Great food and wine, vibrant cities, rustic countryside and amazing beaches; is it any wonder that France is one of the most popular destinations in the Europe? Driving holidays in France are incredibly popular with visitors from the UK. Cross channel ferries and the Eurostar service allow you to take your own car, but you can also take advantage of cheap flights to France and then pick up a hire car. For more information about driving in France check out the ‘travel information’ section of the guide.

Aquitaine in South West of France has a little bit of everything that makes France great. The largest city is UNESCO world heritage listed Bordeaux in the north. With a buzzing nightlife, wine and plenty of historical attractions the city has all the ingredients of the perfect city break. Stretching south from Bordeaux to the Basque Country and the Pyrenees are some of the best beaches in France. Think about the gorgeous fishing port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz or maybe even Lacanau for a beach break. Lacanau, just west of Bordeaux, is home to an annual pro surfing competition; the Sooruz Lacanau Pro. Don’t be afraid to head in land either. Anyone driving in France would be well advised to include the Dordogne valley on their itinerary.
 

Follow the Pyrenees along the Spanish border from Aquitaine and on the Mediterranean coast you will find the ancient region of Languedoc. Its capital, Montpellier blends old with new effortlessly. Too many people see nothing but Montpellier Airport on their way to the coast, but to miss this vibrant city is to miss out. The architecture is sublime. Nearby Carcassonne is also well connected with cheap flights from the UK. The best preserved medieval town in France, Carcassonne has an interesting history linked closely to the Cathars or perfects who once lived in Languedoc.

Of course we can’t talk about France without talking about its capital; Paris. Connected to London St Pancras by a direct train service, Haussmann’s Parisian boulevards are crying out to be explored on a city break. Also connected by a direct train service but often sadly overlooked is the city of Lille, where there is growing interest in this Northern French town as a city break location in its own right. Just over an hour and a half from London you can see why.