IOANNINA, GREECE
The Migrated Bird
FRANCE
As the Gems of Western Europe, France is the largest country in Europe and one of the strategic countries in Europe by location. France is sharing the English Channel with the UK, thus it is well connected with the united kingdom. France is one of the most influential countries in the world, culturally, traditionally and linguistically well spread across Europe and other continents. France stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and mostly shares its borders with powerful countries such as Britain, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain. France's economic, industrial and agricultural development is quite strong in Europe and the world.
In the past, France has changed the most in Europe compared to other countries. In France, there have been many changes in political, social, demographic, art, cultural and architectural styles. The famous French Revolution changed the history of France, the revolution improved liberty, equality and the establishment of the French Republic. Meanwhile, art and architecture underwent many changes from the 15th century to the present, and each time France evolved with a new style of art and architecture. France has gone through many architectural styles from Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance, and many religious, secular buildings and palaces have been built under these different architectural styles in the past. The glimpse of this great impression of these architectural styles and arts is quite visible on the streets of the cities of France. After World War I, many cities were destroyed and occupied by the Germans, and after the war, there was heritage restoration and protection.
France Road Trip
A road trip to France can be a dream for many travellers, and every year many travellers make dreams come true. Our dream comes true in the summer of 2019, and the parts of northern France we visited in 2020 during the coronavirus situation. This road trip was precisely planned and designed, which I described in a separate blog.
A road trip is the most thrilling when you travel to reach any destination in the whole world, it always starts with panic, fear and money, but it always ends with fun, adventure and memories, and mine begins and ends like this. Yes, my pockets became shallow, but my mind grew with renewed energy, calmness and enthusiasm. And, these are the things that we all need in our whole life.
If you drive on the way to the village instead of the motorway, then you will get to know more about the countryside of France and the richness and culture of the French landscape. Taking a countryside drive to France will be an opportunity to learn about diverse regions as well as observe the villages and towns of France on your route to destinations, but the countryside routes are quite narrow and speed limits are less. The motorways of France are really expensive, but if you desire to reach somewhere quickly, then motorways are the best.
Countless people have expressed their experience in blogs, and the diversity of distinct regions of France, I believe they have explained it correctly, and at the same time, it is not appropriate to describe the beauty of France in a few words. The drive through medieval villages and towns will immerse you in their heritage and cultures, plus, France will eternally be etched in your heart, mind and soul, and will make you want to visit France every year, and the prevailing atmosphere, landscape and forest of France where you will also get a unique opportunity to do camping.
Food and Festival
The festivals and cuisine of France are also a centre of attraction for many people, very different in different regions and directions. From the Atlantic to the Mediterranean it varies in taste and aroma which is also cooked in different oils and blends. There are many food bloggers who describe French food in detail, giving you a brief idea and suggestion about taste, mix, preparation and trial. So, we do not have anything in detail for food, but we tried many local dishes during our road trip, and once you are in France, you must try French food and confectionery items.
French festivals are also a widespread attraction for many tourists, which take place in different seasons and in different months. Our road trip was not for festival purposes, but it was about seeing various regions and exploring the landscape and natural beauty of France as well as the towns and villages of France. Many festivals are celebrated in France in winter, summer, spring and autumn. Perhaps in the spring and summer, they hold numerous music festivals, carnivals and processions. Abundant fishing villages often host "fates de la mer" and several open-air music and theatre drama festivals in the south of France. In autumn, the population of the countryside harvests grapes and dedicates them to the local product, with wine being the main product that is most famous in the world. If you want to celebrate your Christmas and New Year, then France will be the most romantic place.
Transportation And Documents
Before starting our trip to France, we collected all the essential documents from various authorities. If you want to drive in France, you must have a full driving license which grants you to drive and rent a car in France. We drove from the UK, so a full UK license was valid, and we didn't have a permit, but a permit may be compelled to drive in France after Brexit. Your car insurance must cover European countries, before you travel you can request a green card from the insurance company, you must tell the insurance company at least two weeks in advance. Every document must always be original and carry with you, and in this, your car registration with Car MOT is a very valuable document. Breakdowns can be a big obstacle if you do a road trip, so it's best to get breakdown insurance for Europe, but it also depends on the condition of your car. Before starting the journey, get the car serviced and replace or repair parts, replace tires in case of low treads on tyres.
Along with car documents, another most critical thing is the French law for driving. If you are travelling from the UK you will need to affix a GB sticker on the back, and always have an alcohol test inhaler, high viz vest (for all passengers) and headlight deflector. The road deflectors must be affixed to the headlights as per the instructions provided with the product. Most of the road signs are like the UK, and so if you travel from the UK then you need not worry but still, it is better to check all the requirements on the official website before starting your journey.
