The ultimate road trip to the south of France French Alps, Route Napoleon, Monaco, Cassis and much more!
- Ascend Society
- Nov 27, 2024
- 6 min read
Here’s a rundown of our seven-night road trip to the South of France—the first time we’ve taken Ascend Society across borders. It was an unforgettable week of scenic drives, vibrant cities, and stunning landscapes, and we wanted to share some highlights, stories, and a few things we learned along the way. We took two cars—a Honda S2000 and a Nissan 370Z— a couple of friends, covering roughly 2,500 miles.
The Backstory
With the 370Z finally back on the road after a long wait for parts from the U.S., and the S2000 eager to stretch its legs after being parked for too long, we were more than ready for a road trip. We wanted to get out there, explore new places, and indulge in everything we love about driving.
Our journey took us through mountains, cities, beaches, and some incredible driving roads.
We planned ahead: mapped our routes, booked Airbnbs, and opted for French toll roads to save time and keep things moving. We think we created the ultimate road trip to the south of France.
Day 1: Let’s Go
We set off bright and early at 7:00 a.m. from Shropshire, heading straight to Folkestone to catch the Eurotunnel into France. A return journey on the Eurotunnel cost us around £250 per car.
Here’s a tip for those with lowered cars: when booking, select the “roof box” option. This allows you to board with larger vehicles on a flat train surface, avoiding the ramps.
The Eurotunnel itself only takes about 40 minutes to reach Calais. After arriving, we stopped at our first French petrol station—one of the only ones where you had to prepay.
Then, we hit the autoroutes and made our first real stop at Circuit Reims-Gueux. Once home to the French Grand Prix, it’s now an abandoned track with original pit buildings and grandstands still standing along the road. It’s a motorsport monument and a perfect spot to snap some photos and stretch our legs.
Just around the corner, we found an amazing pizza place called Pino Pizza, we’d highly recommend.
We got back on the autoroute and drove to Beaune for our first overnight stop. We’d booked an Airbnb, though finding it was an adventure in itself. Finally settled in, we hit a nearby bar to relax and soak in our first night.
The first day was long—about 13 to 14 hours of driving. Not much scenery on this stretch, but it set the stage for the rest of our trip.
Day 2: Staying at the Best Accommodation
We left Beaune around 9:00 a.m., heading toward Grenoble. Initially, we only planned to stop there for fuel, but the city drew us in. We decided to spend a little extra time grabbing lunch and taking in some sights. Due to this being an unplanned stop, we ended up parking in a multi-story car park, where the lowered 370Z scraped pretty badly on the ramps.
After Grenoble, we finally hit some country roads, passing through Le Mure and up to Pont Ponsonnas. This area offers stunning views, with winding roads leading to a bridge famous for bungee jumping—definitely worth a stop, even if just to take in the scenery.
From there, we made our way to Sautet Dam, where we caught some breathtaking views of Lac du Sautet before heading deeper into the French Alps.
That night, we stayed at Alpin’Cocoon in Les Orres, at an elevation of 1800 meters. Completely surrounded by the Alps, this place gave us an immersive mountain experience—a true highlight of the trip.
One thing we hadn’t considered was food: being off-season, most restaurants were closed. But we lucked out and found a traditional French spot serving charcuterie, which made for a perfect end to the day.
The total drive time for Day 2 was around eight hours, filled with a mix of smooth autoroutes, scenic mountain passes, and alpine views that made every mile worth it.
Day 3: Route Napoleon, Cannes & Monaco
Day 3 was a dream for driving enthusiasts. We ditched the autoroutes and stuck to some of France’s best roads, setting off around 10 a.m., leaving the heights of the French Alps and heading down the D900 toward Digne.
The roads here were impressive, but they were just the beginning. The highlight of the day—and a major reason for this trip—was the legendary Route Napoleon. Heading toward Castellane, the road opened up with stretches of winding curves, tight hairpins, and panoramic views.
It felt surreal as we descended toward Cannes, where we made an impromptu decision to check out the beach. After a quick drink at a beach club, we set off for our overnight stay in Monaco.
The drive from Cannes to Monaco took about an hour, but arriving in Monaco was a challenge in itself. The narrow, winding streets made for a stressful entry, especially after eight hours of driving. We ended up getting separated, and one of our phones died, which made it tricky to regroup. Eventually, we found each other and parked in an underground garage.
We spent the evening exploring Monaco, soaking up the city lights, and wrapping up the day with some great food—a fitting end to an intense day on the road.
Day 4: Monaco, Eze, St. Tropez, and Cassis
We’d planned an early departure from Monaco, but since we got in late the night before, we decided to enjoy the city a bit longer. After a morning walk and quick lunch, we hit the road toward Eze.
Eze is a must-see for anyone on the French Riviera. This medieval village clings dramatically to the mountainside above the Mediterranean, nestled between St. Jean Cap Ferrat and Monaco. Panoramic views, ancient façades, and a quiet charm make Eze unforgettable. We recommend the Botanical Gardens; the views are stunning, and you can avoid lines by using ticket machines further down the entrance.
After Eze, we originally planned to follow the coastal route to St. Tropez but opted for the faster autoroutes to make up some time. We parked at the port and strolled through St. Tropez, checking out the shops and grabbing dinner.
By sunset, we hit the road to Cassis, the perfect mix of twisty turns and smooth autoroute stretches. We arrived in Cassis around 10:30 p.m., checked into our Airbnb, and capped off the night with a drink.
Day 5: A Rest Day in Cassis
After days of driving, Day 5 was all about slowing down. We’d heard great things about Cassis, so we set our sights on a secluded beach accessible only by foot. The hike was worth it—a day spent unwinding on a quiet beach, surrounded by rugged cliffs. After soaking up the sun, we made our way back to town for some food and, naturally, a few drinks to toast the day. Cassis didn’t disappoint.
Day 6: The Journey Back
Originally, we planned to visit Mont Ventoux, but after a week on the road, we decided to save that adventure for another time. Instead, we cruised along the autoroutes for about five hours with a couple of stops to refuel and soak up the last French views. Arriving in Beaune felt different this time; without the rush, we could explore more. We found a great restaurant and a couple of bars, a perfect way to end our last night in France.
Day 7: Back to the UK
From Beaune, we drove to Calais to catch the Eurotunnel. The weather greeted us back in the UK with classic British rain as we hit the motorways home to Shropshire. We returned with our cars a bit dirtier and our minds full of memories, already buzzing with ideas for the next adventure.
It’s All in the Prep
Planning made all the difference, from calculating fuel and toll costs to mapping routes and pre-booking parking. If you’re planning a road trip through France, here are some helpful resources we used:
Fuel Cost Calculator – Helped us budget for fuel.
Crit’Air Certificate – Essential for certain areas in France.
Toll Calculator – To plan toll costs on French autoroutes.
Emovis Tag – Makes tolls quicker and easier.
European Driving Kit – Required items for breakdowns.
Whether this is your first or your fiftieth road trip, planning makes all the difference. For us, the South of France was just the beginning. Stay tuned for more from Ascend Society.
Comments