Road Trips in France | Driving in France

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Discovering Road Trips in France

Exploring Road Trips in France

Road trips in France are one of the most flexible ways to explore the country. With P&O Ferries, you can drive to France from Dover and start your journey immediately. Bringing your car or motorhome means no luggage limits and the freedom to travel at your own pace. Whether you’re planning road trips from Paris, exploring the wine regions, or heading to the sun-soaked south of France, driving gives you access to both popular destinations and hidden gems. Prepare for a hassle-free trip with our essential driving tips and itineraries.

Top Routes for Road Trips in France

Some of the best road trips in France start from easy ferry connections. From Calais, the Champagne Route takes you through rolling vineyards and historic towns like Reims and Épernay. Normandy’s D-Day Beaches are accessible via Dieppe or Dunkirk, offering a meaningful coastal drive with historic sites along the way.

For wine lovers, road trips from Paris to the Loire Valley showcase fairytale castles and riverside villages. Driving south from Lyon or Avignon leads to Provence and the French Riviera, with scenic landscapes, lavender fields, and Mediterranean views.

Underrated Routes and Road trips in France

Beyond the well-known itineraries, France has hidden road trip routes worth exploring. The Alsace Wine Route offers quiet villages, colourful architecture, and Riesling vineyards, easily reached from northern ferry ports.

Central France’s Auvergne region has volcanic landscapes, lakes, and uncrowded roads perfect for nature-focused trips. Mountain passes in the Pyrenees offer panoramic views for confident drivers.

And finally, if you fancy a relaxing and scenic drive, the Burgundy Canal route is perfect. Following the calm waterways from Dijon to Beaune, this route passes through vineyards, small market towns, and historic locks. It’s ideal for slower travel, cycling along the canal, and stopping at local wine cellars without the crowds of the more famous Burgundy wine roads.

Road Trips From France and Beyond

Road Trip From France to the Netherlands

A road trip from France to the Netherlands is a journey through charming canal cities, historic towns, and vibrant modern culture. Starting from northern France, most travellers begin in Lille, a beautiful city known for Flemish architecture and lively markets.

Key Road Trip Stops Could Include:

Lille, France – Explore Grand Place and Old Town cafés.
Bruges, Belgium (optional but popular detour) – Famous for medieval canals and chocolate shops.
Rotterdam, Netherlands – Visit the Cube Houses and modern waterfront architecture.
Amsterdam, Netherlands – End the trip cycling along canals, visiting the Anne Frank House, and exploring museums.

This route is ideal for travellers who enjoy a mix of history, food culture, and scenic waterways.

Road Trip From France to Belgium

France to Belgium is one of the easiest road trips to experience due to the short distance and flat, well-maintained routes. This route is perfect for a weekend getaway filled with art, beer culture, and medieval cityscapes.

Key Road Trip Stops:

Lille, France – Gateway city with strong Flemish influence.
Bruges, Belgium – Often called the “Venice of the North” because of its canals.
Ghent, Belgium – Vibrant university city with castles and river views.
Brussels, Belgium – Visit Grand Place, the Atomium, and try Belgian waffles and chocolates.
Antwerp, Belgium – Known for fashion, diamond markets, and historic port areas.

This route is great for travellers interested in food tourism and historic European city centers.

Road Trip from France to Germany

Driving from France to Germany offers beautiful countryside views, vineyards, and fairy-tale forest landscapes. The most popular starting point is the Alsace region, where French and German cultures blend.

Key Road Trip stops you could include:

Strasbourg, France – Explore the UNESCO-listed old town and Strasbourg Cathedral.
Baden-Baden, Germany – Famous spa town located near the Black Forest.
Black Forest Region – Enjoy scenic mountain roads, hiking trails, and traditional German villages.
Freiburg, Germany – Known for medieval architecture and eco-friendly culture.

This route is especially beautiful during autumn when the forests change colours.

Things to Know About Driving in France

Driving in France Essentials

Traveling with P&O Ferries lets you combine comfort and convenience with road trip freedom, you can bring your car, motorhome, or motorcycle on board. Enjoy pet-friendly travel and flexible boarding times too, it couldn’t be any easier.