Public transport is not a problem in France, it is the most connected country in the world, you will find direct flights to Paris and several international airports. High-speed trains and coaches in France are widely connected to many cities but not well connected to many rural areas of France, so if you want to travel to some remote places in France you have to look for a coach or a car.
You do not need a visa or any permit if you are travelling from UK, EU and several Commonwealth countries like the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. And other than these countries, you will need a visa, so please check the official website or local embassy. You can email the local embassy for visa information and I believe they respond very quickly.
Accommodation
Lodging is a very important aspect of a road trip and should be sorted out before starting your journey. In many cities in the offseason, you will find cheap hotels and hostels, usually, hostels will charge you £15-£30 and hotels may charge you £30-£40 per day. Accommodation rates go up during the tourist season, especially from June to August.
Based on our experience we can say that the most affordable accommodation in France is a campsite if you travel by car. If you want to escape urban life and spend your day in nature, then France would be the best country. Most of the camps are located outside the city and town, near the river or lake where you will forget all your stress. Many campsites are like a five-star hotel, they have all the amenities like a resort, the most important being that the camps are surrounded by forests, you just need to carry camp chairs and tents, or you can get a cabin and other types of accommodation on rent. Many municipal campsites are the cheapest in France, but they tend to close early in the evening, and private camps stay open for a bit longer, but always confirm the campsite's closure before driving there.
Road Trip to North, South, East and West
Planning
Planning a road trip was an essential task for us as most of the things depended on the routes and destinations. Before we started travelling to France, we had arranged our destinations based on our tastes and attractions, and for this many blogs, Google and books helped us a lot. It was no surprise trip, but we made full excel sheets for everyday travel and destinations and hence our entire journey went without any hustle and bustle. Yes, we faced a lot of problems during our trip and changed our schedule according to the time at many places.
UK to France
From the UK we took the ferry boat to reach France, but another option to reach France is by tunnel, perhaps a bit more expensive than the ferry, check the website for both options. After passport checking in France, we took a motorway to reach Mont Saint Michel, our first destination in France. The motorway to reach Mont St Michel was about a six-hour drive from Dunkirk port, we used the first motorway, so we could get to the islet before dusk. The France motorway was very expensive, and it was fully automated, this meant that there were no humans working there, and most of the time it was only accepting credit cards.
The eastern side of the France motorway is interesting but not as scenic as other parts of the country, and most routes leading to Mont Saint Michel were as common as motorways in the UK. But the narrow countryside roads along the English Channel would be wonderful I believe. We missed the road drive in the countryside on the first day due to paucity of time.
West France
The motorway was not attractive, but the Cable Bridge Normandy over the Seine River is a powerful attraction throughout the route. The west coast is also known for its Normandy wilderness, it is surprisingly rich in nature and full of wildlife. There are many fishing villages, towns and ports along the beach, where you can find some fresh fish dishes with wine in the countryside. The beaches are flat, and sandy, as well as the seawater, is cool even in the summer season, hence not suitable for swimming and the western beaches are very different from the southern part. the Cotentin Peninsula is another attraction that is Consisting of a natural park and an incredible coastline, the Marais National Park is a very peaceful wetland and is home to many bird species. If you want to see wildlife and sea creatures, then you can have a good time here.
Because we wanted to reach the destination earlier before dusk, that is why, we drove on the motorway to reach St Mont Saint Michel at the earliest contrarily the route along the Atlantic (English Channel), and the route passing through small towns and villages is very pleasant. The narrow and slow path of the countryside may be best suited for the nature fanatic, yet if I get another opportunity to drive on it I would like to ride again on the western side.
Mont Saint Michel
Unusually, the island of Mont Saint Michel is a magnificent example of grandeur in the Atlantic Ocean, the most considerable attraction in the western part of Europe, and a significant religious site and tourist fascination in France. People can spend hours on this miniature island and experience the place. But we got there in the evening following a long drive on the motorway, so we had confined time to enjoy our evening, and at the end of the day, we wanted to arrive before the closure of the municipality campsite (Campsite des Ondes). We didn't check the closing time of the camp, and eventually, we reached the campsite late at the end of the day, thus we had to sleep somewhere in the parking lot. This was our first unsatisfactory experience in France, and second, we didn't pick up any blankets, so we slept the whole night in the cold.
