You want to visit France by car and only have 10 days … Of course, 10 days will not be enough to discover all the most beautiful sites in France!
But for those who want to see as much as possible in a short time, here's a 10-day itinerary to visit some of the most beautiful places in France by car . This road trip is doable in 10 days , but it can be adapted for a 12 or 15-day trip . This will allow you to enjoy the sites for longer and will make the experience all the more enjoyable!
My itinerary of the most beautiful regions of France is simply a template that travelers can use as inspiration to create their own road trip route . Travel times are approximate and may vary depending on the season, traffic, strikes, timetable changes, detours, etc.
10 days in France - Map of the route by car
As a reminder and before giving you more details, here is the map of the stages of the 10-day tour to visit France by car.
10 days tour in France - Car rental
Since this itinerary is designed for a road trip , you might be wondering: where should I rent a car? Directly in Paris? At the airport? Online?
In my opinion, the easiest and easiest way is to rent online. Thus, you will reserve your car in advance and will not waste time on the spot ...
I can recommend another good website that's ideal for comparing prices for flights, car rentals, or airport shuttles: Skyscanner
10 days in France - Detailed stages of my itinerary
France route by car - Day 1
- Arrival at Charles de Gaulle airport
- Take a taxi to your hotel (around 30-40 minutes)
- Nuit à Paris
If you've visited my blog, you'll know that Montmartre is my favorite place in Paris . So, naturally, I recommend booking a hotel there to be in a friendly, lively, and centrally located area of Paris , perfect for exploring other parts of the city. Below, I've listed my two favorite hotels in Montmartre.
Cheap hotel in Paris - Ibis Montmartre
Why choose the Ibis Paris Montmartre hotel?
Because its location is perfect! If you're planning dinner at the Moulin Rouge cabaret , you won't need a taxi because the famous cabaret is right next door. The hotel is also a 15-minute walk from the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. And for other sightseeing in Paris, a metro station is just a 5-minute walk away. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby. Last but not least: its low price.
Hotel in Paris - Maison Lepic Montmartre
Why choose Maison Lepic Montmartre?
Especially for its garden / terrace in the heart of Paris and its romantic atmosphere.
A stone's throw from the Sacré Coeur, La Maison Lepic Montmartre is my favorite accommodation in Montmartre. The rooms are very comfortable, clean and very well equipped. I would give special mention to the breakfast buffet which is plentiful with quality fresh produce and delicious pastries.
France route by car - Day 2
- Visit of Paris : Champs Elysées, Pont d'Alma, Eiffel Tower, Pont des Arts, Les Tuileries, Notre Dame, Montmartre, Sacré Coeur ...
- Dinner cruise on the Seine or dinner show at Moulin Rouge cabaret ;
- Nuit à Montmartre
France route by car - Day 3
- Visit of Paris in the morning: museums, shopping ...
- 14:00 Take your rental car and drive to Mont Saint Michel (4h drive)
- Night at Mont Saint Michel.
Hotel at Mont Saint Michel - Le Relais Du Roy
This traditional stone-fronted hotel is just 1,9 km from Mont Saint-Michel.
Its parking is free, as is the shuttle to Mont-Saint-Michel (stop 50 meters from the hotel).
Some rooms have a balcony with a view of Mont Saint-Michel.
Its added bonus? The on-site gourmet restaurant serving regional specialties that will delight you!
Route France by car - Day 4
- 9h00 - Visit of Mont Saint Michel
- 12:00 - lunch at Mont Saint Michel
Mont -Saint-Michel is one of the most famous tourist sites in France . At the summit of this rocky outcrop stands the magnificent Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey , a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- 14:00 p.m. - Journey to the Loire Valley (4 hours)
- Nuit à Chambord
Best hotel in Chambord - Relais de Chambord
This is a very nice place to spend the evening and night in the Chambord estate.
The Relais de Chambord is a 4-star hotel that I advise you to treat yourself to for 1 night! You will live a unique experience in an exceptional setting! Indeed, this luxury hotel is the closest hotel to the Château de Chambord but above all, it has 2 good restaurants, a spa, a hammam and a sauna ... everything you need for spend a dream evening!
