road trip to france with dog

Dog-Friendly France: Travelling in France with a Dog

The French have a reputation for loving their dogs. So no wonder then that France is a popular destination for people travelling with their dogs, whether from across the Channel in the UK or further away.

But despite this reputation, France isn’t the most dog-friendly country that we’ve visited in Europe . While your dog will generally be welcome by your side as you sip a wine in a cafe or eat the menu du jour inside, there are some places in France where dogs are strictly forbidden (mainly manicured parks) or technically not allowed (up until recently the case for larger dogs on the Paris metro, although luckily sensibility has prevailed).

So if you’re heading to France with your dog, read on to find out about the ins and outs about travelling in France with a dog.

Travelling to France with a Dog

Taking your dog to France is relatively easy. The same rules apply for dogs visiting France as for dogs travelling to the rest of the EU (usually microchip, vaccinate for rabies and wait at least 21 days). Additionally, an EU pet health certificate is required or an EU pet passport for those travelling from elsewhere in the EU, although in the latter case this is usually checked when crossing the border into France.

Note that restrictions can apply on some “dangerous” dog breeds visiting France – check the note at the end of this post.

For details on how to take your dog to France , whether from the UK, the USA or the rest of the EU, read my full guide , including transport recommendations. I’ve also put together a comprehensive guide to the ferries from the UK to Franc e and their pet facilities.

Dining out in France with a Dog

In France, most restaurants and cafes allow dogs to join diners, both inside and out on the terrace. If you would like to dine inside with your dog, it is polite to ask first (unless you see other dogs dining inside). And if the weather is sunny or your dog doesn’t have the best manners, it is more polite to sit outside on the typically large terraces.

Over three visits to France, there’s only one time that our dog wasn’t allowed: sitting outside (not even inside!) a kebab shop in Strasbourg.

While travelling in France, we often took advantage of the cheaper lunchtime set menus, found at many restaurants around the country. Alternatively at lunchtime, we often bought delicious baguette sandwiches at the wonderful French bakeries.

As well as bakeries in the centre of town, there’s typically larger bakeries on the outskirts of large towns, complete with car parks, like a French alternative to a fast food restaurant! While the majority of these bakeries don’t allow dogs inside, we found an exception.

The Boulangeries Feuillette chain has multiple branches around the centre of France, including the Loire Valley. While a little more expensive than other boulangeries, it usually had both outdoor and indoor seating (often complete with comfy couches and fireplace!), and our dog was allowed to join us inside at multiple branches. It’s also a great spot to enjoy a coffee and pastry. (Double check this is still the case.)

Shopping in France with a Dog

If heading out shopping with your dog, your best bet is to visit small boutiques directly on the streets and pedestrian precincts. Some shopping centres allow dogs in France, but not all. Naturally, dogs are not allowed in supermarkets.

Taking a Dog on Public Transport in France

This is one area where France has previously not been as dog-friendly as other countries in Europe, although the situation has improved.

Pets on Public Transport in Paris

In Paris, small dogs are allowed on all forms of public transport (bus, metro, RER (train), trams and funicular) for free, but are meant to be carried in a bag or container, no larger than 45cm. However, in practice, I believe as long as they are genuinely small and not making a nuisance, you can get away with travelling with them on your lap without a bag.

We sometimes travelled with our dog on the metro like this, and saw other small dogs on laps, and encountered no issues. Larger dogs are only allowed on the metro and RER (train), not buses or trams, and must be leashed and muzzled , but no longer require a ticket. For the full rules, click here .

Pets on Public Transport in Other Cities

For other cities in France, the regulations vary – there is no one answer to the question whether are dogs allowed on buses in France. In some cities, only small dogs in a bag or basket are allowed on public transport. This is stated in the rules for Marseille and Lyon (during our visit in 2018). In this case, these small dogs travel for free.

In contrast, there is no such restriction for Bordeaux (French only), with the regulations only stating dogs must be leashed or transported in a basket. Larger dogs require a ticket, while smaller dogs in a carrier are exempt.

The rules usually also include some terms that the dogs cannot make any mess or inconvenience other passengers. If your dog is also classified as a “dangerous” breed of dog (see the note above), they are also usually not permitted on public transport.

Pets on Long Distance Trains

If taking long distance trains, the rules are more consistent. Yes, all sized dogs are allowed on trains in France, except for the Eurostar to London . For example, see the SNCF pet policy .

Smaller pets, ideally no larger than 10kg, should travel in a pet carrier smaller than 45 cm x 30 cm x 25 cm, placed on your knees or at your fee. Larger dogs should be leashed and muzzled , and travel at your feet.

Both for small and larger dogs, a set fee of €7 is charged. The one exception is on TGV Lyria, TGV France-Germany, TGV France-Italy, TGV France-Spain and TGV France-Brussels (but not TGV France-Luxembourg and France-Freiburg), where a higher fee of €20 is charged for larger dogs.

Previously, larger dogs were charged a fare equivalent to 50% of the 2nd class fare on most trains, but this no longer applies. Additionally, it should be noted that pets are not allowed onboard rail replacement coaches.

If you have bought your tickets online through a ticketing site with no option for pet tickets, allow time to stop off at the ticket counter before your journey, to buy the extra ticket for your dog.

Dog-Friendly Accommodation in France

A wide variety of accommodation in France is dog-friendly, from hotels to B&Bs to Gîtes to campgrounds. (In my investigation in 2018, 50% of hotels in Nice and 37% of hotels in Paris allow dogs.)

If you’re on a road trip, we found that many of the chain hotels located on the outskirts of cities were quite affordable and dependable, plus allowed dogs. This included the chains Ibis, B&B and Campanile.

Usually the prices were about €50 per night, not including breakfast, with an extra charge of around €5-10 for a dog. On the other hand, many fancy hotels also welcome dogs, and will be ready to treat them, for a price of course.

With Gîtes , including those bookable through Airbnb, we noticed that often linen (sheets and towels) are not included, or an extra fee is chargeable for their hire. Keep this in mind if you are not travelling with your own sheets and towels, and double check the details, as you could otherwise get a surprise when you go to check in.

Visiting Paris? Check out my list of romantic dog-friendly Airbnbs in Paris

Dog-Friendly Parks in France

Compared to other countries in Europe, dogs are a lot less likely to be permitted in parks in France, especially in Paris. When we last stayed in an apartment in Paris, there were two parks located on the same street – both of which had clear signs banning dogs at the entrance!

However, dog-friendly parks can be found, including in Paris . If you have trouble finding one, ask your accommodation or search online. Additionally, in January 2019 (after my last visit), many city parks in Paris changed their rules to allow dogs . In these parks though, dogs are still required to be on a leash, plus parks with playgrounds were excluded.

Dog-Friendly Sightseeing in France

While there’s no chance of your dog joining you on a visit to the Louvre or climbing the Eiffel Tower in Paris, there are plenty of dog-friendly sightseeing options available for you to visit with your dog in France. We did however find that France is a country where you need to check the rules at each individual tourist destination.

Want to visit a famous Château with your dog? Many in the Loire Valley permit dogs on their grounds, and Chenonceau even allows small dogs to be carrier inside. However, at Versailles dogs are prohibited from the formal gardens, the same at Fontainebleau.

Be aware though that France is not the best destination for visiting beaches with your dog, at least during the warmer months. During the summer, from mid-June to the end of September, most beaches do not allow dogs on them, and some of the only beaches that allow dogs restrict them to before 8am and after 8pm.

To save yourself the research, I’ve put together this list of the best places to visit in France with a dog, covering nearly every corner of the country.

1. Stroll Along the Seine in Paris

One of the most beautiful walks anywhere in the world is a stroll along the banks of the Seine in Paris. From the medieval Île de la Cité (home to Notre Dame) to the park at the base of the Eiffel Tower, this stretch is home to some of the highlights of France, and is perfect for exploring with your dog.

Check out the exterior of the Louvre and its pyramid, the Tuileries Gardens (dogs are allowed on two flanks on either side), Place de la Concorde, and the elegant bridges. And luckily dogs are allowed in the parks near the Eiffel Tower, on both banks of the Seine – perfect for the quintessential Paris photo with your pup!

Read more dog-friendly tips for visiting Paris

2. Plus visit the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris

While dogs are allowed in part of the Tuileries plus some of the large parks on the outskirts of Paris, my favourite park in Paris to visit with my dog is the Luxembourg Gardens (or Jardin du Luxembourg). This park is home to a gorgeous palace (now home to the French Senate), a large pond and plenty of famous statues to track down.

Dogs are allowed in the southeast corner of the park, through two gates – it’s clearly indicated on the gates whether dogs are allowed or not, plus on the map of the park.

Check out more tips of dog-friendly things to do in Paris

3. Visit a Dog-Friendly Château in the Loire Valley

One of my favourite parts of France is the Loire Valley. This area of France isn’t too far from Paris (some people visit on a day trip), but ideally spend longer exploring the area by car or train, and visiting some of the many châteaux in the area.

We visited both the Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau. The former château, the largest in the region, allows leashed dogs on the extensive grounds that surround it, but not inside the actual château and the formal gardens.

However, Chenonceau is extra dog-friendly, with dogs allowed inside the ticketed area (necessary to catch a glimpse of it) and the formal gardens, plus small dogs are allowed inside the actual building, as long as they are carried or in a bag!

Check out more details from our visit to Chenonceau

5. Explore the Cute Towns of Alsace

Another beautiful region of France is Alsace, the area of Eastern France next to the German border (and which has a strong German influence, after having moved back and forth between the two countries). Many of the towns (and cities) in this region are beautiful to visit, no matter what time of year.

I highly recommend Colmar (including the Fishmonger District), Strasbourg (especially the La Petite France area) and Riquewihr. Go for a wander and then pull up a chair at a local restaurant, with your dog at your side.

Also highly recommended are the Christmas markets – some of the most beautiful in all of Europe, though unfortunately I haven’t visited these markets yet.

6. Stroll Along the Nice Waterfront

Nice lies right next to the Mediterranean Sea and makes the most of its seaside location with the Promenade des Anglais. This Promenade runs for 7km along the beach at Nice, all the way from the port area of the city to the airport.

When the weather is sunny, this is the ultimate spot to go for a stroll, naturally stopping for an ice cream along the way (except for your pooch)! Just be warned it can get hot, even when we visited in April. So make sure the pavement isn’t too hot for your dog’s feet (or wear booties) and that they don’t get affected by the heat. Alternatively, head out in the evening.

Although France is not generally a dog-friendly destination when it comes to visiting the beach with your dog, Nice is home to two dog-friendly beaches : Lenval and La Lanterne. Just be aware that dogs are not allowed on any other beaches in the area.

7. Visit Mont-Saint-Michel

This historic fortification and abbey in Northwestern France (close to the border with Brittany) makes for one of the iconic images of France. It’s possible to visit the site with your dog, although only small dogs in a bag are allowed on the shuttle bus from the carpark, and no dogs are allowed inside the abbey.

However, if your dog would enjoy the extended walk along the causeway and bridge to the island, it’s an ideal place to visit.

Read more about whether you should take your dog to Mont-Saint-Michel (including the kennel available if you don’t take your dog)

8. Visit the Medieval Town of Carcassonne

On the hillside next to modern Carcassonne, in southern France, lies the medieval fortress and town called Cité de Carcassonne . It’s one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in France, still encircled with its original walls and towers.

While the château itself doesn’t allow dogs inside, the rest of the cobble stone streets are perfect to explore with your dog. Plus you can walk all the way around the walls (in between the inner and outer walls). Don’t also miss trying the local speciality of cassoulet.

9. Explore the Roman Remains in Provence

There’s no need to head from France to Italy to visit Roman remains, as France has many fantastic sites itself, especially in the Provence region. And best of all many of the sites allow your dog to visit, too.

My top pick of dog-friendly places in France is the magnificent Pont du Gard . This viaduct is situated on a large natural site, great for exploring with your dog. Dogs are permitted everywhere except inside the building including the museum and bistro, plus on the guided tour that crosses the upper level of the viaduct.

Other dog-friendly Roman ruins in Provence include the Triumphal Arch in Orange (on a roundabout with no restrictions) and the ticketed Theatre in Orange and Amphitheatre in Nîmes. (Note that no signs said whether dogs were or weren’t allowed, so there is a chance this may be up to the discretion of staff.)

Unfortunately, dogs are strictly not allowed inside the Amphitheatre, Theatre and Roman Cemetery remains in Arles.

10. Spend a Day in Monaco

Okay, it’s not strictly France anymore, but if you’re staying in Nice, it’s fun to pop into Monaco for the day! Watch the changing of the guard at the palace, check out where the famous racetrack runs, then view the casino from the outside.

During the afternoon, it’s possible to visit the entry area of the casino for free, but unfortunately dogs aren’t allowed inside. However, dogs are allowed in the pretty park next to the casino.

11. Hike the Cliffs of Étretat

While the White Cliffs of Dover might be more famous, France is home to some equally gorgeous chalk cliffs just across the channel. A popular spot to visit them is at the town of Étretat.

We only spent an hour walking up to the top of the cliffs (and taking some photos), but if you have longer it’s possible to go hiking further along the cliffs. Dogs should be kept on a leash on the hiking paths – a must given the huge drop off from the cliffs!

12. Explore Cute Little Villages

Finally, what would a trip to France be like without stopping in a cute village or two, even better if you just happen to stumble upon it? It’s easy to do this on a France road trip with your dog.

One of our favourite surprises was discovering the gorgeous village of Angles-sur-l’Anglin, deep in the countryside south of Tours. Rising above the bridge crossing the river Anglin are the ruins of a castle, the main road and a few laneways packed with ancient stone houses.

Luckily there was also a lovely teahouse next to the bridge from which we could take in the vista from the garden, with our pup at our side, of course.

A Note on Dangerous Dog Classifications

In France, some breeds of dogs are classified as dangerous and generally these types of dogs cannot be imported into France (class 1) or restrictions apply (class 2). The rules are not that clear when it comes to travelling through France with such a breed of dog, compared to permanently moving. (If you have experience in this area, let me know!)

But be prepared for possible issues, at a minimum. Such dogs may be prohibited on public transport or be restricted when flying French airlines.

These dogs are classified as Class 1 (and cannot be imported):

Staffordshire terrier, American Staffordshire terrier (“Pitbulls”) and Tosa dog types without a pedigree
Any Mastiff dog types

These dogs are classified as Class 2 (and can be imported with restrictions, such as needing to wear a leash and muzzle in public):

Staffordshire terrier, American Staffordshire terrier (“Pitbulls”) and Tosa dog types with a pedigree
Rottweiler dog types, with or without a pedigree

Read more about the dangerous dog rules for France or my full guide on travelling with a dog breed classified as dangerous

About the Author

Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.

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18 thoughts on “Dog-Friendly France: Travelling in France with a Dog”

I had no idea France was so dog-friendly. I love that shot of your dog in Carcassonne.

Nearly everywhere in Europe is pretty dog-friendly, even the countries that aren’t as dog friendly are way in front of my home country of Australia. It’s going to be hard adjusting back when we return at the end of the year!

What is it like for taking dogs into churches is that a no go even if you carry them in. Im guessing the big cathedrals dont let them it was more churches. Thanks.

Most churches throughout Europe, at least those popular with tourists, will have “no dogs” signs at the entrance (along with the usual signs about no food, no camera flashes, etc.) I have a few times noticed locals, probably regular members of the congregation, take small dogs inside, but I think different rules apply to them, than to tourists. However, there was one well-known church in Germany that allowed my husband to take our dog inside (it was a chilly day, and a staff member noticed him standing at the entrance with our dog in his arms, while I firstly went inside, and told him it was okay). So it might be worthwhile trying, but I’m guessing you would normally receive a no, unless you are a local.

What a lovely blog post!???? I hope to move to France in the medium-term therefore this was an interesting read. Happy travels with Schnitzel!

Sarah – Thanks so much and wishing you many wonderful adventures with your dog!

Hi – thought you might be the best person to ask with your in-depth knowledge of travelling with dogs on France … hope you don’t mind me asking …

Me and my Irish Setter are sailing back to the uk from Le Havre on Monday (1st April) and I want to be there in plenty of time … Have you any suggestions where I might be able to spend 2 or 3 hours, maybe eating drinking, walking & feeding the dog please? When I come the other way, from Portsmouth, I get there very early, and spend a few hours at a lovely pub-restaurant next to a golf course, where I can relax, eat, and feed and walk the dog.

Just haven’t got a clue where to start, and not sure what kinds of places exist in France, and within, say, half an hour of ale Havre.

I’m very grateful …. ??

I’ve actually stayed in La Havre myself with my dog, although it was because the city is surprisingly a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its modern architecture! If you are interested in architecture, it’s worth a stroll around. The highlight is the towering St Joseph’s Catholic Church, but you need to duck inside to see the stained glass from within (I alternated with my husband to stay with our dog). The Place de l’Hotel de Ville is a lovely square in springtime to sit in, but I’m not sure if there’s any cafes. In France I’m always a fan of heading to a bakery, for either croissants or the pre-made baguettes. I hope this may be of some help!

We love travelling with Bella our springer spaniel, since we rescued her she has totally changed how we travel – long and short haul holiday by plane are a thing of the past. But that is no great loss as walking with Bella in forests, on remote beaches and in rivers and lakes is great. This year will be our third holiday to France with Bella (she enjoyed the Netherlands too- especially travelling the tram) and she has now learned about the French etiquette when enjoying cafe society, she no longer feels compelled to growl when anyone approaches our table. When we stay in hotels, we find it is useful to ask for a quiet room at the end of a corridor, so that Bella can curl up and enjoy and evening snooze if we are going to have dinner (if doggies are not allowed in the dinning room). Usually leave the TV on for her, she knows this is a signal for her to chill and that we will be back soon. Thank you for your info on visiting parks and gardens, we will be visiting Fontainbleu on this trip so really useful to know Bella cannot walk in the gardens.

Thanks for sharing about your travels with Bella! We’ve often also asked for a quiet room with Schnitzel, although he has improved from our early days. It’s a pity about Fontainbleu – I would love it if France could be a bit more accomodating with their beautiful gardens.

how is it taking dog in the beach in france? 🙂 is there any like the best beach to go which isnt dirty but clean water ?

We haven’t been to many beaches in France with our dog, as the weather wasn’t warm enough and our dog is actually a terrible swimmer, who’s not too fond of getting wet. A lot of beaches allow dogs in winter, but then come summer once they have lifeguards and sunbeds, dogs aren’t allowed. I’ve come across this list of year-round dog-friendly beaches which seems long: https://en.plages.tv/dogs/l-france . Out of these, we’ve visited Omaha Beach (a D-Day landing site), which is fairly clean, although it was low tide so the water was a long way away.

Dogs have to be muzzled on long distance trains? I wonder how this rules apply to a brachiocephalic breed like a Frenchie?

There are specific muzzles for breeds like Frenchies – see my post on dog muzzles: http://www.travelnuity.com/dog-muzzle-for-travel/ . I would always have a muzzle on hand for your dog, but for most smaller dogs this is not enforced.

So larger dogs dont need to have a cage?

Generally larger dogs only need a leash on public transport, plus sometimes a muzzle.

My dog isn’t on the dangerous list she’s a Gsd BUT she’s extremely protective of her family, I’m worried if she might need handling by someone strange to her in Fränce that she’ll blow a fuse and not be allowed in the country!!

I can’t see any reason why your dog would need to be handled by anyone in France, other than if you visit the vet, in which case they would be skilled at handling dogs. If you’re flying with your dog in cargo/hold, dogs are not usually released from their crates until you collect them and release them yourself.

ROAD TRIP IN FRANCE: EXPLORE THE WEST IN 10 STEPS

As avid travelers, Shark and I could not decently come back to France and stay at just one place. We had to go on an adventure! I seized the opportunity of my participation to the Travel Bloggers’ Fair at Saint Malo to rent a car from SIXT , my favorite rental car agency, and organize a long road trip through Western France.

What I love about road trips is the freedom to stop by anywhere and anytime I see a beautiful landscape or feel that my dog needs to walk. Try that in a bus or a train! As most of people, I had planned my itinerary quite well days before and chosen the must-seen spots. Well, I had to admit that I had underestimated the size of France! So clearly there are spots I had planned to visit that just disappeared from my map, but the good side is that I discovered so many other wonderful spots that I had never heard about! That is the magic of road trips and encounters on the road. So there are our 10 favorite steps for a road trip in the West of France, from Bordeaux to Mont Saint Michel. If you have a dog like me, you will find some doggy tips for each step. Let’s go!

Don’t miss the video of the road trip at the end of the post 😉

AN ADVENTURE OF 1832 KILOMETERS

Click on the image to see the itinerary on Google Maps

1. LA ROCHELLE

La Rochelle, also known as the Rebel city, is anchored to the Atlantic coast and has many ports. Among them, the lively Old Port in the city center is a must seen! We parked the car at the municipal parking lot in front of the Aquarium and walked along the Georges Simenon quay to reach the Saint Nicolas Tower. This 42-meter-high military building symbolizes the wealth and power of the city in the past. Then, from the Quay de Carenage, we admired the view on the narrow entrance of the port, between the Saint Nicolas Tower and the Chain Tower from where the movements of the boats were watched. We went along the quays till the third tower, called the Lantern tower since it is the last medieval lighthouse of the Atlantic coast (55 meters high).

Doggy tips: very nice dog friendly walk along the quays! Dogs are not allowed to visit the towers. Lots of outdoor restaurants and cafes along the quays to have lunch with your dog. We especially liked the restaurant Le Mistral for its good 15-Euro menu and its quiet terrace upstairs.

2. ILE DE RE

It would be a shame to stop by La Rochelle without visiting the famous Ile de Ré, an island connected to La Rochelle by an outstanding bridge of 2.9 kilometers. The island itself is 30 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide and offers various beaches, villages and lighthouses to stop by. Among our favorite spots: the small beach of La Promenade Theodore Porsain at the beginning of the island. There is a beautiful viewpoint on the bridge and a pier with fishermen. The second must-seen is the ruined Abbey Les Chateliers in the middle of a wide green field. Absolutely gorgeous! At the end of the island, there is l e Phare des Baleines . You can get to this impressive lighthouse through a nice walk.

Doggy tips: the 3 spots are dog friendly. Your dog should be on leash, especially during high season when Ile de Ré can get really crowded.

3. NOIRMOUTIER

Noimoutier is another island on the Atlantic coast in the region of Vendée. It is connected to the mainland by a bridge built in 1971. The island covers 45,000 hectares with two thirds of it being below sea level and offers a variety of landscape: low lying fields, salt pans and marshes protected by sand dunes, dikes and forests of pine and holm oak trees. Apart from tourism which is the island biggest industry there are fishing and sea salt production industries. We especially enjoyed visiting the main village called Noirmoutier-en-Ile and its charming port, the wood of la Chaize (a charming forrest by the sea) and of course the legendary way of Le Gois, a 4 kilometer long cobble paved causeway which is covered twice a day by the sea.

Doggy tips: Dogs must be on leash. You can stop while crossing the way of Le Gois to let your dog run free on the sand. Just bring a towel to clean your dog before he goes back into the car.

Dog friendly Airbnb: A room in a village at Anne-Gaelle’s house . Sign up to Airbnb through my link to save 35 Euros on your first booking.

4. POINTE DU RAZ

The magnificence of the region of Brittany is well-represented at La pointe du Raz, a promontory that extends into the Atlantic ocean. It is the second westernmost extent of France, after the Pointe de Corsen just to the North, and offers breathtaking viewpoints on the dangerous stretch of water between it and the island of Sein. Nature lovers will appreciate the strength of both the ocean and the wind, the vertiginous cliffs and the lighthouse called La Vieille at the horizon. If you want to admire the entire Pointe du Raz, you can go to La Pointe du Van, less touristy.

Doggy tips: Dogs must be on leash on both sites but I let shark free as there was almost nobody when we went there.

5. MONT SAINT MICHEL DE BRASPARTS

Not to be confused with Mont Saint Michel (see below)! This one is also a mountain but it is located in the middle of the National Regional Park of Armorique in Brittany. It was named after the chapel Saint Michel which was built on its 380-meter-high top in the 17th century. You can access it by car until the parking lot then climb some stairs to reach the windy top. We could enjoy a 360-degree view on the peaceful surroundings and a beautiful lake.

Doggy tips: Dogs are allowed on leash on the site.

6. SAINT MALO

Saint Malo was founded in the 12th century on a close rocky island. It is also called the Corsair city because of its famous privateers like Duguay Trouin and Surcouf who gave it a considerable prestige. The old stone walls and buildings witness the historic wealth of the city. Today, Saint Malo cultivates its sailing image and hosts many events like La Route du Rhum . We loved walking through the charming alleys of the historic center, admire the view from the top of the walls and watch the Fort National from the beach De l’Eventail .

Doggy tips: There are poop bag dispensers along the old walls of the city. Some places like the pier that leads to the lighthouse are forbidden to dogs, but most of the beaches are dog friendly. Dogs are also allowed on the walls.

Dog friendly hotel: At Saint Malo, the 2-star hotel La Bonne Etoile allows dogs in their rooms with an extra fee of 7 Euros per night. The owners have a handsome dog themselves and I was allowed to eat inside their restaurant with Shark.

Cancale is a picturesque fishing port that lies along the coast to the east of Saint-Malo. It is very popular for being the oyster capital of Brittany. There is a pleasant coastal path which permits a circular walk from the town to the rocky finger of la Pointe du Grouin. After visiting the city center and its harbour, we went to the Pointe du Grouin by car. There is a free parking. From there we found the hiking footpath along the ocean for a very nice walk: great viewpoints on the green-blue sea, the island of Landes and across the bay towards Mont Saint-Michel on a clear day.

Doggy tips: Dogs on leash are allowed. There is a restaurant&café with a large outdoor space where dogs are welcome. It is called Brasserie La Pointe du Grouin . They even offered a bowl of water to Shark.

8. DOL-DE-BRETAGNE

Dol-de-Bretagne is a small medieval village with a defensive 13th-century cathedral. It is reputed to be the origin of the royal House of Stewart who became the monarchs of Scotland and later England and Ireland. In the very close surroundings of the village, we found the Mont-Dol, an incredible rocky outcrop that emerges from the flat landscape. Its 65-meter above sea level summit offers stunning views across northeast Brittany. Must-seen: the two windmills and the Notre Dame tower with a large statue of the Virgin Mary on its top. South of Dol-de-Bretagne, in the middle of a yellow colza field, stands the Champ Dolent Menhir. It was erected in the beginning of the Neolithic period, weights about 120 tons and is 9.30 meters high.

Doggy tips: Dogs on leash are allowed at Mont-Dol. I even went up the Notre-Dame tower with Shark to admire the view. As to Menhir du Champ Dolent, there is absolutely no sign so I let Shark run free through the fields.

Dog friendly Airbnb: An independent studio near Isabelle’s house . Sign up to Airbnb through my link to save 35 Euros on your first booking.

9. MONT SAINT MICHEL

One of the most famous and visited places in France: the stunning Mont Saint Michel island topped by its fabulous medieval abbey! Located at the frontier between Brittany and Normandy, the Mont-Saint-Michel is one of Europe’s most unforgettable sights and inspires awe to every visitor and pilgrim. It stands in the heart of a wide bay invaded by the highest tides in Europe. The ramparts at the base of the island were built to keep English forces out. There is a huge parking lot 2.5 kilometers from the entry of the Mont Saint Michel but it coasts 12 Euros no matter if you stay one hour or the whole day. Then you can take a shuttle bus or a horse carriage, or walk along the path to the Mont. Personally, I chose to park my car in the close village of Beauvoir for free and walk around 3 kilometers.

Doggy tips: You can visit the village of Mont Saint Michel with your dog but not the Abbey. Be careful if your dog doesn’t feel comfortable around people. The village can get very crowded on weekends and holidays.