West side Countryside Roads
The next morning, we started our journey on the roads of the countryside to reach our destination. This time we had adequate time to reach the destination, so we avoided boring, tedious and expensive motorways. Our journey into the countryside had given us diverse experiences, where we saw the real beauty of France, and we plunged into French landscape, tradition and nature. The roads in the countryside were narrow, and slow due to speed limits, but it was also relentless with beautiful and lush views. We had witnessed and relished the very multifarious landscape of the countryside, thus starting my long road trip in France which I was doing for the first time. Roads in the western countryside are on flat terrain and pass through enormous green agricultural areas. The roadside trees at the entrance and exit of many villages and small towns give a unique charm, it is giving a brief impression about the French village and its landscape, and it is attractive and welcoming to its visitors. We had driven through a number of small villages and towns where you would almost never see any human settlements, but the elegant medieval houses sight as they were built many years ago.
West side Destinations
We had only spent a few days on the west side in France because we wanted to go further to Spain and Portugal which was part of our road trip, and so we had a pretty tight schedule for everything. Our trip was limited to a few towns on the western side but there are many picturesque boroughs, villages, ports and cities that you can visit and spend several days there. La Roche and Mont Saint-Michel are among the towns we visited. These two incredible and charming cities should not be missed by anyone, apart from this, you can also incorporate the program of additional cities in your road trip. There are two more cities that are worth seeing on the western side, one of them is Nantes, and a few kilometres away, a charming town Bordeaux which is also a huge allurement. If you are doing a road trip to France only, then definitely go to this city, if we get a chance to go back to France, then I will definitely go to the city.
We visited
1.Mont Saint-Michel
2.La Rochelle
you can include these towns
1.Nantes
2.Bordeaux
La Rochelle
The distance between Mont Saint Michel and La Rochelle was about 352 km, this distance was quite long, and between these two destinations lies another beautiful city of Nantes. If your road trip is limited to France, then be sure to stop in the city of Nantes and take a look at the old city centre and its heritage. We could have stayed in Nantes but did not do so due to the busy schedule, accordingly, we headed to La Rochelle, which is a historic, port city, one of the important, old towns with a picturesque view of the city of Western France. You can enjoy the splendour of French architecture in La Rochelle.
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After the western part and La Rochelle town, we entered the southwest of France, where we wanted to explore few medieval villages. Ideally located near the Dordogne River and the region, the small villages La Roque-Gagec and Bayenac-et-Cazenac are the main attraction and both are located 5 km in distance.
South West Villages
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La Roque-Gageac
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Beynac-et-Cazenac
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Collonges-la-Rouge
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Conques
La Roque - Gageac
The village La Roque-Gageac, nestled between the foot of a hilltop and the river Dordogne, and the settlement is very small where you can count the number of houses. A very small and delightful village, built in the Middle Ages from regional stones, which are quite famous and the heritage village of France. The houses in this village are on different levels but there are many narrow and cobbled streets connected to every house. Many houses have been converted into hotels to stay here and every year many tourists spend their time in this peaceful and unique village. and, restaurants next to the river will serve you relish food with a panoramic view. boating and swimming in the river are allowed, so pack your swimming suit with other objects for adventure activities.
Bayenac - et - Cazenac
The village of Bayenac-et-Cazenac is established on the hill slope and the entire village is created on various levels of the mountain. The castle is positioned at the most eminent level of the mountain, from where you will have a dramatic panoramic view. The lower part of the village kisses the River Dordogne, a narrow and cobble street come down from the top of the mountain, and you will have a pleasing view from every turn of the street. This village is built in the middle age and every house is built in local stone. Many houses in the village have been converted into hotels, and there are many restaurants on the banks of the river where you can enjoy the local cuisine.
Drive on Countryside Roads
The two villages we visited the next day were Collonges-la-Rouge and Conques. The roads leading to these villages pass through a wonderful landscape of France, and most of the roads to these destinations are very narrow but very picturesque. This our way towards the village passes near rivers and streams, the terrain in these areas and villages surrounded by forest is both mountainous and flat. Most of the village houses and palaces during the medieval period were built with local stones and scattered in the fields.
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Colonges - La - Rouge
Colonges-la-Rouge is a commune in the Courez department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in France. Collonges-la-Rouge is the most beautiful and well-preserved village in France, with the entire village houses built of agitated red sandstone. The small alleyways and red façade entice everyone, it mesmerizes everyone, and this village is very unconventional from the surrounding villages. Collonges-la-Rouge is a wonderful example of medieval times. Many shops here sell local souvenirs and products, restaurants serve regional wines along with local food. This scenic village is very small, which you can complete in two hours.
Conques
Another great village is Conques, which is in the Occitanie region and is just 112 km from the village Colonges-la-Rouge. We drove on the same narrow and scenic village side road to reach here. Conque Village comes in the list of the most beautiful villages in France, and it is one of the religious places of a Christian, many Pilgrims come here every year. This village is situated in the middle of the mountains, and there is a dense forest on all sides. This village, which grows in nature, is beyond the limits of beauty, the streets of the village are still the same as they were built centuries ago. The abbey-church here, built in medieval times, is an important religious symbol for many Christian followers of France. The houses in the Conques village are built in pink stone and plaster, and the wooden bracing will be seen in the facades of the houses which are commonly seen in North France.