On French roads, obey seatbelt laws, avoid mobile use while driving, and note that overtaking is on the left. Carry cash or card for motorway tolls and always check the road signs for speed limits. This approach allows you to explore both major routes and lesser-known destinations confidently.

Can I Drive to Paris?

Driving to Paris is easy from our Calais port, only typically taking a few hours, you can be at the capital of love in no time.

The ebay ways to drive to Paris include taking the motorways including: A1, A16, or A13. Remember to always expect heavy traffic in the city, especially during rush hours, and consider underground car parks or park-and-ride facilities.

Here with ferry travel lets you can start your Paris road trip immediately, combining city sightseeing with onward journeys to France’s regions. Book your ferries to France and start planning.

Top 10 Road Trips in France

Champagne Route – Reims, Épernay, and vineyard roads in northeastern France.
D-Day Beaches, Normandy – Coastal drives through historic WWII sites from Dieppe or Dunkirk.
Loire Valley Castles – Paris-accessible route visiting fairytale châteaux along the Loire River.
Route Napoléon & Provence – Alpine passes leading to lavender fields, hilltop villages, and Mediterranean towns.
French Riviera / Côte d’Azur – Scenic coastal drives from Nice to Menton via Cannes and Monaco.
Alsace Wine Route – Colourful villages and vineyards near the German border; quieter than Burgundy.
Burgundy Canal Route – Peaceful countryside drive along the Burgundy Canal, passing historic towns and vineyards.
Auvergne Volcano Route – Central France volcanic landscapes and lakes; perfect for nature lovers.
Pyrenees Mountain Passes – Thrilling drives connecting France and Spain with panoramic mountain views.
Normandy Countryside & Mont-Saint-Michel – Combine coastal scenery with historic towns and France’s iconic abbey.

Tips for Driving in France

Top Tips and Practical Advice For Driving in France

Driving in France is straightforward but requires some preparation. Always carry your UK driving licence, insurance documents, warning triangle, high-visibility jacket, and a breathalyser kit.

Certain cities, like Paris or Lille, require a Crit’Air sticker for low-emission zones. Speed limits vary by road type, motorways are generally 130 km/h in dry weather, dropping to 110 km/h in rain. Roads are well-marked in kilometres. Motorhome drivers over 3.5 tonnes should note motorway limits reduce to 90 km/h. Planning your route and understanding local traffic rules ensures a safer, smoother journey.

Understanding the Road Rules When Driving in France

In France, driving is a bit different to the UK, they overtake on the left and give way to vehicles approaching from the right at intersections so it’s important to know what to expect.

Remember that Horn use is generally prohibited in towns except for emergencies. Red-amber-green traffic lights follow the international system. Dial 112 for emergency services anywhere in Europe.

By following their rules and having all the travel documents you need, travelling with a vehicle to France couldn’t be any easier. Explore our Dover to Calais ferry times now and start planning your road trip whether you are travelling on your own or with family and friends you will be sure to make some amazing memories.

Why not treat yourself and fully relax before and after all the driving and book onto our Club Lounge for unlimited food and drink and sensational views, perfect to have a quiet rest and be one at sea.

Road Trips to France FAQs

1 Can I drive to France from the UK?

Yes. You can drive to France using our Dover to Calais ferry, allowing any vehicle onboard including motorhomes, motorcycles, and bikes.

2 What documents do I need to drive in France?

Always carry your UK driving licence, insurance documents, car registration, warning triangle, high-visibility jacket, and a breathalyser kit.

3 Are tolls common on French roads?

Yes, many motorways have tolls. Remember to have cash or a credit card ready for when you need to pay while driving through France.

4 Can I drive to Paris by ferry?

Yes you can drive to Paris, and from our Calais port it takes just a few hours’ drive via motorways such as the A1 or A16.

5 What are the speed limits in France?

Speed limits in France can vary depending on where in France you are driving. Motorways are 130 km/h (110 km/h wet), dual carriageways: 110 km/h, and urban areas are 50 km/h. It’s also worth noting that limits are in kilometres and reduce in bad weather.