10. CLISSON

If you are looking for a charming, delightful and absolutely adorable town in the countryside of Nantes, well this is the place to stop by! Surrounded by vineyards, Clisson is crossed by two rivers, the Sèvre and the Moine. Must-seen: the ruins of the Clisson caslte which was built on a hill in the 11th century, the bridge of La Vallée on the Sèvre river built in the 15th centruy, the old city with its Italian style architecture, the church Notre-Dame.

Doggy tips: Dogs on leash are allowed into the ruins of the castle for free (Individual entrance: 3 Euros). There are plenty of dog friendly outdoor restaurants and there is a beautiful river that crosses the town if your dog feels like swimming.

Dog friendly Airbnb: A room in the countryside at Helene’s house . Sign up to Airbnb through my link to save 35 Euros on your first booking.

Are you ready to take your dog along on a road trip? Enjoy the video below to see how fun it is to travel with a dog 🙂

SPECIAL THANKS

As I don’t own a car, I rent one from SIXT . Thanks to a last-minute upgrade, Shark and I could make this long road trip in the comfortable, safe and modern SUV Opel Mokka X with an integrated GPS. I had already rent cars from SIXT many times before and have always been satisfied of their service. That’s why I chose them for this adventure. I thank them for the upgrade and for being a dog friendly company!

I planned this road trip to participate to the French speaking Travel Bloggers’ Fair at Saint Malo. It is the only event of this nature in the world and gathers both travel bloggers and actors of the e-tourism to initiate more collaborations and partnerships. Conferences, workshops, speed meetings and parties during 2 days… A real stepping stone for me as a quite new travel blogger! I thank the organizers Xavier & Florence from WE ARE TRAVEL for this amazing opportunity and hope to participate next year again!

What I love about traveling is meeting new people on the road! Before my departure, I had posted my itinerary on The Tropical Dog’s page on Facebook and asked my followers if anyone was living on my way. That’s how I got to meet Anne Quemeré (on the picture with her dogs) and Emeline Coic. Anne Quemeré is a great French navigator and sportswoman who loves the ocean and challenges. Among them: rowing the Atlantic on the Trade winds route, kiting across the Atlantic Ocean, and the first solar polar crossing, everytime alone and without assistance! As to Emeline Coic , she is a young and generous animal lover who works at a senior center. She hosted us for a night and introduced us to her dog, cat, rabbit, fish and her horse! Both Anne and Emeline invited us for a walk with our dogs, Anne at Pointe du Van and Emeline at Pointe du Raz. We thank them so much for the happy moments we sharerd and hope our roads will cross again!

Photos & contents @ The Tropical Dog 2015-2017.

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15 Best France Road Trip Itinerary Ideas (+ Driving Tips!)

Chock full of storybook-worthy villages, beautiful castles, and incredibly epic and diverse nature–from the Alps to the beaches of the Riviera to the lavender fields of Provence and the cliffs of Etretat and beyond–it’s not hard to understand why taking a France road trip tops so many bucket lists around the world.

Throw in excellent roads, a great travel infrastructure, and enough exciting places to see that you could spend a lifetime traversing it without turning over every stone, there’s no doubt that a road trip through France is an amazing way to see the country.

We’ve rounded up the best France road trip itinerary ideas here, covering all corners of the country–plus included important France driving tips you’ll need to know before setting off!

Table of Contents

Logistical Tips for Driving in France

Other france road trip tips, 15 of the best road trips in france.

Jeremy standing to the right of a country road during our road trip in France. He's standing in front of a black rental car with the rear hatch open, and he's wearing a black jacket.

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Rent the smallest car you can.

Especially if you’re coming from the USA like us, you’ll likely find French roads–especially in small villages and in the countryside–are smaller than what you’re used to.

Save on gas, rental costs, and stress while driving in France by renting the smallest car you can manage to fit yourselves and your belongings into.

We recommend searching for your (tiny) rental car through Discover Cars , which will allow you to sift through all your options and choose the right car for you based on price, the reputation of the company that is renting it, and the terms of the rental contract.

Book your rental car for your France road trip today!

Château Chenonceau as seen from across the garden with pink flowers in the foreground. Château Chenonceau is one of the best day trips from paris france

Plan on renting a manual, or prepare to pay.

Like the rest of Europe, manual cars are the norm in France.

If you only drive automatic, you’ll absolutely be able to find a car to rent for your France road trip… but be prepared to plan ahead (especially if you’re traveling during the busy season when the cars get reserved quickly), and to pay extra fees for the privilege.

Always carry cash… just in case.

While you can generally pay tolls (and they are pricey–budget accordingly!) with a Visa or Mastercard in France, you never know when you’re going to need cash for gas or small restaurants.

When taking a driving in France, it’s best to always have some Euros with you–and don’t forget to carry small coins for bathroom fees!

Photo of a small white car parked in Goult. There are stone buildings visible behind the car.

Plan your parking in advance.

This especially applies overnight–ie, look for hotels that include parking or have a plan for parking listed–but also during day trips.

For example, our trip to Cassis would have been much easier if we had researched the parking situation beforehand and paid to reserve a spot in one of the parking garages in town.

For hotels, we use Booking.com and ideally look for places using the “free parking onsite” filter.

Depending on where you are going during your road trip in France, though, free parking may not be possible–in that case, carefully check and see what hotels have reasonably-priced parking nearby.

A hotel that is an extra 20 Euros/night may end up being an excellent deal if there’s inexpensive parking nearby!

Parking lot outside of Les Baux-de-Provence. Several cars are parked to the right and the city is visible in the background.

Strongly consider purchasing extra insurance.

Driving on unfamiliar roads in a foreign country is always going to be an exercise in risk-taking.

While driving in France is typically perfectly safe, if you’re not used to driving in congested urban environments or driving abroad, we’d recommend that you strongly consider purchasing additional CDW (collision damage) insurance for your vehicle–though going through the rental agency is often the most expensive place you can buy this coverage.

Check first to see if your credit card covers it (and in France specifically–not just in your home country), and if they don’t, some insurance policies do.

Get a quote to insure your France road trip today!

Vertical photo of a winding road in France. There's a dotted white line in the center and a large cliff to the right.

Not all gas stations are self-service.

We’ve come across both self-service and attendant-provided gas stations in France–when you pull up to get gas, take a quick look around to see what the other drivers are doing before jumping out of your car!

An International Driver’s Permit isn’t required.

Unlike in Italy, an International Driver’s Permit isn’t required to rent a car or drive in France (though you do, of course, need to be licensed to drive–for example, driver’s licenses from our home country of the USA are valid for driving in France as a tourist).

However, if your license is written in something other than English or French, or you just want to make any potential communication easier, you may want to consider getting one anyway.

Buildings in front of harbor of Cassis France, their reflections are on the water in the bottom half of the photo.

Your life will be easier if you buy a French SIM card.

This assumes your phone is unlocked, of course, but seriously: getting a local SIM card before taking off on your road trip in France will make your life so much easier!

Having access to everything from a GPS to restaurant reviews is a huge benefit of traveling in the modern age, and bringing those tools along with you as you explore France by car is a fantastic idea.

You can absolutely purchase a local SIM card once you arrive, but if you want to get everything set up before you go, you can also purchase a France SIM card at home in advance.

Pack toilet paper.

Rest stops along highways in France will generally have toilets, but toilet paper is far from guaranteed–best to bring your own just in case.

I usually carry a pack of these with me in my purse when I travel, and they’ve come in handy more than once when driving in France.

Photo of rows of lavender as seen in the Valensole Plateau on our France road trip. The lavender is not in bloom.

Brush up on your French.

Ubiquitous advice for traveling in France, I know, and not exclusive to a road trip in France, but I promise that at least being able to ask for (and follow) simple driving directions in French–not to mention reading basic road signs–will make your France road trip much better!

The first rule of road trips in France: leave room for spontaneity!

One of the best things about taking a road trip in France is that no matter how carefully you plan, no matter how much research you do, you’re still bound to show up in the country and be blown away by something you had never heard of before.

So, just roll with it… and leave room for new discoveries.

I’m a big planner myself, so I get the urge to organize every. last. detail.

… But during our own trips exploring France by car, I’m also so glad that we randomly decided to spend extra time in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, that we gave Port Miou a chance when we saw photos of how lovely it was, that we delayed our departure from Annecy because its market was coming to town, and that we ended up cutting Roussillon from our Luberon Valley trip because we simply weren’t ready to say goodbye to Goult.

In other words: sketch an outline of your days and nights, yes, but be open to changes. Those stops may just end up being some of your favorite stops during your France road trip!

Kate walking down a narrow street in Goult during our France road trip. There's a pink building to her left and she's wearing a long blue skirt.

Pay attention to market days (and show up early).

Visiting local markets in all of France’s adorable villages is one of my favorite parts of taking a road trip in France: with a car, there’s no need to worry about managing train times or having to skip the tiniest villages.

If at all possible, aim to visit towns on their market days. Depending on the town, this is generally one, two, or three times a week. Many villages have a small daily market, with larger markets on certain days–those are the ones to aim for.

Also: show up early! Early in the morning is the absolute best time to visit markets on your France road trip. You’ll get to experience both the smallest crowds and also have your pick of the best products before they potentially sell out for the day.

Flower market in Aix-en-Provence. There's flowers underneath umbrellas on both sides of the photo. The umbrellas are pink and red.

Pack a picnic on travel days.

All those markets full of delicious bread, cheese, meat, and produce that you pass each day? Those are your future lunch!

Double up on practical purchases and fun experiences in France by using market days to stock up on picnic materials to use during your days spent driving in France.

Rest stops in France are plentiful along the highways (look for the signs for “aires”), and are generally very clean and well-stocked, with some even including restaurants.

Boxes of white and green asparagus in front of a cash register at the outdoor food market in Aix-en-Provence

Don’t change locations every day.

Packing your bags, checking in and out of a hotel, loading the car, unloading the car… all of these things may not seem like much, but by the fifth or sixth day in a row, you’ll be incredibly tired of doing it.

These kinds of transitions eat up way more of each day of your France road trip than the estimated driving time between whatever two towns you’re visiting–so do yourself a favor and limit the number of times you swap lodging.

Instead, set up a series of bases for at least a few days each, and use your rental car to take day trips from there.

For example, we used Avignon as a base to visit the Luberon Valley and Alpilles, and Aix-en-Provence as a base to visit Cassis!

Street in Aix-en-Provence with a red Vespa in the foreground and a yellow building in the background

Focus primarily on smaller towns & natural attractions.

Don’t get me wrong–we adore France’s cities, but places like Paris, Lyon, and Nice don’t require a car to visit–quite the opposite. A car is a hindrance there!

One of our France driving tips is to focus on the smaller towns, beautiful countryside, dramatic castles, and endless natural highlights (beaches, lakes, mountains–you choose!) that make up this incredibly diverse and beautiful country.

If you hope to include any of France’s major cities as part of your itinerary, we recommend visiting them at the beginning or end of your trip and only renting your car when you’re ready to leave and head to smaller towns.

Photo of Lake Sainte-Croix as seen while driving in France. You can see Kate holding a camera to her face reflected in the rearview mirror of our rental car on the left side of the photo

The slow pace is part of the fun.

Often, the best memories from a trip are the ones where you let go of the long wish list of towns and villages you hope to see, the markets you want to visit, and the tourist sights you can’t miss and just. breathe.

I learn this again virtually every time I go to France: some of my best memories in the country are of the day we did literally nothing but walk around Colmar and admire how beautiful it was, the day we lounged in Paris’ Luxembourg Gardens all afternoon, the days we’ve sat at outdoor cafes for hours because the sunshine and people-watching felt too good to leave behind, and the long, leisurely lunch we ate in Goult .

Each and every one of those memories is something we exchanged for missing out on a piece of sightseeing or photo-taking or research we had planned to do–something that seemed important at the time.

I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything.

Photo of an empty street in Avignon, with brown buildings to either side. The road is curving to the left.

Write down where you go.

Sure, no one is going to forget visiting Nice or Aix-en-Provence… but that tiny town with the cute fruit stand you passed through that one afternoon? Yeah, that name will fade almost immediately.

You’ll want to remember the names of all the small villages you visited, pretty beaches you swam at, cozy restaurants you ate at, and hiking trails you conquered long after your France road trip is finished, so write them down as you go!

Jeremy loves to star the places we visit on Google maps, and I keep my own record in my One Line a Day journal that I’ve been keeping daily for years (and highly recommend!).

Jeremy in a blue shirt and black jacket, holding a beer while eating lunch in a square of Aix-en-Provence

Alsace Wine Route

From Arzo of Arzo Travels

A fun road trip to take is from Strasbourg to Colmar (or the other way around) which is also known as the Alsace Wine Route .

Especially in the summer months (or early fall), it is a beautiful drive with scenic window views and many beautiful towns, villages, and cities along the way.

The Alsace Wine Route is one of the most famous road trips in France and besides being a beautiful place, it has a lot about…well, you guessed it, wine.

Start your trip in Strasbourg (which is not officially part of the Alsace wine route), the beautiful main city in the region, and explore what it has to offer, including lots of half-timbered houses and many medieval buildings, and then plan in time for stops like Obernai, Ribeauville, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, and Eguisheim.

La Petite Venise in Colmar on a summer day. Visiting La Petite Venise is one of the best things to do in colmar france.

These are all beautiful little villages, though Riquewihr is probably the prettiest of all.

Then it is time to end your tour in Colmar where you can end your road trip and explore one of the cutest towns in the country.

If you are a wine drinker, you can visit the vineyards along the way and try out some of the local wines in the wineries or restaurants. They are supposed to be some of the best wines in the country!

Driving Distance

170km or 105 miles.

Recommended Road Trip Length

3 days is the absolute minimum for this road trip. 4 or 5 days are the better options if you do not want to rush and like to do some wine tasting.

Kate Storm in a brown coat in the Alsace village of Riquewihr with a clock tower in the background

Marseilles to Nice

From Chrysoula of Travel Passionate

After exploring Marseilles , why not head eastwards along the gorgeous coastal road to Nice? The drive is best done at a leisurely pace over a few days so you can savor the delights of Provence and the Cȏte d’Azur.

The coastal road has many spectacular views and the first is as you leave Marseilles. Les Calanques are dramatic, sheer-sided coastal inlets that have been carved through the limestone and they can be found between Marseilles, Cassis , and La Ciotat.

A little further on you will be tempted by the seven beautiful sandy beaches of La Croix Valmer.

The first main stop is St Tropez, a favorite with the international jet-set in the sixties. It is still popular for its beaches and nightlife. Those ‘in the know’ explore Port Grimaud- the Crêpes au Chocolat (chocolate pancakes) and cider are worth sampling.

Cannes is another famous city, loved by the super-rich and known for its international film festival. Antibes lies close to Nice and is a delightful old town with ramparts and once Picasso’s home.

There will be many other detours inland to make to Domaines (wineries) to sample the area’s superb rosé and villages like Maximin-Le-Sainte- Baume with its famous basilica and Grasse (north of Cannes) is world-famous for its perfume industry.

St Paul de Vence is loved by painters and writers. When you arrive in Nice, you will be able to park the car and leave it, as there is a large traffic-free zone in the center.

235 km or 146 miles.

Suggested Road Trip Length

It takes around 3 hours to drive between Marseille and Nice but if you really want to enjoy the area explore Marseille, Nice and a few towns between I suggest you spend around 4 to 5 days on this South of France road trip.

crowded beach at a french calanque as seen from above

The Champagne Route

From Jane and Duncan from To Travel Too

Without a doubt, France’s Champagne Route is one of the most popular driving tours in the country.

When driving the Champagne Route of France there are several routes to consider, including Massif Saint Thiery Route the northern route starting from Reims, Marne Valley Route from Epernay, and the Cote des Blancs Route from the south of Epernay. There are also others, or you can mix and match to create your own France road trip route!

If you only want to visit some of the major towns you can start from Troyes and head to Epernay, then onto Reims.

There are many small towns and villages around the Champagne region to visit. The routes will take you past beautiful chateaux, quaint villages, churches, and many champagne houses.

The major champagne houses such as Mercier and Moet Chandon can be found in Epernay and in Reims you can visit Veuve Clicquot, Mumm, Taittinger and many smaller boutique champagnes houses as well.

The best months to visit are between May and October.

The Champagne region is easy to travel to from Paris. The journey from Paris to Reims is only 45 minutes and from Paris to Epernay 1 hour 10 minutes.

The distance from Troyes to Epernay is 112 km or 70 miles, and Epernay to Reims is 29 km or 16 miles.

You can visit either town on a day trip and visit some of the Champagne Houses within walking distance of the train station. The ideal time to enjoy all that the Champagne region has to offer is between 5 – 7 days.

vineyards of the champagne region in france, one of the best road trips in france

The Opal Coast

From Nichola of Globalmouse Travels

Paris to Normandy Road Trip

The following Paris to Normandy road trip is ideal for those looking to escape the city for a few days to a natural and verdant environment.

From Paris, go north to Mont Saint Michel (4-hour drive), where you should stay for at least 1 night. Consider taking the toll-free road which adds 30 minutes to your driving time, but gives you the chance to drive through Normandy’s charming villages and countryside.

Once you’ve checked into your hotel, walk, bike, or take public transportation to the island that is Mont Saint Michel. When visiting Mont Saint Michel during low tide, go onto the island, grab a spot along the high stone wall and witness the rising of the tide as the sea surrounds the island, isolating it from the mainland.

The next day, drive east to Étretat. Consider spending half a day to a full day here.

While Giverny may have been home to impressionist painters, Étretat was their inspiration. Étretat sits on the Normandy coast and is home to where grayish-white limestone cliffs meet the untamed blue sea. The cliff tops are paved with dirt paths and staircases making them accessible for walking, hiking, and sight-seeing.

On your way back to Paris from Étretat, stop in Honfleur to aimlessly walk through the port and old town. The various architectures are beautiful in their own right: the medieval old town and the port with its tightly packed, vertical, colorful buildings. When you’ve finished exploring Honfleur, it’s an estimated 2.5-hours drive to Paris.

This road trip from Paris through Normandy and back can be comfortably done in 3 days.

White cliffs of Etretat with bright blue water to the left side of the photo. Etretat is one of the best places to visit in France

The French Alps from Chamonix

From Whitney of Designs for Travel

One of the most incredible road trips in France is through the Frech Alps. With the beautiful green mountains (or white in the snowy season), aqua blue lakes, and quaint chalets, the Frech Alps is one of the most picturesque areas in Europe.

This Frech Alps road trip is a loop that starts and ends in the popular adventure town of Chamonix. The closest major airport is Geneva, Switzerland.

Start in Chamonix, a beautiful resort town at the base of Mont Blanc. It’s one of the best places to ski in the winter, but I recommend taking this trip in the summer, where you can take a gondola to the top, and enjoy the panoramic views and do some hiking.

The next stop on this road trip is 1 hour and 20 minutes west, to the gorgeous alpine town of Annecy . The pristine lake, river, cobbled old town, pastel cottages, and medieval chateau make Annecy a must-see town in the Alps.

From here, head east to Le Grand Bornand, another beautiful alpine resort town. Drive back to Chamonix for a raclette dinner, which is sure to be a favorite meal.

After visiting France, if you have more time, you can drive south to Italy to continue your road trip.

130 miles, 210 kilometers.

This road trip itinerary can easily be done in 3 days and if you have more time, a week is even better!

Bike leaning against bridge over a canal in Annecy, France

Gorges du Verdon + Valensole Plateau Road Trip

From Elisa of France Bucket List

This 2-day road trip in Southern France covers the Verdon National Park and some of the best lavender fields in Provence . This French road trip starts in the city of Aix-en-Provence, and it takes two days. Aix-en-Provence is the quintessential Provencal city with many interesting things to see and do. Ideally, take one day or two to visit Aix-en-Provence before hitting the road.

From Aix-en-Provence, drive to Valensole, a pretty small town world-known for its lavender fields. Enjoy these never-ending seas of ‘blue gold’- it is not only beautiful to see, but it also smells very good!

Back to the road, drive to the Verdon National Park and stop at Esparron de Verdon and Lac Quinson de Verdon, two small lakes with absolutely no crowds. At Lac de Quinson, you can rent a kayak or an electric road and explore the Gorges du Verdon from the water.

Spend the night at Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, a picturesque hilltop village with the label ‘most beautiful villages in France’.

Day two visits Lac Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon. This is the main lake in the area, and the perfect place to relax on the beach and have a picnic with a view. In the afternoon, visit the hilltop village of Aiguines, which is less touristy than Moustiers and with a more local atmosphere. Have an alfresco dinner in one of the two restaurants on the main square before driving back to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie for the last night of this road trip.

270 km, 168 miles.

This road trip lasts two days. Add one or two more days if you want to visit Aix-en-Provence.

bright turquoise water in a gorge in verdon national park france

Bordeaux + France’s West Coast

From Kat of Wandering Bird

If you’re looking for a mixture of beautiful sandy beaches, cities, and dramatic scenery, head for the west coast of France.

You can begin your trip almost anywhere along the coast, but let’s start in the major hub of Bordeaux. Here you can hire a car or camper van and set off on your adventure, but take a day or two first to explore this beautiful city.

If you only have one day, focus your time on the Cathedral and the mirror pool (you’ll need to wake up very early to nab photos here without the crowds).

Once you leave the city, you have some choices to make. Do you want wine, sea, or one of the most incredible natural wonders you’ve ever seen?

Bordeaux is surrounded by vineyards and they are all worth visiting. If you’re touring France in a motorhome , you can even stay overnight at many of the vineyards (no worrying about drinking and driving!)

If you want to be wowed, head to Arcachon and the jaw-dropping Dune du Pilat. This natural wonder is the largest sand dune in Europe, standing at around 106m high and runs for nearly 3km. Walking up it is not for the faint-hearted!

Lastly, if you want to see more of the beautiful Atlantic coastline, head up to Île de Ré. This stunning island has some beautiful beaches and is a great place to witness the incredible sunsets you find on the French coast.

From Dune du Pilat to Île de Ré (past Bordeaux), this driving trip in France is 276 km or 172 miles.

You can drive from Dune du Pilat to Île de Ré in under 3 hours if traffic is clear.

However, we recommend at least a day in Bordeaux, a day near the dune and Arcachon, and a day on Ile de Re, so allow at least 3/ 4 days for your trip.

Calais to the Pyrenees Loop

From Jenny of TraveLynn Family

For those located in the UK, Calais is an obvious starting point for a France road trip as it’s a short crossing from Kent, either on the ferry or Eurotunnel. This Calais to the Pyrenees road trip itinerary does a big loop down to the Pyrenees via the Auvergne and Perpignan, then back up again via Bayonne, Île d’Oléron, and the Loire Valley, returning to Calais.

Between each stop is about 4 to 5 hours of driving, although do note that this is along tolled roads (which can add up, but they are very efficient).

Staying at campsites, this summer itinerary steers away from main tourist sites and explores the French countryside, rather than the cities. It is advisable to take a bike to explore each stop further using the many cycle lanes and marked tracks. And don’t forget to pack your swimsuit , as there are lots of opportunities for a dip to cool off after a day of exploring.

From the peaceful wooded valleys of the Auvergne to the Catalan charm of the Western Mediterranean; the majestic peaks of the Pyrenees to the fashionable beaches of the Basque country; and the idyllic fishing villages of Ile d’Oléron to the chateaux of the Loire Valley steeped in history; each stop is notably distinct from the other, providing a true cross-section of cultures and landscapes across the French countryside.

2005 miles 0r 3225 kilometers (using toll roads).

Chateau de Fontainbleau in the Loire Valley of France

The French Alps From Grenoble

From Sasha of The Alternative Travel Guide

149 km / 92 miles.

Recommended Trip Length

city of grenoble france with river in the foreground and snowcapped mountains in the background

Gorges du Tarn

Gorges du Tarn offers one of the most scenic landscapes in Southern France, which makes it the perfect destination for a road trip. This loop road trip will take you along the rivers Tarn and La Jonte in the Causses and Cévennes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The trip starts and ends in Millau, a sleepy Medieval town, famous for the tallest bridge in the world – the Millau Viaduct. After visiting the bridge, head to the hamlet of Peyre, which is literally glued to the rocks – a fine example of the so-called ‘ troglodyte ’ villages. The area abounds in this type of dwellings, where the backside is carved into the rocks and only the façade is at street level.

After Peyre, head upstream the Tarn all the way to Florac. The dramatic gorge, cut by the Tarn, is dotted with a string of cute little villages and hamlets: Les Vignes, La Malène, Hauterives, Saint-Chély-du-Tarn, Sainte-Enimie, Prades, Castelbouc, Ispagnac.

At Les Vignes make a detour (11 km/ 7 miles) to Point Sublime for the most breathtaking views of the gorge. At La Malène, you can take a boat tour on the Tarn with the famous flat-bottom boats of Les Bateliers.

Another village that deserves more attention is Sainte-Enimie. Together with Peyre, it’s included on the official list of the Most Beautiful Villages in France.

From Florac, take D16 across Causse Méjean and visit the incredible cave, Aven Armand. Afterward, take D986 to Meyrueis and continue downstream La Jonte, following D996 and Gorges de la Jonte. The last stop on this road trip, before you return to Millau, are the twin towns of Le Rozier and Peyreleau.

215 km or 135 miles.

Although you can cover the whole distance in one day, I highly recommend that you do this in at least 3 or 4 days. The best time to do the trip is in the summer – between June and September, as in the low season as most places will be closed.

village is gorges du tarn france with a waterfall spilling into the river

Cannes to Saint-Tropez

From Elena of Passion for Hospitality

The Côte d’Azur, or the French Riviera , is one of the most breathtaking coastlines, lined with picturesque cosmopolitan coastal towns and villages, golden beaches, rich nature scenes, the southeast corner of France has been blessed by natural beauty.

Driving from Cannes to St. Tropez is definitely a good way for those seeking to discover the gems of the French Riviera while enjoying a relaxed hustle-free little trip.

To get the most out of the road-trip make sure to start early in the morning from Cannes. The first stop is Theoule-sur-Mer, a small medieval town located on the Golfe de La Napoule. Enjoy breathtaking views of the bay La Pointe de l’Aiguille or grab a delicious coffee and croissant before departing for the next destination, the resort town of St. Raphael.

We recommend enjoying lunch by the harbor’s restaurants and later, losing yourself around the narrow streets of the colorful old town. The last stop before reaching St. Tropez, where an overnight stop is recommended, is Saint Maxime, a quiet small village which landscape has inspired and continues to do so for many artists and writers.

Depending on your budget there are many different accommodations options, from simple cozy apartments by the beach, to luxurious resorts.

Alongside the coastal road, there are many little spots scattered, where drivers could take a quick stop to admire the dazzling views, take a few photographs or stretch their legs.

85 kilometers / 53 Miles

It is an hour and a half car trip from one city to the other. With the short and one overnight stop, we recommend 2 days enough for this trip.

harbor of st tropez in the south of france road trip itinerary

Toulouse to Andorra Loop

From Ucman of BrownBoyTravels

The tiny sovereign state of Andorra is a mere 190km from Toulouse and makes a perfect road trip back and forth which can be easily done over a weekend.

Leaving Toulouse in the early morning, you will head in the southwestern direction to the highway. If you want a more scenic route head to Lacroix-Falgarde. The small rural roads will eventually lead you towards the Pyrenees. The Pyrenees appear shortly and the midi- Pyrenees towns and villages take over.

They are perfect for a coffee break or if you are going slowly, for a lunch break. These quaint little villages and towns offer a great insight into the southern french style of life. The streets are neatly trimmed and the everblooming shadow of Pyrenees mountain range dominates everything ever so lovingly.

The drive here is quite easy and simple but that changes significantly when you reach the mountain range. The roads become narrow and the sharp turns take over. The elevation also increases quite dramatically, make sure to take a break to pop your ears.

The drive is really beautiful here especially in winter with the snow but also quite dangerous, black snow is a real threat here so drive with caution.

