France route: 19 places from the Alps to the Riviera

This 3,965 km route across France covers 19 iconic landmarks spanning from the French Alps to the Mediterranean Coast. Travel through Annecy, Mont Blanc, the Alsace Wine Route, Paris, Mont Saint-Michel, and the French Riviera, showcasing medieval castles, mountain peaks, and coastal towns.

Mode
Places
Start
French Alps
End
Paris
Stops
19
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. French Alps — Snow-capped mountain range featuring Europe's highest peak Mont Blanc, renowned for world-class skiing and alpine hiking trails.
  2. Mediterranean Coast & French Riviera — Glamorous coastal region with pristine beaches, luxury resorts, and charming seaside villages along turquoise waters.
  3. Annecy - Venice of the Alps — Picturesque city at the foot of the Alps, known as the Venice of the Alps with the cleanest lake in Europe.
  4. Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard — Medieval castle begun in the 13th century offering a medieval view near Annecy.
  5. Mont Blanc — Highest mountain in the Alps at 15,774 feet in the French Alps region.
  6. Alsace Region — Picturesque area known for half-timbered villages, vineyard-covered hills, and distinctive Franco-German cultural heritage.
  7. Alsace Wine Route — 170 kilometer long route passing through France's greatest wine country and picturesque towns.
  8. Eiffel Tower — Paris's most recognizable attraction, built in 1889 for the world fair.
  9. Louvre Museum — World's largest art museum located in Paris and home to da Vinci's Mona Lisa.
  10. Palace of Versailles — Grand palace accessible via a drive around Paris's major attractions.
  11. Northern France Coast — Dramatic chalk cliffs and historic D-Day beaches along the English Channel, significant for both natural beauty and wartime heritage.
  12. Mont Saint-Michel — Magical island located one kilometer off the coast of France with a monastery on its highest point.
  13. Pont du Gard — Ancient Roman aqueduct over 2000 years old, a 15-minute drive from Carcassonne.
  14. Menton & French Riviera — Elegant seaside town famous for colorful Belle Époque architecture, lemon festivals, and Mediterranean gardens overlooking the coast.
  15. Lake Annecy — One of the cleanest lakes in all of Europe surrounded by mountains.
  16. Strasbourg — Capital of Alsace region and home to the formal seat of the European Parliament.
  17. Colmar — Enchanting city in the Alsace region that looks like something from a Disney movie.
  18. Riquewihr — Quaint village believed to have inspired the town from Beauty and the Beast along the Alsace Wine Route.
  19. Paris

Useful for your trip

Transport
Take a 20-minute cable car ride to Aiguille du Midi. The cable car holds the world record for highest vertical ascent at 9,000 feet elevation gain.
Tip
Lake Annecy is known as one of the cleanest lakes in all of Europe. It's located at the foot of the Alps and surrounded by mountains, ideal for hot summer days.
Tip
Hike the Tour du Mont Blanc, a roughly 170-kilometer trek looping around Mont Blanc. The trek passes through France, Italy, and Switzerland and takes about 10 days at a decent pace.
Transport
Experience the Alsace Wine Route, a 170-kilometer route passing through wine country and picturesque towns including Riquewihr, believed to have inspired Beauty and the Beast.
Tip
The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 and is 324 meters high. You can take an elevator to get a 360-degree panoramic view of all of Paris.
Tip
The Louvre Museum is the world's largest art museum and home to da Vinci's Mona Lisa.
Transport
Petite Étretat, located about 3 hours outside Paris on the northern coast, is famous for its white cliffs and unique rock formations including the Falaise d'Aval arch.
Tip
Mont Saint-Michel is located one kilometer off the coast of France. The monastery construction began in the 10th century and finished in 1523. The island has dangerous changing tides.
Tip
Carcassonne is a medieval fortress in southern France consisting of 53 towers protected by two outer walls. It began as a Roman fortified hilltop and was given to the Visigoths in the 5th century.
Transport
Pont du Gard is an ancient Roman aqueduct over 2,000 years old, located about 15 minutes from Uzès. It carried water over 50 kilometers and is the highest of all Roman aqueducts.
Tip
Menton on the French Riviera is located between Monaco and the Italian border. Compared to Nice or Cannes, it's less crowded while offering stunning ports with mountain backdrops.

Video on this route

Top 10 Places To Visit In France - 4K Travel Guide

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