Northern France - car holiday with adventures
The home of Camembert, the beaches of Normandy, beautiful cities like Paris, the lapping waves of Le Havre, wonderful gastronomic regions like Alsace, medieval towns like Amiens and eerie memories of World War I and the hell of the trenches. A car holiday in Northern France is an experience in culture, gastronomy, history mixed with architectural masterpieces and art to the fingertips. Pack your car and set off on a self-drive experience north of Paris with beautiful castles, delicious food and plenty of places to explore in your own car with your family.
If you're heading to France via Belgium do spend a few hours in Lille, which with its cobbled streets and beautiful 16th-century buildings is an experience that can include a delicious waffle, the city's speciality! Continue along the coast to Le Havre, which is much more than just a port town. Visit the Museum of Modern Art and the stunning cathedral and beautiful 'Les Jardins Suspendus'. Don't forget your walking boots and take the walk along the beautiful Côte d'Albâtre coastline.
Head to Caen, one of Normandy's most beautiful cities and the perfect place to explore some of the region's fascinating history. You can take a short break on the drive at the Château de Caen, built by William the Conqueror almost 1000 years ago. From here, it's also not far to the beaches where the Allies started what became the end of World War II. There are interesting museums and a visit to 'The Caen Memorial', 'Battle of Normandy 1944 Museum' in Bayeux or 'The Landing Museum' in Arromanches will certainly give food for thought. During your car holiday you must visit Mont Saint-Michel, arguably one of the most iconic tidal lakes in the world - and you need low tide to visit the island. Brest is another interesting city, now an important industrial and commercial centre, and the largest city in western Brittany. Before reaching Brest a detour to Dinan is certainly recommended. You won't regret it, Dinan is an incredibly beautiful and picturesque medieval town and an experience no matter where in the world you have been before.
Northern France is certainly also known for its gastronomic experiences, not to mention the wine and bubbly drops from the Champagne district, which starts about 150 km east of Paris in the Alsace-Champagne-Ardenne-Lorraine region. The Champagne capital of Reims lies further east in the Alsace region, where grape varieties such as Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Crémant D'Alsace can be found - well worth a road trip in itself. Here the towns are nestled between vineyards and pretty castles. The Vosges mountain range also hides the beautiful Gérardmer lake, Haut-Koenigsbourg castle, the Hautes-Mynes mines in Thillot, the Fougerolles zoo in Saint-Valbert, Hartmannswillerkopf, an important World War I memorial, and the Merelle lookout tower, from where you can enjoy the magnificent views and, not least, the trip up the distinctive open-air natural tower. What the many charming small towns in Alsace have in common is their cosy atmosphere with winding streets and alleyways flanked by beautiful and very picturesque houses. Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace province, is certainly one of the most beautiful towns in north-east France. The old town dates back to Roman times and is filled with ancient buildings and charming inns along the canals.
Northern France offers a wealth of experiences for adults and children alike, so pack your car and get ready for a family road trip. You can also fill the boot with treats and fine wines you've discovered in the many idyllic towns you've visited along the way.
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