If you drive fast you can cover this entire distance from Toulouse to Andorra La Vella in 3-4 hours but I’d recommend taking a day and going slow to enjoy the scenery. (Make sure to bring your passport although most of the time there are no border checks).

It is quite easy to drive around in Andorra from the ski slopes of Encamp to the quaint little town of Ordino or if you just want a relaxed weekend the beautiful spas of Andorra la Vella. If you like shopping, Andorra offers duty-free shopping , there something for everyone here.

The road trip to Andorra from Toulouse is a memorable and easy France driving trip.

120 miles or 190 kilometers.

2-3 days is enough to enjoy this France road trip itinerary.

stone village in the hills of andorra, visible on a france road trip itinerary from toulouse to andorra

Brittany Road Trip in France

From Victoria of Guide Your Travel

This driving route will be between 800 and 100 kilometres, 500 – 620 miles.

castle ruins of the coast of brittany france near saint-malo

Montpellier to Toulouse Loop

Carsaconne France, with the fortress visible on the left side of the photo and the village below it on the right

Finally, you should head 100 km to Toulouse. Toulouse is nicknamed “la Ville Rose” – the pink city – because so many of the buildings are made from pinkish bricks. Important sites to visit are Basilique Saint-Sernin, the largest romanesque church in Europe. It also has more relics in the crypt than any other church in France, many of which are from Charlemagne (9th century).

You should also spend time at Place du Capitole and the square in front of it. Some parts of the building date back to the 12th century. It has beautiful frescos and offers tours.

Montpellier – Carcassonne – Toulouse is 245 km or 150 miles.

It would take about 3 hours to drive this France road trip route straight through without stopping. However, to truly enjoy each location, I would give yourself a minimum of 5 days.

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4 photos of france: castle, cote d'azur, etretat, lavender field. black and pink text on a white background reads "15 best france road trip ideas"

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

10 thoughts on “15 Best France Road Trip Itinerary Ideas (+ Driving Tips!)”

hello 🙂 just finished reading your ” escape clause” and i found some great tips so just like to thank you for that first of all. I’m planning on travelling to France by car from west Yorkshire in the UK for a 10 day holiday in total, we would start of by a 5 hour drive to dover then get the ferry crossing to Calais and carry on from there. we will have a 3 year old and a 1 year old too with us so we want to see plenty of beaches and coastal scenery. i wondered if you could maybe point us in the right direction on places to visit/stay ( ideally 2 different locations on family friendly campsites with lodges or tents) and go off on day trips from there if that makes sense 🙂 look forward to hearing back from you guys iain

Hi Iain! Unfortunately, we haven’t had a chance to spend much time in northwestern France (we were supposed to this year, but alas, 2020 had other plans). I can tell you our personal wish list in that general corner of France, though, includes all the major hits: Etretat, Le Havre, Honfleur, Lille, Rouen, and if you get that far south, of course, Mont Saint-Michel. Etretat is ideal for the coastal scenery you mentioned!

Wish we had more detail to offer, but there are some stunning places up that way!

Staggering beauty here Kate. Wow. France surprises me with its range. Definitely a worthy spot for a serious road trip. Fabulous images guys!

thank you for this! we are planning visit in aug/sept 2022 x 21d staring our in paris and heading toward bordeaux, the sw coast, basque, french pyrenees, and andorra. Wasn’t sure how to finish up the loop back to paris but I would love to incorporate provence. I also love your focus on gorges! I just started following you on IG and will look out for more inspiration!

Thanks so much, Leigh! Sounds like an incredible trip.

We’re toying with a trip to Basque Country and/or Bordeaux ourselves this spring–it never stops being difficult to narrow down our options!

Hope you guys have a wonderful time!

Very good coverage of driving tours in France. One suggestion for drivers I don’t recall was mentioned. After you pick up your car rental stop somewhere and invest in materials to clean your windshield. We have driven thousands of miles on many car trips and estimate that most of the time gas stations don’t have squeegees, sponges, paper towels, or even water available. Well worth the small cost. France is a large agricultural country and bugs abound.

Thanks so much. Very useful

Happy to help!

Hello Kate. I am planning my trip to France. It is our first trip to France. We will fly from New York to Paris and we want to explore France as much as we can within 9 days. We want to rent car and use train if we need. My plan is to start from Paris and go to other nice places including small towns/villages and end up in south and fly back to US from other south city. We need your advice please. Thank you in advance.

With 9 days, the first thing I’d do is narrow down what general region of France you want to visit, as you can access a wide variety of beautiful small towns in that time!

Normandy and Provence are both popular regions for first-time visitors to France, though it sounds like you’re most likely wanting Provence. For Normandy, you might drive right from Paris, and for Provence, you’d likely want to take a train to Aix-en-Provence and then pick up a car. This itinerary covers Provence: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/south-of-france-itinerary/

If you want to stick very close to Paris, consider the Loire Valley.

Other options could include the Bordeaux area (we love St. Emilion: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/saint-emilion-france/ ) or Burgundy ( https://www.ourescapeclause.com/things-to-do-in-dijon-france/ ).

You obviously can’t cover all of that, but narrowing down where you want to go will be the first step. France has lifetimes worth of villages to explore. 🙂

If you’re wanting to fly home from the south of France, you’ll want to look at flights from Bordeaux (in the west) or Nice, Marseille, Lyon, or Toulouse (in the east).

Where to go on vacation with your dog in France?

Are you looking for where to go with your dog in France? What places to visit in France with your dog? Corsica, Jura, Cassis, Alps, Somme, Normandy, Millau, Biscarrosse or even Brittany! Discover great destinations for your holidays with your dog!

And if this summer you go on vacation with your dog in France? Our beautiful country has so many wonderful dog-friendly destinations to discover, that I bet that by the end of this article, you will have your head full of desires for your next vacation with your dog.

I always said to myself that before leaving to visit the whole world with my dog, I would like to take a tour of all the wonders that we have at home, in France! After all, if France is the first tourist destination in the world, there is a reason… Our country is rich. Heritage, Landscapes, Gastronomy, let me show you some of its secrets... In this way, you will spend a great holiday with your dog in France.

Follow me for this little guided tour of the dog-friendly corners of France where you can go on vacation with your dog… Corsica, Franche-Comté, Cassis, the Alps, Millau, Nîmes, Biscarrosse or even Brittany… the choice is vast !

Corsica with her dog

To begin our overview of dog-friendly destinations to discover with your dog, let's go to Corsica ! Between breathtaking landscapes, dream beaches, mountains and top-flight gastronomy, Corsica really has everything the ideal place for your holidays with your dog in France.

There are many dog-friendly beaches and magnificent hiking trails with sea views cross the entire island of beauty, such as the mythical GR20 that our Wouafer's Thomas and Laura have traveled with their two huskies. An incredible adventure to live with your dog, provided you are super well prepared. This is not a trail for Sunday hikers in flip flops! Discover: The GR20 with his dog, a Corsican adventure that has to be earned!

To take a breath of fresh air with your dog, head to Corsica! Remember to book your crossing on board Corsica Ferries ; they accept dogs on board.

To discover this destination in detail, I invite you to read: Go to Corsica with your dog & Enjoying your holidays in Corsica with your dog ; two articles full of good advice shared by two Wouafer's who have returned from vacation on the beauty island.

Franche-Comté and Jura with your dog

If you prefer mountain destinations and with few tourists, then I invite you to discover with your dog Jura and Franche-Comté! Here you can play sports with your dog in the middle of nature! And yes, the region lends itself to it!

Between vineyards, mid-mountains, natural lakes, mountains and green plains, you can go dog-biking, cani cross , cani-canoe , cani-paddle and many other sporting outings with your dog. Exercising with your dog , it's a bit like a religion in the Jura and in Franche-Comté!

A word of advice, don't miss it. Lake Chalain , The Ilay Lake or Poudrey chasm as well as the famous Hedgehog waterfalls . Besides, I talk to you in more detail about these lakes in the article. The top 10 of the most beautiful dog-friendly lakes in France .

Cassis with her dog

For sun and beach lovers and for whom holidays are not real holidays without long hours of basking in the sun, discover Cassis with your dog. A tourist town and no less charming with its historic alleys and its old port.

Not to be missed: the famous creeks of Cassis, the creek of Port Miou, the creek of En Vau and that of Port-Pin, but also magnificent hikes to share on the heights of the city. As for activities, let yourself be tempted by a canoe trip with your dog at Lokayak, a dog-friendly rental company!

Surprisingly, for a very touristy town, Cassis is rather dog-friendly! A good destination to remember for your next getaways in the sun…

The Alps with your dog

If you are looking for the freshness of the mountains for your summer vacation with your dog, the Alps are a destination Too W'ouf! The Alps are 82 peaks over 4 meters, spectacular views, unspoiled nature, and above all the magnificent Mont Blanc, culminating at 000 meters above sea level. A grandiose destination that once again reminds us of how small we are. A great lesson in humility and a great breath of fresh air!

In the Alps, in summer, I recommend: long hikes, bivouac with your dog , day walks, road trips … This is an opportunity to be closer to nature with your dog. This is how you can enjoy 100% of the wonders of the mountain. Be careful to preserve it by leaving nothing in your way! Also respect the fauna and flora, tie your dog if the rules of your route require it so that it does not disturb species in full nesting for example.

Want to discover the Alps with your dog? These few articles should inspire you…

A successful holiday in the Alps with your dog ,

I take my dog to the mountains ,

Holidays in Morzine in the Alps with your dog ,

Sports holidays in the Hautes-Alpes with my dog ,

Go around Mont Blanc with your dog .

The Somme with her dog

If you want a 100% dog-friendly destination in France to go on vacation with your dog, I have what you need! Destination the Somme in Picardy!! History, culture, pretty towns, activities, in short, everything to make your stay with your dog a wonderful one. You will be charmed by the Baie de Somme, wild landscapes, vertiginous cliffs, beaches... A change of scenery guaranteed in the Somme!

The Baie de Somme is one of the most beautiful bays in the world!!! But the Somme has even more to offer! You will love the activities to do with your dog! Many walks are to be done with your dog such as the Fisherman's Trail , Royon trail , the discovery trail of the Authie dune. If you like going to the beach with your dog, then Quend-Plage is the destination made for you! Discover the dog-friendly beach of Quend-plage , to the delight of doggie! The Hâble d'Ault bird sanctuary is an activity that you can do with your dog, you will have the pleasure of discovering many species of birds! Of course, Amiens and its hortillonnages are a must if you are staying in the Somme with your dog!

I can't list all the 100% dog-friendly activities that you can do with your dog in the Somme because the list would be too long... But if you want to know more about this furry destination, I'll let you discover 3 articles Too Woof: The Somme with a dog: a dog-friendly destination not to be missed , What to do in the Somme with your dog? et The Baie de Somme with a dog .

Discover Millau and Aveyron with your dog

Millau with your dog, it's THE ideal sport and nature destination, perfect for filling up on outdoor activities! Millau is in fact the destination for hiking with your dog , canoeing with your dog , snorkeling with your dog and to discover an exceptional site, an architectural masterpiece: the Millau Viaduct .

Millau is a real little paradise where it is good to relax with the family and enjoy the holidays together. A few ideas for activities to do with your dog in Millau: hiking on the Larzac ledges, descending the Gorges du Tarn by canoe or paddleboard with your dog, or even visiting the Château de Peyrelade with your dog... But this n This is only a very small part of the activities to do in Millau and surroundings... To discover everything, I invite you to read Millau and its surroundings with a dog where Tsingy and Laetitia reveal all their favorite secret places.

Nîmes with his dog

For lovers of heat and sun, what sunnier destination than Nîmes to hang out with your dog during a week's vacation? Shhhhhhh, close your eyes and listen… You can hear them already, can't you? And yes, the cicadas will be there for your holidays! Welcome to the Suuuud!

On holiday in Nîmes with your dog, wander around the narrow streets of the historic center as you wish. Immerse yourself in Romanity by strolling through the Gardens of the Fontaine with your dog or by discovering the Maison Carré and of course the fabulous arenas of Nîmes. Let yourself be charmed by its inhabitants with a big heart. Take a walk in the Camargue… Whatever you do, you will go from discovery to discovery!

It is a charming city with a melodious accent, a rich heritage and which knows how to welcome dogs! What more could you ask for on your family vacation?

To learn more about this destination, discover the articles: A great holiday in Nîmes with your dog et Go on holiday in Nîmes with your dog co-written with Wouafer's from Nîmes: Valérie and Only & Gaëlle and Ojhi.

Biscarrosse with his dog

Head to the Landes for a holiday with your dog! Biscarrosse is a destination that has it all! The sun, the Atlantic Ocean, the lakes, water sports , hiking, outdoor sports… Biscarrosse is a multi-faceted destination that will appeal to young and old alike… And your dog, W'ouf course!

In Biscarrosse with your dog, you can access many dog-friendly beaches, enjoy endless walks at sunset, take advantage of all kinds of nautical outings: canoeing, paddleboarding, swimming, water games and a bit of idleness. also (like all good self-respecting holidays) …

Moreover, for this summer, I challenge you to try surfing with your dog !

The essentials of Biscarrosse with his dog are clearly: the Biscarrosse lake , the Latécoère site and the tree climbing park of Bisc'Aventures ! But not only… Discover all the little secrets of Biscarrosse to discover with your dog in the article written by Havana and Sabine: Enjoying a great holiday in Biscarrosse with your dog .

Normandy with its dog

Gastronomy, sea, nature, countryside, cliffs… you will love going on holiday in Normandy with your dog. In Normandy, there is no shortage of activities to do with your dog! Hikes, walks, beach, paddle, everything to make your dog feel good and stretch his paws thoroughly! Did you know ? Normandy is the region with the most dog-friendly beaches in France! Pebble or fine sand beaches, the choice is yours! And the beaches that accept dogs in Normandy are real beautiful beaches, large and wild. Not the less pretty little bits that we “refurbish” to dog owners because no one else wants to go there…

If you like the alliance between countryside and seaside, go to Normandy! Moreover, for cycling enthusiasts, know that there are many cycling routes to test with your dog. Besides if roaming by bike with your dog in Normandy tempts you, I recommend that you read the article of the same name! An article full of advice and tips for going on a road trip with your dog! Too wow, isn't it? And Eloise, interviewed on her return from a cycling holiday in Normandy, also shared the article The Flax Cycle Route with his dog , another great route to discover by bike with your dog.

Brittany with her dog

And since I always like to save the best things for last, follow me Britain . I take you to my favorite corner of France and with your dog. ? Fine sandy beaches, magical cliffs, an incredible coastal path, half-timbered houses, stone houses, magical forests full of trolls, cider, galettes, fresh fish, shellfish, Breizh cola … pfffiou you will not have enough of all your holidays to do everything and taste everything!

Brittany with its dog, it's the insurance to share holidays Too W'ouf! And I know what I'm saying! I go there every year and every year, I fill up with happiness. But this year, the Covid will have got the better of our Breton holidays. Too far from home, we won't be able to stock up on iodine this time… My dog and I are already yearning to find the incredible beaches of Finistère.

In Brittany, holidays promise to be active and rich in visits: Ushant island , Mont St Michel , Gardens Brocéliande , boat crossings to the island of Bréhat… To discover my favorite destination, hop hop hop, it's here: Go to Brittany with your dog .

QUALIDOG-certified accommodation

Discover a selection of QUALIDOG-certified accommodation with your dog! Travel with peace of mind by choosing to book with our QUALIDOG-certified partners. Whether they have obtained one or four truffles with the label, they have one thing in common: that of loving your animals!

Rentals Les Prenards

Campsite Champ la Chèvre

The Villa with a Dog

I hope these destination ideas have piqued your curiosity and sparked your interest when it comes to booking your vacation for this summer!

If you are still not satisfied, then discover accommodation throughout France that welcomes dogs ! I am sure that by looking carefully, you will find the ideal accommodation that will correspond 100% to your expectations!

And don't forget, if you are traveling with your dog, subscribe to our account Facebook & Instagram to follow all the destination news. Also publish your photos with #takeondog , so I can discover you and your dogs!

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A French road trip – with my high-maintenance dog

By Gerri Gallagher

This summer, I’m hitting the road with Madame T, my 13-year-old Welsh terrier (and co-pilot). Our plan is to spend four weeks driving through France, something we have always wanted to do. Madame T has spent most of her life padding about the third floor of Vogue House, but we’ve gone freelance and decided now is the time...

ROAD TRIP PART FOUR: DAYS 11 TO 13

DAY 11: From L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue to Lyon MILES TRAVELLED: 155 HOURS SPENT IN THE CAR: Three and a half hours

Madame T feeling the heat in L'IslesurlaSorgue

TOP DOG: Spending hours wandering around Antiques Art & You, the newly whizzed-up (yet oldest) international antiques fair. Held twice a year – in March and August – in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, this five-day fest sees hundreds of visiting exhibitors join the town’s nearly 300 permanent dealers. From haut antiques to utter tat, this is ‘fleamarket meets car-boot sale meets Kensington Church Street’. GROWLINGLY BAD: It had to happen. A road trip with Madame T wouldn’t have been complete without a drama. Having spent the morning grazing on grass like a cow, she was sick – not surprising, given the amount she consumed. What was surprising was the blade of grass that got caught in her windpipe. By the time we arrived in Lyon, she was struggling to breathe between sneezes. I rushed her to an emergency vet who somehow deciphered my hysterical Franglais and took her off. Two hours later, morphined up to the eyeballs, she was grass-free (but I was a total basket case).

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ME TIME: No time for me; it was all about Madame T. WALKIES: From the hotel lobby of Cour des Loges to the taxi to the operating theatre and back; though to be honest, Madame T was carried most of the way. WE WERE DOG TIRED IN... Room 27, Cour des Loges. On a cobbled street in Old Lyon, four Italian Renaissance townhouses make up this very sexy, very romantic hotel. The showstopper is the 14th-century courtyard that scales the entire building from lobby to roof, ringed with arched walkways. Spectacular!

MADAME T'S VERDICT: God bless Gérard Ravet, the dapper and extremely efficient concierge at Cour des Loges. Without him and his fast thinking, who knows if I would be here to tell the story.

Book it: Double at Hotel Cour des Loges , from £183

DAY 12: From Lyon to Paris MILES TRAVELLED: 290 HOURS SPENT IN CAR: Five TOP DOG: Such was the hero’s welcome that Madame T received at the Mandarin Oriental Paris, even the Queen’s corgis would have been jealous. The staff addressed her as ‘Madame Tullah’, our suite had a special Madame T set-up and when we departed the doormen vied to be photographed with her.

Arrival at our final stop the Mandarin Oriental in Paris

GROWLINGLY BAD: My Spotify singalong for most of the five-hour drive from Lyon to Paris. Good thing Madame T is deaf as a stone. ME TIME: Having lived in Paris a very long time ago, I had such fun revisiting my old haunts with Madame T in tow.

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WALKIES: From Rue St Honoré through Cour Napoléon of the Palais du Louvre over the Pont des Arts and onto Rue de Seine, where I lived all those lifetimes ago. WE WERE DOG TIRED IN… Suite 512 at the Mandarin Oriental. Paris in August is so overrun with tourists (hardly a word of French was heard on the streets) that after a few hours we retreated back to the peace and quiet of the hotel’s enormous camellia-scented courtyard garden and ordered a glass of rosé. MADAME T'S VERDICT: What better way to end our road trip than in five-star style!

Image may contain Animal Dog Mammal Terrier Pet Canine Rug and Airedale

Book it: Double at the Mandarin Oriental , from £850

DAY 13: Paris to London MILES TRAVELLED: First leg (Paris to Calais), 180 miles; second leg (Eurotunnel), 31.4 miles; third leg (Folkestone to Notting Hill), 80 miles HOURS SPENT IN CAR: First leg, four hours; second leg, 35 minutes; third leg, 2 hours 12 minutes

Image may contain Home Decor Human Person Banister Handrail Clothing and Apparel

TOP DOG: It’s the end of the road for us. We clocked 3,000 miles over four weeks in France. We spent 42 hours and 48 minutes in the car and came to the following conclusions: most cars on the road are white, Germans drive the fastest and having a left-hand-drive car in a right-hand-drive country is an incredible pain in the ass.

MADAME T'S VERDICT: So it’s over and out for the first series of ‘Travels with Madame T’. Before we go, I’d like to say a huge thanks to Lily's Kitchen for providing me with delicious sustenance for the trip, and The Paws for my Chillr PCM Cooling mat that kept me cool, calm and collected in the ferocious heat of Lucifer. I am dreaming of where to make Gerri take me for our next ‘Travels with Madame T’, so watch this space...

Gerri and Madame T travelled to and from the continent on the Eurotunnel. To book, visit aferry.co.uk .

Follow Gerri and Madame T's travels on Instagram, or via the hashtag #travelswithMadameT

ROAD TRIP PART THREE: DAYS EIGHT TO 10

DAY EIGHT: From Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade to Grignan MILES TRAVELLED: 85 HOURS SPENT IN CAR: 1 hour 30 minutes

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TOP DOG: Leaving Villa La Coste was a wrench. I could have happily stayed forever, but move on we must, so off we went to the dreaded A7 and its many tolls. However, a surprise awaited us. Having stopped for petrol and a loo break, we were presented with a VINCI goodie bag. VINCI Highways manages most of the motorways in France, and since today was the official beginning of the summer holidays, everyone on the road got a freebie. Not a patch on a Tatler goodie bag, of course, but honestly, who’d have thought…

GROWLINGLY BAD: The first and only sip of the Tourtel Twist: bière sans alcool au jus de citron from the goodie bag. REVOLTING. ME TIME: Wandering through Grignan, an exquisite 12th-century fortified village. Château de Grignan dominates the landscape with its bright-white Renaissance splendour. But beauty aside, it’s really famous because Madame de Sévigné, the French writer known for her letters, including many to her daughter (the wife of the Count of Grignan), visited the chateau three times. On her final visit, she died. WE WERE DOG TIRED IN… Room Jaune, Le Clair de la Plume. From the russet-coloured tiled floors and the rose-clad trellis in the courtyard restaurant (with one-Michelin-starred chef Julien Allano at the helm) to the rustic Provençal fabrics, Le Clair de la Plume is authentically, charmingly, totally French. MADAME T’S VERDICT: My favourite bit? Lying on the small terrace outside our room while Gerri wrote this silly blog.

Image may contain Animal Dog Mammal Terrier Pet Canine Airedale and Pottery

Book it: Double at Le Clair de la Plume , from £120

DAY NINE: From Grignan to Tournon-sur-Rhône MILES TRAVELLED: 59 HOURS SPENT IN CAR: 1 hour 10 minutes TOP DOG: Though I didn’t love the town, I did love the hotel. Hôtel de la Villeon is situated smack in the medieval part, where cars are not permitted, and finding it involved another misadventure courtesy of my nemesis, Waze. Madame T and I are not travelling light: wherever we go, I have to schlepp along my suitcase, my laptop, her bed, her bowls, her food (which requires a coolbox)… We parked only three blocks away, but Waze cretin Kate took us on a 12-block goose chase. How cross was I when I finally pushed open the Villeon’s massive antique walnut door? However, this totally unexpected jewel box of a place – wooden floorboards, marble fireplaces, gilded chandeliers and carefully curated antiques – perked me up no end. GROWLINGLY BAD: The weather. We are in the throes of Lucifer, the heatwave that has scorched most of southern Europe. With temperatures close to 40 degrees, being anywhere that isn’t a swimming pool or air-conditioned can be pretty miserable. WALKIES: Up, down and all around the 22,000 square feet of the terraced gardens built into the hill behind the hotel.

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WE WERE DOG TIRED IN… Room 4, Hôtel de la Villeon. MADAME T’S VERDICT: Much has been made of my ‘selective hearing’, which has always been the case, even when I was younger. However, as the dowager Madame T, I am truly deaf as a stone. A good thing too, because there was the most almighty thunderstorm that raged for two hours during the night, keeping Gerri awake.

Book it: Double at Hôtel de la Villeon , from £90

DAY TEN: From Tournon-sur-Rhône to Saint-Montan and then onto Crillon Le Brave MILES TRAVELLED: First leg, 58; second leg, 50 HOURS SPENT IN CAR: Two and a half hours in total TOP DOG: Meeting writer Geraldene Holt, of whom American author MFK Fisher once wrote: ‘I can think of only three English women who write even comparably well about a common subject, food. They are, of course, Elizabeth David, Jane Grigson and Geraldene Holt.’ I met her through Lucile from the Ardèche Tourist board , who had said I should visit Saint-Montan (and Geraldene) to experience the true Ardèche. Geraldene has lived in Saint-Montan since 1988, and has been instrumental in the revitalisation and restoration of this 13th-century village. A better or more nimble tour guide I could not have asked for. She bounded up and around the rues en calade (sloping paved streets) like a mountain goat, leaving me and Madame T in her wake.

Madame T with Geraldene Holt in SaintMontan

GROWLINGLY BAD: The surplus of middle-aged men in Lycra cycling two abreast on the twisty hill roads from the Ardèche to the Drôme to Provence. WALKIES: All around Saint-Montan, up the ramparts, down and then around the fortress, across the bridge and over the brook.

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WE WERE DOG TIRED IN… Room 4, Hôtel Crillon Le Brave. Practically all of this tiny hilltop village is the hotel: a cluster of nine old stone buildings of suites and rooms, terraces, gardens, a pool, restaurants and spectacular panoramic views of Provence. Treat yourself to dinner in Restaurant Jérôme Blanchet (either on the terrace or under the 16th-century vaulted stone ceiling inside). His daurade royale (my favourite fish ever) marinated in lime and served with cucumber jelly and green shiso sorbet was unforgettable. MADAME T’S VERDICT: I rather fancied the champagne cocktail before dinner.

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Book it: Double at Hotel Crillon Le Brave , from £298

Stay tuned for next week's instalment and follow Gerri and Madame T's travels on Instagram , or via the hashtag #travelswithMadameT

ROAD TRIP PART TWO: DAYS FOUR TO EIGHT

DAYS FOUR TO SIX: From Abbaye de la Bussière (with a pitstop in Nîmes), then onto Hostellerie de l’Abbaye de la Celle MILES TRAVELLED: 520 HOURS SPENT IN CAR: 6.5 hours, over two days

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TOP DOG: Nîmes! This is a city to make time for – it is small and enchanting, and ever-so-accessible when you have Richard and his golf cart whizzing you round the Roman ruins. My friends, the Tognas, are locals and together we set off with our dogs: Madame T and the Tognas’ shih-tzus: Ninja (black) and Taiko (blonde). The highlight of the tour was visiting the 100ft-high Tour Magne – built around 15 BC – the largest of a chain of towers that once conveyed imperial power to the city’s four-mile-long Roman ramparts.

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GROWLINGLY BAD: Not having had the foresight to book into Jardins Secrets, the most indescribably romantic 17th-century villa hotel nestled in a private garden. Owners Annabelle and Christophe Valentin, formerly of fashion and photography aristocracy, have curated antiques and objets d’art over the years, and the result is sensational. Their regulars say it all: Sting and Trudie, Stevie Wonder, Lolita Lempicka and Mika. ME TIME: Sitting in the bougainvillea-strewn gardens of the aforementioned hotel, listening to the birds and sipping a glass of Château Puech Haut Tête de Bélier 2016 while Madame T pottered around the garden. WALKIES: Madame T was shattered from co-piloting Richard’s golf cart and fending off the amorous advances of Ninja and Taiko, so no walkies.

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WE WERE DOG TIRED IN… Hostellerie de l’Abbaye de la Celle. This Alain Ducasse stronghold was originally built in the 12th century by Benedictine monks. But it was the Benedictine nuns (who came later) that are best remembered for their very un-nun-like behaviour while in residence. So scandalous were their comings and goings that in 1660 Cardinal Mazarin closed it down. Four centuries and a few visits from General de Gaulle later (see photo), Alain Ducasse has created a charming, tranquil hostellerie that is renowned for its food (what a surprise). Dinner on the terrace, in the shadow of towering cypress trees, involved lots of truffles (heaven). I ate solo, leaving Madame T in the Perpétue de la Celle suite – a good call, as there was a pesky cat skulking around that would have been catnip for Madame T, who suffers from chronic mad-cat disease. The result could have been upended tables and total carnage. MADAME T'S VERDICT: Damn! I got left behind.

