fail to savour the good products of the sea.
Further south, the journey continues with a stop in Finistère. How could you not fall under the Finisterian charm of the bay of Douarnenez and its pretty port, before feeling at the end of the world at the Pointe du Raz? The stay can end in the Gulf of Morbihan. This is where you will leave the car in Vannes to wander from island to island. From Ile aux Moines to Ile d'Arz, the walks there are also a concentrate of Breton jewels, between the stone architecture of the houses, the beaches and the corners of nature that have remained in a wild state.
