France has beaucoup more to offer, of course, than the glamor and glitz of its cities, The rural side of the country is full of cliffside castles, vibrant vineyards, charming towns, and fragrant fields that can make family road trips very memorable.
For a family, a good van.is ideal for a road trip, so before you start, pick up a rental van for a week. There are plenty of affordable car-rental companies in France with attractive offers - just be warned that in the summer inventory of vans is limited, so book early!
That said, here we list down the top family road trip destinations that you can visit in France:.
The Alsace Wine Route
This route begins in Alsatian capital Strasbourg, a vibrant border city with French and German vibes. We suggest staying at the venerable, atmospheric Hôtel Cour du Corbeau; exploring the streets of the Petite France district; sampling local specialties like choucroute and flambée; and visiting the Northern Vosges Nature Park.
After three days of sightseeing ,hiking, dining, and shopping, drive south to the Grad Est region, around the town of Colmar, its old-quarter cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered medieval and early Renaissance buildings.
There are plenty of destinations in the region to enjoy, include wine-growing towns Eguisheim, Kayersberg, and Riquewihr. After hiking through the old ruins and castles with your family, end the day with an evening trip to vineyards followed by some hearty dinner and top-class wine.
The Route Napoléon
Beginning on the Riviera at Golfe-Juan (near Cannes and Antibes) and ending up in Grenoble, this road trip wends through some lovely countryside and small towns along the path of emperor Napoleon Bonaparte's 1815 march from his first exile on the island of Elba to retake power. Among other things, it's a great opportunity to pique your kids' interest in history.
One of the first stops along the way is the small city of Grasse capital of France's thriving perfume industry (recommended hotel: Aux Charmes de Grasse). Other charming stops along the way include Col de Valferriere, Castellane, Digne, Sisteron, La Mure, Laffey, and the Chateau de Broundet at Seranon. At the end, get a taste of the cosmopolitan elegance of the "capital of the Alps," Grenoble, with views of the majestic mountains from nearly everywhere in the city.
The Loire Valley
A true classic for scenery and history, this land of fairytale châteaux (more than 50 of which are open to the public); historic towns and cities that go back to the very origins of France; and enchanting vineyards is quick and easy to get to from Paris by road or rail (as little as a half hour to the city of Tours, for example, via the TGV high-speed train). Key destinations along the way include Tours, Saumur, Angers, and Nantes, while among the top châteaux are Azay-le-Rideau, Chambord, Ussé, and Villandry.
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