A Roadtrip Through France: Dijon to Nice
Written and Photographed by Sandi Barrett
RVers love to travel, there is no question about that. And sometimes RVers like to explore the lands of faraway places. Though this is not a US based RV road trip, it is a road trip through some incredibly beautiful French countryside that you may just want to check out on your next international adventure.
Our road trip begins in the beautiful city of Dijon, famous for its delicious mustard. It ends in the Mediterranean coastal oasis of Nice. Along the way, the drive passes through pastoral vineyards, medieval castles, stunning landscapes, and panoramic vistas.
Along our France road trip through Burgundy’s wine country you will find some traditional tourist spots mixed with hidden gems sprinkled with pretty village centers and beautiful town boulevards. Touring the world famous Burgundy countryside allows you to slow down, enjoy every delicious moment, and admire the amazing views.
France Road Trip Itinerary – Dijon to Nice
Dijon
Famous for its iconic mustard, Dijon is the gateway to the vineyards of Burgundy. A pedestrian friendly city, Dijon is rated as one of the most walkable cities in France. Pop into E and sample their famous Dijon mustard. Flavors like gingerbread, black currant, and horseradish will confuse and delight your taste buds.
On an exterior corner of Dijon’s towering Notre-Dame Church’s, there is an owl carved into the wall. According to local legend, if you stroke the owl with your left hand your wish will be granted. I tried — still waiting.
When you enter the city, stop into the Tourist Information Office and purchase a self-guided tour, the Owl’s Trail. Small triangles with an owl engraving dot the streets and alleys throughout the city marking Diijon’s architectural and historic highlights.
There are lots of restaurants in Dijon perfect for creating an unforgettable experience sampling local cuisine and the region’s Pinot Noir or Chardonnay.
Couches
The Castle of Marguerite of Burgundy, also known as the Château de Couches, was built as a protective fortress lying between Paris and Chalon-sur-Saône. The imposing medieval castle dates back to the 11th century. With it’s perfect high perch, you can see how it was an important Burgundy stronghold. Besides the grand structure, the beautiful scenery inspires captivating photo opportunities.
Mercurey
From Dijon, you enter the picturesque vineyard towns of Burgundy, where you can savor the region’s amazing wines. The local red wine grapes are Pinot Noir and Gamay, and the white wine grapes are Chardonnay, and Aligoté. Vignerons grow and blend their wines with an eye to create the perfect vintage.
The Château de Garnerot is an exceptional vineyard where the fine art of traditional winemaking is intertwined with modern day wine tourism. Whether you plan a wine tasting or purchase a bottle for later, their Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise is a sumptuous sip.
Cormatin
As you continue south, a stop at the impressive Château de Cormatin is a road trip highlight. Filled with rich history and exquisite furnishings, the Château is one of the most beautiful medieval castles along the route. In the early 17th century, the Marquises of Huxelles began construction of this imposing castle. Many interior rooms retain their stunning artwork, it is worth booking the guided tour so you can view the luxurious private apartments. The beautiful gardens with a sweet turtle-focused water feature, a hedgerow allée, and a two story observation deck is a wonderful spot to enjoy the grounds.
Mâcon
Mâcon is home to many of Burgundy’s finest chardonnay wines. You will love this lovely city on the Banks of the Saône River.
The riverbank offers a promenade for a contemplative walk and city views. As you navigate into the older section of town, you will find the unique and storied, Maison de Bois. The exterior is decorated with curious carvings of odd characters and mythical beasts. Inside you will find a busy French Brasserie. It is a popular place for locals and tourists to enjoy a bite to eat.
Beautiful gothic and romanesque architecture mixes with modern buildings as if by magic. Wandering the hilly streets and alleyways open up surprisingly picturesque vistas encompassing the juxtaposing architectural styles.
Cluny
A short hop west of Mâcon takes you to one of the medieval era’s greatest monasteries. Thirteenth century history buffs will enjoy visiting Cluny Abbey. A few sections of the Benedictine monastery are still viewable and the site is home to the Museum of Art and Archeology of Cluny.