Book it: Double at L’Hostellerie de l’Abbaye de la Celle , from £280

On the lookout at La Bastide de Moustiers

DAY SEVEN: Hostellerie de l’Abbaye de la Celle to La Bastide de Moustiers MILES TRAVELLED: 45 HOURS SPENT IN CAR: 1 hour 22 mins TOP DOG: The drive from the first Ducasse property to the second Ducasse property, through the Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon with lakes the colour of the Caribbean. GROWLINGLY BAD: Le Mistral arrived – that cold, dry wind made famous by Peter Mayle in A Year in Provence . Madame T and I didn’t mind; it was a relief after the oppressive heat of the last few days (40 degrees). But it was a nightmare for the staff at La Bastide de Moustiers. The winds were so strong dinner couldn’t be served on the terrace, and swimming was off limits. ME TIME: Wandering through the kitchen gardens and gorgeous knot garden on the grounds.

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WALKIES: Early in the morning, Madame T and I set off on foot for the hilltop village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (all this driving and eating isn’t doing anything for our waistlines). The village was built on platform terraces 300ft or so up the side of the limestone cliff, a spring flowing out of it creating a waterfall. We had a wander – the village is known for its faience (fine, tin-glazed pottery), as well as the gold-painted star that hangs on a 700ft-long chain suspended between two cliffs. Its origin, according to legend, lies in the 10th century, when the Saracens held the knight Bozon de Blacas prisoner. He vowed to hang a star over his village if he was able to return. No one knows how the star was originally hung there, but many centuries, and many stars later, one is still there. WE WERE DOG TIRED IN… La Bastide de Moustiers, Alain Ducasse’s erstwhile home. We stayed in a cathedral-ceilinged, one-bedroom cottage called Coquelicot (translation: Poppy) just down the gravel path from the main house and perfect for Madame T as she could sniff around the fields of lavender outside. MADAME T'S VERDICT: I am a true Provençal dog now.

Book it: Double at La Bastide Moustiers , from £195

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DAY EIGHT: From La Bastide de Moustiers to Villa La Coste MILES TRAVELLED: 60-plus thanks to my Waze app (see below) HOURS SPENT IN CAR: Almost 3 hours (ditto) TOP DOG: Arriving safe and sound GROWLINGLY BAD: Waze! Up to this point, our two satnavs – be it Google Maps or Waze – had served us well. Kate, our chosen English Waze voice, may have the most appalling French pronunciation, but she had alerted us to radar areas, accidents and traffic. Until this leg of the journey. As we approached Villa La Coste, she lost her mind and we lost our way BIG time. She directed us down chemin de blah blah, a suspiciously dodgy-looking single-track lane that dwindled to dirt. Against my better judgment, I opted to follow the advice of Kate. One and a half miles later, I dead-ended into a massive, padlocked metal barrier with warnings that it was ONLY TO BE OPENED IN CASE OF FIRE BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. I swore. Then I cried. Turning back was impossible as there was no wiggle room. My only option was to off-road and pray that I could squeeze the car past the barrier without falling into the ravine to the right. I managed, but only just – after more tears and an almighty tumble taken when trying to assess the situation – I arrived at Villa La Coste bruised, bloody and a tiny bit hysterical. ME TIME: Not today, folks. WALKIES: Wandering through the forest of green oaks and Aleppo pines at Villa La Coste, which are filled with sculptures, installations and small-scale pavilions created by the rock stars of the art world: Tadao Ando, Frank Gehry, Lord Foster, Richard Serra, Jean-Michel Othoniel, Lee Ufan, Sean Scully…

After that first half bottle at Villa La Coste...

WE WERE DOG TIRED IN… Alpilles at Villa La Coste, a hotel suite extraordinaire. Between the jaw-dropping views of Mont Ventoux, the Luberon massif, the marble bathtub the size of a splash pool and the canopied bed swathed in gauze, I was done. And did I mention the art? It’s everywhere… not only on the walk through the forest, but in the bookcases, on the walls, even in the stairwells: a Tracey Emin sketch here, a painting by Sean Scully there.

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MADAME T'S VERDICT: My particular favourite was the old-fashioned luggage cart-cum-wagon, made out of bended branches, a perfect chariot pour moi .

[note]Book it: Suite at Villa La Coste , from £550

ROAD TRIP PART ONE: DAY ONE TO THREE

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So from the damp greenness of Oxfordshire we’re heading for the sun-scorched Côte d’Azur by way of Dijon, Nîmes, the Ardèche and Provençe. And then back again. Madame T is a lousy navigator, but she’s a dream in the car – mostly sleeping, but panting and yawning at me when she wants to make a pitstop.

This is our story...

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DAY ONE: From Westwell, Oxfordshire, to Château de Moulin Le Comte, Aire-sur-la-Lys MILES TRAVELLED: 226 HOURS SPENT IN CAR: Five TOP DOG: Our maiden voyage on the Eurotunnel and Madame T’s first foray out of the UK. I’m an old hand on the Eurostar but a Eurotunnel newbie, and I was thrilled by it: easy, efficient and FAST. GROWLINGLY BAD: The realisation that my right-hand-drive car means that at EVERY toll I have to jump out, race round to the toll machine, take the ticket, pay and dash back before drivers behind me wig out. ME TIME: No ‘me time’. Instead, I enlisted the help of a fellow motorist to assist with positioning the blooming headlamp converters. He was even more clueless than I was, despite the directions and diagrams.

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WE WERE DOG TIRED IN… Château de Moulin le Comte, an 1880s brick-and-stone building with a sweeping staircase, five antique-filled guest rooms, nine resident chihuahuas, and all brilliantly close to Calais. This charming former flourmill was renovated in 2011 by Francis Van der Elst, who runs it as a B&B with his son Cedric. Both are dab hands in the kitchen – you won’t find more meticulously julienned vegetables in all of France. They welcome all kinds of animals: dogs as big as ponies, birds, fish, even a snake on the odd occasion. WALKIES: The gardens here are big, beautiful and fenced, so Madame T wandered and sniffed while I enjoyed a glass of rosé and celebrated not being behind the wheel. MADAME T'S VERDICT: Nine chihuahuas? Ce n'est pas vrai ! I didn’t see, hear or meet a single one.

Book it: PetsPyjamas offers one night at Château de Moulin le Comte , from £70.

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DAYS TWO & THREE: From Château de Moulin Le Comte to Abbaye de la Bussière, plus a day in Beaune. MILES TRAVELLED: 378 HOURS SPENT IN CAR: Five hours and 20 minutes, plus one and half hours to Beaune and back TOP DOG: The spectacular scenery of the Côte d'Or, between Dijon and La Bussière-sur-Ouche – bales of recently harvested wheat (fields of gold) and the albino whiteness of the Charolais cattle – and then on a day-trip to Beaune, visiting Hôtel-Dieu, Hospices de Beaune, with its eye-catching pitched rooftop and stone turrets covered in multicoloured tiles. GROWLINGLY BAD: The squat toilet on the A26. YUCK. ME TIME: Wanting to see something other than the A26, we diverted to Troyes. The medieval old town with its narrow, cobbled streets and colourful 16th-century half-timbered houses was just what I craved, as was the lobster and crab salad at Le Valentino. A triumph in my book but not for Madame T. See below.

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WALKIES: Madame T is NOT a fan of cobbled streets. They hurt her feet (this from a dog who has been known to don a pair of Jimmy Choos, see above). She loved Beaune, though – two hours of exploring the parkland at L’Abbaye de la Bussière and the banks of the neighbouring River Ouche was just the ticket. WE WERE DOG TIRED IN… Abbaye de la Bussière, a wowser of a place: formerly a 12th-century Cistercean abbey (lots of Gothic flourishes, vaults, stained glass) set in 15 acres of private parkland where two teeny Shetland ponies graze. Chef Guillaume Royer has gobbled up every award there is, so many come here just to eat. But don’t miss the chance to stay; British owners Tanith and Clive Cummings have got everything spot on.

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MADAME T'S VERDICT: This is heaven – more dogs than humans. I have met three Bouvier des Flandres on their way to St Tropez. They travel and sleep in a bespoke air-conditioned caravan while their owners stay in the hotel. Note to self: must have a word with Gerri...

Book it: PetsPyjamas offers one night at Abbaye de la Bussière , from £271

GOOD TO KNOW…

PetsPyjamas offers 2,000 pet-welcoming hotels, cottages, pubs with rooms and B&Bs around the UK and Europe. Pets go free and a complimentary pet travel kit worth £20 is standard for all stays. All breaks are bookable via PetsPyjamas’ expert Pet Concierges, a dedicated pack of dog lovers and experts who help their furry customers and owners find the perfect break. For more information, visit petspyjamas.com .

AND FINALLY…

Who knew going to France with a dog could be such a palaver? Naively, I figured that once Madame T’s passport was sorted and I was packed, we’d be off. WRONG. There's an extensive checklist (with associated fines if you are found non-compliant) for driving in France. You need kit, and lots of it: headlamp converters, breathalysers, spare bulbs, and on and on.

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5 top road trips to see the best of France

May 18, 2024 • 7 min read

Alpine roads to Roman-straight routes through 2,000-year-old vines, France’s road trips are as varied as they are scenic © Matt Munro / Lonely Planet

Anna Richards has travelled France researching Lonely Planet's latest guidebook . Here she shared her favourite road trips to get you inspired.

The freedom of the open road in France is even more accessible for British travellers who can arrive with their own car, via the ferry or Eurotunnel. And as the home of the original motorist’s guide, the Michelin Guide, it seems only fitting to explore it on four wheels.

All of the below routes avoid paying tolls (for more information on toll roads, see the tips at the end) – taking you along smaller, more picturesque, routes into the heart of the French countryside.

Here are the five best road trips for exploring France.

An overhead view of Mont-St-Michel monastery

1. Mont St-Michel to Étretat

Best for road trip for coast crawling

Mont-St-Michel to Étretat: 286 km (460 miles), allow three days.

The 9th century tidal abbey of Mont-St-Michel is one of the most famous sights in the country, and still the residence of some 33 monks and nuns. Twice a day, when the tide swirls in over the mysterious mud flats and quicksand, the causeway is the only thing which links Mont-St-Michel to the mainland. From Mont-St-Michel, drive for half an hour to Avranches and climb up to the top of the château, for a view which extends all the way to Mont-St-Michel. A further 90 km (55 miles) on the A84 and D572 takes you to Bayeux, home of the famous tapestry woven after 1066, showing the French conquest of England over 68 metres of intricately woven fabric. Skirt around Caen to reach Deauville (1½ hours), where the boardwalk hugging the beach has metal stars set into the floor in homage to 200 stars of the silver screen who have attended the American Film Festival, which Deauville hosts at the end of each summer. A final couple of hours driving takes you to Étretat, where the rocks have eroded to form an ocean sculpture garden of sea arches and needles. They were immortalised many times by Monet, who would row out to paint in solitude.

Local tip: Parking at Mont-St-Michel and Étretat is difficult and expensive. Consider parking further out and walking to reach your destination.

Planter-lined cobblestone pathway leading to Chateau Fontainebleau in France

2. The Loing Valley

Best road trip for history buffs

Fontainebleau to Montargis: 50 km (31 miles), allow for a day

The chateau of Fontainebleau , formerly a hunting lodge, became the country home of the French royals under Louis IX in the 13th century, and has 130 hectares of grounds. Curiously enough for a country with so many mountain ranges, one of the first marked hiking trails in the country was in Fontainebleau, planned by a Napoleonic army veteran, Claude-François Denecourt, in 1842. The first part of the journey, south towards Nemours for 20 minutes (D607), goes through Gâtinais-Français Regional Park, criss-crossed with waterways and pint-sized villages.

Keep following the D607 south to reach Souppes-sur-Loing, a riverside town with the remnants of a 12th century monastery. Ten minutes along the étangs (lagoons) to reach Fontenay-sur-Loing is exceptionally scenic. Fontenay-sur-Loing itself is a sleepy little place with little to make it worth lingering, so continue to the picture-perfect town of Montargis (13km; 8 miles) to finish your trip, where half-timber houses overhang the canals.

Planning tip: The château of Fontainebleau is open daily except Tuesdays, but summer is the best time to visit, when additional activities like boat cruises on the lake and hot-air balloon rides are added onto the agenda.

A flock of flamingos stand in the Étang de Thau lake with the town of Sète in the background;

3. A loop through Hérault

Best road trip for coastal views without the crowds

Round trip from Sète: 208km (129 miles), allow for three days

The little city of Sète sits on a tightrope-thin stretch of land between the 7,500 hectare saltwater Étang de Thau and the Mediterranean Sea. Thriving and in parts extremely modern in appearance, traditions still hold strong here. Among the most famous is Sète’s five-day water jousting festival each August. From Sète, a drive of 47km (29 miles) along the D2 and D28 takes you to Béziers , a city first established by the Romans and an important stop on the first road the Romans built through France, the Via Domitia.

From Béziers, head to Haut-Languedoc Regional Park, where the foliage is dense, like tight curls, and historic little villages look glued to the hillside. Two of the prettiest are Roquebrun and Vieussan. A further 50km (31 miles) east of the latter on the D908 is an otherworldly, red rock lake. Lac du Salagou, an artificial reservoir, owes the rusty colour of its soil to iron oxide in the sandstone. From here, drive 30km (18 miles) to Pézenas, former home of France’s most famous playwright, Molière. Stop at Bouzigues on the way back and don a snorkel if conditions are favourable, you may see seahorses. It’s just 15 minutes from here back to Sète.

Planning tip: Aim to arrive in Pézenas on a Saturday to coincide with their weekly market.

Grenoble-Bastille cable car crossing the Isere river in Grenoble.

4. Alpine lakes and valleys loop

Best road trip for off-the-scale nature

Round trip from Grenoble, 324 km (201 miles), five days recommended

Leave Grenoble and take the D1091 to reach the Serre Chevalier valley. It’s worth spending at least a day, possibly more, to explore Serre Chevalier. During the winter, 250km (155 miles) of ski slopes delight amateurs and die-hard ski fans alike. The historic fortified city of Briançon isn’t just a base for hikers and skiers; there’s a plethora of art galleries here too.

From Briançon, head south on the N94 to reach the Lac de Serre-Ponçon. Hire a paddleboard and paddle out to the island chapel of Saint-Michel, the only building to have survived the flooding of the valley to create the reservoir, thanks to its elevated position. Two hours northwest is Lac de Monteynard-Avignonet, where the water positively glows, sandwiched between the Écrins National Park on one side and the softer, but no less spectacular, cliffs of Vercors Regional Park to the other. Himalayan hanging bridges are suspended across the lake, which sway like wind through the trees as you cross them. From here, a final 50km (31 miles) takes you back to Grenoble.

Planning tip: Tackle this route in summer. If travelling in winter, make sure that you have snow tyres or carry snow chains.

Paragliding in Puy de Dôme in the Auvergne region of France

5. The Massif Central

Best road trip for cheese and hiking

Clermont-Ferrand to Aurillac; 196km (122 miles), three to four days

Clermont-Ferrand is an austere-looking city, the black, volcanic stone buildings making it appear extra gothic. It’s 28km (17 miles; D942) to Orcival, and its impressive 12th century basilica. A further 18km (11 miles) south is Mont-Dore, a ski station whose curiously colourful architecture looks like a Victorian seaside resort. In summer, people come to hike Puy de Sancy, the highest of the extinct volcanoes. From Puy de Sancy, drive south for 85km (52 miles) to Murat, a town which looks like a medieval film set, and has been used as such many times. Strap your hiking boots on again and drive the 22km (13 miles) to Puy Mary, to hike the volcano ridge trail. Your trip finishes in sleepy little Aurillac, full of cheese shops.

Planning trip: Much of this route follows the Auvergne Cheese Route, and there are many farms to stock up on Salers, Saint Nectaire, Cantal, Auvergne Blue and Fourme d’Ambert. If you’d like to visit the farms it’s best to call in advance. Be aware that many do not speak English.

Top tips for road-tripping around France

Be wary of toll roads (péages). They’ll get you to where you want to go faster (the speed limit is 130 km per hour), but tolls often cost as much (or more) than fuel – and it goes without seeing that the fast road is not the most scenic. Fuel from service stations along the highway is also considerably more expensive than elsewhere.

One way to reduce costs is by taking carpooling passengers to reduce the cost. The lift-sharing platform blablacar.fr is widely used in France. Use viamichelin.fr to calculate the cost of your trip with tolls and fuel.

This article was first published Sep 9, 2020 and updated May 18, 2024.

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France Road Trip – 13 Amazing Itineraries

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Your Complete French Road Trip Planner

Ahhh, France. A country so eclectic and beguiling, it is the most visited nation on the planet . A French road trip is the best way to explore the wonderful diversity and beautiful landscapes of this country.

A road trip in France showcases the dramatic landscapes, historic cities, abundant UNESCO sites and some of the most picture-perfect villages in Europe, like no other way to travel does.

As you road trip through France, you’ll find yourself stopping regularly for Insta-worthy images, and along the way you’ll find fantastic adventures to try like chateaux hunting, hiking in some of Europe’s highest peaks, kayaking and wild swimming in crystal clear rivers, and sampling the wonderful gastronomy across the country.

In this France travel guide you’ll find a round-up of all the best road trips in France by region, with France travel tips and information to help you plan and prepare. Come with us as we share our unmissable French road trip itineraries.

Getting to France

Flying in and opting for car rental in France is a great choice, especially as France has so many easily accessible international airports, the perfect starting point for many of our road trip itineraries.

You can fly in to Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse, Bordeaux and many other French cities to start your trip. We recommend booking your flights through Skyscanner for live deals and the best prices.

Driving to France from UK

If you’re planning to drive to from the UK to France , then you’ll find everything you need to know, including the best, fastest and cheapest routes, as well as driving tips, in our driving to France from UK guide .

Are you planning to rent a car in France? As one of the largest car hire aggregator companies in the world, we recommend Rentalcars.com because they have massive purchasing power which enables them to secure the best rental prices, which benefits you when you’re planning a road trip.

For a real adventure, hire a motorhome or campervan in Italy . We recommend Motorhome Republic , an aggregate booking site who pull together all the best deals from a number of rental agencies, to offer you a wide choice of options alongside an excellent English speaking expert motorhome Concierge Team.

Use the Park4Night app to find overnight spots and campsites, and sleep on a high mountain pass, next to a beautiful lake, or in a wildflower meadow.

Best Time to Take a French Road Trip

December to february.

The winter months can be very cold throughout France, even in the south of the country and rain is quite common at this time of year. But, the roads and cities will be quiet and less crowded, although not all attractions will be open.

March to May

Spring is a wonderful time to visit France, with temperatures warming up across the country. Markets increase in size, restaurants start preparing different dishes and the countryside is glorious. You’ll still find the roads and cities less crowded, and most attractions will be open.

June to August

June and July are busier months to roadtrip France , with perfect temperatures for camping and outdoor activities. June is probably the best month, as schools have yet to break up across Europe and the family rush to the coasts has not yet started.

August brings the French annual holiday when many businesses close for the duration. If you’re planning on road tripping in tourist areas, then this won’t affect you too much, and you’ll have perfect holiday weather.

September to November

Autumn is a fantastic time for French road trips , especially in the south of France. The coast will be quieter but if you’re lucky, you’ll enjoy an Indian summer amongst the grape harvest and changing fall colors of the countryside.

Is this your first time visiting France? Get all the information you need in our France Travel Guide , including what to pack, the best time of year to go, getting there, and practical tips to help you have the best trip!

Road Trip France Planner by Region

France is such a diverse country, it can be hard to decide where to take a road trip, especially if you want to see the less traveled in France for a more authentic experience.

Whether you like coasts, mountains or rolling countryside, historic cities, elegant palaces, or wild landscapes, you’ll find your perfect road trip here, and there’s no dount that you’ll be ticking plenty off your France bucket list !

A road trip to France is an easy win for most Europeans and Brits, who are on the same continent, or just a hop across the English Channel.

For everyone else, Paris makes a great place to start any France road trip itinerary. Book with Skyscanner and fly in, pick up a rental car, or even a campervan, and you can be anywhere in the country within a day – that’s the beauty of a voyage en voitre , or road trip in French!

France Road Trip Map by Region

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes

A huge region, the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes stretches from the volcanoes and plateau of the Massif Central in the west to the highest point of the French Alps in eastern France, offering some of the best roads in France, with spectacular scenery, rugged landscapes, and historic cities.

Divided by the mighty Rhone river, and with the center of the region being the vibrant foodie city of Lyon, there is great diversity here and four distinct climates. The further south you head, the more you will notice the flora, fauna, and climate taking on a Mediterranean feel.

A UNESCO Road Trip

Lyon – clermont-ferrand – le-puy-en-valey – saint-etienne.

Distance 370km
Duration 7 days
Drive Time 5 hours

Start in the fabulous city of Lyon, the capital of the Rhone region. The historic heart, Vieux-Lyon, stretches across the base of Fourviere Hill and its grand basilica.

There are lots of things to do in Lyon , eating is one of the best! As you stroll the medieval streets and iconic traboules (or hidden passageways), stop in Lyon’s traditional restaurants, known as bouchons , and get up close to Renaissance facades and buildings that boast over a thousand years of history.

Next on your Auvergne road trip is one of France’s oldest cities, Clermont-Ferrand, known for its string of volcanoes called the Chaine des Puys. The dormant volcano Puy de Dome is one of the highest and has been a tectonic hotspot on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2018.

In the city itself, don’t miss the jewel of Notre-Dame-du-Port Basilica and the highly distinctive black lava stone Gothic Cathedral.

In Le-Puy-en-Valey, visit the imposing cathedral, the silhouette of which stands proud on the slopes of Mount Anis. The building, celebrated for housing the enigmatic Black Madonna, and one of the most beautiful cloisters in Europe, is a key monument of Romanesque art.

Finally, around Saint-Etienne, a UNESCO Design City, the site at Firminy hosts Le Corbusier’s largest European work. Visit the four buildings featured on the architectural walk, including the famous Maison de la Culture, where you can trace the legacy left by modern architecture.

Not far from Lyon, pay a visit to the Tourette Convent, the last great building by Le Corbusier in France, which will be a fitting end to your UNESCO road trip.

Road trip here if you like…

Mountains – if outdoor activities are your thing, start hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc from Chamonix at the foot of the country’s easternmost mountains, explore the medium-high extinct volcanoes of the Massif Central, or take a road trip on the Route des Grandes Alpes .
Gastronomic delights – There’s so much to do in Lyon , not only one of the most beautiful cities in France, it is the food city of this gastronomic country. Regional dishes are influenced by the mountains and tend to be hearty and wholesome.
Water sports – with Lake Geneva, Lake Annecy, and Lac de Bourget in the region, summer sailing, wind-surfing, paddle boarding, and kayaking are on the doorstep.

Lyon river and skyline with historic and modern buildings

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Bourgogne-Franche-Comte

This beautiful region of France is famous for its rich history and viniculture. Sometimes abbreviated to BFC, this area is around a five to six hour drive from Calais on the A26, and just a few hours from Paris, making it a great option if you’re short on time.

Part of this area is the old historic region of Burgundy, once the heartland of France and known for its wines, such as Beaujolais and Chablis.

BFC is sparsely populated and sees relatively little tourist footfall, making this cross-country road trip a joy for anyone looking to get off the beaten path. The route takes you through a mix of low agricultural lands to the fabulous mountains and lakes of the Jura.

RELATED POST: Off The Beaten Path France – 8 Unique Places

The Jura Route des Lacs

Dijon – marigny – thoirette.

Distance 350km
Duration 3-5 days
Drive Time 3 hours

Start in the beautiful historic city of Dijon, surrounded by the Cote d’Or vineyards where over 3,000 winemakers produce their world-famous wines in the heart of ancient Burgundy.

The UNESCO old center of Dijon is packed with half-timbered medieval houses and elegant Renaissance buildings. Make sure to try the wines from the region, and Dijon’s other claim to fame, Dijon mustard.

Head south to off-the-beaten-track Marigny for the deep navy and turquoise lakes of the Jura Massif, where you can explore museums, regional crafts, and local gastronomy, as well as remote places, natural sites, and plenty of waterfalls.

You might want to get in the water too, there are twenty lakes to choose from!

Great gastronomy – the home of the unique Vin Jaune, Boeuf Bourguignon, Coq au Vin, Comte cheese, and Dijon mustard is a powerhouse of French cooking, particularly where the use of wine is required!
Atmospheric historic cities – Beaune and Dijon are just two gorgeous cities in this region, packed with history, Gothic and medieval architecture with a typical French ambiance.
Breathtaking castles – there are well over thirty well-preserved chateaux in the northern half of this region, you’ll see them literally on every bend in the road!

Pale turquoise lke with wooded hills and green fishing boat

The rugged peninsula of western France, Bretagne, is an ideal place for a one or two week northern France road trip itinerary.

With Rennes, the capital of the region, being just an hour’s drive from St Malo, it is literally a hop over the channel and the perfect place for a road trip from the UK to France .

With a wild and dramatic coastline and an undiscovered feel beyond the well-known tourist spots, this western France road trip offers a shared Celtic culture, ancient mysticism, and every type of beach imaginable!

Brittany Coast to Coast

Saint-malo – brest – quimper – vannes – rennes.

Distance 540km
Duration 10 days
Drive Time 6 hour

The peninsula of Brittany lends itself to a jaunt around its coast, enjoying the superb seafood and friendly nature of the locals.

Start in historic St Malo before taking in the endless sightseeing opportunities of the peninsula’s varied 1600km long coastline.

There’s a beach here for your taste, from secluded coves and surfing hotspots to long white stretches, dramatic cliffs, and rocky outcrops.

Around Perros-Guirec is the Cote de Granit Rose with its pink beaches, one of the most interesting coastlines in France, and across to the west is the Finistere coast with its huge beaches and quaint fishing villages.

If you want to dip into every cove, explore every interesting finger of land that protrudes into the sea, and visit all the charming towns and villages en route, then allow at least two weeks for this magical road trip.

Beautiful gardens – also known as the Garden Coast, Brittany has some of the best gardens in France. From English-style cottage gardens to exotics, there’s something here for every green-fingered visitor.
Delicious cider – Brittany is the cider country of France. With more than 600 apple varieties grown in the region, there’s a cider to suit everyone’s tastes.
Customs and tradition – the pan-Celtic tradition is very evident here; the Breton language is spoken with pride and widespread cultural festivals celebrate Celtic music and dance.

Don’t forget your road trip essentials! Our free road trip checklists help you remember everything, including road trip snacks , podcasts , and road trip songs for the journey!

Centre-Val de Loire

Centre-Val de Loire is a landlocked region, located to the southwest of the French capital Paris. As the name suggests this region is all about the magnificent river Loire. Just four to five hours from Calais to the capital of Orleans, and three from Paris, this region is a popular holiday region and makes an ideal destination for a road trip.

This is a real France bucket list trip. Fine historical cities and towns, many of which stand on the banks of the Loire, offer superb Renaissance religious buildings and architecture and of course, the fabulous and extravagant chateaux the region is best known for.

Chateaux of the Loire

Orleans – blois – tours – angers – nantes.

The enchanting chateaux and picturesque towns of the Loire Valley make this historic region the perfect place to take a 10 day road trip in France.

Follow this Loire Valley road trip between famous cities and marvel at the natural wonders, opulent architecture, charming towns, and breathtaking castles of one of France’s best-loved regions.

You’ll visit the many chateaux on the route, including the famous Chateau de Chambord and Chateau de Villandry, and explore the Loire’s historic towns, learning about French history, architecture and culture and you go.