Enter and Exit - Spain and Portugal
After the village of Conques, we entered Spain and Portugal. We spent 60 per cent time of our road trip in Spain and Portugal, after an outstanding road trip in these two nations, we re-entered in France. We have written a separate blog about the road trip of Portugal and Spain. If you only want to do a road trip to France only, then you can go directly to Toulouse city from Conques Village, the distance between these two is 190 kilometres, and from Toulouse, you can go directly to Montpellier which is 230 km.
Pont Du Gard
But, after we concluded the road trip in Spain and Portugal, headed straight to South France, our first destination in South France was to visit the Pont du Gard, the arch bridge which is also a World Heritage Site.
The Pont du Gard is built over the Gardon River, and the surrounding area is forested. This bridge is also a historical inheritance, which was built in the first century during the time of the Romans, this architectural exalted is constructed of three levels, whose height is 50 meters. There are a series of arches on each level, the height of these arches reduces from the bottom to the upper.
South France Routes, Towns and Landscape
The southern part of France is distinct from the western and other regions of France. The mountain highlands of the Alps and the Pyrenees are wondrous and dramatic, and the whole of South France blends into an exceptionally sumptuous hilltop landscape. The south part touches the Mediterranean Sea, so it is considered the most desirable part for sunbathers, crystal-clear beaches to swim and vacations with family, every year in the hot summer numerous tourists arrive from Europe. Many amenities are also available on these serene beaches for relaxation.
South France has several famous cities and small boroughs near the Mediterranean coastline that do not resemble other parts of France and, are heavily influenced by Italian cities. Multicoloured houses, buildings, louvred windows, and vivid facades are making the streets lively, fresh and attractive in the towns along the French Riviera, one can get lost in those streets and their precious heritage. Most of the dwellings, commercial, hotels and streets overlook the French Riviera, one can walk beside the Mediterranean Sea on the pathways or enjoy sunbathing on the scenic beach from Marseille to Menton. The drive on the narrow road from one destination to another along the Cote d'Azur (French Riviera), was a very extraordinary journey that gave us an enjoyable impression of the magnificence of the Mediterranean culture.
The entire south of France is filled with natural beauty and spectacular cities, with its natural landscape quite divergent from the rest of France. In the south, the terrain is extensively diverse, some parts are flat, and some are hilly, but the scenery is exquisite. Being a mountainous area, the south has built a lot of tunnels on motorways and narrow roads, which connect cities and villages. The south is also plausible for its provincial wine production, so once you cross the road through the countryside, you will have a great view of the vineyards and grape fields along the road. There are many wine production units in the countryside where you can test wine and buy it, in certain seasons and months many wine-related festivals are celebrated in the South.
The lavender field in the Massif Central region is transcendent an infatuation in Europe, every year people rush to this distinguished place to have a glimpse of lavender flowers. It is a prominent attraction for many trips to the south but can only be reached by private vehicle or taxi. You can visitation lavender fields in specific months (July-August), so you'll have to plan accordingly. When we visited at that time, lavender had disappeared, so we had cut this wondrous place from our list.
Calanques National Park overlooking the Mediterranean Sea offers an exquisite and unique landscape, amidst white cliffs and mountains, there are few tiny crystal-clear water beaches that are accessible by walk only.
Theatre Antique D'Orange
After Pont du Gard, we headed straight to the Théâtre Antique d'Orange, where we spent a few hours looking at an ancient amphitheatre. The magnificent amphitheatre was built during the Roman era and yet this theatre serves the city for performing arts.
Abbaye Notre - Dame De Senanque
The same day, after the theatre, we went to the Abbaye notre-dame de sénanque, the monastery is in the Provençal Valley, and is one of the beautiful prestigious heritage and religious places. You must have seen in many photographs this church with lavender flowers in the foreground, one of the famous French landmarks, located in a remote area of southern France, which is only accessible by car or coaches.
Gordes Town
Near this church, there is a small town called Gordes, which looks astounding from a short distance. We didn't have adequate time to see Gordes, but it resembled very engaging on a hill. Gordes is a historic town and comes on the list of must-see towns, so you can visit this city after church.
Lavender Fields
The next destination after the church was the lavender fields which are just 92 km from the Abbaye Notre-Dame Monastery, but we were in France at the end of September, so the lavender was nearly exhausted, so, at the end of the day, we headed to our campsite.
