Eastern France Tour

October the 16th to the 23rd 2023

8 Nights/7 Days

Bespoke Driving Tours

Quintessential tailored driving

France has some incredible roads that are just perfect for long-distance tours, as they wind through
the most beautiful scenery. The French countryside is rich with history, wine, and gastronomic
delights as well as being light on traffic. So the question is which area to choose? We wanted to
take in the Route Napoleon as well as the Cote d’Azur Corniches, all of which are more Easterly so
that became our theme!

We added to that a touch of the Loire Valley and a double gastronomic
tour down through Lyon and back up through Alsace, via the highest road in Europe!

Includes:

– Hotel accommodation for 8 nights, with dinner and breakfast included
– Return channel crossing from UK to France
– Loan of pre-loaded satellite navigation units and radios
– A souvenir route book, polo shirt, stickers, key ring and pen
– Route guidance and driving tips from Kat and Richard along the way!

Not included:

-Lunches, drinks, fuel, tolls, etc.

From £2500pp incl VAT

(Based on two people per car) -cars are NOT supplied*

Once Booked – You will receive a brochure in the post and via email.

Limited to 11 Cars

DAY 1- Rouen (Pont Audemer)

Our first night is spent near the city of Rouen at Point Audemer. We will be staying in the Chateau
Belle Isle Risle, where we will have our welcome dinner.

DAY 2 - Rouen (Pont Audemer) - Chartres - Orleans - Fontainbleu

After breakfast we head off on the first leg of our tour following a section of the Loire Valley via the
ancient city of Chartres. The Loire is the biggest area in France to be given world heritage status. It
is one of the most beautiful parts of the country and blends nature, history and elegance.
Our route sees stop for the night in Fontainbleu, where we are staying at Le Demure De Parc
hotel.

DAY 3- Fontainbleu to Lyon via Dijon

Our route today takes us through the heart of French culture, gastronomy and scenery and is
perfect for couples. Leaving Fontainbleu you’ll enjoy the rolling, vine-covered hills of Champagne.
Stop in Dijon, sample some mustard and enjoy the pretty architecture in town before winding up in
the city of Lyon, the capital city in France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Our stay for will be at the fabulous Boscolo hotel in the heart of the city.

DAY 4 - Lyon to Grenoble (Chambery)

We continue to wind our way south but this time we add a little altitude! Our route takes over
Auvergne Rhone Alps on what is often referred to as the Volcanic Route. Sweeping, winding roads
takes us down towards Grenoble at the foot of the mountains.
Our hotel for the night is the wonderful Chateau de Candie in Chambery

DAY 5 - Grenoble to Nice - Route Napoleon

The Route Napoleon follows the route taken by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815 on his march from
Elba to Grenoble. The road now is perfect for driving as it swoops through mountainous with
perfect cambers and astonishing scenery. We are running in the opposite direction to Napoleon as
we feel the road flows that bit better. Either way, it is quite simply just a fabulous piece of road to
drive!

DAY 6 - Cote d’Azur corniches - Col de Turini - Col de la Bonnette - Gap

Spectacular roads come thick and fast on this day, as we work away along some absolute icons.
We start by winding our way along hairpin turns and vertigo-inducing coastal roads along one of
the Côte d’Azur’s 3 corniches between Nice and Menton. The highest of them is called la Grande
Corniche and offers dramatic views of the coast dropping straight into the sea. La Moyenne
Corniche is at mid-altitude while la Petite Corniche follows the coastline.
Making our way inland via the Col de Turini, one of the legendary stages of the Monte
Carlo Rally before heading over the Col de la Bonnette.
Located at 2807m high, this alpine road is the highest road in Europe and consequentially,
offers incredible mountain views as it cuts through the Mercantour National Park. The Tour de
France regularly takes this route, so the roads are smooth and winding, and sometimes quite
narrow. It’s a great trip for people who love to drive and can be quite challenging at times.
We stop for a well-earned rest near Gap where we are staying in Les Olivades.

DAY 7 - Gap - Dijon

A slightly more relaxed day after the excitement of the previous two! Our route this day finds us
working our way back up country through the Ain gorges to Dijon where we will spend the night.
Our hotel in the pretty city of Dijon is the Maison Phillipe Le Bon.

DAY 8 - Dijon - Strasbourg - Reims Alsace wine route to Chalons-en-Champagne

Our final day sees us following the Alsace wine route. For getting up close and personal with the
French vineyards, this route in Alsace is probably one of the most picturesque. The route winds it
way along the eastern foothills of the Vosges through pretty villages where you can stop to sample
the local produce, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and over undulating vineyard-covered hills.
The vineyard theme continues as we eventually and up in the heart of Champagne at Chalons-en-
Champagne.
Our final night and farewell dinner is at the Armes de Champagne hotel

DAY 9 - Return Home

All our tours are run by us, Driving Experts. Along the way we will guide you via radio and in car if you wish. Helping you to understand how to get the most out of your car safely.

FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers

Do I have to bring my own car?

Yes- we don’t supply the cars to you, so make sure you’re in your favourite set of wheels!

What if I'm a solo driver?

For single supplement – we will speak to hotels and get the best deal we
can to hopefully make it more cost effective

enquiries@velocedriving.com