A road trip through the countryside lets you slow down and explore all that France has to offer. Medieval architecture, imposing castles, wineries tucked inside hidden hamlets, and warm baguettes from the local boulangerie are just the beginning.
It’s worth doing a some advance planning so you can enjoy France’s rural villages on their market days, when fresh produce, meats, baked goods and other delights take center stage in the town square. You might find French linens or antiques for sale next to a booth selling deep-fried cod bites, locally harvested oysters or plump forest mushrooms.
In the Alsace region, we continued our road trip on two wheels with a morning bike ride through the vineyards with Bicyclette Go!. Owner Glenn Ford provides electric bikes that make the hilly landscape near Colmar a breeze.
Another two-wheel option that’s close to Paris is a day-long bike excursion paired with a trip to Versailles. Boutique Bike Tours combines a guided chateau tour with a stop at the Versailles market, a picnic alongside the Grand Canal, and an afternoon biking the extensive palace grounds. C’est magnifique!
Don’t forget the wine! You can find great bargains on outstanding vintages–and some of the friendliest winemakers–in the smaller wine towns. One of our favorites was Maison Kieffer Wine & Hotel in Itterswiller, which features traditional Alsace region wines such as Pinot Blanc, Riesling and Gewürztraminer.
When it comes to exploring France, backroads are best!