Marseille
Early in the morning, we left the camp and reached Marseille, one of the major cities of France. The historic old port city is highly influential among vacationers. Walking along the harbour, the Basilica and other monuments on top of the hill are the main spirits of Marseille, by the sea, there are many contemporary buildings, museums and galleries that are highly artistic, the city centre is colourful and lively, as well as ready to serve the local cuisine of their visitors. We spend around three hours here which was not enough to explore the whole.
Cannes
After Marseille, we reached another famous city Cannes. Cannes is notable for its wonderful city centre, sandy beaches, art galleries, shopping, and the Cannes Film Festival, one of the world's most popular cities along the Cote d'Azur (French Riviera). We had spent two hours in the evening, after that, we left before the closure of our campsite.
The next day, we covered just two more cities, Nice and Menton, but unfortunately, we missed out on Monaco, an independent state that was located between the two cities on French Riviera. It was raining early in the morning hereabouts our campsite, so we left the accommodation late and reached the city of Nice late, shattering the whole road trip schedule.
Nice City
The historic Nice city is abundant in vivid streets, markets and monuments, and the beachside is considerably idyllic and tranquil and ideal for swimming and sunbath during summer sunny days. Whether you come alone, a couple or with family, you will always have joy in Nice. Nice is also the home of many artists and art connoisseurs and used to be the home of many artists in the past, so there are several art galleries and museums in the city. We walked for two hours to reach different places in the old city of Nice and the beachside, but it was not enough for Nice and therefore, we abstained from many small monuments around the city centre, and that was the constrain for our road trip.
Menton Town
After an hour's drive along the French Riviera, we arrived at Menton, another historic and sumptuous French city, which is next to the Italian border. The picturesque town has an enormous mountainous backdrop, the entire Menton settled on the hill slopes is set on different levels, and the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel prominence the whole of the old city. The entire city of Menton looks gorgeous and yellowish from the coast, and the beaches of the Mediterranean are the calmest crystal-clear waters that attract many visits from all over Europe. Medieval Old Menton looks very grand and lively, and the city centre, houses, hotels, markets and streets are heavily influenced by Italian cities.
We spent about two hours here in the evening just before sunset, this was our final destination in South France and in the dusk, we left Menton to reach our hotel which was situated between the city of Lyon and Menton.
Roads Along Mediterranean Sea
Our South of France experience was idyllic, and the South of France is as incredible and vibrant as its colourful cities. The terrain is largely mountainous, and the landscape is natural, unusually majestic, with the Mediterranean horizon and its serene beaches make a miraculous combination with its towns. As we drove from Marseille to Menton in the mountainous areas, we passed through a lot of small towns and settlements, the drive along the sea was giving a great view of the blue sea and many dazzling cities. We stopped at several small parking lots by the sea to capture the stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea from where we saw lots of fancy ships, cruises and yachts.
South to Central France
Lyon City
Early in the morning, we left our motel to reach the city of Lyon. The city of Lyon is in the central region of France and is also the capital of the region, one of the extravagant and elegant French cities with which much of France's history is associated. Lyon is positioned near the junction of the two rivers, and the riverfront is an enjoyable attraction with its mountainous basilica and old city centre. If you walk in the centre of the city, it will give you a great impression of its past and present times. Lyon has many things to offer its visitors, notable among them local wines, cuisine, national history, architecture and art. In Lyon, one can spend a whole day or more exploring everything in the city and nearby places, but we only spent 3 hours here exploring the hilltop cathedral and the old city, time being was a hindrance to our entire road trip, so we just continued our drive all day to reach other destinations.
Lyon City To Castle Drive
After the south side of France, we began our journey in the central part of France, to reach the city of Lyon, we had plenty of time, and therefore, we had been driving on the countryside roads the whole day. We had passed through the roads of the Rhne-Alpes region, which is rich in natural beauty and landscape. The region is a mountainous area, in your drive, you will have a spectacular view of rivers, lakes and mountain ranges, small villages and farms in the distance. My road trip to this region was joyous, tireless and exhilarating. After Lyon, we started our journey towards our campsite before the end of the day, early the next day, we wanted to visit Chateau de Chenonceau and Chateau de Chambord, two of the most beautiful palaces, and on the same day, Paris was our last destination for the camp.
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Route to Chateau
Château de Chenonceau and Château de Chambord, located in the central part of the Loire Valley in France. Most of the driving and roads were on the gentle hills and flat terrain, and most of the roads were narrow and slow, the drive from Lyon to these castles was delightful, as well the countryside roads are surrounded by forest and farmland, many roads pass through dense vegetations. Harvesting at the end of September had caused many fields to dry up, and farmers were preparing for winter. Countryside roads are crossing through many beautiful medieval villages, natural beauty and small towns, and green fields and tree lines along the roads were a wonderful sight throughout the road trip, and each time we got to experience and notice so many wonderful things about France, which cannot be describable.
