The Grand Tour through France: From Alsace to the Côte d'Azur and back through the heart of France.

A 21-day road trip through France, from the charming Alsace via the Alps to the sunny Côte d'Azur, and back through the volcanic heart of France and romantic Paris. Enjoy at your own pace and discover the beautiful route through France. Bring your own bike on the bike carrier or rent our bikes, giving you even more freedom to explore everything. 

Our tips always start and end at Beijs Roadtrips Camper Rental, but if you haven't rented a camper from us, you can start or end wherever you want. 

Day 1 Maastricht

You leave in the late afternoon at Beijs Roadtrips and drive to the first stop for overnight stay near Maastricht. You can visit the Vrijthof or one of the beautiful basilicas and/or churches. You can also find an overnight location near Vaals and visit the three-country point. The point where Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany come together. 

Days 2-3 Nancy

After the first night, we set off to Nancy. Nancy is a perfect stop during this camper road trip through France, due to the mix of history, culture and relaxation. In the city you will find Place Stanislas, the beautiful square that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will see beautiful fountains and at the north end of the square you will find the Arc Héré Triumphal Arch. You can also visit Lorraine Regional Natural Park in the vicinity, a fantastic place for hiking and cycling. 

Days 3-5 Colmar and surroundings

On the 3rd day you travel south and make a stop near Colmar. Colmar is an authentic French town in Alsace and is known for its picturesque half-timbered houses, winding canals and flowery streets. Also visit the "Petite Venise" district and take a beautiful boat trip through the canals. Enjoy all the medieval buildings in the city center. Alsace is also known for its wines, be sure to visit one of the wineries to taste the unique wines. Colmar is part of the Alsace wine route, if you like this, you can also visit Turckheim, Eguisheim, Neuf-Brisach or Mullhouse. Small historic villages with delicious wines. 

Days 5-7 Annecy and surroundings

We continue towards the 'Pearl of the French Alps', Annecy. This city is located at the northern end of Lac d'Annecy. It looks like it does on the postcard. Visit Le Palais de I'Île, Pont des Amours or the Church Saint-Maurice. If you like castles, Château d'Annecy is also an option. Around the lake you will find countless opportunities for hiking and cycling. Between the lake and the mountains you will always enjoy a magical route. For example, you have the famous hiking trails 'Le Semnoz' and 'Col de La Forclaz' and also the famous (more difficult) mountain hikes such as 'La Tournette'. From here you have a beautiful view of the lake and Mont Blanc. There are also opportunities for swimming, fishing, canoeing, water skiing or paragliding, it's all possible on Lake Annecy. 

Days 7-9 Grenoble

The old capital of Dauphiné is embedded between mountains up to 3000m high. The main attraction is Bastille Grenoble. It is an old fort with many ramparts and ruins that were used to protect the city. It offers a panoramic view over Grenoble and the surrounding mountains. You can get there via a nice walk or you can use the cable car (“les Bulles”). If we drive a little further south, we come to Lac de Monteynard-Avignonet, this is a beautiful lake, with spectacular suspension bridges, which can be reached by walking. If you are not afraid of heights, this is quite an adventure. From Grenoble you then follow a large part of Route de Napoleon (in the opposite direction). 

Days 9 -11 Gorges du Verdon & Castellane

The Gorges du Verdon and the town of Castellane are two indispensable destinations in Provence. The Gorges du Verdon, often called the "Grand Canyon of Europe", is a breathtaking gorge carved by the Verdon River. The gorge stretches for approximately 25 kilometers and reaches a depth of 700 meters in some places. The gorge offers a wide range of activities, including: Hiking: There are numerous hiking trails along the edge of the gorge, with breathtaking views. Water sports: The Verdon River is ideal for canoeing, kayaking, rafting and swimming. Climbing: The steep cliffs attract climbers from all over the world. Driving: The "Route des Crêtes" is a scenic route along the edge of the gorge, with panoramic views. Castellane is a charming medieval town that is considered the "gateway to the Gorges du Verdon". It is an ideal base for exploring the gorge. Castellane has a rich history and a beautiful old center with narrow streets, old houses and an impressive rock. The "Roc" of Castellane is a limestone rock that towers above the town. At the top of the rock is the Notre-Dame du Roc chapel, which offers a beautiful view of the surrounding area. 

Days 11 – 14 Cannes

We continue to the Côte d'Azur and visit Cannes. This city offers a variety of options. Originally it is an old fishing village, this can be seen in the old part Le Suquet. Also visit the old church, the Notre-Dame de l'Esperenance or Place de la Castre, the medieval castle. But Cannes is no longer just the old fishing village. Also walk along the 2 km long Boulevard de la Croisette, with luxury clothing stores and restaurants. The Boulevard starts at Palais du Festivals, an impressive building, and runs along the sandy beaches through the city's marina. So it is also a perfect location for a day at the beach! 

Days 14-16 des Volcans d’Auvergne & Clermont - Ferrand  

We are almost completely in the south of France, so we are secretly starting to head back a little. We spend a few more hours a day in the last days, so that we can drive back towards the Netherlands. We make another stop near Clermont-Ferrand. Visit the now extinct (dormant) volcanoes in Parc Naturel Regional des Volcans d'Auvergne. For a magnificent view, climb the 1887 meter high Puy de Sancy, the highest peak in the park. You start in the village of Le Mont-Dore and cover an altitude difference of 800 meters in 7 kilometers. On the top you can see all the volcanoes in clear weather. You can also visit the crater lake Lac Chambon: Formed by eruption. Explore the historic city center and visit Place de Jaude, the vibrant heart of the city. This square is surrounded by beautiful magnolias and stately Renaissance mansions. A striking feature of the city is the frequent use of dark lava stone, which you can see in houses, fountains and the impressive, jet-black Notre Dame de l'Assomption Cathedral. 

Days 16 - 19 Paris

Of course we also visit the capital of France, Paris the city of love. What beautiful cultural-historical buildings you see here. Climb the Eiffel Tower for a special view, view the impressive Notre Dame, the Sacré Coeur or Arc de Triomphe. Or visit the Champs-Elysées, Les jardins du Luxembourg or the Louvre. Numerous options in Paris. 

Days 19 - 21 Reims

Reims, the champagne capital of France. This city is also full of beautiful buildings, such as Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Basilique Saint Remi, the Grand Théâtre de Reims, or the palace on Place Royale. An ideal place to soak up some extra culture or taste one of the many champagnes. 

Days 21 - 22 Netherlands - Rijen

Today you slowly leave from Reims back to the Netherlands. You can spend one last night here before returning the camper to Beijs Roadtrips. Tip: Spend a last night at Luxe Minicamping Petit013 in Tilburg. 

RoadTIP Booking!

You can use the above information for free as inspiration for your tour. It is also possible to request a quote for booking a complete Roadtrip including overnight stays. The Roadtrip is completely tailored to your wishes. You can easily and flexibly choose your route along the sights yourself, but we have arranged the certainty of being able to stay somewhere for you. Or we have fully mapped out the route for you and also booked the overnight stay. You choose how many kilometers you want to drive per day, you choose whether you want to stay at a campsite or at a motorhome site where you have to be completely self-sufficient or we make a combination of everything. Your vacation, your wishes. Feel free to contact us and ask about the options. Together we will make it a beautiful camper route!