Bordeaux Round Trip: Wine, Beaches, and Villages

The first leg of your round trip route from Bordeaux begins in the city itself, where you’ll have plenty of time to check out its major sights before hitting the road. You’ll make a beeline for the coast to visit Arcachon’s giant sand dune and taste its oysters, before heading south to see the towns of Bayonne and Biarritz, which are known for their summer festivals and golden sands, respectively. Your final stop on this leg is in Lourdes, a monumentally beautiful pilgrimage site that offers stunning architecture and fascinating history even for the non-religious. There’s a lot to see on this leg, so you’ll need five or six days to make time for it all.
 
Bordeaux
 
Bordeaux is both a fantastic and difficult place to begin a motorhome road trip. Fantastic because of all the incredible sights and tastes throughout the city, difficult because it’ll be hard to leave. The heart of the city is La Place de la Bourse, a city square built in the 1700s and still surrounded by gorgeous architecture. One of the top attractions here is the Water Mirror, which is a thin film of moisture on the ground that beautifully reflects the grand buildings. Other epic must-see buildings in the city include the towering Bordeaux Cathedral, Grand Theatre de Bordeaux, and the Puerta de Cailhau, which looks like a castle and was once the main entrance to the city. Take a long stroll down the Quais de Bordeaux, which is a spectacular riverfront walk accented with more breathtaking architecture, bridge after bridge, and bright and colourful gardens. If shopping is your thing, walk the length of Rue Sainte-Catherine, which is the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe, and has everything from high-street brands to affordable bohemian clothing. Finally, as a precursor to many stops along your upcoming road trip, make a stop at La Cite du Vin, which is an ode to wine, its history, and how it’s made all over the world. Take a tour to see as much of it as possible, and finish up at the Belvedere Bar to look out over the city with your first glass of French wine.
When you are finally ready to hit the road, steer your campervan southwest on the A63 for a quick visit to the coast.
 
Arcachon
 
Arcachon offers your first chance to spend some time on a beach under the sun in the Bay of Biscay, but it’s a town also known for two other major features: its oysters and sand dunes. The Dune du Pilat is Europe’s highest sand dune and is naturally a fantastic outdoor playground. Simply walking on it is an experience, but you can take it one step further and try bodyboarding the whole way down, or take an exhilarating paraglide off the top. Once you’ve worked up an appetite on the dune, make your way to almost any restaurant in town to try the oysters. Visit ‘Bar a Huitres’ (oyster bar) or Chez Yannick to taste the local fare, and if oysters aren’t your thing, there’s plenty of other tasty seafood treats throughout the town as well.
Once you’ve had your fill of sand and oysters, head back to the A63 for a scenic drive south through Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park down to Bayonne.
 
Bayonne
 
Bayonne is a small city with an ancient history. Inhabited since the Medieval times, it’s worth a visit simply to explore the cobblestone streets, Amsterdam-like riverfront buildings, and glorious architecture. The city is home to the largest summer festival in France, the Fetes de Bayonne, a five-day celebration in late July offering everything from parades and fireworks to running with the bulls and traditional dances. Aside from this annual festival that draws in roughly a million visitors, Bayonne is a relatively quiet town. Foodwise, it’s known for its Bayonne ham and chocolate, which have been cured and crafted in the city for hundreds of years, so be sure to stop by one of the many local shops to find out why the city is known for these flavours. In fact, you’ll be able to find both products and much, much more at Les Halles, the city’s covered market by the Nive River that opens up with more stalls in an outdoor open-air section on Saturday mornings.
From here, it’s only a short drive to the coast to one of France’s most famous destinations.
 