Chateau De Chenonceau
The Château de Chenonceau is a jewel built during the medieval and Renaissance periods in France, and it has also attached much history, One of the most visited places in the Loire Valley, the majestic castle built over the Le Cher river on the Arch Base Bridge is a striking monument. Before entering the palace, there is the most wonderful avenue from the parking space to the garden, trees lined on both sides with red clay walkways welcome all visitors warmly, and the gardens surrounding the castle adding up more charm to the whole complex. The area around the chateau is very natural, the river and the trees around the castle are marking the dynamic view of the wonderful castle from every angle. If you are in France then definitely visit this castle, the car journey will be quite easy to reach here but the Train facility and coaches will be there till the nearest village.
We already bought the entrance ticket online from the official website, or maybe on the site, you can buy a ticket.
Chateau De Chambord
After the Château de Chenonceau, we continue on countryside roads to reach the château de Chambord which is also located in the central Loire Valley region of France. Countryside roads are the only way to reach this magnificent castle, with no motorway to reach it, a one-hour drive to the castle via countryside roads. The majestic castle is much larger than the Château de Chenonceau, and the garden at the rear covers a large area along the river. The medieval and renaissance royal palace is situated next to the river Cosson. An enormous history is associated with this building and the king of France. The interior and exterior of the castle are massive, especially the interior elements are unique from other palaces in France, and there are many historical paintings, articles and utensils exhibited in many rooms in the castle. It is a must-visit place in the central region to experience and see this historic stately palace.
We already bought the entrance ticket online from the official website, or maybe on the site, you can buy a ticket.
Drive to Paris
The same day, we had to reach Paris before the closure of our campsite in the evening, and so after the Chateau de Chambord, we started our journey to Paris, which is a capital and one of the most visited cities in the world. After a couple of hours of journey, we had arrived at our campsite "Camping Paris Est" late in the evening, the campsite was huge and there are lots of types of accommodation available, but we rented a plot there for a tent and car.
Paris
The campsite was located outside Paris, so early in the morning, after a short walk from our campsite, we had reached the train station, we did not use our car to explore Paris as the car had to be driven into the city of Paris requires a special sticker, traffic congestion, plus parking is very expensive and so we put our car at the campsite. Of course, once you're in Paris the first place that comes to your mind is the Eiffel Tower, so firstly, we did reach the Eiffel Tower by train and metro. We have written a separate blog on Paris, where we have told about the outstanding monuments and places.
Our stay in Paris was only for two days, thus we split the two days between Paris and Disneyland. I believe that one day in Paris was not enough, and in a world-class city like Paris where every traveller needs several days to explore, but the entire road trip was time-constrained. We spent the rest of our day in Paris visiting various monuments and heritage sites as well as exploring the many streets, markets, parks, museums, galleries and river banks. Most of the places are well connected by metro trains, so if you are quick you can cover most of the places in just a day or two. After a long walk along the river and reaching different places, we had spent the whole evening near the Eiffel Tower, then we went to our campsite by metro and train.
Disneyland Paris
The next morning, we went to Disneyland where we spent the whole day at different rides and exhibitions. Late in the evening, we arrived at the campsite after Disney Land, the next day we were also to leave for the United Kingdom for our ferry, so slept early at night.
Villa Savoy
Early in the morning, we started our journey to the port of Calais. Before the port, we wanted to visit the Villa Savoy which is located on the outskirts of Paris, on our way to the port. Villa Savoy is one of the modern marvels in this world which designed by the famous architect Le Corbusier. Villa Savoy is considerably famous for architectural professionals so if you are passionate about architecture then you must visit this contemporary resident. After this villa, we went straight to the port for our scheduled ferry.
Paris to Port
From Paris to the port, we took the roads of the countryside, the roads in the countryside are narrow like others, but the scenery was wonderful on almost flat terrain. The open green fields gave a wider perspective of France's enchanting landscape, and there were no trees in some green fields and forests were absent along the roads. in this five-hour journey, we observed many small villages and towns, which were quite amazing. The last day of a very long road trip was to remember our good and bad experiences, that happened during the journey. We had skipped several cities in northern France, but during our 2020 road trip, we had travelled the northern part as well. This road trip was an adventure for us, in that we had toured the whole of France. after Paris, we were heading towards our home with amazing experience of adventure.
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We reached the port ahead of time, and therefore checked in earlier. Throughout the road trip, we made no traffic rules mistake, but a few kilometres away from the port, we broke the speed limit, after a few days I got a penalty notice from the French authority, for which we paid 40 euros.