Discover Joan of Arc’s legacy in Orleans and take a ride on a giant machine elephant in Nantes as you take in the beautiful Loire landscape.

Delicious white wines – Touraine, Vouvray, Pouilly-Fume, Sancerre, and Valencay are just some of the well-known whites produced in this region. Take a vineyard tour and make sure to enjoy a wine tasting afterward!
Historic cities – from gracious Orleans to Gothic Blois and Tours with its beautiful old town, the cities of this region are must-sees.
Bird watching – La Brenne Natural Park is the hidden gem of Centre-Val de Loire. To the south of the region, this huge park containing over a thousand lakes is a wetland paradise for birders.

Fine French chateau with turretssurrounded by lush grass and foliage

Want to plan your own road tri p? Get our step-by-step road trip planning guide to help you organize the perfect trip.

Grand Est borders Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, and a small part of Switzerland so it’s not surprising that this region has multicultural influences.

Grand Est is one of the most accessible regions if you’re taking a France road trip from Calais, a four hour drive will take you to the heart of the rolling Aube, and in six hours you can be in Strasbourg , the capital of the region and home to one of the best Christmas markets in Europe.

Previously known as Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine, the region is home to typical French countryside with an eclectic mix of vineyards, the low-lying Vosges mountains, and some of the prettiest small towns in France, found along the Alsace wine route.

In some less-visited and remote wooded parts of the Vosges, lynx, boar, and wolves can still be found in the wild, making the rich nature and biodiversity of the area of particular interest.

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Route Touristique du Champagne

Reims – trigny – epernay – cumieres – essoyes.

Distance 285km
Drive Time 5 hour

The whole of the Champagne Route stretches for around 700km across the departments of Marne, Aube, and Aisne, with eight marked trails to authentic villages, ancient monasteries, imposing châteaux and churches, and of course, vineyards!

This bit of the route takes you from Reims and its world-renowned champagne houses to the massif of Saint-Thierry where you can enjoy beautiful views from Trigny, a flower-filled village with medieval ramparts.

Visit the Verzenay lighthouse, which watches over a rolling swathe of vineyards and now houses the Musée de la Vigne, where you can learn about the history of champagne before driving on to Epernay, and its famous champagne houses of Moet & Chandon, Perrier Jouet and Pol Roger.

From Cumieres, embark on the Champagne Vallee boat to discover the vineyards along the water in the Marne valley.

Further south on the Côte des Blancs road, admire the panoramic view of the vineyards from Mont Aimé and enjoy the charms of the pretty village of Oger.

In Aube around Bar-sur-Seine, with its half-timbered houses, make a stop at Essoyes where Impressionist artist Auguste Renoir lived for a few years, and visit one of the 28 champagne cellars in the area.

Champagne – of course! This champagne road trip is perfect for lovers of bubbles!
Medieval cathedrals – Grand Est is home to some of the most beautiful cathedrals in Europe, many are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
War history – the Verdun & Argonne battlefields and war graves cemeteries of WWI can be found in the region, along with the WWII Maginot Line forts. The Surrender Room in Reims is where German forces capitulated to Eisenhower in May 1945, bringing an end to the long war.
Accessible hiking – easier on the heart and lungs, the hiking routes of the Vosges are a pleasure. With stunning rolling scenery and trails to take you through historic villages and make the most of the views, hiking in the Vosges is a real highlight.

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Hauts-de-France

This is is the most northerly region of France and home to the port city of Calais, meaning it’s on the doorstep of the UK and a perfect French road trip destination for those wishing to nip across the Channel for a weekend from the UK, or for anyone looking for a few beach days on a longer trip in Paris.

Not a major tourist region, the area is known for the battlefields of World War I, most notably the Somme, a four month battle in which over a million people lost their lives, and many people come here for the memorials and war sites.

But there is more to see in this part of France, including the incredible beaches, elegant resort towns, and pretty fishing villages dotted along the unspoiled and beautiful Cote d’Opale, or Opal Coast.

Explore the Opal Coast

Calais – boulogne-sur-mer – le touquet – etaples – montreuil – abbeville.

Distance 144km
Duration 3 days
Drive Time 2 hour

From Calais, head south and visit Cap Blanc-Nez (cape white nose), opposite the white cliffs of Dover, and Cap Griz-Nez, (cape grey nose), the closest point in France to England. Both headlands offer fine views across the channel and coast and some great walking opportunities.

Boulogne is the largest fishing port in France and is home to all things sea! Visit the excellent Nausicca Aquarium, full of fascinating displays, interactive exhibits, and sea life, before visiting the historic old town and port, where you can join an organized tour.

Le Touquet is the jewel of the coast, known as Paris-Plage because this is traditionally where Parisians came for their long August break. Nowadays, it’s a lively resort known for its fantastic beach, water sports, and nightlife, including clubs and casinos.

Don’t miss the lighthouse, La Phare de la Canche, which rewards you with breathtaking views if you’re happy to climb the 274 steps to get to the viewing platform at the top!

Stop at the peaceful nature park of Baie de Canche, situated east of Étaples-Sur-Mer, a protected area of 45 hectares teeming with wildlife, before heading to Abbeville.

The capital of maritime Picardy and your final stop, Abbeville is a beautiful city and boasts rich historical monuments including the flamboyant Gothic style Saint-Vulfran collegiate church, with its magnificent carved facade.

Mining history – much of the infrastructure in the northern parts of the region has been shaped by mining, a now redundant industry in this part of France. Visit the UNESCO listed Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin for a fascinating insight into the industry and a miner’s life in the pits.
Beautiful belfries – tall and often ornate clock towers attached to civic buildings, belfries are common in the region and were built to symbolize the power of the local alderman and councillors. The Belfries of Belgium and France is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features Roman, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles of architecture.
Battlefield tours – the battles of Flanders, the Somme, Vimy, and Ypres were all fought on the soil of the Hauts-de France by French, British, Canadian, Australian, and African troops. The memorials and cemeteries marking these battles make for moving visits.

France Road Trip Essentials

Lonely Planet France

France driving essentials

France SIM card

UPF 50 travel sun hat

France beaux villages guide

universal adaptor + USB

Ile-de-France

Ile-de-France is the small region surrounding the beautiful city of Paris. Surrounded by cities and forests that prospered from the patronage of the Kings of France, the area is rich in royal history, elegant palaces, and medieval towns.

A four hour drive from Calais and on the doorstep for those flying in, it is perhaps not the first destination road trippers think of, but it is the ideal opportunity to combine a five day trip to Paris with a road trip to see the best bits of this compact region.

A Road Trip Around Paris

Chantilly – provins – fontainebleau – versailles – saint-denis.

Distance 275km
Duration 5 days
Drive Time 4 hour

Start in Chantilly, a town obsessed with horses, and join the Parisians at the elegant Chantilly racetrack, home of the French Derby (or Prix du Jockey Club).

Head along the pretty country roads to Fontainebleau forest for a spot of activity. Once the hunting grounds of French kings, and home to a beautiful palace, the area is dotted with massive boulders that attract anyone wanting to try bouldering.

If hiking is more your thing, there are more than 500km of marked trails in the forest, with the 25 Bosses Trail being the most well-known. This challenging day hike will reward you with incredible views of the surrounding area.

If you prefer to see it from the air, then hitch a ride on a hot air balloon, a popular way to see the forest.

From here, drive to the UNESCO site of historic Provins, a fortified city full of medieval half-timbered houses and cobbled streets inside the well-preserved ramparts. Built to accommodate an annual fair linking northern Europe with the Mediterranean, most of the buildings here are still in their original form.

Versailles is a once-in-a-lifetime visit and you must book online in advance as it can take five hours to queue in the summer if you don’t have a ticket. This shining, golden Baroque palace was once home to the Kings of France and spreads over 800 acres.

The inside is full of gold leaf, pink marble, and other finishes so opulent it almost hurts the eye. The formal gardens are beautifully symmetrical and soothing, with thousands of trees and water features – the perfect place for a picnic.

From Versailles, head north-east to the beautiful Basilica of Saint-Denis, one of the most important religious buildings in Ile-de-France. The first Gothic cathedral was built at the exact spot where Saint-Denis, the patron saint of Paris and France was buried.

Iconic cities – although driving in and around Paris is to be avoided at all costs, you can stay outside Paris and get the train in, just follow this perfect Paris one day trip itinerary to see top sights like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame in one of the most cultured cities in Europe .
Theme parks – meet all your favorite characters at Disneyland Paris , just three and a half hours from Calais and an hour from Paris.
Modern architecture – there are four Le Corbusier villas in Ile-de-France. Villa Savoye is in Poissy and Villa La Roche, Villa Jeanneret, and Immeuble Molitor are wonderful hidden gems in Paris.

Normandy borders the English Channel and is easily accessible from all the channel ports, the furthest being St Malo around a three to four hour drive. Le Havre is in the region itself and a perfect arrival port popular with UK road trippers, as well as being close to pretty Honfleur.

The whole region was a significant medieval empire and controlled much of England and Wales, leaving a rich history for visitors to explore on a Normandy road trip.

The three huge attractions of Rouen cathedral, the Bayeux Tapestry, and Mont Saint-Michel are the must-sees of the region. Along with the pretty fishing port of Honfleur and the D-Day beaches, this region has much to recommend and is one of the best road trip destinations in France.

The World War II Sites of Normandy

Benouville – ouistreham – arromanches – colleville-sur-mer – bayeaux.

Distance 180km
Drive Time 3 hour

You could visit the key places on this tour in a day, but to the sites justice and spend time at the memorials, you need three to five days.

Start at Benouville, just north of Caen, for Pegasus Bridge and its museum, the site of a daring landing by gliders of the British 6th Airborne Division in shortly before the sea invasion.

From here, it’s a short hop to Ouistreham to visit Le Grand Bunker, part of the German Atlantic Wall defenses, and the German Battery to the north.

Heading west, you’ll find the landing beaches of Sword (British and French), Juno (Canadian), Gold (British), and Omaha and Utah (American). Each has a number of visitor sites to be explored.

At Arromanches, watch an educational film at the 360-degree cinema on top of the cliff before you descend into the town itself and visit the Landing Museum built near the site of the Mulberry Harbours, which were constructed to aid the Allies in getting supplies ashore.

As you continue west, don’t miss the German Gun Battery at Longues, before arriving at the atmospheric American Cemetery at Colville, where you can hear the Last Post daily at 5pm.

From Utah beach, skirt back to Bayeaux, home of the British and Commonwealth Cemetery and Battle of Normandy Museum (and of course, that famous tapestry).

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Medieval heritage – Rouen, where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake, is chock full of medieval architecture and history. The Bayeux Tapestry, telling the story of the Norman invasion of England in 1066 is on glorious display in the town of the same name.
Gorgeous gardens – if you are a gardener or painter, then there is no better garden in the whole of France than Giverny, Claude Monet’s country home and garden. Gloriously and unashamedly colorful, this beautiful place has provided inspiration to generations of gardeners and painters alike.
Impressionist art – known as the birthplace of impressionism after Monet took inspiration in Le Havre and painted ‘ Impression, soleil levant ‘ (‘Impression, sunrise’) in 1872. Normandy houses two major collections and has no fewer than fifteen museums dedicated to impressionist art and history.

Mont Saint-Michel seen across a golden field of wheat with a blue sky

Nouvelle-Aquitaine

One of our personal favorites for a France road trip holiday, Nouvelle-Aquitaine is the largest region of France. From the ports of Caen or Cherbourg, the capital Bordeaux is a good seven to eight hour drive, making the region an ideal destination for a two or three weeks holiday.

This region in the southwest of France is incredibly varied, from the mountains of the Pyrenees and the gently meandering Dordogne valley, to the almost continuous beach of the long Landes coastline. There’s also great French wine heritage here, along with classic gastronomy which uses the abundance of high-quality ingredients grown and produced in the region.

Pine forests, vineyards, elegant resorts and rustic villages shape this space, along with great regional food and wine which give life and color to a seriously enjoyable region of France.

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The Best of the Dordogne

Bordeaux – bergerac – la roque-gageac – sarlat-la-caneda – rocamadour – perigueux.

Distance 380km
Duration 5-7 days

Staring in the magnificent city of Bordeaux , known as the wine capital of the world, follow the Dordogne to beautiful Bergerac, a historic city, whose narrow streets are lined with fine houses and filled with blooms and quirky art installations.

Of course, you’ll also find a statue of Bergerac’s most famous son, Cyrano de Bergerac. A French soldier remembered chiefly for fighting many duels often over the size of his nose!

From here, head for the medieval village of La Roque-Gageac, the gateway to the Valley of the Five Chateaux, home to five impressive castles, including Chateau Beynac and Chateau Castelnaud. You’ll also find the stunning Gardens of Marqueyssac hanging on the cliffs above the village.

Head east for the gorgeous town of Sarlat, deep in the wooded hills of the Dordogne. With cobbled streets and Gothic mansions galore, Sarlat makes a great base to explore locally and enjoy some of the fantastic gastronomy of the region.

Cross into Occitanie for Rocamadour, home to the cheese of the same name, and the Gouffre de Padirac, two of the must-see attractions in the area which can be visited in a day if you’re pushed for time.

Allow a full day to explore the final stop of Perigueux, making sure to visit the Saint-Front Cathedral, the quays, and the Vesunna Gallo-Roman Museum.

Mountains – the eastern Pyrenees are to the south of the region and beyond the towns and cities provide amazing cycling and hiking opportunities, including this seven day Pyrenees hiking tour .
Beaches – there are hundreds of miles of soft golden beaches along the coast. Stretching from the glamorous resort of Biarritz in the south to La Rochelle in the north, only interrupted by the river Garonne and the Arcachon Basin. If you like sand, head for the largest sand dune in Europe, Dune du Pilat, with an incredible view of the blue, turquoise and green crystal clear waters of the Arcachon basin.
Surfing – people come here to surf the huge Atlantic rollers coming in from the Bay of Biscay and there is an annual world surf competition held in Lacanau-Ocean. If you can’t stand up, get a body board, or just spend hours deciding whether to float over the next wave or power under it.

medieval French town on the banks of a river

Occitanie (previously known as Languedoc) makes up almost one-half of the south of France and is a region of huge contrast. A solid ten to eleven hour drive from Caen, Occitanie makes a good destination if you have a couple of weeks to travel or, as part of a longer trip.

We think it’s worth the drive time for the atmosphere, history, and beauty you will find in this region.

From the sun-drenched Herault of the deep south and the Mediterranean coast to the wild and raw beauty of the Cevennes and the majesty of the Pyrenees, the landscape and climate differ greatly.

This is a busy part of France, home to Carcassonne, Lourdes, and the Pont du Gard. These three top the busiest tourist destinations in Europe list and are best visited outside of July and August.

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Beaches & Mountains of the Languedoc

Montpellier – sete – agde – beziers – carcassonne – gorge d’heric – pezenas – saint-guilhem-le-désert.

Start in the growing city of Monpellier and head south along the coast to the pretty fishing port and the seaside resort of Sete, surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea on one side and the Etang de Thau salt lake on the other.

The main canal running through the Sete city center is lined with bars and restaurants offering fish and seafood delicacies. Make sure to try a tielle, a local specialty comprising of octopus cooked in olive oil, tomato, and red wine and baked in pastry.

The salt lake Etang de Thau is sandwiched between vineyards and natural scrubland and is the ideal place to learn more about what the area is famous for – shellfish, and in particular oysters. There are a number of oyster farms open for visits where you can learn about the farming process.

Agde, just along the coast, is famous for its black volcanic sand beaches which are unique to the region. La Grande Conque is one such beach, a small bay carved into the coast and a great place to while away the day sunbathing and swimming.

Your next stop is the beautiful town of Beziers, home to the Fonserannes Locks, the famous staircase of nine locks on the Canal du Midi, which allow boats to be raised 21.5m over a distance of 300m. You can hire a bike here and cycle along the canal towpath, for a peaceful afternoon ride.

Head west and inland for the iconic city of Carcassonne. The beautifully renovated citadel, La Cite, is a must-see in this area of France. Vast and imposing, it towers above the Aude and ‘new’ Carcassonne and feels a little Dinsneyesque inside, with lots of touristy (and expensive) bars and restaurants.

From here, if you have more time, you can head into the Pyrenees if you want to hike, kayak, and see the religious castles the area is famous for.

Otherwise, the magnificent Gorge d’Heric is next up, with hiking and wild swimming opportunities in abundance. This dramatic gorge, in the heart of the Haut Languedoc nature reserve, is home to the river Heric as it rushes down from the Massif de Caroux.

You can walk up the Gorge for around 5km, or hike and rock climb the Caroux if you want something a bit more challenging. All the way up the gorge are massive boulders and private natural swimming pools, filled with clear turquoise waters and wonderful for a cooling dip on a hot summer’s day.

From here, pretty Pezenas calls, with its Friday wine festivals through summer, local craft shops, and weekly farmers market. A perfect place to stop for a few days and catch your breath, before taking in the Pont du Diable, perfect for a spot of cliff-jumping and paddle boarding.

A few miles away from the Devil’s Bridge is Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, nestled in the heart of the Herault Gorges and a major stop for pilgrims making their way to Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain. The centerpiece of the village is the Gellone Abbey, a 1200-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site, tucked in the corner of the main square.

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Wild swimming – the gorges of the region have some of the best wild swimming and canyoning in France. Tucked into the Montagne Noire or the midi-Pyrenees, the water is crystal clear and refreshing.
Outdoor adventures – head for the Gard and Lozere departments where you’ll find nature at its finest. Winding rivers like the Tarn are superb for kayaking and often have small river beaches and swimming holes, with perfectly placed rocky ledges to jump from. The Cevennes National Park offers great hiking in a wild and natural environment.
Religious history – The Aude and Ariege have a strong Cathar history and you can see remnants everywhere. Follow the Route of the Cathars through fortified hilltops, castles, villages, and towns for a fascinating insight into a religion that shaped this part of France for centuries.

Pays de la Loire

The Pays de la Loire is a region of north-western France that adjoins the region of Centre-Val de Loire. Both regions share many characteristics including the Loire Valley and large numbers of famous chateaux.

One difference is the long Atlantic coastline of the Pays de la Loire known as the Vendee, a very popular UK tourist destination due to its proximity to the eastern channel ports, and enjoyed for its gentle waves, sandy beaches, and quintessential sea-side resorts.

An easy three to four hours from Caen to Nantes places you in the heart of this region, with the Loire Valley to the east and the beaches of the Vendee to the west.

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The Coast of the Vendee

Nantes – saint-gilles-croix-de-vie – les sables-d’olonne – la tranche-sur-mer – la rochelle.

Starting in increasingly popular Nantes, home to the Les Machines de L’ile, this west coast road trip is more about the relaxed coastal resorts than cities.

Make for Saint Gilles-Croix-de Vie, stopping at Sallertaine on the route, to explore the peaceful canals of the Marais Breton in an open canoe.

Once in Saint-Gilles, enjoy the chic and lively ambiance, as well as superb sardines, caught locally and on your plate within a few hours.

On the Côte de Lumière or Coast of Light, the coastal resorts here enjoy 2400 hours of sun every year, making this a perfect place to relax on a sun lounger for a few days.

Continue south to Les Sables-d’Olonne, the point of departure for the Vendee Globe round-the-world sailing race. A popular seaside resort, it has a superb sandy beach and a pretty seafront promenade plus a casino and golf course to keep you busy.

Next up is La Tranche-sur-Mer, known as ‘little California’ because of its exceptional sunshine hours and 13km of sandy beaches.

With an authentic vibe and lively family atmosphere, this is a great stop for teenagers, with lots of water sports on offer, as well as free concerts and street entertainment in the evenings in summer.

Your final stop is the historic sea town of La Rochelle, a laid-back resort town with a well-deserved reputation for great seafood, and the best old port on the French Atlantic.

Spend a day meandering around the charming town before exploring the maritime museum and aquarium.

Bucket and spade holidays – perfect for family holidays, the Vendee is lined with some of the best French holiday parks offering fantastic facilities. Kids love the beaches for perfect sand-castle building and gentle waves.
Theme parks – the Puy du Fou historic theme park has over 1,5 million visitors a year and is one of the most popular attractions in the whole of France, and perfect for a day out if you are traveling with kids.
Beautiful chateaux – one of the main attractions of the region, the chateaux of the Loire Valley are world famous.

Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur

A favorite of many, this region, often abbreviated to PACA, covers a large and diverse area. From the sparkling Mediterranean Sea to the French Alps, and from the river Rhone to the Italian border, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur is the furthest of France’s regions from the UK.

It takes a whopping eight hours of driving from Paris and twelve to thirteen hours from Calais, making the journey a road trip to the south of France in its own right.

For the glamorous and fashionable resorts of the French Riviera, the lavender fields and whitewashed towns of Provence, and the off-the-beaten-path wilderness of the Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue, those driving hours are so worth it.

The sun-baked landscapes, beautiful hilltop towns and villages, abundant local produce, and delicious wines just add to the attraction.

The Route Napoleon

Grenoble – laffrey – la mure – corps – col bayard – gap – sisteron – digne – castellane – saint-vallier-de-thiey – grasse – antibes.

Distance 314km
Drive Time 8 hour

The most picturesque south of France road trip, the historic Route Napoleon begins in the Auvergne-Rhone- Alpes region.

The road trip starts (or ends, as the route starts at the coast, but can be road tripped either way) in Grenoble, the route follows the footsteps of the famous General on his return from exile in Elba, as he headed north for Waterloo.

Inaugurated in 1932, you will see statues of the Imperial French Eagle marking the way, along what is now (mainly) the N85.

The road is really spectacular, with switchbacks, sweeping bends, and challenging mountain stretches making it one of the best road trips in France.

Peaking at 1246m at Col Bayard before passing into Provence and the towns of historic Sisteron, beautiful Digne, and fragrant Grasse, you’ll also pass the stunning Gorge du Verdon and the beautiful lavender fields of the Valensole plateau.

From Castellane to Grasse, the views to the coast from the road are spectacular, across lush green slopes dotted with magnificent villas, to the sparkling blue of the Mediterranean, just one of the reasons to start in Grenoble and head south.

This route smells heavenly too – the scent of hot pine sap and the essential oils of regional herbs being warmed by the sun is the fragrance of southern France.

RELATED POST: Route Napoleon: A Historic French Road Trip

Glitz and glamour – St Tropez is one of the most famous Cote d’Azur holiday resorts. People on Riviera road trips flock to the vieux port where the rich and famous berth their mega-yachts, and enjoy the honeyed stone buildings and pretty squares of a slightly more relaxed and authentic St Tropez. If you want more, head to Monaco, Nice or Cannes, or one of the ridiculously opulent villas which open their doors to the public.
Iconic Lavender – field upon field and row upon row of beautiful and fragrant lavender carpets Provence in June and July. Go early in the day for the best photo opportunities.
Local produce – experience a marchés hebdomadaires ( farmers market). Most towns have a weekly market where you will find fresh bread, wonderful fruit and vegetables, pungent cheeses, meaty saucisson sausage, fat olives, and pretty much any other fresh food stuff you might want to buy.

lavender with stone building and blue sky

France Country Road Trip Resources

Here are the websites and services we personally use and recommend for traveling in France.

Search for affordable flights to France with Skyscanner
Search for availability and book hotels and accommodation in France with Booking.com
Find and book the best campsites in France with Eurocampings
Book the cheapest and most reliable hire cars in France with Rentalcars.com
Best for ferries from UK to France Direct Ferries
Find and hire your perfect motorhome or campervan with Motorhome Republic
Get highly rated, reliable, and trustworthy travel insurance with True Traveller
Check if you need a visa and arrange your documents with Visagov

Information About Driving in France

Road trips in France are usually pleasurable, thanks to their extensive and well-maintained autoroute network, and generally good local roads. French drivers can be impatient and are dreadful tailgaters and really, really dislike being overtaken, but, c’est la vie, this is France!

Whether your road tripping France in a campervan , car, or motorbike, follow these tips for driving safely and legally;

You must have at least three months remaining on your passport (issued in the past ten years) at your intended date of departure from France.
You must have at least 3rd party insurance for your vehicle.
Citizens of non-EU third countries may require an International Driving Permit for driving in Europe . You can check whether you need an IDP here .
You must carry at least one reflective jacket within the passenger compartment of your vehicle and must put it on before you get out in an emergency or breakdown situation. You must also carry a warning triangle.
You may require a Crit’Air sticker which is placed in the windscreen of your vehicle to provide a visible way to identify the level of emissions produced. If you’re renting a vehicle, the Crit’Air sticker should already be on display in the windscreen. Find out more and purchase Crit’Air stickers from the official certificat-air.gouv.fr website.
On 1 November 2021 the Loi Montage II or ‘mountain law II’ came into force in 48 French mountainous departments within the Alpes, Massif Central, Jura, Pyrénées, and Vosges regions. Anyone traveling in a car or motorhome or through one of these areas between 1 November and 31 March will be obliged to fit four approved winter tires or carry at least two snow chains or socks in the vehicle.
French motorways are privately managed and you’re not allowed to request your own assistance company to attend to you if you break down. If you do break down use the orange emergency telephones that are situated every 2km along French motorways to call the police or the official breakdown service operating in that area or dial the emergency services on 112. You will be towed to a safe designated area where you can make onward arrangements for your own breakdown insurer to assist you if you have it. Otherwise, the towing company will be able to provide support or signpost you.
You do not need to carry a breathalyzer, the law requiring that you do has been repealed.
You may want to consider carrying an electronic toll pass for the duration of your French road trip itinerary. These devices deduct the toll fees from a credit card automatically, meaning you don’t have to stop at a booth or barrier.

RELATED POST: Driving in Europe – Everything You Need to Know

Are you looking for more incredible road trips? Check out these top posts…

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Dog-Friendly Holidays in France

Updated: Nov 19, 2021

Taking your dog on holiday can seem completely daunting when you first start to investigate how to go about it, but in fact once the preliminary work has been done, travelling with a dog becomes doddle. And I have now done it lots of times, so I speak from experience!

Animal Health Certificate

Prior to Brexit, your first port of call was to get an EU Pet Passport from your vet for your dog. EU Pet Passports issued in an EU country are still valid, but those from England, Wales, and Scotland are no longer usable. To travel from Great Britain to an EU country, your dog needs to have:

An Animal Health Certificate, obtained by visiting an "Official Veterinarian" within 10 days of travel. Bring proof of your dog's micro-chipping date and vaccination history. The certificate gives you 4 months of travel within the EU and 4 months for re-entry to Great Britain. You need a new certificate for every trip from Great Britain to an EU country or Northern Ireland.

Received the primary rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel to the EU or Northern Ireland.

Had a microchip implanted, which must be done at the same time, or before, your dog had their rabies vaccination.

Be at least 15 weeks old at the time of travelling.

Been treated for tapeworm if travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland, or Norway.

It is safest to bring as much documentation as possible, including the animal health certificate, proof of microchip, rabies vaccination documentation, and if required, proof of tapeworm treatment.

When returning to the UK, your dog must have been treated for tapeworm between 24 hours and 120 hours (five days) before travel, by a vet and duly written up in the animal health certificate. For trips abroad shorter than five days, you could have the tapeworm treatment done in Great Britain. For full and informative details, Vets for Pets have some great advice.

For the most updated information on leaving Great Britain with your dog, please check the government website .

Dog-friendly holidays: getting from UK to France

Deciding on the route, ferry or tunnel is, of course, paramount. Brittany Ferries, who operate to the ports closest to Le Prieuré (where we hope your pooch will enjoy one of the best dog friendly accommodations in France!) has a number of options depending on the route.

It's worth checking out the cost of Brittany Ferries' pet-friendly cabins cost at the moment, as they often advertise special offers. Some routes offer dog-friendly cabins, whilst other routes have kennels and still others require that your dog stays in the car.