Biarritz
 
Biarritz is the sparkling gem of the Bay of Biscay and is the perfect blend of relaxed surfer style summer getaway, and swanky beachside resort. As well as spending hours on end relaxing on the rich golden sands by the shore, you can also give surfing a try here - the town is rumoured to be the birthplace of Europe’s surf scene. The Grande Plage is the main beach right next to the township area, but other quieter spots surround this one if you’re looking to escape the crowds. The Plage de la Côte des Basques is the main surfing beach for the town, although it is not the best spot for absolute beginners. On shore, the Hotel du Palais and Casino Municipal are the two major buildings that you simply can’t miss and are well worth a look in to see the opulent interiors. The Halles de Biarritz covered market is the place to be to taste and buy fresh local produce, and the Musee de la Mer Aquarium is a leading attraction for the world tour of undersea creatures found within its depths.
Your next drive will take you inland via the A64, so make sure you get your fill of beach time before you set out.
 
Lourdes
 
Your final stop on the first leg of your campervan itinerary through western France takes you to the unmissable city of Lourdes. The town is largely known for its status as a major pilgrimage site that’s visited by more than six million people every year, who come to see the site where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to a peasant girl, making it the second-most visited city in France after Paris. The site in question is at the Massabielle Grotto at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, which is where peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous first experienced her visions in 1858. Note that if you’re looking to visit, there may be wait times of several hours. For a beautiful view over the city, climb the steep ascent up to the Chateau Fort (or take the lift for free) to take in the view and stop by the Musee Pyreneen to see artefacts and artworks from around the region.
Finally, drive the 20 minutes south into the mountains to reach the Pyrenees National Park and begin the second leg of your road trip.
 

The second leg of your motorhome road trip only includes a few stops, but you could easily spend days on end in each. You’ll begin in the striking Pyrenees National Park to explore its mountains, waterfalls, and towns, before moving north to discover the historic city of Toulouse. From here, you’ll need as much time as you can give yourself to explore the Lot Valley and its multitude of small medieval towns and historic vineyards. Give yourself three or four days to make this drive.
 
Pyrenees National Park
 
The Pyrenees National Park is a vast area covering the border between France and Spain. There are hundreds of lakes, epic mountain peaks that soar over 3,000ft, rivers, waterfalls, and forests across more than 50,000 hectares of land. One of the best spots to visit is the Cirque de Gavarnie. A cirque is essentially a large, curved cliff face that creates a natural amphitheatre, and this one is particularly spectacular thanks to its numerous raging waterfalls - the tallest of which (and the tallest in France), la Grande Cascade de Gavarnie, is almost 1,400 feet high. To visit, head to the Gavarnie village and take one (or several) of the multiple hiking trails in the area that lead to the cirque. Another must-see spot is the Pont D'Espagne, a stone bridge that arches high above the Gave de Marcadau. Wherever you go in the park, prepare for epic natural scenery, endless hiking possibilities, and cute little mountain towns along the way.
Next, make your way back north out of the park and onto the A64 towards Toulouse.
 
Toulouse
 
Known as ‘The Pink City’ (La Ville Rose) thanks to its abundance of terracotta throughout its architecture, Toulouse is a glorious place that meshes the old with the new. Your first stop should be a wander around La Place du Capitole, which is the heart of the historic Old Town and filled with grand buildings such as the Capitole de Toulouse and the Musee des Augustins. Head from historic sites and onto the modern by taking your campervan to Cite de l’Espace, a theme park dedicated to space travel, or the Aeroscopia, an aeronautical museum with full-sized planes. And when you need a break from the sightseeing, make a picnic and take a stroll alongside the city’s famous Garonne River to find the perfect spot for lunch.
From here it’s a two-hour drive north to the sumptuous Lot Valley.
 
The Lot Valley
 
The Lot Valley is a real-life example of what you might picture when you think of France: tiny villages, wine, fresh bread, creamy cheese, and all the open air and blue skies you could imagine. This area is dotted with countless vineyards, and the medieval villages still retain rich traditions, including bustling weekly markets. The Cahors Vineyards are perhaps the most well-known, and they are certainly well-loved, covering more than 3,850 hectares and offering some of the oldest vinos in the country. They are particularly known for their reds, especially Malbec wines, as this is the birthplace of this decadent drop. Stop by the Chateau de Chambert to see a wine castle and take a wine tasting tour to learn more about this centuries-old vineyard and taste its Malbec, or head to Mas del Perie to try a modern take on Cahors wines as this small vineyard offers only organic vinos. You can essentially pull into any town in the area for an authentic French countryside experience, but if you’d like one to aim for, try Puy L'eveque. This town is located in the heart of the Cahors region and offers a maze of alleyways on a hill overlooking the meandering Lot River. Simply stroll through the streets, enjoy wines and snacks at the many cafes, or take a scenic boat ride on the river to take in this stunning medieval township.
The Dordogne Valley and the start of your next leg is less than two hours north from Puy L’eveque.
 

