There’s no escaping the fact that driving from Calais to the south of France is going to take a very long time, but due to its elegance, wonderful weather, and gorgeous beaches, you’ll find that the journey is totally worth it.
Want to take a road trip to the South of France?
A great option when driving from Calais to the south of France is to stop off a number of times on the way. This not only makes the journey more bearable but also gives you the chance to see more of France and visit places that you may never have discovered otherwise.
Here, we share two routes which cover some fantastic French towns and cities that are well worth a visit.
Calais to the south of France via Lyon
From Calais port, drive down the A26 for 2 hours and 40 minutes and you’ll reach the fabulous city of Reims. Often called the capital of the Champagne region, Reims is the perfect place to stop for a beverage (unless you’re the designated driver of course), and its beautiful scenery and stunning buildings are sure to captivate you. For a lovely lunch spot, head to the Place Drouet-d’Erlon where you’ll find numerous restaurants and cafés, plus plenty of people-watching opportunities.
When you’re ready to leave Reims, continue on the A26 and onto the A5 and A31 for almost 3 hours until you reach the beautiful capital of Burgundy, Dijon. Perhaps best-known for its mustard, Dijon is a wonderful place to spend the night during your road trip to the south of France as it offers a range of accommodation options, including everything from boutique hotels to palaces. You’ll also find loads of great dining options, and the city’s laidback atmosphere is sure to be welcome after your drive.
The following morning, re-join the A31 and then the A6 to Lyon. This drive takes just over 2 hours and you’ll be rewarded with some time in this popular French city. Explore the gorgeous Vieux Lyon (or Old Town), take a relaxing walk around the lush Parc de la Tete where you’ll find a zoo, a boating lake, and go karts, or have a bite to eat in the trendy Croix Rousse area.
From Lyon, you can drive south to either Marseille or Montpellier in around 3 hours 15 minutes or onwards to sunny Cannes or Nice in around 4 and a half hours. If you fancy another break en route, we recommend stopping at Avignon, which is 2 and a half hours south of Lyon, where you can wander medieval streets and admire historical buildings before completing your journey.
Calais to the south west of France
The Basque Coast in the south west of France is becoming an increasingly popular place to visit due to its mix of mountains and sea. Begin your trip with a drive down the A16 and onto the A28 to the Norman city of Rouen. Packed full of striking architecture from across the centuries, you’re sure to love the city’s impressive cathedral, astronomical clock, and crooked 13th century timber-framed houses. You can also learn all about the life of Joan of Arc in Rouen’s Episcopal Palace where she was tried in 1431.
Once you’ve explored Rouen, hop back onto the A28 and drive for 2 hours 15 minutes to Le Mans. Famous for its endurance race, you’ll find that there’s plenty in Le Mans to keep you occupied during an overnight stay here. The city’s stunning cathedral should be your first stop as you’re sure to love its original stained glass windows, and there are lots of great accommodation options to choose from. If you visit Le Mans in the summer between Tuesday and Saturday you can see ‘La Nuit des Chimères’ where seven monuments are lit up to create colourful light displays, which is sure to be a memorable part of your trip.
The first drive of your second day is a little longer at 4 hours and 15 minutes, but it will take you to the wonderful old city of Bordeaux. With loads of amazing buildings to discover, including the city’s cathedral, clock tower, Basilica, and palace, you’ll want to spend as long as possible wandering around Bordeaux’s mesmerising Old Town. You won’t be short of lunch options in Bordeaux either, or you could just opt for a number of delicious pastries which would be completely understandable.
The drive from Bordeaux to the popular Basque Coast seaside town of Biarritz is just 2 hours and 15 minutes, and this will feel nice and quick in comparison to the first leg. Simply leave Bordeaux on the A660, join the A63 and then complete your journey on the A64 which will take you into your final holiday destination.
Now that you know how great driving from Calais to the south of France can be, book your ferry crossing from Dover today and start planning your escape to some of the country’s most popular beaches.