We reached the port ahead of time, and therefore checked in earlier. Throughout the road trip, we made no traffic rules mistake, but a few kilometres away from the port, we broke the speed limit, after a few days I got a penalty notice from the French authority, for which we paid 40 euros.
North-East France
In 2020, we took a very close look at the rest of the northern and eastern parts of France during our road trip 2020, when the coronavirus was at its peak. The northern and eastern parts of France is unique and impressive, and most of the villages and cities of northern France have the influence of the frontier countries and also appear fusion of the two countries.
Much of northern France is on flat terrain but the grassland and fields spread all over it are worth seeing. The landscape is grassy, picturesque as well as traditional, and is really unlike especially from the south of France. Most of the cities we visited in northern France had routes on nearly flat plains and, in many places, passed through small hillocks on the way to our destinations. The isolated Vosges mountains to the east are considered one of the most beautiful national parks, is located near the German border. The Vosges Mountains have a pleasant landscape and contours, that is dramatic and worth a visit, this National Park is full of vegetation and greeneries and has many large lakes, rivers and water bodies, many small villages and towns are located close to these lakes, Which is a sight to behold. Every year sightseers come here for many adventures like hiking, trekking, mount climbing and ski. A drive through the national park will give you the opportunity to have amazing views around all the terraces of the mountains.
Our entire North France road trip was through the village roads in France and we didn't use the motorway for a single destination to reach. The countryside roads of North France are narrow and within speed limits that are most comparable to other parts of France.
North France Destinations
1.Lille
2.Valenciennes
3.Reims
4.Metz
5.Troyes
6.Dijon
7.Notre Dame du Haut
8.Colmar
We started our journey by ferry from the port of Dover to the port of Dunkirk, and on the same day, we went to the city of Lille and Valenciennes. During this road trip, we travelled straight through the village roads and reached the city of Lille which is located near the Belgium border and, just 55 km from the port of Dunkirk. Lille and Valenciennes have vast historical backgrounds, cultures, and impressive old city centres that can leave an impression on its visitors.
Lille
Lille is the capital of the region and is well connected by all means of transport, the street scene of Lille is extremely decorative like others in France, Lille has a lot to offer to its visitors, churches, plazas and shopping. Especially the grand place, La Ville Bourse, and the Opera House these magnificent buildings and open spaces add to the charm of the whole city. we spent two hours here and explored the whole city centre by walk, after Lille our next stop was Valenciennes, so we left Lille on the time.
To Valenciennes
The northern city of Valenciennes is just 60 km from Lille, which can be reached within an hour's journey from Lille. Valenciennes is located near the Belgian border and is one of the major and historical cities in France in terms of mining and the Industrial Revolution. Valenciennes was destroyed in the First and Second World Wars, but within a few years, it was re-developed. Valenciennes is also important for its university where thousands of students come to study. The old town centre is very short and sweet which we covered in just two and a half hours on foot. The main attractions are the Town Hall, Basilica and Museum of Fine Arts, the many modern buildings on the narrow cobbled streets and the old buildings are quite decorative and full of art.
After Valenciennes visit, it was almost evening, so we booked a camping Du Mouli non the spot for a night that was located on the way to the next day morning destination, so next morning very quickly we reached in Reims city.
To Reims
Reims is famous, historical and heart touching in north-eastern France, the old city centre of Reims is very significant in french history, this city is associated with the kings of France for many centuries, here many French kings had taken oath in the Cathedral.
In the old city center are possessing several World Heritage Sites, including Cathedral, Museum and Plazas. The narrow old and cobbled streets filled up with restaurents and shops that give the entire city center a vibrant appearance. Furthermore, Reims is also known as the capital of Champagne, that is another attraction for many Chamoagne lover.
The city center is very small, so we parked our vehicle near the city center and explored the old city on foot. We spent about 3 hours here and after Reims we went to another small town, Metz, which is 180 km from Reims.
To Metz
The easternmost city of France, Metz is a beautiful city, with imaginative grand buildings and an old city center that impresses everyone. The old medieval town of Metz is situated on the banks of the Moselle river, and therefore has wonderful views of the medieval buildings along the river, especially our walk along the river was a wonderful experience. Small bridges with flower beds reflect on the river creating an incredible image with apartments and terrace restaurants. Metz is also notable for its cathedral which is a huge ornamental building. The city has a very impressive Renaissance architectural style, which is displayed in the streetscapes. The old town is huge and you can spend a lot of time here. We spent three hours at Metz, after which, we began our trip to the campsite (Camping de la Moselle) for the night's stay.
