Castles, Cathedrals, Roman Ruins And The Mediterranean
VERDICT: We gave 5 out of 5 tickets and here’s why!
This guide forms part of our complete France Travel Guide, featuring scenic road trips, iconic destinations, practical travel advice and honest first-hand travel experiences from across France.
This article also includes guides below to Paris and Normandy:
Quick Links for France
- Discover Paris in 48Hrs in the Winter
- Explore Normandy in 72 Hrs
- 7-Day Road Trip Across France
- 4-Days in Paris
When we planned our European adventure through France and Portugal, we knew we would see beautiful scenery, historic landmarks and perhaps discover a few hidden gems along the way.
What we didn’t realize was just how many unforgettable experiences would be packed into a single week on the road across France.
To help fellow travellers plan their own European adventure, we’ve created a complete video series documenting every major stop on our seven-day journey from Paris to Nice.
These videos aren’t polished tourism advertisements. They’re real experiences from two Canadians travelling through France, sharing both the highlights and the occasional challenges. Our goal is simple: help you decide which destinations deserve a place on your own European itinerary.
Binge watch all videos in a row on YOUTUBE. Click below. Or see videos by location by scrolling down the page.
For the French portion of our journey, we rented a vehicle from Sixt, our third rental experience with the company and once again an excellent one. Over seven days we travelled through some of France’s most historic regions, staying overnight in Orleans, Lyon, Avignon and finally Nice.
Along the way we explored medieval cathedrals, magnificent châteaux, Roman ruins, papal palaces and some of the most beautiful scenery France has to offer.
Whether you’re planning a European road trip, considering train travel through France, or simply dreaming about future adventures, these videos will provide valuable insight into what each destination is really like.
PART 1: FRANCE
Episode Guide:-
Episode 1: We’re Off! Paris To Orleans. After saying “Au Revoir” to Paris, we collected our Sixt rental car and headed south toward Orleans. This episode covers the first day of our road trip and what it’s like driving out of Paris into the French countryside.
Episode 2: Orleans Cathedral. Our first major attraction was the magnificent Cathédrale Sainte-Croix d’Orléans. Towering over the city centre, this stunning cathedral is one of the most impressive religious buildings in France and closely connected to the story of Joan of Arc.
Episode 3: Patay & Joan Of Arc. To understand Orleans, you must understand Joan of Arc. In this episode we travel to Patay, site of one of the most important battles of the Hundred Years’ War. Learn how a teenage peasant girl helped change the course of French history forever.
Episode 4: Château Sully-sur-Loire. Every French road trip needs a château. After a scenic drive through the Loire Valley, we arrived at the magnificent Château de Sully-sur-Loire. Surrounded by a moat and steeped in history, this castle exceeded all expectations.
Episode 5: Historic Orleans. From the elegant Hôtel Groslot to the charming streets of Centre-Ville, Orleans proved to be one of the biggest surprises of our trip. Join us as we explore the city’s rich history, architecture and relaxed atmosphere.
Episode 6: Arrival In Lyon. Wow. Our hotel in Lyon turned out to be one of the most unique accommodations we’ve ever experienced anywhere in the world. Built within a former convent overlooking the city, this remarkable property became one of the highlights of our entire European adventure.
Episode 7: Lyon Basilica & Roman Ruins. One of the biggest surprises of Lyon was discovering that two major attractions sat just minutes from our hotel. The magnificent Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and ancient Roman ruins were connected by a private pathway directly from our hotel grounds. History lovers will absolutely love this episode.
Episode 8: Welcome To Avignon. Our next stop was Avignon, one of the most fascinating cities in France. We began our visit at the famous Pont d’Avignon, learning about the bridge’s remarkable history while enjoying beautiful views over the Rhône River.
Episode 9: The Pope’s Palace. Massive. That’s the best way to describe the Palais des Papes. The largest Gothic palace in Europe dominates the skyline of Avignon and provides a fascinating look into a period when Popes ruled from France rather than Rome. This was one of the most impressive attractions of the entire trip.
Episode 10: Bonus Feature – 48 Hours In Avignon. If there was one destination where we wished we had more time, it was Avignon. Cobbled streets, relaxed cafés, medieval architecture and a calm atmosphere make this city a wonderful place to slow down and enjoy southern France. This bonus video highlights everything we experienced during our stay.
Episode 11: Arrival In Nice. We made it. After seven incredible days on the road, we arrived in Nice on the French Riviera. The view from our hotel balcony was unforgettable: palm trees, the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and the famous Promenade des Anglais stretching into the distance. As if that wasn’t enough, we also found ourselves attending one of Europe’s largest festivals—the spectacular Carnaval de Nice.
A perfect ending to an unforgettable road trip.
Why These Videos Are Helpful For Future Travellers
- Planning a European road trip can feel overwhelming.
- Should you drive or take the train?
- How much time should you spend in each destination?
- Which attractions are truly worth visiting?
- Our video series answers those questions by showing exactly what we experienced on the ground.
You’ll see:
- Real driving conditions in France
- Hotel experiences and room tours
- Historic attractions and hidden gems
- Walking tours through city centres
- Honest reviews and recommendations
- Tips for first-time European road trippers
- Attractions worth your time and money
- Destinations that exceeded expectations
Most importantly, you’ll gain a realistic understanding of what a one-week road trip across France actually looks like.
Overall Verdict: 5 Tickets out of 5
This seven-day road trip through France delivered everything we hoped for and more. Historic cities. Stunning cathedrals. Magnificent castles. Ancient Roman ruins. Incredible food. Beautiful scenery. And finally, the sparkling Mediterranean coast.
It’s a journey we would happily repeat tomorrow.
At myreturnticket.ca we share both the good and the bad so you can travel smarter, avoid mistakes and make the most of your own adventures.
Continue Exploring Northern France
- Paris to Nice: 7-Day Road Trip
- Full Video Series: 7-Day Road Trip, Paris to Nice
- Where we stayed in Europe
- The Battle that Changed France
- 10 Amazing Things to do in Orléans
- 24 Hrs in Lyon: Basilica and Roman Ruins
- How to Use a Toll Road in Europe
Nearby Attractions
- Le Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre
- Free Rooftop Views of Paris
- How to Use a Toll Road in Europe
- La Favorite Saint Paul, Paris
- Explore Montmartre, Paris
- Guided Tour: The Louvre Museum
- Paris 3 Course Dinner Cruise Along the River Seine
- 3 Reasons to Visit Overlord Museum, Normandy
- Notre Dame, Cathedral
- D-Day Landings: Juno Beach
- Post d’Avignon – the Broken Bridge
- Bayeux, France
- Chateau de Sully-Sur-Loire
Planning Your Trip?
Before you go, don’t forget to book the essentials:
- 🏨 Hotels & unique stays
- 🚗 Rental cars
- 🎟️ Top-rated tours & attractions
- 📶 eSIMs for easy connectivity
- 🛡️ Travel insurance
- 🎒 Packing Lists
- 🎒 Travel gear from The Venturio
With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one to five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.
