France road trip ‘19

Paris to Normandy is approx. 2.5 hours drive. We Left Paris early to give our self plenty of time to stop along the way. Like Paris, Rouen is set on the River Seine and has a rich medieval history. In just a few hours you can easily check out the city’s Gothic Cathedral , wander the medieval quarter and visit the site where Joan of Arc met her demise

Luxury rooms are complimented with onsite spa and a restaurant headed by renowned French chef Ivan Vautier. Expect nothing but the absolute best for your stay at this unique property.

On the 6th of June 1944 during World War II, Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy beginning their victory on the Western Front. We visited those beaches, including Arromanches, where we saw remnants of the ‘Mulberry’ harbour the troops built. Then headed up to the cliff tops to the 360 Cinema to get just a small feel for what it would have been like for the troops.

Laid out over 70 hectares overlooking the beaches where the troops landed and the chalky cliffs of the Normandy coast is the largest American cemetery in the area. We started our visit in the Visitors Centre which details the mission. Then headed outside to wander the 9,387 gravestones perfectly aligned on a majestic expanse of green lawn. At the end of day we watched the ceremony of the Lowering of the Colours to the sound of a military hymn.

Very good starred restaurant. Nice menu and wine list. Impeccable service and not too present as in some starred restaurants.

Known to the French as La Tapisserie de la Reine Mathilde, this 230-foot long tapestry is one of the largest and most detailed in the world, and tells the story of the events leading up to the Norman invasion in 1066. While you’re in Bayeux the town itself is also worth a look.

France’s most famous cheese, Camembert comes from the village of the same name right in the heart of Normandy. We took a tour to see how it is made and taste this creamy brie-like cheese at the President farm located in the heart of Camembert.

Its a 2.5 hours drive from Normandy to Liore Valley. Famous for its abundance of chateau, The Loire Valley has to be one of the most beautiful regions of France.

Booking is a must in this very friendly and relaxed establishment. A calming atmosphere and attentive but non intrusive waiting staff made service an effortless experience. Food was exceptional and well priced

This 2.5 hectare property is located right in the center of Tours. It includes well appointed rooms, onsite swimming pool and restaurant/bar serving delicious French cuisine.

The biggest and most famous of the chateau in The Loire Valley, Chateau Chambord was built by King Francis I as a hunting lodge. Of course it has been upgraded and expanded considerably since then. It is one of the best examples of renaissance architecture in the world. A small number of the 440 odd rooms in the chateau are open to the public to explore.

One of the many chateau in the region, what sets Ainy-le-Vieil apart from the rest is the incredible gardens which are split into a series of rooms each with a different theme. The chateau itself has been in the same family since 1467 and you can explore the interiors to check out some of the personal mementos left behind by past family members.

The Loire Valley is relatively flat making it the perfect place to hire a bike and take a ride. There are bike hire places in most villages along the river and the path is well sign posted.

One of the most remarkable Gothic cathedrals in France, the Bourges is located in the town of the same name and dates back to the 12th century. Modelled on Notre-Dame in Paris, the cathedrals biggest draw card is its spectacular stained glass windows intricately depicting biblical stories.

The Loire Valley has some of the best wine-making soil in France and some of France’s most well-known wine is produced in the region. You can explore the vineyards on your own in the car or hire a bike. Maps are available from local tourist offices making it easy to navigate between the vineyards..

Lyon, its approx. 4.5 hours drive so we left early to make the most of the day and allow time for plenty of scenic stops along the way. France’s third largest city is home to interesting museums, cultural events year round and food offerings for those with an adventurous palate.

Located on Fourviere Hill with panoramic views over the city. Featuring indoor heated pool and hot tub, private garden and luxury appointed rooms.

Lyon’s Vieux is a great place to start your visit. Take a wander around the cobblestone streets through narrow passageways past delicatessens, artisan stores and sidewalk cafes. Keep your eye out for an old traboule which are passageways used in medieval times by the silk industry, some of which have been recently renovated.

This museum has one of the broadest collections of fine art pieces of any museum in the world with their collection ranging from ancient Egyptian antiquities to modern art pieces from the last few decades. The Museum of Fine Arts also holds pieces that are among the finest in all of Europe. For art lovers, this place is heaven and not to be missed.

Adventure eating if you have no French. That said, the staff are so friendly and helpful. Classic French Restaurant with a very short food menu and a wonderful wine list. The food is a fresh exquisite delight.