To Troyes
Troyes was our next destination in the morning, the drive from Metz to Troyes was spectacular on the narrow countryside roads. The view around the roads and the beauty of nature far in the fields was invigorating at all times, there was a lot of greenery with blue skies everywhere. And, small and quiet villages by the side of the roads were giving a brief overview of life in the countryside. After a two and a half hour drive we reached Troyes, where we parked our car in a secure and paid parking space, then after, we started walk into city centre.
Troyes is located in the northeast of France along the Seine River. Troyes is very rich culturally and historically, and full of heritage. The streets are very colourful and filled with commercial shops, restaurants, cafes and galleries. The façades of the old town centre are unique compared to the city of Reims, and the medieval structures look stunning and well preserved, Most of the structures are built-in wooden bracing frames, and colourful shops and cafes along the streets create a miraculous atmosphere. There are few religious buildings and museums which have unique architectural character, huge volume and mass which will amaze you. In Troyes, you can taste wine, champagne, and fine food.
To Dijon
Dijon was 155 km away and a 2.30-hour drive from Troyes on the countryside roads. The landscape and terrain in the eastern part of France are quite different and absolute of beauty as compared to other parts of the country. Roads in the countryside leading to Dijon are surrounded by green fields and forests, with dense forests along the roads, are leading to Dijon.
Dijon, located in the eastern part of France near the Swiss border, is also the capital of the Burgundy region, and the city stands proud of its antiquity and history. A walking tour of the medieval city will take you through narrow old cobbled streets, plazas, art exhibitions and cathedral churches, where you'll find great impressions of the Renaissance style of architecture throughout. Dijon is also recognised for its authentic and traditional wines, with several wine yards located around Dijon, where you can reach by drive, or hire a taxi. It would be best that visit the countryside grape farms, wine testing and manufacturing units for an exceptional experience. The Medieval Town is also important for its cuisines, which serve in a number of eateries along with the local wines.
After Dijon, it was almost evening, so we left for our campsite at Camping La Saône Jolie, which was located near our next morning's destination.
To Colline Notre Dame du Haut
Early in the morning, we started our journey to the modern architectural marvel Colin Notre Dame du Haute. The modern religious building was 65 km from our campsite, and the car drive through the natural landscape, towns and villages was pleasant.
The modern church is located in the Colin Notre Dame du Haute Ronchamp, and the surrounding area is the Regional Natural Park of the Ballons des Vosges. The church situated on the hill is a very peaceful and blissful place and, it has a panoramic view of nature from all sides.
This amazing building was designed in 1955 by the modernist architect Le Corbusier. This simple structure is very inspirational to many architects around the world. Elements of architecture at the Colline Notre Dame du Haut are inspired by the natural, and the entire complex of the church merges into the natural landscape. If you are fond of architecture then you must definitely see this building.
To Colmar
Our ultimate destination was Colmar in France. After we finished visiting the church site, proceeded on the countryside road towards Colmar. Colmar is only 100km away from the church site and is a 2.30-hour drive.
The car drive to Colmar was memorable, Fantastic and refreshing, the medieval town Colmar is located near the Switzerland and German border, therefore the landscape is incredible and gorgeous just like Switzerland and Germany. The fields around the roads are hilly and green, dense trees are lined parallel to roads, apart from this you can get a glimpse of the mountain ranges in the light from afar. Most of the villages along the roads have the influence of neighbouring countries.
Colmar is located in the northeast of France near the German border. One of the notable and old cities of France that attracts a large number of tourists from Europe every year. Colmar's beauty spreads everywhere in the old core city centre, and every street gives a wonderful glimpse of medieval-time buildings, which still serve as a commercial purpose. The narrow cobbled streets, wooden braced houses, colourful façades and flower pots along the banks of the river Launch are very impressive components that make Colmar one of the unique towns in the whole of France.
After visiting Colmar, we started our journey to another elegant country, Switzerland. We had a pleasant experience on the entire road trip to France and were through incredible towns, cities and villages. Every French destination was remarkable, historical and fascinating, we did not miss the glimpse of the city centres of medieval and modern cities. Most of the towns and villages, we explored on foot and, end of the day we had stayed at camping sites, Therefore we saved a lot of money. Throughout the journey in France, driving a car from one destination to another was a thrilling experience and adventure. Our road trip passed through diverse regions of France, that are diverse in terms of their landscape and terrain, thus, our road trip was relentless, fascinating and invigorating, even after we drove for many days and, many kilometres Didn't feel exhausted. Every road that passes through the village gives a view of green fields, forests, rivers, vineyards and mountains all around.
This was not the end of our road trip in France but it motivated us for many trips in Europe, thus we visited many other European countries..