Take a drive from the Dordogne Valley to Poitiers to explore endless small French villages, wineries, markets, historic cities and towns, and everything in between. This leg includes a visit to the famous Lascaux Grotto, and to as many of the nearby villages as you can manage. You’ll then move on to Brive-la-Gaillarde to see its market and distillery, before passing through historic Limoges and its nearby Castle of Nieuil. Even though it will feel like time has stood still in many of these places, you’ll want another few days to complete this leg.
 
The Dordogne Valley
 
If you like the Lot Valley, you’ll also love its northern neighbour, the Dordogne Valley. This time, as well as castles and historic villages, wine and scenery, the Dordogne Valley also adds another major point of interest: prehistoric cave art. The Lascaux Grotto (Grotte de Lascaux) is one of the most famous examples of prehistoric cave systems and was only discovered in 1940 by a young boy and his friends. While the cave received countless visitors for many years, it was determined that this activity damaged the paintings, and was subsequently closed. That said, you can still visit the International Centre for Cave Art on site to see an exact replica and to learn about the history and meaning of such paintings around the world. It will be tough to decide which of the 93 villages to visit on your drive through the valley. Rocamadour is a particularly striking cliffside town over the River Alzou, and La Roque Gageac is an unmissable village of pretty yellowstone homes and towering cliffs alongside the Dordogne River. As for the food and wine, the area is famed for its foie gras, truffles, strawberries, walnuts, and many vineyards. For wines, try the Chateau de Monbazillac, the Grand Maison, or virtually any winery you pass by! Just make sure you take turns at driving, so no one is indulging in the vinos before getting behind the wheel.
Keep following the A89 to reach your next destination, Brive-la-Gaillarde.
 
Brive-la-Gaillarde
 
If you can manage it, aim to be in Brive-la-Gaillarde on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday morning; this is when the town’s famous markets - Halle George Brassens - open to offer delicious local fare. They became famous thanks to an iconic French song from 1952 set in the Brive markets, which is why they are now named for the singer today. Aside from the market, this stop is all about exploring the many magnificent sights. Les jardins de l’imaginaire is a garden that’s a cross between gorgeous flora and tasteful art, and the nearby village of Collonges-la-Rouges is a surreal place of red sandstone buildings. And to explore one of the best Renaissance mansions in the region, take an afternoon to visit the Hotel de Labenche, which today is home to the art and history museum of Brive. Finally, for something a little different from the usual winery visits, make the time to see the Denoix Distillery. Founded in 1839, it offers tours giving you an inside look at how their famous liqueurs get made, such as the Liqueur de Chocolat and Liqueur Orange, and of course, to try some for yourself.
It’s just over an hour from Brive to Limoges - simply follow the A20 heading north for 100 kilometres.
 
Limoges
 
Limoges offers something of a change of pace from the sleepy villages of the countryside. This modern city isn’t exactly a concrete jungle or teeming metropolis, but it is one of the larger cities in the region. Limoges is known, first and foremost, for its porcelain. Production of the material began in the 18th century after kaolin (an essential clay in porcelain production) was found near the city, and today is the premier manufacturing location in France. Even if porcelain isn’t your cup of tea, a visit to Bernardaud Porcelain Factory will still surprise you with an hour-long tour of the porcelain production process. Next, take a stroll through the Quartier de Boucherie to step back in time and explore the narrow lanes, tall wooden buildings, and quaint restaurants, cafes and bars tucked away at every turn. And it wouldn’t be a visit to Limoges without stopping by the Limoges Cathedral, a structure that took six centuries to complete and has therefore been built with influences from a number of architectural styles such as Gothic and Renaissance.
 
