France self-drive tours

France needs little introduction. Think Paris, where history, art, and culture are found on every boulevard and in every gallery. Coastal roads on the Riviera that curl high above the sea. Provençal hills striped with lavender and vines, honey-stoned villages, and Roman ruins that have stood for well over 2,000 years.

Then there’s the food and the daily rhythm of each city and town. Long lunches, local markets piled high with produce, a crisp rosé on a shaded terrace. Fresh socca off the griddle in Old Nice. It’s easy to see why the country stays near the top of so many travel wish lists.

Yes, France is one of the best countries in Europe for a road trip.

The autoroutes, or highways, are smooth and well signposted. Cypress-lined lanes in Tuscany’s neighbour Provence, coastal corniches on the Riviera, sleepy village-to-village stretches in the Luberon.

Driving also lets you reach places the trains skip entirely, from clifftop villages to tucked-away lavender fields and out-of-the-way medieval villages.

Most of our self-drive tours weave together three of France's most-loved regions: Paris, Provence and the French Riviera.

You might start with a couple of days in the capital, take a high-speed train south, then pick up your car to explore at your own pace. Some routes also dip into Monaco and across the Italian border for a taste of Liguria.

In each city, you’ll swap four wheels for two feet. Paris, Avignon and Nice are made for a slow walking tour between drives, so exploring the city becomes part of the adventure.

Want a fuller picture before you go? Check out our best places to visit in France blog. It breaks down what each area is known for.

Spring through early autumn is the sweet spot, roughly April to September.

Summer brings long, warm days and the full swing of Riviera life. If you're set on seeing the lavender fields in bloom, aim for June or July, when the Valensole Plateau turns the colour of a summer sky.

Spring and early autumn are quieter and gentler on the roads.

Yes, and most travellers do.

Fancy extra nights in Paris, or a slower pace around Aix-en-Provence? Maybe you'd like to weave in some wine tastings, or add a day trip to Les Baux-de-Provence. Just tell us what appeals to you, and we'll help shape the trip around it.

You can extend your route, upgrade your hotels to a higher category, or add authentic, unique experiences along the way.

You’ll stay in handpicked hotels chosen for comfort and location, with breakfast included each morning.

We pick places that put you close to the action, whether that’s a short walk from Avignon’s old town or an easy stroll to the Promenade des Anglais in Nice.

Prefer something more special? We can upgrade your stays to a higher category on request.

Every self-drive tour includes a reliable rental car with unlimited mileage, CDW insurance and a second driver as standard.

That means you can share the driving and cover as much ground as you like, without watching the odometer.

We recommend that you book your package and wait for confirmation before you organise your flights, as this ensures that your tour is secured and you have all of the correct timing information.

We advise checking flight times and dates beforehand so you can pinpoint your ideal tour dates. Get in touch with your dedicated travel consultant to move your tour dates if your flights change.

Get in touch as soon as you can. Our 24/7 support is there for exactly this kind of unforeseen hiccup.

Your personal travel consultant already has your full itinerary, so we can help you adjust hotels, transfers or excursions quickly. Check our general FAQs for more on how this works.

Sort your flights and driving documents first, then plan a light bag around the season.

Bring your full driving licence, and check whether you’ll need an International Driving Permit for your nationality. We’ll send your personal itinerary, map and travel documents ahead of time.

In summer, light layers and comfortable shoes go a long way. Pack a smarter outfit or two as well, since the French take evening style seriously, especially around aperitivo hour.

• Comfortable shoes for cobbled old towns
• Short and long-sleeve tops
• Light trousers, shorts or a dress
• A jumper or light jacket for cooler evenings
• Day bag or rucksack
• Swimwear and a travel towel for Riviera dips
• Sunglasses, sun hat and suncream
• Lightweight waterproof jacket
• Reusable water bottle
• Two-pin EU adaptor

Top tip: if your route climbs into the Verdon Gorge or up to a hilltop village like Èze, pack a warm layer. It’ll be much cooler up there, whatever the coast is doing. And always remember to leave a little space in your luggage for what comes home with you, from Provençal lavender to a bottle of local wine.