Personal experience

On the route I regularly travel, where it's about a five hour crossing, Ella stays in the car. The first time we made the crossing I was worried she would be nervous and anxious and so I asked the vet for a tranquilizer. The result was awful, I had a dog who couldn't stand and looked terrible for hours after the crossing. Never again. She now travels regularly, having started at nine years old, and simply sleeps the voyage away. I've been worried about her being too hot in summer and too cold in winter, but the cool through breeze and the windows left partly open mean that she has never been too hot.

Brittany Ferries recommend that you travel overnight or early morning in summer if your dog is likely to be affected by the heat. And you will need to have a muzzle in the car if you are travelling by ferry. They have lots of info on their website .

Half way through the voyage, owners are accompanied down to the car deck where they can check on their pets. Ella is usually fast asleep, but I can refill her water bowl and give her some food and be assured she is O.K. In fact, on a trip in early January it was quite rough and I, a seasoned sailor, was embarrassed to be quite sea sick. I struggled down to the car deck expecting an unpleasant mess to greet me, only to find a happily sleeping dog! So when I get back on a yacht again, she might fare better than me!

Other visitors prefer travelling through the Eurotunnel. No problems about seasickness on that route! It's only 35 minutes through the tunnel, but the trip to Le Prieuré is longer than going some of the Brittany Ferries routes.

Finding a dog-friendly property for your holiday

Once in France there are lots of options for your holiday. There is everything from dog-friendly holiday parks to chateaux, gites and B&B offering dog boarding. Eurocamp offer dog-friendly holidays all over Europe.

But if it's more of an elegant but friendly stone house you are looking for, the tall honey-coloured walls of the ancient 14th-century Priory and Tower will offer your pooch a safe place to enjoy a great holiday in France. From dog bowls to poo bags, as well as a luxurious bed, your dog is on holiday from the moment they arrive! With dog walk maps on our website and special out of season offers, we love to pamper your dog from the word go in the completely secure garden at The Priory .

Pet sitter at Le Prieuré

We have a great pet sitter who is extremely experienced at looking after all kinds of animals. Her service can be booked via our website. She has been pet sitting for many years, is English and will treat your pooches like royalty.

If you would like a night out at that smart restaurant or a day to visit a chateau that doesn't welcome dogs in the heat of the summer, Wendy is the person to contact. Finding pet sitters in France isn't always that easy, so we are so delighted to be able to recommend Wendy for pet sitting unreservedly.

So, from finding your way through the EU pet travel scheme to finding a dog buddy, we hope that this can help you with the planning when taking your pets abroad.

Holidays in France

Best French Road Trips – 12 Amazing France Road Trip Ideas

Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France This article may contain compensated links. Please read disclaimer for more info.

France by Car

If you have wheels, wanderlust, and some free time, there’s nothing like a road trip to make you appreciate the diversity of the country at a more relaxed pace. A road trip in France ticks all the boxes of epic drives, amazing food, friendly people, beautiful culture, and some of Europe’s most gorgeous sights. Plus, French road trips are fun!

From the Alps to the French Riviera, from the Atlantic Ocean to cute medieval villages inland, France by car means unforgettable routes that will plunge you straight into the country’s heart and soul.

We’ve taken many road trips through France, and you can find more France road trip ideas here . For this post, however, we asked other experienced travelers and friends to help us complete the list of the very best road trips in France, so if you are looking to plan a France road trip, where’s what and where we recommend.

Plan your Trip to France

After traveling consistently for over 10 years, we’ve come to trust and rely on a few websites to help us find the best deals on flights, transportation, and accommodation.

Transportation: Omio is the first place we check when searching for cheap flights. It searches hundreds of sites for the best fare and includes both standard and budget airlines. We use Omio or Trainline to book our train tickets; both sites are good, with lots of information in English.

Accommodation: Booking.com offers savings on hotels, furnished apartments, and villas in 80,000 destinations worldwide. You can browse hotel reviews and find the guaranteed best price on hotels for all budgets.

Car Rental: Discover Cars is a great site because it takes all of the major rental companies, such as Hertz, Avis, etc., and more, and makes the comparison of prices for you. This helps to ensure that you get a great price without all the time and work.

Travel Insurance: We never travel abroad without a travel insurance policy because it’s not worth the risk! We use and trust Safety Wing , which we’ve used since its launch. Safety Wing is marketed as insurance for nomads, but you can use it also for short trips. Since April 2019, Safety Wing covers COVID-19 and unexpected quarantines for new policies too!

30 Ideas for an Unforgettable Road Trip in France

If you are looking for an epic road trip, France has it all to make you happy. Here’s an ultimate guide to the best road trips in France, suitable for all types of travelers. These phenomenal France road trip itineraries can be easily combined, shortened, or extended.

1. Alsace Wine Route

Duration: 6 days
Suggested route: Mulhouse – Colmar – Strasbourg
Region covered: Grand Est
Best for: sightseeing, small towns, nature, landscapes, French wine

The Alsace Wine Route is one of the oldest and most famous wine routes in France. This France road trip itinerary from Mulhouse to Strasbourg takes 6 days, and it is the perfect road trip for those who love pretty small towns, picturesque landscapes, and wine – Click here to rent a car in Mulhouse

This French road trip starts in Mulhouse , where you will book a hotel for one night. Hotel Bristol is super central and comfortable, and it has secure parking at a small extra cost.

Stroll around Mulhouse’s Old Town with beautiful architecture. Mulhouse has two great museums, La Cité de l’Automobile and La Cité du Train . Depending on your interests and the time available in Mulhouse, visit one museum or both.

From Mulhouse, drive to Colmar and book a hotel for three nights. The James Boutique Hotel is central and with beautiful and cozy rooms and common spaces.

Take the time to explore Colmar’s pretty streets and historical sights; Colmar is the most beautiful town in Alsace! In Colmar, the Museum of Alsatian Wines is an excellent introduction to the wines of Alsace .

Use Colmar as a base to explore the beautiful town of Kaysersberg on day 3 and the towns of Riquewihr plus Eguisheim on day 4, combining sightseeing with wine tastings. Riquewihr and Eguisheim are very small, so if you start early in the morning, you can also squeeze in a short hike through the surrounding vineyards.

On day 5, drive from Colmar to Strasbourg , where you will spend your last two nights of this road trip France. For this last stop, we recommend the Hotel Cathédrale , with incredible views over the Strasbourg Cathedral and public parking available nearby.

Before arriving in Strasbourg , stop at the impressive Château de Haut-Koenisgsbourg , one of the best castles in France . Then in Strasbourg , use this Strasbourg itinerary for two days which covers the city’s main sights.

OTHER FRENCH ROAD TRIP IDEAS NEARBY

Best of Alsace Road Trip

2. Paris to Nice Road Trip

Duration: 7 to 10 days
Suggested route: Paris – Lyon – Valence – Avignon – Marseille – Nice
Region covered: Ile-de-France, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Best for: sightseeing, food, and wine

This road trip from Paris to South of France is one of the best road trips France has to offer to admire its diversity of landscapes and cities. It takes ten days, and it is an ideal road trip for those who love history, architecture, food, and good wine – Click here to rent a car in Paris

Arrive in Paris and book a hotel for three nights. The Handsome Hotel by Elegancia is super comfortable and is situated close to the main sights. Spend four days in Paris , dedicating one of these days to visiting Versailles .

From Paris, drive to Beaune , where you will spend one night. On the way, you can visit Auxerre , which is a beautiful Burgundian village with some wonderful historic sights. For a night in Beaune, book at the Hostellerie Cèdre & Spa located in a beautiful historical building in the center of Beaune.

Continue south to Lyon , where you are going to sleep for one night. Hotel de l’Abbaye is an authentic spot, intimate, and full of charms. In Lyon , take the time to visit the Old Town and its famous Traboules and climb up to Fourvière Hill for some fresh air and great views.

From Lyon, drive to Avignon in Provence. Spend one day in Avignon visiting the Palace of the Popes and other sights, and tasting the local cuisine. Hotel Central is a great option for your night in Avignon.

From Avignon, continue south to Marseille , where we recommend spending at least two days. For your time in Marseille, have a look at this Marseille 2-day itinerary and pick the sights and activities you like most. The hotel La Résidence du Vieux Port has the perfect location for your visit to Marseille.

The last stop of this road trip through France is Nice , where you can use this list of the best things to do in Nice to visit the city. Hotel La Pérouse Nice Baie des Anges is a great option and comes with the best view of Nice, over the Baie des Anges.

3. Normandy Road Trip

Duration: 5 days
Suggested route: Paris –Rouen – Etretat – Honfleur – Cabourg
Region covered: Normandy
Best for: history, small towns, seaside resorts

This 5-day Normandy road trip is a good combination of history, sightseeing, and relaxing walks. This France roadtrip through Normandy starts from Paris and covers some of the most beautiful sights in the Normandy region – Click here to rent a car in Paris

The first stop of this road trip from Paris is Giverny to visit Monet’s House and Garden. Then, in the afternoon, head to Les Andelys to explore this picturesque town and the Château Gaillard , one of the best castles in Normandy . This medieval fortress, built in the 12th century under the rule of King Richard the Lionheart, is located on the top of a high cliff, and it dominates one of the meanders of the Seine Valley.

After exploring Les Andelys, drive to Rouen , where you will spend the next two nights. For your stay in Rouen, book at the Best Western Plus Hotel Litteraire Gustave Flaubert , a central hotel inspired by the French poet born and raised in this city.

The second day is dedicated to visiting Rouen , which boasts the best Medieval center in all of France and an impressive Gothic cathedral.

On the third day, drive from Rouen to Étretat through the beautiful Parc Naturel Régional des Boucles de la Seine. On the way, stop at Jumièges Abbey to visit the ruins of this magnificent building. In the afternoon, visit Étretat , a picturesque town on the Alabaster Coast and world-famous for its impressive chalky cliffs. For a unique stay in Étretat, Domaine Saint Clair – Le Donjon is an excellent option, located 500m from the beach.

Day 4 of this Normandy road trip explores Honfleur . This pretty coastal town on the Seine’s estuary is one of Normandy’s top places to visit . For your night in Honfleur, book at Villa du Cèdre , a property full of charm with a garden and swimming pool.

The last day of this French road trip explores two of the most beautiful seaside resorts of the Côte Fleurie: Deauville and Cabourg . Both towns are well known for their beautiful sandy beaches and Belle Époque villas.

OTHER FRANCE ROAD TRIP IDEAS NEARBY

Normandy WW2 Sites
Brittany Road Trip
Road Trip in Northern France from Paris
Road Trip from Calais to Paris

4. Champagne Road Trip

Duration: 4 days
Suggested route: Paris –Reims – Epernay – Troyes – Provins
Regions covered: Grand-Est, Ile-de-France
Best for: history, small towns, champagne wine

This Champagne road trip is another beautiful roadtrip France has to offer. It explores the historical region of Champagne , well known for its rolling hills, historical sites, and sparkling wine with the same name. This France road trip itinerary is a good combination of sightseeing, beautiful landscapes, and (of course) champagne – Click here to rent a car in Paris

On day one, drive from Paris to Reims. On the way, do a short stop at La Ferté sous Jouarre . This small town, and more precisely, its abbey, hosts two wonderful Merovingian crypts from the 7th century listed as Historical Monuments.

Dedicate the rest of the day to exploring Reims , the capital of Champagne, with many historical gems to visit. The city is well known for its Gothic cathedral, the coronation place for most of the Kings of France. For your night in Reims, we recommend the Domaine Les Crayères , a mythical property in the city nestled in seven hectares of park, 300m from Pommery Champagne House. Once the car is well parked, you can explore the best champagne houses in Reims .

Day two of this road trip through the Champagne region explores Epernay and its surroundings. Epernay is best known as the main “warehouse” for champagne wines – here are the best champagne houses in Epernay . Not far from Epernay, there’s the Abbey of Hautvillers , where Dom Perignon is buried. Dom Perignon (1638-1715) was a Benedictine monk credited with the revolutionary champagne method, which transforms a still wine (without bubbles) into sparkling wine.

Leave Epernay direction to Troyes and stop at Château d’Etoges for the night. This lovely château-hotel in the heart of the vineyards of Champagne has individually decorated rooms with period furniture and magnificent grounds.

On the third day of this Champagne road trip visit Troyes . This city was one of France’s most important fair towns during medieval times, a center for hosiery and cloth making. Stroll around the Old Town and admire its beautiful architecture of half-timbered houses.

After exploring Troyes, drive west to Provins, where you will spend one night. For your stay in Provins, book at Demeure des Vieux Bains , a stunning historical property with comfortable rooms and beautiful gardens.

During the last day of this French road trip, explore Provins , another medieval fair town. Provins is well-known for its Medieval festival (yearly, in June) and its underground city, a vast network of tunnels and passages from the 13th century that connected all the houses.

5. Cathar Country Road Trip

Château de Peyrepertuse - Cathar Country, France

Duration: 5 to 6 days
Suggested route: Carcassonne – Cucugnan – Narbonne – Carcassonne
Regions covered: Occitanie
Best for: history, medieval châteaux, small towns

This Cathar Country road trip from Carcassone in Southern France takes five to six days and is the best road trip in France for those who love history, Medieval castles, and small towns. For the history of the Cathar and a complete description of the Cathar sites, check out the road trip’s detailed itinerary – Click here to rent a car in Carcassone

Arrive at Carcassone and book a hotel for two nights. Mercure Carcassonne La Cité is super comfortable and has a refreshing swimming pool. The hotel also boasts amazing views of the walled citadel from the garden and some rooms.

Take a day to explore the medieval Cité de Carcassonne , one of the most important Cathar sites and one of the main targets during the first Cathar Crusade in 1209.

Day 2 of this road trip France visits the charming Medieval town of Mirepoix , and Château de Monségur , where the last Cathars who did not surrender were burnt alive. Spend the night at the Logis Auberge du Vigneron , in Cucugnan , with fabulous views of the surrounding valley.

On day 3, visit Château de Peyrepertuse and Château de Quéribus , two fabulous hilltop fortresses and Cathar sites. Then drive to Fontjoncouse , a gorgeous oh-so typical French village in the heart of the Aude department conveniently located close to the next Cathar sites. Book a room (or a full cottage) for one night at Le Petit Clos , a charming guesthouse with a swimming pool, terrace, and garden.

The next day of this roadtrip France visits Fontfroide Abbey and the Medieval village of Lagrasse with the Benedictine Abbey of St Mary of Orbieu . Both abbeys had an important role in the Cathar crusades, and they are interesting to visit.

On the last day of this Cathar road trip, drive to Minerve, a pretty medieval village where you can see a replica of one of the catapults used by the Crusaders. Then, visit Châteaux de Lastours , one of the best castles in Southern France , before driving back to Carcassonne. Châteaux de Lastours is an ensemble of four Cathar castles with a spectacular setting at the top of a rocky spur.

6. Route des Grands Crus, Bourgogne

Suggested route: Beaune – Vougeot – Dijon
Regions covered: Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Best for: sightseeing, landscapes, small towns, food, and wine.

The Route des Grands Crus is one of the best road trips in France for wine lovers. This Burgundy road trip from Beaune to Dijon takes four days and is an ideal road trip for those who enjoy small towns and beautiful landscapes – Click here to rent a car in Beaune

Arrive at Beaune the day before and book a hotel for 2 nights. Château de Challanges , a gorgeous 19th-century country house set in 7 hectares, is perfect for a relaxing stay.

Take a day to explore Medieval Beaune, the capital of wines of Burgundy. Be sure to cover Les Hospices de Beaune , a jewel of Burgundian architecture, and La Maison des Climats to learn more about the (wine) climats of Burgundy.

From Beaune, drive to Vougeot , where you will spend one night. For something special, book at Château de Gilly , a 14th-16th century château with moats, French-style gardens, and a dining room with a magnificent vaulted ceiling.

On the way to Vougeot, stop at Nuits-Saint-Georges , a lively small town with a long history of wine-making. Visit the town, and perhaps a domain or two for some wine tastings.

In the afternoon, visit the Abbey of Cîteaux , the founder of the Cistercian order in France. It was its abbot who spotted the best kind of soils and selected certain grape varieties, improving the quality of the wines.

On day 3, visit the Château Clos de Vougeot , a must of any Burgundy wine route. In the 14th century, the monks of the Abbey of Cîteaux built the first walls separating vineyards, known as clos , contributing like this to the promotion of the wines of the region. Clos de Vougeot was the first clos built by the monks, and the visit reveals the winemaking genius of the monks in the Middle Ages.

In the afternoon, drive to Gevrey-Chambertin , a small village home to nine Burgundy Grands Crus, perfect for a stroll and some wine tastings. Then, drive to Dijon, where you will spend one night. The Grand Hotel La Cloche Dijon is a good option, conveniently located close to all the main attractions.

On the last day of this French road trip, visit Dijon , the historical capital of Burgundy. Dijon was home to the Dukes of Burgundy, and as such, it has an interesting cultural and architectural heritage. Follow the owl trail, which takes you to Dijon’s main sights, like the Hôtel des Ducs de Bourgogne , built in the 14th-15th centuries.

OTHER ROAD TRIP FRANCE IDEAS NEARBY

Road Trip Lyon to Annecy

7. Road Trip through the Jura, Eastern France

Suggested route: Paris – Baume-les-Messieurs – Château-Chalon – Dole
Best for: landscapes, small towns, hiking

This road trip through the Jura takes four days, and it is the ideal road trip for those who love nature and good food & wine. This Jura road trip covers the region of the lakes and waterfalls of the Jura (a department of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté in Eastern France), and is one of the best road trips from Paris for nature lovers – Click here to rent a car in Paris

From Paris, drive to Baume-Les-Messieurs , a picturesque village in the heart of a blind valley. Take a stroll to explore the village and its main sights, and then head to the Cascade des Tufs , one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Jura.

For the first night, book a hotel in one of the villages nearby. La Maison du Lac Chalain , in Doucier, is a good option, and it has an excellent restaurant perfect for tasting the regional cuisine.

The second day is dedicated to exploring some of the best lakes and waterfalls of the Jura. The hike to the Belvédère des 4 lacs and Pic de l’Aigle (12 Km) is one of the area’s main highlights. If you start the day early, you can also hike to the Cascades du Hérisson , a beautiful 4 km trail that links many waterfalls.

Then drive to Château-Chalon , another pretty village in the Jura, where you are going to spend the night. Les Relais des Abbesses is a beautiful, historical property in the heart of the village, and it has a terrasse with magnificent views over the Jurassic plateau.

Spend the morning of the third day visiting Château-Chalon , one of the villages with the label ‘most beautiful villages in France.’ In the afternoon, head to Dole, which was the capital of the County of Burgundy until its annexation to the Kingdom of France.

Dole is a picturesque city bordered by the Doubs River, a city of canals and interesting architecture from the 16th century. Dole’s Old Town is a confusion of alleyways edged by Renaissance homes with turrets and courtyards. Book a night at Hotel de la Cloche , a charming property with an excellent location for exploring the city on the last day of this road trip.

French Alps Road Trip from Annecy to Chamonix

8. Loire Valley Road Trip from Nantes

Suggested route: Nantes – Saumur – Amboise – Angers
Regions covered: Pays de la Loire and Centre Val de Loire
Best for: Renaissance châteaux, small towns, French wine

This Loire Valley road trip from Nantes Airport takes five days and visits some of the best Loire Valley Castles . This itinerary through the Loire Valley is one of the best French road trips for history and architecture lovers – Click here to rent a car at Nantes Airport

Arrive at Nantes Airport and drive about 90 minutes to Saumur , where you will book a hotel for two nights. Hotel St. Pierre is super comfortable, has a great historical feel, and is situated right on the main square. Dine at Michelin-starred Le Gambetta to treat yourself to an amazing French meal.

From Saumur, drive to Château d’Usse (the castle that inspired Sleeping Beauty) with a stop at Château Miniere for a walk among the vines and some wine tasting on the way. The sumptuous and artistic gardens at Château Villandry are also a must-see and easily accessible from Saumur.

Continue east along the Loire Valley to Amboise for two nights. Hotel Le Manoir St. Thomas is a great choice of hotel and even features a suit of armor to guard the lobby. Amboise is home to the Royal Château d’Amboise and the Clos Luce , where Da Vinci spent the final years of his life.

From Amboise, drive to the Loire Valley’s most iconic chateaux: Château Chenonceau and Château Chambord . Enjoy dinner in Blois , followed by the exciting light show after dark at Château Royal de Blois .

On the return to Nantes Airport, break up the more than 3-hour drive with a stop in Angers to see the Apocalypse Tapestries at Château d’Angers . Château d’Angers resembles a menacing fortress rather than an elegant château and is an excellent counterpoint to the other places visited during this Loire Valley Itinerary.

By Jennifer (aka Dr. J) | Sidewalk Safari

Road Trip Castles of the Loire Valley

9. West Coast of France Road Trip

Duration: 10 days
Suggested route: Etretat – Ile de Ré – Bordeaux – Biarritz
Regions covered: Normandy and Nouvelle Aquitaine
Best for: architecture, sightseeing, nature, and landscapes

Stunning landscapes, old cities, and historically important places are all part of a road trip along the west coast of France. Whether you camp or stay in hotels, this France roadtrip will be epic.

Start this road trip through France’s western coast in Étretat , known for its huge chalk cliffs. Enjoy a breathtaking walk on the cliffs and finish off with a delicious seafood dish in one of the seafront restaurants of this pleasant village.

The next stop is the WW2 beaches of D-day , such as Utah Beach and Omaha Beach. Visiting this place will leave an everlasting impression. The last stop in Normandy is Mont Saint-Michel , the Medieval abbey that speaks to anyone’s imagination. It is built on a rock in the sea and can only be reached by a bridge during high tide. For a magical experience, book a night in one of the hotels inside Mont Saint-Michel .

This road trip through the west coast skips the region of Brittany. The next stop of this itinerary is the island of Ile-de-Ré in the region of Nouvelle Aquitaine.

Ile-de-Ré is a fantastic small Island, right off the coast, reachable by a toll bridge. The island is known for oysters, the local drink Pinot, salt production, and the lighthouse watching over its rugged coastline. Rent a bike, as this is the main way of transport on the island.

After 1 or 2 days visiting Bordeaux , continue your journey to Arcachon and Dune du Pilat . This dune is the highest and biggest sand dune in Europe! Walking across it will give you the feeling of being in a desert. Enjoy the sunset on top of the dune while watching over the Bassin of Arcachon. A moment you’ll never forget.

End this west coast of France road trip with a visit to Biarritz , close to the Spanish border, and go surf in the Atlantic waters.

By Hellen | the Global Wizards

BEST ROAD TRIP FRANCE IDEAS NEARBY

Basque Country Road Trip
Road Trip from Bordeaux to Biarritz
Road Trip Dordogne

10. Gorges du Verdon Road Trip

Duration: 3 days
Suggested route: Aix-en-Provence – Valensole – Verdon Natural Regional Park
Regions covered: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Best for: nature and landscapes

If you are looking for South of France road trips, you will love this itinerary from Aix-en-Provence to the Verdon Natural Regional Park , which is considered one of the most scenic drives in France – Click here to rent a car in Aix-en-Provence

Did you know that there was a Grand Canyon in France? Yep. Well, it’s not as big as the one in the US, but when you get there, you’ll have the same feeling. It’s called the Gorges du Verdon , and it’s a stunning rocky landscape with towering cliffs, where a turquoise-green river meanders at the bottom.

To start this Gorges du Verdon road trip , you can drive from Aix-en-Provence or any nearby major cities: Marseille, Nice, or even Cannes. The trip takes three days to complete, with one day in Valensole and the lavender fields, one day driving around the different lakes, and one day driving the epic road on top of the Gorges du Verdon. Here are the major stops on this trip:

– Valensole is famous for its lavender fields , which bloom from the end of June to the end of July. Valensole is a cute little village where you can spend the night after exploring the fields around.

– Esparron de Verdon , and Lac Quinson de Verdon , are two small lakes with absolutely no crowds. Lac Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon is the main lake in the area and the perfect place to stop for a while and relax on the beach.

– Gorges du Verdon is the main attraction around here, France’s Grand Canyon. Drive on top of the gorges on an epic scenic route ( Route des Crêtes ), and enjoy one of the most beautiful landscapes in France.

– Sillans la Cascade . Before you leave, check out this secret waterfall, it is absolutely worth the trip!

One of the best places to establish your home base while exploring the area is the village of Valensole, for the ultimate traditional French experience. The bed & breakfast Les Terrasses de Valensole is exceptional.

By Kevin | Kevmrc

Lavender Fields in Provence Road Trip
Route Napoleon Road Trip
Luberon Road Trip
The Ultimate Provence Road Trip

11. Gorges du Tarn Road Trip

Suggested route: Millau – La Malène – Florac
Regions covered: Occitanie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Best for: nature, landscapes, and small towns

Les Gorges du Tarn is another beautiful south of France road trip. This 4-day itinerary will take you through The Causses, and The Cévennes , a region that offers the ultimate scenery for an amazing French road trip, from deep gorges with hairpin bends to wide-open pastoral landscapes. Because of its uniqueness, the region has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List.

This road trip in France starts and ends in Millau . On the first day, visit the world’s tallest bridge – Millau Viaduct –, and the tiny village of Payre . Stay the first night in Millau and use the evening to explore this beautiful Medieval city. Hotel des Causses in Millau is comfortable, central, and has an on-site restaurant.

The next day head to the heart of the Gorges du Tarn . The road (D809, D907, and D907bis) follows the bends of the River Tarn, which has cut deeply into the cliffs forming this stunning canyon. You’ll be passing through lots of lovely villages along the Tarn.

At Les Vignes, take the D46 road to Point Sublime , from where you will have the most breathtaking view over the canyon. Go back to Les Vignes and follow the road towards La Malène . On the way, stop at Pas de Soucy for some more amazing views.

You can stay the second night at La Malène. The Hotel Le Manoir de Montesquiou is a beautiful and historical building with a great location in the middle of the Gorge area.

On day 3, head to Sainte-Enimie – a postcard beautiful village. On the way, you can stop at Saint-Chélly-du-Tarn . After Sainte-Enimie, continue to Florac , where you can spend the third night. Grand Hotel du Parc has a perfect and relaxing setting in the Cévennes National Park.

The next day take D16 and D63 to the famous cave Aven Armand. You’ll be crossing Causse Méjean , a plateau with a totally different landscape from the canyons. After the cave, stop at the nearby Medieval Farm to learn more about the local traditions in this area ( Ferme Caussenarde d’Autrefois ).

Afterward, continue to Meyrueis on D986. When you arrive at Meyrueis, take D996 to Le Rozier. Follow the road along the canyon on La Jonte River – Gorges de la Jonte . Stop at Le Rozier and Peyrelau – two lovely places where the La Jonte River flows into the Tarn River. Afterward, continue to Millau, the end of this road trip.

By Daniela | Ipanema Travels

12. French Riviera Road Trip

Duration: 7-10 days
Suggested route: Cannes – Antibes – Nice – Monaco
Best for: landscapes, and sightseeing

This French Riviera road trip from Cannes follows one of the best drive routes through France, with the French Riviera coastline being dotted with picturesque towns and pristine coves along the way – Click here to rent a car in Cannes

One of the best starting points for this France road trip along the Côte d’Azur is Cannes , a city filled with glitz and glamour that will make you feel as though you’ve arrived in the French Riviera in style! Book one night or two in the Hotel Croisette Beach Cannes soaking up the atmosphere and visiting Cannes’ top sights before moving on towards Nice.

On your way to Nice, you might want to stop off in Antibes . This is a lovely place to unwind after the buzz of Cannes, and you can enjoy a relaxing lunch and spend your afternoon at the Picasso Museum . If you want to hike the Cap d’Antibes and spend an extra day on the beach, consider staying a night in Antibes itself.

Next, you’ll drive to Nice , where you can explore the city’s narrow streets, bustling markets, and ochre-colored architecture. For your stay in Nice, book at Hotel Locarno , which has an excellent location 200 m from the beach and offers the best breakfast ever.