France route by car - Day 5
- 9h00 - Visit of Chambord Castle
Built in the heart of the largest enclosed forest park in Europe, the Château de Chambord is surely the largest and most harmonious of the Loire castles.
- 13:00 p.m. Road to Amboise (1h00)
- visit the Château d'Amboise (1h00)
Amboise with its famous Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a little Renaissance architectural gem located on the banks of the Loire.
4:00 PM – Journey from Amboise to Bordeaux (4 hours)
- Nuit à Bordeaux
Best hotel in Bordeaux - Courtyard side of the Hôtel Particulier
Here is the most beautiful accommodation I have been lucky enough to find in the center of Bordeaux (for my low budget). It is not a hotel but a guest house.
The elegant rooms are fully equipped, and breakfast can also be ordered. The location in the heart of Bordeaux is simply perfect: between the Grand Théâtre and Saint-André Cathedral, it's situated on a very quiet and peaceful pedestrian street.
France route by car - Day 6
- Visit of Bordeaux cf. my article Bordeaux in 1 day: my itinerary and my tips
- Nuit à Bordeaux
France route by car - Day 7
- 7h00 - Departure from Bordeaux direction Toulouse (2h30 drive)
- Visit of Toulouse cf. my article Toulouse in 1 day: my itinerary and tips
- Nuit à Toulouse
Hotel in Toulouse - Mercure Saint Georges hotel
Its location is ideal for visiting Toulouse and its historic center (just 50 meters from Place Wilson and 300 meters from the Capitole). Despite an uninviting facade, this hotel has been recently renovated and therefore boasts modern decor and well-suited amenities.
The two main advantages of this hotel in the center of Toulouse:
- Underground parking
- Outdoor pool
France route by car - Day 8
- 8h00 - From Toulouse journey to Carcassonne (1h30)
- Visit of the Cité de Carcassonne
Located approximately 80 kilometers east of Toulouse, Carcassonne is a unique fortified medieval city in Europe, due to its size and state of preservation. Its history is marked by 2000 years of conquests and the influence of Catharism and the Crusades.
- 17h00 - Return to Toulouse (1h30)
- Dinner and overnight at Toulouse.
Route France by car - Day 9
- 6:00 am - Road to Ropes on Sky (2h)
- visit the Cordes village.
Built in 1222 by the Count of Toulouse, this exceptional and magnificent site constitutes an architectural heritage typical of the medieval towns of Occitania in the south of France.
- 10:30 am - Ropes route - Saint Cirq Lapopie (1h30)
- visit the village of Saint Cirq Lapopie and lunch on site.
Located 30 km east of Cahors, this village overlooking the Lot was classified in 2012 as " Most beautiful village in France " during a competition on a French television program.
- 14:30 am - Journey to Rocamadour (1h15)
- visit the Rocamadour village.
Clinging to its cliff, Rocamadour offers an impressive view of the Alzou canyon. This legendary site has been a major pilgrimage destination since the Middle Ages.
- Nuit à Rocamadour.
Best hotel in Rocamadour - Best Western Beau Site
For the last night of your tour, I recommend this beautiful hotel full of charm and character: Best Western Beau Site.
It is ideally located in the heart of the medieval town and offers free parking. With a panoramic dining room, the restaurant serves delicious regional gourmet cuisine made from local products.
France route by car - Day 10
- 6h00 Route from Rocamadour up toParis Charles de Gaulle airport (6 to 7 hours drive)
- Or another solution (less tiring): Go from Rocamadour withBrives airport (1h00) and take a flight to Paris Charles de Gaulle.
Would you prefer to visit the South of France?
OK, so here it is: 10-day road trip through the South of France
my original road trip in Occitania
And why not a road trip in the Camargue?
a circuit in the Lot and Aveyron
a road trip between Montpellier and Perpignan
or a week in the Landes region?
And if you prefer to travel by train:
Hello,
Thank you for quoting us in your article.
We are delighted that you enjoyed our establishment. Indeed it is ideally located for visiting Montmartre on foot but also the rest of Paris with metro lines 2 and 13 less than 2 minutes walk from Place de Clichy and many bus lines.
Thank you again and we look forward to welcoming you back to us on your next Parisian getaway 🙂
Calypso - Community Manager
Ibis Paris Montmartre hotel