Paris to Bordeaux road trip is the best way to explore Northern and Western France & all the beaches, wine regions, vivacious rivers and breath-taking cliffs that make these regions so magical and intriguing .
Another thing that makes it so interesting is all the history that still breathes in these parts of France. There are numerous historic places on the way and in the two cities that have the power to take you back to the medieval times. Besides all this, France is a heaven for foodies and wine lovers & this road trip will give you abundant opportunities to explore the best of both.
To make the trip more relaxing, we suggest you rent a car instead of using a train or other forms of public transport. With a rental car at your beck and call, you will have the freedom to move about at whim and things will be a lot easier even if you make last minute changes to your itinerary.
Day 1 First stop is the lovely Rouen
Most travellers spend 2-3 days exploring Paris but if you are thinking of spending 24 hours in the city of love, check out our One day in Paris itinerary for a memorable day. Embark on the road trip to Bordeaux only after you are done with Paris.
The drive from Paris to Rouen takes 1 hour 47 minutes by car, however there is also another popular way to reach Rouen. It has been seen that many travelers take the train to Rouen from Paris where they arrange for the car hire pick up at the train station itself. So whatever you choose, you will have at least half a day to spend in Rouen. If you want to do the drive, Giverny is a worthy place on the way where you can stop to stretch your legs and explore this lovely town where the famous artist Claude Monet spent the last 40 years of his life. The garden which was the inspiration behind his acclaimed and popular ‘Water Lilies’ series is a must see.
Rouen is the major city in Northern France which was among the richest French cities in the medieval time. The marvels from that time and beyond still grace the city & can be seen as you explore this historic city. Some of its popular attractions are listed below:
Places to see in Rouen in half a day
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame
- Musée des Beaux-Arts
- Abbatiale Saint-Ouen
- Aître Saint-Maclou
- Palais de Justice and Monument Juif
- Tour du Gros-Horloge (Big Clock Tower)
- Eglise Saint-Maclou.
- Eglise Jeanne d’Arc
Tip: Make sure you get the car refueled before hitting the highway, the gas stations in cities and towns are comparatively cheaper that the ones found on the highways.
Where to eat & stay in Rouen?
Though Rouen has multitude of restaurants and diners where you can have your dinner, Michelin star Rodolphe & two-Michelin star Gill are the most popular ones.
When it comes to staying the night, in Rouen you will be spoiled for stay options; Auberge de jeunesse de Rouen & Hotel Rouen St. Sever are two of the accommodations options we recommend.
Day 2 Time to experience pure French magic – Visit Mont Saint-Michel and charming Saint-Malo
Mont Saint-Michel is approximately 2.5 hours drive from Rouen and the place is sheer magic. A UNESCO Heritage site, it will not be wrong to call it a fairyland – the only one of its kind on the Earth!
It is an island, dominated by a monstrous Abbey which was the inspiration behind Rapunzel’s kingdom shown in the Disney’s movie Tangled. The place has an outerwall, streets flanked by old well-preserved houses, now filled with shops, cafes and restaurants.
Mont Saint-Michel comes under vehicle free zone, so park your rental car at the open space car park and make your way to the Abbey on foot. Spend half a day here and make sure you have comfortable shoes, the climb to the abbey is steep.
After Mont Saint-Michel, drive for approximately 60 minutes till you reach Saint-Malo. It is 56.3 km away from Mont Saint-Michel via N176. It is interesting to note that it was the birthplace of a man named Jacques Cartier who later discovered Canada in 1534. Spend the afternoon here walking down the cobbled streets and exploring its little cafes and restaurants. The beaches and the walkways to the rampart give splendid views of the English Channel.
Here is a small list of things you can do here during your visit:
- Grand Aquarium Saint Malo
- Grand Bé
- Fort National
- Petit Bé
- Saint-Malo Cathedral
- Ramparts of Saint-Malo
- Solidor Tower
- Plage du Mole
Where to eat and stay in Saint-Malo?
Cafe de L’Ouest is the most popular place when it comes to great food and excellent service. Le San Pedro & Le Port Malo are two accommodation options we recommend.
Day 3 Next stop is the marvellous La Rochelle
The drive from Saint-Malo to La Rochelle is where this itinerary takes you from Northern to Western France; the drive is approximately 3.5 hours long. This is another coastal town in France you will fall in love with. Dominated by two 700+ year old medieval towers, this town has an old harbor, a rampart which offers mesmerising views and Artisans Craft Market where you can buy handmade crafts (from Jun-Sep). Spend the whole day exploring this splendid town and have a blast.
Places to see in La Rochelle
- La Rochelle Aquarium
- The Lantern Tower of La Rochelle
- Port Des Minimes
- Bunker La Rochelle (Museum)
- Musée maritime de La Rochelle
- Saint Louis Cathedral
- The Chain Tower of La Rochelle
- Charruyer Park of La Rochelle
In case you are visiting on a Wednesday or a Saturday, we suggest you start your day in La Rochelle at Marché des Halles. Walk through rows and rows of fresh food, stalls laiden with cheese, lobsters, fish, meats, greens and fruits. For lunch and dinner, Le P’tit Nicolas, Ginger or Le Panier de Crabe are some good places; there are many restaurants and cafes around the market too. End your day with sunset views or go to the nearby Green Venice for a river cruise.
Where to stay in La Rochelle?
- Hôtel Les Brises
- Hôtel Kyriad La Rochelle Centre Ville
- Hôtel Saint Nicolas La
Day 4 & 5 Drive to the enchanting Bordeaux
The drive from La Rochelle to Bordeaux is more than 2 hours long, so have an early breakfast and hit the roads so that you can reach the city by 10 or 11 AM.
Located in Southwestern France, Bordeaux has been popular as the hub of the wine-growing region for centuries. However, it is not the only thing that defines the port city of Bordeaux. The city is loaded with history (cathedrals, 18th century squares and Gothic churches dating back to 14-15th centuries), food and art.
When you reach Bordeaux, first visit its famed food market Marché des Capucins, which locals also call the belly of Bordeaux. It has been in existence since 1525 and has 4 alleys which were named after major wine grape growing places in the Medoc wine region. Marché des Capucins, loaded with seafood, cheese, vegetables, fruits, and patisseries, is a great place to start your tour of Bordeaux and have an early lunch. After that, the next stop is La Cite du Vin, the wine museum where you can easily spend 2 hours; don’t forget to enjoy the panoramic views from its top-floor cafe. After that, visit the Grand Théâtre which was built in 1780; its imposing pillars, staircase, its concert hall – you will fall in love with the place. Have a look at our small list of attractions that you must include in your Bordeaux day-tour itinerary.
Places to see in Bordeaux
- Place de la Bourse
- Bordeaux Cathedral
- Place des Quinconces
- Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux
- Pey Berland Tower
- Basilica of Saint Michael, Bordeaux
- Pont de pierre
- Musée d’Aquitaine
- Cité du Vin