After spending 2 days in Nice and around, you can drive on to Monaco , stopping off at the medieval village of Eze and perhaps Villefranche-sur-Mer . You can then choose whether you want to stay in Monaco for a chic casino break or move on to Menton , a small foodie town on the French /Italian border.

The distances between the destinations are relatively short, so you can easily tick off two places in one day. We would suggest spending at least seven days on this French Riviera road trip, but of course, you can spend much longer delving into this stunning French region.

By Chrisoula | Historic European Castles

OTHER FRANCE ROAD TRIPS NEARBY

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And there you have it, our favorite road trips in France to inspire your next trip. Check out our Road Trips category for the detailed itineraries and more French road trip ideas.

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Pet Travel Tips

The Ultimate Guide to Taking a Road Trip With Your Dog

by Lavanya Sunkara

Updated on May 23, 2024

If you’ve ever wanted to take an epic road trip with your dog, there is no better time than the present. After being cooped up for months to prevent the spread of COVID-19, you are probably eager to hit the open road.

Road trips allow the freedom to enjoy the great outdoors with all family members, without having to leave your pup behind. And your dog will be all the more happy to sniff new scents and frolic alongside you in new places.

To help you prepare for a smooth and memorable dog-friendly road trip, here are tips to ensure that your pet stays safe, healthy, and happy on the road.

Benefits of Road Trips : The Perfect Way to Travel With Dogs

Road trips are a wonderful way to travel with dogs and strengthen your human-canine connection. Best of all, there is no need to worry about getting on a plane during a pandemic, or researching an air carrier’s safety record or requirements.

Traveling by car (or RV or van) means your furry friend doesn’t have to be boarded or left behind with a dogsitter. You can make the most of your vacation while practicing physical distancing and have a grand adventure with your pooch.

One of the biggest benefits of a road trip with dogs is the flexibility it affords—stop whenever you want and select dog-friendly spots to experience. Bring along your pet’s favorite toys and treats as well as a bed or blankets in the trunk without having to worry about luggage limits.

Dog Road Trip Basics: Essentials to Bring

woman getting medical records from veterinarian

If you’re going to be hitting the road with your canine family member, there are a couple of essentials that you need to bring along. Here’s what you shouldn’t leave home without.

Medical Records/Health Certificate

Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a cross-country trip with your dog, book an appointment with your pet’s veterinarian to get your dog up-to-date on his vaccinations. Carry both electronic and paper copies of his medical record or a recently obtained health certificate from the veterinarian, especially when you are crossing state borders. A health certificate is valid for up to 30 days. Having medical documentation will also become crucial if you run into an emergency while on the road.

Food and Medication

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Pack your dog’s food , medication, and supplements for the duration of the trip and bring an additional week’s worth of these items to be prepared for unexpected delays. Feed your dog at least three to four hours prior to leaving to avoid any accidents in the car.

Johnna Devereaux, clinical pet nutritionist and the director of nutrition and wellness for Bow Wow Labs , recommends pet parents bring their dog’s own food on the road. “This will help avoid the potential for an upset stomach and the possibility of loose stool, especially if stores where you are going don’t carry the food you feed.”

If your dog has a tendency to get motion sick in the car, Devereaux says ginger can assuage his tummy. “This potent plant helps with all forms of nausea and may make your trip easier on the whole family.” You can purchase pet-friendly ginger chews online or at your local pet store.

Microchip, GPS Collar, and Identification

It’s one thing if your dog goes missing in your neighborhood…and another thing entirely if you and your pet get separated while road tripping in unfamiliar territory. To improve your odds of reuniting with a dog who’s taken an unplanned detour, at a bare minimum, ensure your contact information is clearly legible on your dog’s ID tag. And if your road-trip buddy hasn’t been microchipped, consider having one implanted prior to your departure.

man and his dog sitting outside amongst trees

But even if your dog is properly tagged, chipped, and your registry info is up-to-date, a location tracking device or collar, like the Tractive GPS Dog Tracker , can be a literal lifesaver on the road. With Tractive, there’s no need to wait and hope that someone finds your dog if they go missing. The waterproof, clip-on GPS tracker provides real-time tracking info to help you reunite with a lost pet quickly. Plus, you can also use the powerful location and activity monitoring features to keep tabs on your pup while on the beach, during hikes, and wherever you may roam.

Updated Pictures of Your Dog

No one wants to think about losing their pet while on vacation, but accidents can happen. Don’t leave home without some current pictures of your pup. Print a few out and have some on your phone in case you need to show local shelters or get flyers made.

Dog First Aid Kit

Pack a pet first aid kit to treat minor nicks, remove ticks and foxtails, and wrap any injuries. Make a list of clinics and hospitals located along the way and at your final destination, and add the ASPCA Pet Poison Helpline number (888-426-4435) to the list in case your dog ingests a toxin. If you are concerned about a lack of access to veterinarians, sign up for telehealth services for healthcare advice and live triage support while on the road.

Dog Road Trip Packing List

Woman packing for vacation with dog and baby

In addition to the essentials listed above, make sure to pack items that will keep your dog comfortable, entertained, and happy along the way. We recommend you include the following items for road tripping with your canine bestie:

Plenty of water for the car ride and rest stops
Food and water bowls
Crash-tested safety harness seat belt
Long and short leashes
Travel crate or carrier
Bed and/or blanket (to offer a sense of home in unfamiliar situations)
Treat and puzzle toys, treats
Life jacket, if you are planning water activities
An extra collar with ID tags
Booties, if you are visiting a destination with hot temperatures to provide protection from hot surfaces
Coat, if you are bound for cooler weather
Poop bags
Old towels and grooming supplies for cleaning
Calming aids and supplements (if needed)

Road Trip Safety for You and Your Dog

To ensure that you and your dog experience the pure joy of life on the road, it’s essential to follow safety protocols to protect your pet. Follow the below advice to make sure your dog stays safe.

Keep Dogs Crated or Restrained While Driving

It’s pure joy seeing your tail-wagger enjoying fresh air and new scents from the open window, but an unsecured pooch can be dangerous in an accident, or during a hard turn or sudden stop.

Michelle Belio, head trainer and owner at Pawsitively Waggin’ Academy LLC serving New York City and Long Island, recommends the use of a crate that has been crash tested for road trips. “If conditioned correctly, a crate could be a safe space for a dog, which is awesome for the road,” she says. “It also keeps our dogs safe and away from us, to pay attention to the road.”

Travel crates come in different sizes and materials. Select a crate that’s big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in, and make sure it’s firmly attached to the vehicle floor or the back seat.

For your anxiety-prone dog, use a crate designed for separation anxiety , or cover it with a blanket to provide a calming, den-like environment. If crating is not an option, secure your dog with a crash-tested safety harness and seat belt. The harness goes around the dog’s chest and the attached strap plugs into the seat belt buckle.

For dogs who have trouble relaxing when restrained, use a guard attached to the floor in the trunk/boot of the car or install a back-seat barrier to create a safe section in the back of the car. A dog sling or hammock in the back provides added security and keeps any messes off of the seat. If you are driving an RV, make sure your pet is within your eyesight to ensure he’s still safely secured.

Leash Rules

Remove your dog’s regular leash once in the car, so that he doesn’t get tangled or get whiplash from the collar. When letting the dog out of the car, leash him back up to prevent him from taking off on his own. “Never allow your pet to jump out of the car without a leash,” says Devereaux. “If something were to startle them, you would have no control over where they go.”

Never Leave Your Dog Unattended in the Car

Pets left in cars are at high risk of heat-related illnesses or even death. Temperatures inside vehicles can rise almost 20 degrees within the first 10 minutes, even with the windows cracked open. When driving in warm weather, keep your pet comfortable by using the air conditioner or have the fan running.

Keep Safe Distance from Wildlife

When you are visiting areas brimming with wildlife, maintain a safe distance from animals and keep your dog on a leash or in a designated closed off area (or a collapsible pen) to prevent any stressful situations or encounters that could result in injuries or bites. If an attack happens, seek medical attention immediately.

Practice Social Distancing and Follow CDC Guidelines

Keep at least six feet of distance from others at gas stations, campsites, and on hikes to prevent COVID-19. Avoid dog parks, as they tend to be highly frequented. Wear a cloth face covering if you can’t maintain distance in public and keep a supply bag with disinfectant, gloves, and wipes. Properly dispose of PPE after use.

Dog Road Trip Tips: How to Make the Most of Your Journey

Road trips with your dog should be a fun experience, not a stressful event. To help the whole process go smoothly, follow along with these tips:

Take Test Drives

If the only places your pet has been in the car include the clinic, groomer, or the local dog park, Belio recommends “bringing your dog on long car rides, increasing the amount of time they’re in the car each time.” Test driving ahead of time lets you address any issues your pet may have on longer rides.

Train Your Dog To Love New Places

If your dog isn’t used to visiting new places, Belio suggests bringing him to at least three new locations a week prior to embarking on your journey. “When you get there, bring out your dog’s favorite treats (or toy) and reward them every single time they interact with their environment,” she says. “This way, all of these new things form associations with the things they love.”

Address Anxiety

Pet parents have a few options if their dogs show signs of discomfort or anxiety. “Desensitization, consulting your vet, and using supplements such as CBD oil could help,” says Belio. “For desensitization, work on your dog eating their meals in the car, playing in the car, and going in and out of the car using fun car games.”

Take Frequent Breaks

If you are doing a long road trip with your dog, incorporate frequent breaks (every three to four hours) for pet relief, a short walk, and water. Puppies and senior pets need breaks more often. “I don’t find exercise to be overly important, as the car ride is stimulating enough,” says Belio. “A short walk (under 10 minutes) is enough for your breaks.”

You don’t have to wait until you are ready for a pit stop to allow Fido to drink. Leave a no-spill water bowl by his side so he can drink whenever he’d like.

Provide Stimulation

While you are focused on the drive, use a stuffed toy to keep your active dog stimulated, entertained, and to keep them from gnawing on seatbelts and other items. Belio recommends packing frozen Kongs and safe dog chews. During breaks, play a game of tug or fetch to add exercise to your dog’s day.

Give Your Dog Space

No matter what type of four-wheeler you are using, give your pooch space of his own to be comfortable and decompress. Avoid stuffing items next to him in the back seat or cramming him in the back of the car without much room.

Litter boxes, high-sided litter boxes for a cleaner home in 2024, pet cleaning, 8 cat litter deodorizers to beat the stink, 8 snuggly cat cave beds for secret snoozing, top 8 catnip toys your feline will love, cat diapers to help prevent accidents, keeping felines safe: best cat gates of 2024.

Join our Adventure: Get all my insider tips for motorhoming & road trips

Taking a Dog to France or Europe- Complete Guide

Taking dog UK to France or Europe after BREXIT 2021- rules on changes to pet passport UK scheme or Great Britain and Northern Ireland differences

Want to take your dog to France (or elsewhere in Europe) after BREXIT? Wondering about the Pet Passport scheme and if you have to get a new rabies test? Here’s everything you need to know about the rule changes for taking a dog or pet from UK to Europe and everything you need to do.

Don’t forget to grab your FREE dog travel checklist below to make things easier

*We work hard to make this the best motorhome travel blog and road trip website possible, full of helpful content for you. The website is supported by our readers, so if you buy through links on this site we may earn a commission- at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain our own .

If you find this post useful, you can also treat us to a coffee – we promise to enjoy it while creating more useful content like this- we might even indulge in a biscuit (or two!)

JUMP AHEAD TO...

Taking a dog to France- the problems

When you’re travelling abroad, there are a million things to think about. If you’re trying to travel abroad with a pet, there are a million more.

In the past, taking a dog from the UK to France was relatively simple; you did the rabies tests, got a pet passport and voila.

Off you could pop whenever you liked, with only a couple of things to remember before you left or when you returned.

Sadly, since BREXIT, travelling abroad with your dog is no longer that simple, even if you just want a quick weekend away in France.

Travelling from the UK to France with a dog after BREXIT

The BREXIT transition period ended on 01 January 2021.

From that moment, several important changes happened regarding taking your pet to France/ Europe from the UK. It also applies to taking a dog to Northern Ireland, even though that’s technically part of the UK.

Here’s everything you need to know and do before you travel.

For this post, we’re focussing on dogs (because that’s what we have!). The rules for cats and ferrets will be similar, but for them and all other pets please do check with your vet to make sure you’ve done everything you need to.

Taking a dog to France from the UK- the basics

There are 3 essential things your dog needs in order to travel with you from the UK to France, Northern Ireland or any other European country:

They must be microchipped
They must be vaccinated against rabies (more on this below)
They must have a valid Animal Health Certificate (AHC)- more on that below too!

With those 3 things, you’re pretty much good to go, but let’s break it down into a little more detail to make sure everything is clear.

I’m assuming the microchipping is self-explanatory, but this is a great time to check your address and contact details on your micro-chip… just in case!

Also, if you co-own the dog (ie- with your spouse) make sure BOTH of your names are on the microchip details, just in case one of you needs to cross the border with the dog.

Watch the video about taking your dog to Europe after BREXIT

Prefer video to text? No problem- here’s the video about taking your dog to France (or Europe!) after BREXIT:

We hope you found the video useful. If you did, we’d love it if you followed us on Youtube . New videos with tips for motorhoming and campervanning in the UK and Europe are released weekly.

Rabies tests after BREXIT

The good news is that rabies tests for dogs become a LOT easier after BREXIT.

Once your dog has the rabies jab, you NO LONGER NEED TO WAIT FOR A RABIES TEST.

Yep, that whole process is now gone (which is good- our poor pup failed his. Three times!)

After BREXIT, all you need is to wait 21 days after the jab- and then you’re ok to travel. Make sure you count correctly- it’s 21 CLEAR days before travel.

NOTE: Your dog must be at least 12 weeks old before they can have the rabies vaccination. They will also need all their other vaccinations too and not all can be given together- you’ll need to talk to your vet to make sure you have enough time.

What if you already HAVE a UK Pet Passport?

Ok, good and bad news.

The bad news is that your UK-issued pet passport is now obsolete. You can no longer travel with your pet with it.

BUT, on the positive side, if you already have a UK pet passport for your dog, that means they’re microchipped and have had a rabies jab in the past.

IF THE RABIES VACCINATIONS ARE STILL IN DATE- you don’t need another rabies jab; just keep them up to date
IF THE RABIES VACCINATIONS HAVE LAPSED- you will need to visit your vet to get another rabies jab and then wait 21 days before travel.

Do you need repeat rabies vaccinations for each trip?

No. As long as you keep the rabies vaccinations up to date (this could be anywhere from every year to every couple of years, depending on brand and dosage), then you do NOT need a new rabies vaccination for each trip. But make sure you carry the paperwork with you.

Europe Motorhome travel- free checklists

Want to head to Europe with your motorhome?

Grab your FREE (printable) checklist and discover 25 things you NEED to take with you when you travel in Europe. Make your life easier today.

Getting an animal health certificate (AHC)

Ok, now for the ‘less-good’ part.

EVERY time you take your dog from the UK to France or Europe, you will need to visit your vet in order to get an Animal Health Certificate.

Even if the last one is still in date (they’re valid for up to 4 months, which is hilarious as it technically means your dog can stay in the Schengen area longer than you can!)

How do you get an Animal Health Certificate?

You need to visit your vet no more than 10 days before travel. You must visit an ‘official’ vet- one who is licensed to issue an AHC- not all of them are, so be sure to book well in advance.

At the appointment, you must provide proof of:

your pet’s microchip
your pet’s vaccination history

How long is an AHC valid for?

The AHC is valid immediately, but you must leave the UK within 10 days to enter the EU or NI. From then, it is valid for

onward travel within the EU or NI for 4 months after the date of issue
re-entry to the UK for 4 months after the date of issue

What about repeat trips with your dog from the UK to France or Europe?

If you’re like us, you travel as much as possible. In ‘normal’ times (global pandemics aside) we travel back and forth from the UK to France with our dog almost every month.

From now on, if your pet is registered in the UK, you will need a NEW AHC for each trip- even though they are valid for up to 4 months.

Taking your dog to Europe? These might help:

Taking your dog to France from the UK? Try a pet-friendly cabin
How to keep your dog cool on a road trip
Essential dog travel accessories your road trip NEEDS

Our favourite travel gear- click here to see latest deals

What if you have several dogs?

You will need an AHC for each pet.

The maximum number of dogs you can travel with as a ‘normal’ person (ie, not a business) is 5, unless for a show, competition or event.

How much does an AHC cost?

Ok, are you sitting down? Our vet will be charging £111 for one single AHC.

Yep, just for one piece of paper that will only be valid for a week or so.

That doesn’t include the costs of any other jabs or vaccinations which may be needed.

Some vets charge as little as £90 and we’ve heard of some charging as much as £150! Some vets will offer a discount for a second dog, so it’s worth shopping around.

What about tapeworm treatment?

If you are travelling with your dog from the UK directly to Finland, Republic of Ireland, NI, Norway or Malta, they must have treatment against tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis).

Tapeworm treatment must be given 1 to 5 days before arriving in any of these countries. Your vet must enter full details on the AHC following treatment.

So, do break this down, if you are going motorhome or campervan touring in Norway with a dog, you will need to see a vet for a tapeworm tablet 1-5 days before crossing into Norway, and then you’ll need to see a vet AGAIN for another tapeworm tablet 1-5 days before returning to the UK.

Tapeworm for returning to the UK

As now, you will need to get a tapeworm treatment given to your dog 1-5 days before returning to the UK. This must be marked on the AHC.

If you are returning to the UK directly from Finland, Republic of Ireland, NI, Norway or Malta, you will not need to give your dog a tapeworm treatment before arriving in the UK.

What happens when you arrive in the EU or NI?

On arrival in the EU or NI, pet owners travelling with pets will need to enter through a designated travellers’ point of entry (TPE) .

Here, you may need to show the following documents:

a valid AHC for each pet
microchip details (and scan the pet)
rabies vaccination proof
tapeworm treatment (if required)

Check the rules of the country you’re travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travel.

Travelling to Northern Ireland with your pet after BREXIT

Yeah… now it gets even more fun.

You now need an AHC for each trip in order to take your dog or pet to Northern Ireland (unless it has an EU pet passport).

EU Pet Passports for NI-based dogs

NI-based pets and assistance dogs can use an NI issued EU Pet Passport and will not need an animal health certificate. You should contact DAERA or your vet for further information on entrance requirements for returning to NI.

Rules for returning to the UK with your dog

Nothing changes in this process. You will still need an approved tapeworm treatment 1-5 days before travel.

(If you are returning to the UK from France or the EU, here’s our experience of crossing during quarantine .)

Travelling from the EU to the UK on an EU Pet Passport

If you already have an EU Pet Passport- do everything you can to keep it! If you travel regularly, you’ll save yourselves a fortune.

If you’re living in the EU and plan to travel with your pet using a UK-issued pet passport, you should speak to your vet.

If you have a pet passport issued by an EU member state, you can use it to bring your pet to GB.

If you wish to enter the UK with an EU-registered pet, you must have:

an EU pet passport (issued in the EU, or in GB before 1 January 2021), or a pet passport from a Part 1 listed third country
the AHC issued in GB used to travel to the EU – which you can use up to 4 months after it was issued
a GB pet health certificate (for travel into GB only)

Your pet will NOT need this documentation if it’s entering GB from:

the Channel Islands
the Isle of Man

So there we go. Whether we like it or not, those are the new rules for travelling with your pet from the UK to Europe.

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11 comments.

Very helpful thanks very much

Helpful but I cannot see that you have put clearly, that if your pet has an EU issued passport, then it is enough to travel to EU country or NI (plus chip, rabies and tapeworm treatment, where applicable), no need for that ridiculous AHC (which I think they will get rid of eventually, or there will be riots;) )

I have an EU pet passport that my uk vet refused to update, is he allowed to update now or shall I get French vet to update with new rabies jab?

UK vets are not allowed to update the EU passport, if you get annual vaccinations done in the UK they will provide an additional sheet with their vaccinations. However for the EU Pet Passport to remain valid the Rabies booster MUST be done in the EU.

https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/travelling-pets ,I live in NI have been able to travel to uk mainland without all this … alot of us dog owners are trying to get this changed … any current passport is out of date end of dec 2020

What about leaving the UK to travel all over Europe for a year…. Do I get an AHC every months wherever we happen to be???

AHCs will be valid for a single trip into the EU, onward travel within the EU and re-entry to Great Britain. ……… I answered my own question

Thankyou – one of the most understandable pages i’ve found so far! Any chance of advoice on taking 2 tortoise and a cockatiel to france!

You’re welcome- I’m so pleased it was helpful. Sadly, I have no clue regarding tortoises or cockatiels- but your vet should be able to help you. Safe travels!

If your pet has an EU Pet Passport, then providing the Rabies booster is done in an EU country (France in my case) then that EU Passport remains valid and can be renewed as usual by your EU vet once it is full and an new one required. Yearly vaccinations can be done in the UK although UK vets are not allowed to update the EU passport so you will end up with a seperate sheet of paper for them if UK done. There was confusion about the continued use of the Pet Passport if owned just after Brexit but this position was confirmed to me by the French Consulate in writing. However you MUST have the rabies vaccination done in Europe, you can now get a 3 yearly rabies shot.

Hi, Do you have any recommendations regarding travel insurance cover for our dog? The providers we’ve looked at so far seem to all only allow 90 days per policy year, do you know of any cover more? Thanks.

49 Places To See On A Pet Friendly American Road Trip

By Amy at GoPetFriendly.com
May 8, 2023

Buster and Ty, the GoPetFriendly.com dogs in Washington DC

The American road trip … it’s iconic! And there’s no better way to see some of the most special places across the country. But what if you want to include your pet in the fun? Here are 49 breathtaking sights you’ll love exploring together on a pet friendly American road trip!

Woman and her dog on a pet friendly road trip sitting in the back of a car watching the sunset

Road trip vacations are as American as apple pie. And yet, planning to see the “best” the United States has to offer can be overwhelming. Your trip could focus on cultural sites, national parks, state capitols, scenic landmarks, or sports venues.

But if you’re looking for a truly special experience, why not plan the best pet friendly American road trip? Visit the top pet friendly attraction in each state, and collect precious memories with your best friend along the way!

A Pet Friendly American Road Trip

The most difficult part of planning an epic road trip is choosing the stops. From beaches to mountain tops, bustling cities to secluded retreats, you want to see the very best places across the country.

We traveled full-time with our dogs for twelve years, spending time in all of the lower 48 states. And we’re happy to share what we’ve learned!

Whether you’re planning to see the whole country in one trip, or checking out one region at a time, the itinerary we’ve laid out for your pet friendly American road trip will give you a good feel for what each state is about. And very stop is guaranteed to be fun for you and your pet! Click on the name of each location for more details and photos.

The Ultimate Pet Friendly American Road Trip

This itinerary covers nearly 15,000 miles and would take at least a couple of months to complete. If you can do it all at once, it’s absolutely the trip of a lifetime!

If you’re looking for shorter trips, choose one or two regions and do a deeper dive in each area. Any combination will make a fantastic pet friendly vacation.

The Northwest

We start this pet friendly American road trip in the northwestern United States. From Washington’s green isles to the heights of Beartooth Highway, this region has something for everyone!

Washington – The San Juan Islands

In the far northwest corner of the contiguous United States, off the coast of Washington, lies a confetti of emerald jewels in the Salish Sea. Known as the San Juan Islands, the landscape is a patchwork of pine forests, stoney beaches, verdant pastures and fields, and sparkling lakes.

Each of the islands has its own charm, and no matter which you visit, you won’t be disappointed.

Washington's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: San Juan Islands | GoPetFriendly.com

Oregon – Portland’s Parks and Gardens

With eclectic neighborhoods, great eateries, and one of the most extensive urban park systems in the country, Portland, Oregon is a pet friendly playground!

Boasting 10,000 acres of natural areas and parks scattered around the city, there’s a treasure around every corner. And if your pup enjoys being social, don’t miss some of the 20+ off-leash areas!

Oregon's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Portland's Parks | GoPetFriendly.com

Idaho – Lake Coeur d’Alene

Among the rugged peaks of northern Idaho, where pine trees far outnumber people, lies one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Unfolding over 26 miles with more than 135 miles of shoreline, Lake Coeur d’Alene is a sparkling blue jewel.

From scenic boat tours to miles of pet friendly trails, there are as many ways to enjoy Lake Coeur d’Alene as your imagination allows.

Idaho's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Lake Coeur d'Alene | GoPetFriendly.com

Wyoming – Bighorn National Forest – Medicine Wheel

You’ll find some of Wyoming’s most diverse terrain in the Bighorn Mountains. It would be easy to spend weeks hiking the 1,500 miles of pet friendly trails and enjoying the three scenic drives. But for us, nothing speaks to the timelessness and beauty of the Bighorns like a visit to Medicine Wheel.

Wyoming's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Medicine Wheel | GoPetFriendly.com

Montana – Beartooth Highway

For 68 miles, between Cooke City and Red Lodge, Montana, the Beartooth Highway winds through some of the most awe inspiring terrain in the United States. This road, one of the highest in the lower 48 states, passes 20 peaks that rise over 12,000 feet.

You’ll experience pristine mountain landscapes, lush forests, and alpine tundra – all within a few miles. And there are numerous places to park the car and hit a pet friendly trail with your furry travel buddy!

Montana's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Beartooth Highway | GoPetFriendly.com

The Southwest

The southwest section of this pet friendly American road trip starts with a romp on Carmel’s spectacular dog beach. The next two stops at Red Rock Canyon and the Grand Canyon offer fantastic pet friendly hiking. And we top it off with a trip up Telluride’s gondola. You and your active pets are going to love this adventure!

California – Carmel’s Dog Beach

Carmel’s crowning glory is its magnificent beach. This mile-long stretch of sand begins just steps from downtown and runs to just below the 9th hole at Pebble Beach Golf Course. And it’s all pet friendly!

Dogs are welcome to romp off-leash on the beach. Or visit Carmel River State Beach, just down the road, where leashed pets will find plenty to explore.

California's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Carmel Beach | GoPetFriendly.com

Nevada – Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

It’s only 17 miles from the Las Vegas Strip, but Red Rock Canyon feels like a completely different world! From the 13-mile scenic loop road to the 30+ miles of pet friendly trails and picnic areas with great views, you’ll have a fantastic day here with your pet!

Nevada's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Red Rock Canyon | GoPetFriendly.com

Arizona – Grand Canyon National Park

Traveling to any national park is a wonderful experience, but seeing the Grand Canyon with your pet will make your vacation unforgettable!

The pet friendly South Rim Trail runs for 14 miles and is paved for easy walking. Make sure to allow plenty of time to take in the panoramic views!

Man and two dogs enjoying the view at Grand Canyon National Park

Colorado – Telluride Gondola to Mountain Village

Tucked high in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, the village of Telluride is ideal for a Rocky Mountain adventure with your pet. Offering spectacular scenery, miles of hiking trails, a pet friendly gondola, and a nice selection of eateries and lodging that welcome pets, it might be the highlight of your pet friendly American road trip!

Colorado's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Telluride Gondola | GoPetFriendly.com

Utah – Dixie National Forest’s Red Canyon

Covering almost 2 million acres, every inch of Dixie National Forest is pet friendly! And with 1,600 miles of hiking, horseback riding, and bike trails, and hundreds of miles of scenic byways, backways, and drives, you and your pet could spend a lifetime exploring here.

While you’re in the area, be sure to check out Bryce Canyon and Zion National parks. And don’t miss the chance to visit Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah !

The South Central

Bustling San Antonio is balanced by serene natural wonders on the South Central section of our pet friendly American road trip.

If you’re considering skipping the pet friendly paddle on the Buffalo National River … DON’T! We did it with Ty and Buster, and loved every minute. Though it was our dogs’ first time in a canoe, they did great. And now it’s one of our favorite memories with them.