Perched high above the old town, this impressive white church dominates Lyon’s skyline and offers great views over Lyon from the promenade out the front. You can walk up the steep steps to get there or take the funicular for a few euros to save your legs. Nicknamed “the upside down elephant” because of its outside shape, inside its interior is quite pretty with lots of ornate features.

Right next to Notre Dame is one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres outside of Rome. The theater holds up to 10,000 people and is used by the city to host many festivals and events throughout the year. When there’s nothing going on, visitors are free to wander around the theater and picture themselves enjoying a concert in roman times.

Lyon to Aix-en-Provence is approx. 3.5 hours drive. First make stop at the Pont du Gard for a stroll out to this ancient roman aqueduct. Then head into Avignon to check out the Palais des Papes, walk over the Pont Saint-Benezet, wander the cobblestone streets browsing the boutiques and relax in one of the many sidewalk cafes.

Expect world-class service at this stunning villa. Outdoor swimming pool with sun loungers surrounded by a beautiful garden. Rooms are elegant and there is an onsite restaurant and bar where we had dinner and spent our night with couple of cocktails in the bar.

During the summer months this ancient roman amphitheatre comes alive with plays and concerts. For the rest of the year it is open to visitors. Take a walk around and picture yourself back in the roman days watching sporting events, wild-animal hunts, executions of prisoners, and gladiatorial contests.

The Old Port of Marseille is the beating heart of the city and the Provence region. It is the place where locals and visitors go to relax, eat, drink, shop and just generally enjoy life. Wander through the shops and markets, have a drink or a bite to eat in one of the restaurants, bars and cafes or just stroll along the harbour people watching.

This quaint, traditional Provençal village is rather sleepy these days but back in Roman times it was a thriving Roman settlement, the ruins of which can still be seen today. However, this isn’t the town’s only claim to fame. It was also where Van Gogh was housed while being treated for his many psychiatric problems. It’s a lovely town to explore on foot and enjoy a break at one of the many cafes.

Super cool location, most of the restaurant was underground. Prices were pretty good for being in Aix. Place was clean, server was nice, and the food was great!

Hiding up the Gorges du Verdon is the town of Moustiers Sainte-Marie. The drive to this beautiful medieval town is on a long and winding road up the gorge with some spectacular scenery. The village itself is charming and well worth the effort to get there as it seems like time has stood still of hundreds of years.

Took a drive through the rolling hills of Digne les Bains to see field after field of lavender mass planted. Stop by one of the road-side stalls or country shops to buy all sorts of lavender products from soaps and fragrance sprays to honey and other food products. The lavender blooms from June to August and the locals celebrate with a festival over a few days in August at harvest time.

Aix-en-Provence to French Riviera – approx. 5 hours if you take the slower coast road the whole way or 3 hours if you take the inland faster route. Left early to make the most of the day and allow time for plenty of scenic stops along the way.

Excellent meal and very well served, friendly atmosphere, you feel at home. In addition, the staff is very pleasant.

Across from the beach, this famous hotel provides luxury rooms and facilities to match. Free wi-fi, four poster beds and on-site fitness centre make this a comfortable choice.

While the beaches of Nice aren’t like the white sandy beaches most will be used to, the warm Mediterranean seas are more than enough to get most people over having to walk on pebbles. Whether you hire a sun lounger and umbrella for a day or brave it on the pebbles, a day by the water in Nice is an absolutely must!

This palm fringed promenade runs for five miles along the beach at Nice and is the place to be and be seen when the sun is shining. We spent a few hours strolling up and down the promenade watching the people enjoy life and this beautiful part of the world.

Once we had our time in the sun, headed to the old town to wander around the colourful winding cobblestone lanes. It’s a labyrinth you could easily get lost in passing but tiny local cafes, green grocers and artisan stores. There’s usually a market going on too which gives you a great glimpse into the lives of the locals.

The nicest time of day to enjoy Monaco is just before the sun sets. We took a bus in the late afternoon to explore Le Palais des Princes de Monaco then watch the sun set over the billions of dollar’s worth of yachts in the marina. Finishing off the night in the Monte Carlo Casino or just outside in one of the sidewalk cafes checking out some of the world’s most expensive cars and the wealthy people who own them.

Got our final art fix of the trip at this museum famous for its Pop Art collection. The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art has a large collection of permanent exhibitions which are free to visit as well as ever-changing temporary exhibitions for a small fee. The building itself is also a work of art and worth a look, as is the view from the roof.