Lyon
At the confluence of the Saône and Rhone Rivers sits Lyon; France’s gastronomic capital. Foodies will love the selection of over 90 Michelin Guide restaurants — you won’t go hungry for elevated cuisine in Lyon. Many of the more popular spots book up months in advance, planning is key to fine dining in Lyon.
The Renaissance district of Lyon, Old Town, is a wonderful spot to go exploring. Secret passageways called les Traboules, wonderful old buildings, and cute shops will captivate your attention.
You can snack your way through the streets sampling local goodies. One sweet treat not to be missed is the pink pralines. A bite of crispy almond coated with caramelized sugar. One is never enough.
Aix-en-Provence
The beautiful city of Aix-en-Provence is filled with museums, cafés, and shopping. It is one of the most lovely places to visit in France.
The markets are enchanting and you can wander for hours browsing bountiful produce, flowers, and bric-a-brac. The daily food market in the square by the town hall will wet your culinary appetite and inspire you to whip up a fabulous French dish. The flower market, a must see, is held almost every day in the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, a beautiful public square surrounded by open air restaurants and cafés. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, the giant Aix-en-Provence market winds through the streets along the Cours Mirabeau, a wide boulevard that is jammed with vendors selling everything from antiques to clothing.
Nice
As you stroll along the Promenade des Anglais with stunning luxury hotels on one side and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea on the other, you can feel your entire being relax into a Mediterranean vacation mode. It is a Zen moment for the traveling soul. Weathered old souls sit on benches along the beach watching a new energetic generation play at the beach or cycle through the crowds.
Take a stroll through the Old Town where cobbled streets are lined with towering tenement houses. Shop the open air market then find a bench and enjoy a pastry while perfecting the fine art of people watching.
When the sun is setting, find a restaurant on the beach and savor wonderful cuisine along the water. We devoured the earthy truffle pizza at le Galet. While waiting for our table, we sipped a glass Rosé on a beach lounge chair with the sounds of the lapping surf. Magnifique!
Pro Tip: The beach in Nice is a pebble beach, be sure to pack water shoes or be prepared to dance your way to the water.
Medieval Village of Eze
If you plan several days in Nice, a side trip to the charming medieval city of Eze is a lovely way to spend a few hours. As you leave Nice, you drive up, up, up and once you park, you must walk up, up, up to the old village. The views of the Côte d’Azur are spectacular when set against the ancient winding alleyways of Eze.
Charming shops are tucked into nooks and crannies. A Stay at the five star hotel, Château Eza, will have you feeling like royalty.
Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo, Monaco, is another wonderful day trip from Nice. Visit the Casino in the morning to see the glamorous gaming rooms, gambling begins mid-afternoon. Outside the Casino, the parade of luxury automobiles like Bentley, Alfa-Romeo, Rolls-Royce, Maserati, and Jaguar is a hot-wheels extravaganza.
Save some time to visit the Prince’s Palace, the Cathedral, Oceanographic Museum, and the beautiful St. Martin Gardens. You can take an elevator to the top of the bluff from the city below to access all the sites and enjoy the stunning panoramic views.
Pro Tip: You need your passport and around 20 Euros to enter past the lobby of the famed Monte Carlo Casino. There is a small slot room off the lobby for tourists that is free to enter.
Information About Driving in France
According to the Embassy of France in Washington, DC, “You may drive with a valid U.S. driver’s license if it is accompanied by a notarized translation in French.” The translation document is called and International Drivers Permit/License (IDP). You can acquire and IDP easily through AAA.
Renting A Motorhome In France
Most motorhome rentals France have a MAM of 3.5 tons, be sure to verify your driver’s license covers this weight. Additionally, the motor homes in France are manual transmission. Taking your first spin with a stick and clutch out of the rental lot is not the best idea.
Pro Tip: CampingFrance.com is a great resource to plan your overnights. FranceMotorhomeHire.com has tons of great information and they have a rental fleet of camper vans.
Bon voyage!
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