Map of the south central United States with pins marking the top pet friendly attraction in each state

New Mexico – White Sands National Park

The name “White Sands” might be a little misleading, but that doesn’t make this pet friendly national park any less impressive! The shimmering dunes here are actually made of gypsum – not sand. And thanks to an ancient sea and some very fortunate geography, it’s now the world’s largest dunefield!

You’ll find pet friendly trails and plenty to keep you busy at White Sands. And be sure to stay for sunset. It’s unlike any other you’ll see!

New Mexico's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: White Sands National Monument | GoPetFriendly.com

Texas – San Antonio River Walk

Providing access to some of the city’s most precious historical and cultural sites, the 13-mile, pet friendly San Antonio River Walk is one of the most unique parks in the country!

It would be easy to spend several days exploring different sections of the River Walk, hopping on and off to visit all the connected neighborhoods.

Texas' Top Pet Friendly Attraction: The San Antonio River Walk | GoPetFriendly.com

Oklahoma – Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

As if watching the grazing bison, elk, and white-tailed deer weren’t enough reason to visit Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, you and your pet will also find 18 pet friendly hiking trails and lakes for boating and paddling!

Oklahoma's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge | GoPetFriendly.com

Arkansas – Canoe the Buffalo National River

Canoeing the Buffalo National River with your pets is easier than you might think! Pet friendly canoe rentals are a cinch to find, and the calm water will put every paddler at ease.

When you’re back on solid ground, there are also miles of pet friendly trails to hike along the river’s course and in the nearby Ozark National Forest.

Kansas – Monument Rocks

Monument Rocks is what’s left of a sea floor that formed millions of years ago when water covered the continent from Montana and the Dakotas to Texas and Louisiana. The chalk spires, buttes, and arches that remain now stand 70 feet tall on the Kansas plains. And your pets are more than welcome to explore them with you!

Kansas' Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Monument Rocks

The Plains – North

The Northern Plains section of this trip takes you through the heartland and reveals what America was like before Europeans arrived.

You’ll spend time appreciating the vastness of Lake Superior and the powerful Mississippi River. Then walk in the footsteps of the Native Americans who lived in Iowa and North Dakota.

Map of the United States northern plains with pins marking the top pet friendly attraction in each state

Minnesota – Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park sits on Lake Superior’s northern shore. Providing breathtaking views of one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country and 14.5 miles of pet friendly trails, it’s a great place to stretch your legs or camp on the beach.

Wisconsin – Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Mississippi River flyway, the migration route of about 40% of all waterfowl and shorebirds. The refuge serves as a “bed and breakfast” for the birds as they travel through and is home to the magnificent bald eagle.

In addition to some spectacular bird spotting, there are miles of pet friendly trails to explore.

Wisconsin's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge | GoPetFriendly.com

Iowa – Effigy Mounds National Monument

Standing atop the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, it’s easy to see why American Indians chose to make this breathtaking place their home. Covering 2,500 acres along the western bank of the Mississippi River, Effigy Mounds National Monument now protects 206 prehistoric earthen mounds built by Indigenous People, 31 of which are in the shape of animals.

You and your dogs are welcome to explore all the trails. But remember to be respectful and never walk on (or allow your pet on) the mounds.

Iowa's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Effigy Mounds National Monument | GoPetFriendly.com

North Dakota – Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

Interpretive plaques help you imagine what life was like at the Knife River Indian Villages. This is where Captains Lewis and Clark first met Sacagewea and her husband, Toussaint Charbonneau. Once a bustling community of nearly 400 people, this is now a quiet place to reflect and enjoy the scenery.

North Dakota's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Knife River Indian Villages | GoPetFriendly.com

South Dakota – Custer State Park

Custer State Park protects 71,000 acres of South Dakota’s most magnificent landscapes. It also provides habitats for a dazzling array of wildlife. Whether you prefer picturesque drives or multi-day hikes, wildlife viewing or kayaking, elegant dining or campfires under the stars, Custer has something to please traveler.

Nebraska – Fort Robinson State Park

Fort Robinson State Park is a rare combination of stunning landscapes, fascinating history, a variety of recreational opportunities, and pet friendly accommodations.

Spread over 22,000 acres, with rugged buttes as the backdrop, it’s a wonderful place to unwind and enjoy the expansive wild prairies during the day and the star-filled skies at night.

Nebraska's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Fort Robinson State Park | GoPetFriendly.com

The Great Lakes

Three of the five stops on this section of our pet friendly American road trip are on the Great Lakes! Absorb the energy of downtown Chicago at Navy Pier. Then contrast it with the leisurely atmosphere of Mackinac Island. You’ll enjoy both ends of the spectrum!

West Virginia – Monongahela National Forest

The Monongahela National Forest covers more than 900,000 acres, preserving a rugged and wild paradise unlike any other. With an extensive backwoods road system, oodles of campgrounds, and 825 miles of pet friendly trails, you and your pet will find plenty to explore!

West Virginia's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: The Monongahela National Forest | GoPetFriendly.com

Ohio – Holden Arboretum

Holden Arboretum is evidence of the beauty that results when humans and Mother Nature work together. Encompassing 3,600 acres, it’s one of the largest arboreta and botanical gardens in the country and a fabulous place to explore with your pet.

Wander the garden paths or hit the miles of trails through native forests with your furry travel buddy!

Ohio's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Holden Arboretum | GoPetFriendly.com

Illinois – Chicago Lakefront Trail & Navy Pier

Chicago’s pet friendly Lakefront Trail runs for 18 miles along the spectacular shore of Lake Michigan. Connecting vibrant neighborhoods, expansive parks, popular beaches, and famous attractions like Navy Pier, Buckingham Fountain, and Soldier Field, it’s fun to choose a section and spend a day exploring it with your pet!

Indiana – Indiana Dunes National Park

Caribbean blue waters and miles of pet friendly beaches await you at Indiana Dunes National Park. But the beaches are just the beginning!

This dynamic landscape also features dunes, ponds, marshes, creeks, prairie, and forests for your exploration. Whether you decided to hang out on the shore or hike the trails, you’re sure to have a great time.

Indiana's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Indiana Dunes Lakeshore | GoPetFriendly.com

Michigan – Mackinac Island

Hop aboard the pet friendly ferry for a trip to Mackinac Island. Automobiles aren’t allowed, but you and your pet won’t have any trouble getting around!

Main Street is just steps from the ferry docks, pets are welcome on the horse-drawn carriages rides, and bikes with pet trailers are available for rent. So all of Mackinac’s most popular attractions are within easy reach!

Michigan's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Mackinac Island | GoPetFriendly.com

The Plains – South

Road tripping pets are going to adore this route through the southern plains. Romp at the incredible off-leash dog park at Shelby Farms, then stiff along the 444-mile Natchez Trace! Finally, spend an afternoon relaxing in the shadow of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.

Map of the southern plains states in the United States with pins marking the top pet friendly attraction in each state

Louisiana – State Capitol Gardens in Baton Rouge

Standing 34 stories tall, Louisiana’s capitol in Baton Rouge is the tallest state capitol building in the United States. It’s surrounded by 27 acres of pet friendly grounds and gardens that offer picturesque views from every angle.

Stroll the paved paths under massive live oaks and palm trees or plan a picnic with your pet!

Louisiana's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: State Capitol Grounds

Mississippi – The Natchez Trace Parkway

The Natchez Trace Parkway stretches 444 miles, from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee. It’s a blissfully quiet, billboard-free retreat from our fast-paced highways.

But a slower pace doesn’t mean you’ll be bored! There’s something to sniff around every bend with countless exhibits and 28 pet friendly trailheads along the route.

Birdsong Hollow Double Arch Bridge - Natchez Trace Parkway

Tennessee – Shelby Farms Park Off-Leash Area

Shelby Farms Park in Memphis is one of the country’s largest urban parks. With a massive off-leash dog area, 40 miles of pet friendly trails winding through 4,500 acres, a disc golf course, canoe, kayak, and paddle board rentals, and a lovely visitor center, you could easily spend an entire day here!

Tennessee's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Shelby Farms Park | GoPetFriendly.com

Kentucky – Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park

President Abraham Lincoln’s life is an inspiration, and visiting his simple birthplace fosters an even deeper appreciation of his accomplishments.

Pets are welcome to join you on the grounds of the historic park. And together you can explore the trails there and at the Lincoln Boyhood Home at Knob Creek, just ten miles away.

Kentucky's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace | GoPetFriendly.com

Missouri – Gateway Arch National Park

Leashed pets are welcome to explore the extensive grounds at St. Louis’ Gateway Arch National Park. Enjoy the Riverfront Trail, embark on a one-hour scenic riverboat cruise, and be sure to ask now your pet can become a BARK Ranger during your visit.

New England

You can see a lot without traveling far in New England! Enjoy Central Park in the heart of Manhattan, then explore the trails in Acadia National Park. Finally, take a splash in the pond at Dog Mountain. From beginning to end, this section of our pet friendly American road trip is a pet’s dream come true.

New York – Central Park

There’s no place like New York! Central Park is the third most visited attraction IN THE WORLD – and it’s even better with your pet. Whether you choose to lounge on a bench, enjoy the conservatory gardens, or explore the wooded trails in the Ramble, it will be a day to remember.

New York's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Central Park | GoPetFriendly.com

Connecticut – Mystic Seaport

Spread over 19 spectacular acres on the banks of the Mystic River, Mystic Seaport is the largest maritime museum in the United States. You and your pet can view magnificent old boats and learn what life was like for seaport dwellers in this part of New England in the 1800s.

Connecticut's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Mystic Seaport | GoPetFriendly.com

Rhode Island – Newport Cliff Walk

Newport is known as the City by the Sea. And a stroll along the pet friendly Cliff Walk proves that she more than lives up to her nickname!

Winding for 3.5 miles with the rocky shoreline on one side and the lush gardens of historic mansions on the other, the Cliff Walk Trail provides you and your pet with unforgettable views.

Rhode Island's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Newport Cliff Walk | GoPetFriendly.com

Massachusetts – The Freedom Trail

Boston’s Freedom Trail connects 16 of our country’s most significant historic landmarks – locations that played a pivotal role in America’s rebellious beginning.

The pet friendly 2.5-mile path starts in Boston Common where you can pick up a map. Here pups will also find two off-leash areas for sniffing and socializing in America’s oldest public park. Then follow the red brick path through the city at your own pace, taking in each site as you go.

Massachusetts' Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Boston's Freedom Trail | GoPetFriendly.com

Maine – Acadia National Park

As one of the countries most pet friendly national parks, you and your pet will find plenty to love in Acadia. There are more than 100 miles of trails to sniff, carriage roads to explore, and pets are even welcome on the free shuttles that run throughout the park and around the island!

New Hampshire – Mount Washington

Visiting Mount Washington can be tricky. More than 100 days a year the wind at the summit exceeds hurricane force, the peak is enveloped in clouds 60% of the time, and snow can fall year round. But if you’re lucky enough to be there on a pleasant day, you and your pet will never forget the pet friendly trails and stunning views.

New Hampshire's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Mount Washington | GoPetFriendly.com

Vermont – Dog Mountain

At Dog Mountain, pets aren’t just welcome – they’re cherished! This 150-acre former dairy farm is always open to the public and dogs are welcome to shed their leashes while they run, play, and swim in the pond.

There are also hiking trails, peaceful retreats, and a pet friendly chapel and art gallery.

Vermont's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Dog Mountain | GoPetFriendly.com

The Mid-Atlantic

The theme of this section of the trip is early American history with a lot fun thrown in! Learn about the first Europeans to arrive in the New World in Colonial Williamsburg. Then stroll through Washington, DC, where history is made every day. Next enjoy a day on the Jersey shore before heading to the Pocono Mountains for a scenic train ride!

Virginia – Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg welcomes you and your pets to step back in time. View historic homes, watch demonstrations at the trades shops, enjoy the fife and drum corps, and get a bite to eat at one of the taverns or restaurants.

Virginia's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Colonial Williamsburg | GoPetFriendly.com

Washington, DC – The National Mall

There are few places in the America more inspiring than our National Mall & Memorial Gardens. And because this national park sits in the middle of a living city, it’s more pet friendly than you might expect!

From the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, you and your pet can view dozens of iconic sights all within walking distance.

Maryland – Cruise on Chesapeake Bay

Explore the Chesapeake Bay with your travel buddy aboard a pet friendly cruise! Arrange a tour from Annapolis, Baltimore, or St. Michaels. Or contact one of the countless privately-operated charter boats available in harbors up and down the bay, most of whom are happy to welcome your pets.

Delaware – Walking Tour of Historic New Castle

Do you love strolling with your pet along tree-lined streets? Would you like to admire beautiful examples of colonial Dutch and Federal architecture? And what if you could learning a bit about the early history of our country at the same time?

It sounds like a walking tour of New Castle will be right up your alley! Be sure to check the local calendar for pet friendly events when planning your trip.

Delaware's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Historic New Castle | GoPetFriendly.com

New Jersey – The Jersey Shore at Wildwood Dog Beach

New Jersey has many popular beaches, but Wildwood’s beach stands out. It’s lovely, spacious, family-friendly, and free to use. And the best part is that your pets can come along!

Dogs on leashes are welcome from dawn to dusk, every day on the Wildwood dog beach between Glenwood and Maple Avenues. Just look for the gigantic fire hydrant and enjoy a day of sand and surf together.

New Jersey's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Wildwood Dog Beach | GoPetFriendly.com

Pennsylvania – Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway

All aboard! The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway welcomes pets on their vintage coaches. Powered by diesel engines and departing from the old railroad station in historic downtown Jim Thorpe, the narrated trips lasts about 70 minutes and follow 16-mile route along the Lehigh River as it winds through the gorge.

Pennsylvania's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway | GoPetFriendly.com

The Southeast

Beautiful gardens await your arrival on this pet friendly road trip through the Southeast. Wander the paths through Rock City, where on a clear day you can view seven states! Then admire the last large-scale romantic-style garden at Magnolia Plantation. Finally, spend a day exploring the formal gardens and wooded trails of the 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate.

Alabama – Little River Canyon National Preserve

On a flat-top mountain in northeastern Alabama, Little River Canyon National Preserve protects 15,000+ rugged acres along the Little River.

Be prepared for stunning scenery and a taste of southern hospitality, because the preserve is incredibly pet friendly. Not only can your furry travel buddy join you on all the trails — he’s also welcome inside the visitor center, and the staff has dog treats!

Alabama's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Little River Canyon | GoPetFriendly.com

Georgia – Rock City Gardens

Visitors from around the world come to admire Rock City’s botanical and geological features. And your pet is welcome to join you on the trails. You can even have lunch together on the patio at Café 7, a seasonal restaurant with amazing views!

Georgia's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Rock City Gardens | GoPetFriendly.com

Florida – Fort De Soto Dog Beach

Fort De Soto’s beaches are acclaimed for their white sand and clear blue waters. But the best part of this quarter-mile stretch of beach is that it’s dedicated to the dogs!

Pups can romp leash-free here and in the adjacent enclosed dog park. Then rent a kayak and paddle the 2.25-mile water trail, peddle the 7-mile bike trail, or hit the hiking trails to see more of the island.

Florida's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Fort De Soto Park and Dog Beach | GoPetFriendly.com

South Carolina – Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

Founded in 1676 by the Drayton family, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is America’s last large-scale Romantic-style garden. You and your pup are welcome to enjoy the trails, grounds, gardens. Plan accordingly to see your favorite flowers in bloom!

South Carolina's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Magnolia Plantation & Gardens | GoPetFriendly.com

North Carolina – Biltmore Estate Gardens and Grounds

At the Biltmore Estate, pets cannot tour the historic home. However, you and your pet can stroll the lush garden paths, or hit the 23 miles of hiking trails that criss-cross the 8,000-acre estate.

When you’ve worked up an appetite, head over to Antler Hill Village and choose a table on the patio at one of the pet friendly restaurants!

How long will it take and what will it cost?

In total, our entire pet friendly American road trip is 15,000 miles and will take at least two months. That’s assuming you have great luck with the weather and don’t mind driving about 8 hours a day.

The cost of the trip depends on how you travel. And where you are comfortable staying is a factor that has a big impact. Car camping or tenting will be least expensive. And staying at pet friendly hotels will cost more. Luckily, pets aren’t picky about where you sleep – as long as you’re together.

Travel Inspiration

National parks, hit the beach, mountain getaways, cities to explore, iconic road trips, unique attractions, related posts.

Cocker Spaniel dog, Dexter, in front of a dog mural in pet friendly Florida

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Cape Fear Foodie: Hot Dog Road Trip Roll Call

Cape Fear Foodie hits the road to find the best hot dogs in Southeastern North Carolina.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - It’s that time of the year again, summer is officially here, so let’s hit the road and eat some hot dogs. This is my third year in a row traveling throughout Southeastern North Carolina to try the area’s best hot dogs. This time I am handing the road map over to you for nominations.

I have already visited plenty places before, including many heavy hitters. You can find my previous road trips here:

Hot Dog Road Trip Part 1

Hot Dog Road Trip Part 2

Hot Dog Road Trip Part 3

To be frank, it can be difficult to find places that serve a glorious glizzy just based off Google searches, so I’m asking for your help. Hit me with everything from gas stations, to hot dog stands, even fork and knife restaurants. If they serve hot dogs, I want to know about it.

Some ground rules here though, no chain restaurants please. Let’s focus on the mom and pop locations, we have plenty of them. Also, I only order hot dogs with chili, slaw, onions, and mustard. Whichever place you suggest, needs to offer that set of toppings.

Bonus points if you can provide some places outside of Wilmington.

So shoot me an email at [email protected] .

I’m going to gas up the car, pack some Tums and my mixed CDs, and eagerly await your recommendations!

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Pet owner says dog needed stitches after animal’s neck was cut while being groomed

BASEHOR, Kan. ( KCTV /Gray News) - A pet owner in Kansas says a regular trip to the dog groomer ended up turning into an emergency trip to the veterinarian.

The owner, who didn’t want to be identified, told KCTV that they took their dog named Dilly to an area groomer for his standard haircut.

But during the haircut, the animal was reportedly cut on his neck and front paw.

“I was shocked. I had to have my daughter take a picture of it,” Dilly’s owner said. “She immediately said we are going to the vet now.”

The owner’s niece, Maggie Yonker, said Dilly was injured while getting a haircut at Just for Dogs Grooming.

“They proceeded with the haircut as normal despite the fact that he was bleeding profusely,” Yonker said. “When they were done, they put him in a kennel. They called my aunt saying she could come pick him up. My aunt goes and picks him up and he has this giant cut on his body. They say it’s just a nick. She ended up getting him home and realizing just how bad it was.”

Dilly’s family said they took him to the veterinarian clinic next door to the groomers.

“The vet was shocked,” Dilly’s owner said. “He couldn’t believe he [Dilly] wasn’t screeching in pain.”

Yonker added, “The vet measured with his hands and said it was only a half centimeter from his [Dilly’s] jugular vein, which is absolutely insane.”

The family said Dilly had been a customer at Just for Dogs Grooming for years and never experienced something like this before.

According to the family, the groomer apologized and reimbursed them out of her own pocket, but they are still upset with the store manager who they say mishandled the situation.

“The store manager just blew it off, saying it was nothing, and didn’t even offer an apology,” Yonker said.

Just for Dogs Grooming did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the situation.

Several stitches later, Dilly is on the mend and back running around in the backyard. His owner says they won’t be returning to the business.

“I won’t be taking my dog back there and I have a lot of friends who won’t be going either,’ Dilly’s owner said.

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Snopes fact-checked the presidential debate live!

Trump Called Fallen US Soldiers 'Suckers' and 'Losers'?

U.s. president joe biden accused trump of deriding military service members during the 2024 presidential debate., nur ibrahim, published june 28, 2024.

During the June 2024 presidential debate, U.S. President Joe Biden repeated an old claim that former President Donald Trump once called fallen soldiers "suckers" and "losers." Trump, in turn, denied saying it, accused Biden of making up the quote, and demanded an apology.

It wasn't the first time Biden had made this claim. This was tweeted from his X account in October 2023:

The former president referred to American service members as "suckers" and "losers." MAGA extremists have made it clear where they stand. pic.twitter.com/2Kj5jr4N7Z — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 2, 2023

Trump and his allies have denied the accusation since it first emerged in 2020, shortly before the election between Trump and Biden. Whether performative or authentic, Trump's apparent support for soldiers in the U.S. military, both active and veteran members, has been part of his presidential campaigns.

Following a story by The Atlantic, a number of reputable news outlets reported on the alleged comments in 2020, relying entirely on anonymous sources from his administration.

However, there appeared to be no evidence of an audio or video recording of the remarks in question, nor was there any documentation, such as transcripts or presidential notes, to independently confirm or deny the alleged quotes' authenticity. Moreover, since Snopes did not witness the in-question comments firsthand, we can't say for certain whether Trump called fallen soldiers "suckers" and "losers."

We reached out to Trump's representatives to see if they had any supplemental evidence to help substantiate their denial, as well as for a response to renewed attention on the comments in 2023. We will update this story when, or if, we receive a response.

How the Accusations Emerged

Citing anonymous officials from the administration, the 2020 article by The Atlantic, titled, "Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are 'Losers' and 'Suckers'," unpacked Trump's trip to Paris in 2018 when he allegedly did not want to visit a cemetery of American war dead. The visit was cancelled.

Trump did not want to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery — which is home to the graves of Americans who fought and died in World War I — for two reasons, according to The Atlantic: He feared the rain would dishevel his hair, and "because he did not believe it important to honor American war dead, according to four people with firsthand knowledge of the discussion that day." The Atlantic continued (emphasis ours):

Trump rejected the idea of the visit because he feared his hair would become disheveled in the rain, and because he did not believe it important to honor American war dead, according to four people with firsthand knowledge of the discussion that day. In a conversation with senior staff members on the morning of the scheduled visit, Trump said, "Why should I go to that cemetery? It's filled with losers." In a separate conversation on the same trip, Trump referred to the more than 1,800 marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood as "suckers" for getting killed.

Shortly after the publication of The Atlantic report, one unnamed senior official with the U.S. Department of Defense and one senior U.S. Marine Corps officer confirmed the 2018 cemetery remarks from the above report in interviews with The Associated Press (AP). According to the AP, the official had firsthand knowledge of Trump's remarks, and the officer had been told about them.

Trump Allies Deny the Claims

The White House blamed the canceled cemetery visit on poor weather. Responding to The Atlantic's reporting, Trump said the accusation was "a disgraceful situation" by a "terrible magazine."

Trump strongly denied calling fallen soldiers "losers" and "suckers." Speaking to reporters on Sept. 3, 2020 , upon returning from a campaign rally to Washington, D.C., just after the report came out, Trump said: "I would be willing to swear on anything that I never said that about our fallen heroes. There is nobody that respects them more. No animal — nobody — what animal would say such a thing?"

Just days later, Zach Fuentes, a former White House aide who left the administration in early 2019 and was with the president on the Paris trip and presumably near him during the in-question conversations about the cemetery visit, stood up for Trump in an interview with Breitbart.

Referring to Gen. John Kelly, who was with Trump during the trip as his chief of staff, he said, "I did not hear POTUS call anyone losers when I told him about the weather. Honestly, do you think General Kelly would have stood by and let ANYONE call fallen Marines losers?"

Reporting on Fuentes' interview with Breitbart, The Washington Post noted that the phrase " I did not hear... " is not the same as " it didn't happen ." Furthermore, there was no evidence of Kelly being around Trump to hear the alleged comments.

Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton, who said he was on the trip, also issued a denial to Fox News , days after the article came out, saying it was "simply false."

Then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also denied the claims in an interview with Fox News in September 2020. He said, "I was with him for a good part of that trip, if I'm thinking about this visit and the timing right, and I never heard him use the words that are described in that article. Just, I never saw it."

How the Claims Resurfaced in 2023

On Oct. 2, 2023, Biden's official account on X resurfaced the accusation, saying Trump once allegedly "referred to American service members as 'suckers' and 'losers.'" The post (displayed above) included video footage of Biden speaking at a September 2023 event to honor the late U.S. Sen. John McCain, who was a military veteran and prisoner of war. (In that speech, Biden referenced the 2020 story by The Atlantic.)

The day after Biden's post on X, Kelly repeated the claim, as well. Speaking to CNN story, he said (emphasis, ours):

What can I add that has not already been said? A person that thinks those who defend their country in uniform, or are shot down or seriously wounded in combat, or spend years being tortured as POWs are all 'suckers' because 'there is nothing in it for them. ' A person that did not want to be seen in the presence of military amputees because 'it doesn't look good for me.' A person who demonstrated open contempt for a Gold Star family – for all Gold Star families – on TV during the 2016 campaign, and rants that our most precious heroes who gave their lives in America's defense are 'losers' and wouldn't visit their graves in France.

In other words, Kelly, who was with Trump in Paris, confirmed that Trump did call American troops "losers" and "suckers," though it was unclear whether he witnessed the comments firsthand or heard about them from someone else, or from news reports. (The 2020 Atlantic story detailed a separate incident of Trump visiting the grave of Kelly's son who was killed in action in Afghanistan, for which Kelly was supposedly present. In that case, Trump allegedly asked of military personnel who volunteered to join the service, "What was in it for them?")

Responding to the CNN interview, a Trump official issued a statement to CNN, saying , "John Kelly has totally clowned himself with these debunked stories he's made up because he didn't serve his president well while working as chief of staff."

In addition to the alleged statements about service members generally, Trump has publicly insulted McCain, in particular, by calling him "not a war hero," and "I like people who weren't captured," according to footage on C-SPAN. Also, for The Atlantic story, anonymous sources said he called former President George H.W. Bush a "loser" for getting shot down by the Japanese while a Navy pilot during World War II.

In sum, the claim stemmed from a story by The Atlantic, which relied on anonymous, second-hand reports of Trump's alleged words; there was no independent footage or documented proof to substantiate the in-question comments; and Trump vehemently denies that he once called service members "losers" and "suckers." While it was certainly possible that he said those things, Snopes was unable to independently verify the claim.

Baker, Peter, and Maggie Haberman. "Trump Faces Uproar Over Reported Remarks Disparaging Fallen Soldiers." The New York Times, 4 Sept. 2020. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/04/us/politics/trump-veterans-losers.html. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

Blake, Aaron. "Analysis | What Trump Officials Really Say — and Don't Say — in Denying That He Disparaged Fallen Troops." Washington Post, 8 Sept. 2020. www.washingtonpost.com, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/09/08/trump-officials-military-disparagement-denials/. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

Goldberg, Jeffrey. "Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are 'Losers' and 'Suckers.'" The Atlantic, 3 Sept. 2020, https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/09/trump-americans-who-died-at-war-are-losers-and-suckers/615997/. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

Mason, Jeff, et al. "Biden Warns Trump, 'MAGA' Movement Threaten American Democracy." Reuters, 29 Sept. 2023. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-warn-threat-democracy-trump-honor-mccain-2023-09-28/. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

"Report: Trump Disparaged US War Dead as 'Losers,' 'Suckers.'" AP News, 4 Sept. 2020, https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-ap-top-news-politics-b823f2c285641a4a09a96a0b195636ed. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

"Secretary Michael R. Pompeo With Steve Doocy, Jedediah Bila, and Pete Hegseth of Fox & Friends." United States Department of State, https://2017-2021.state.gov/secretary-michael-r-pompeo-with-steve-doocy-jedediah-bila-and-pete-hegseth-of-fox-friends/. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

Tapper, Jake. "Exclusive: John Kelly Goes on the Record to Confirm Several Disturbing Stories about Trump | CNN Politics." CNN, 2 Oct. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/02/politics/john-kelly-donald-trump-us-service-members-veterans/index.html. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

"Trump: "He's a War Hero Because He Was Captured. I like People That Weren't Captured."" C-SPAN. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=541Cg2Jnb8s. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

By Nur Ibrahim

Nur Nasreen Ibrahim is a reporter with experience working in television, international news coverage, fact checking, and creative writing.

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