Castle of Nieuil
 
Before making your way to Poitiers and the start of your final leg, allow an afternoon to visit the Castle of Nieuil, which is a little north of Limoges. You’ll see it from the road as you approach, as it’s hard to miss the massive Renaissance towers and striking outline in the sky. As you get closer, you can admire the lush gardens and impressive moat. The castle was converted into a hotel in 1937, but since you already have your accommodation sorted, you can simply drop by for a meal in the restaurant or a walk in the grounds to enjoy the setting.
 
From here, it’s less than two hours northwest to Poitiers via the N147.
 

The final leg of your tour offers the perfect blend of history, scenery, beaches, and even more delicious French food and wine. You’ll begin in Poitiers to explore its dynamic mesh of history and the future, then make your way back to the coast to explore La Rochelle, Ile de Re, Ile d’Oleron, and Royan for the final few days of beaches and dazzling blue waters. If you have any time left at the end of your drive, you can either revisit your favourite spots in Bordeaux or head to some of the attractions you missed the first time around.
 
Poitiers
 
Poitiers was once known as the ‘Town of 100 Bell Towers’ due to its huge collection of churches, many of which are still around today. Like many sights in the city, these towers are the mark of Eleanor of Aquitaine, the queen who made the city her home and in doing so, brought added wealth and beauty to Poitiers. During your visit, you’ll be able to explore the city to get a feel for its rich past, but you’ll also be able to look into the future. The local population is roughly a quarter students thanks to the local university, and Poitiers is also home to France’s second-largest theme park, Futuroscope. This park is all about the powers of multimedia, with 3D and 4D cinemas, futuristic rides, and more. At the other end of the scale, the city’s historic attractions are just as magnificent. The Eglise Notre-Dame la Grande is the heart of the city, and it is widely regarded as having the most beautiful facade of all the Romanesque buildings in the world. A few streets away sits the Baptistere Saint-Jean, and while it is not quite as stunning as its neighbour, it is believed to be the oldest Christian building in France, constructed in 360 AD.
Next, it’s time to head back to the coast. Head west via the A10 to make your way to La Rochelle.
 
La Rochelle
 
La Rochelle is a perfectly pretty port city on the coast and has been for almost a thousand years. The Old Port (Vieux Port) area has been the heart of the city’s fishing and trade industry for centuries and is still surrounded by medieval houses and architecture, cobblestoned lanes, and towers. To make it all even more magical, the white limestone used throughout these structures gives the city a whimsical bright appearance, leading to its nickname as ‘The White City’ (La Ville Blanche). You’ll easily spend an afternoon strolling these streets and stopping at various cafes and restaurants or even visiting the Aquarium de La Rochelle on the waterfront to see the sharks and sea turtles. You can also pop over to the Ile de Re, a small island attached to the mainland by a single bridge. This small island is all about parking the motorhome, hiring bikes, and getting around on two wheels instead of four. You can spend the day pedalling from one waterfront village to another, taking in the terracotta roofs and whitewashed buildings, nibbling on fresh seafood and lying about on beaches along the way.
 
This isn’t the only island along the coast - make your way down past Rochefort and onto Ile d’Oleron for your next stop.
 
Ile d’Oleron
 
Much like its northern island neighbour, Ile d’Oleron is a gorgeous destination with endless marinas, seafood restaurants, and enticing paths leading all over the island. There are also plenty of campsites on the island, so it’s the ideal spot to stay a night or two with your motorhome. During your stay, you can visit wineries, stop by oyster farms, head out onto the water for a kayaking adventure, play a round of golf, relax on the beaches, take a bike tour, and much, much more. The island also includes some fascinating heritage attractions, such as Fort Louvois, which was built in the 17th century on a submerged rock, giving it the impression that it is almost floating on the water. You can either walk across a causeway at low tide or take a free shuttle boat over at high tide (note that the shuttle is only available during summer). If you’re looking to treat your tastebuds to the local oysters, head straight for La cite d’huitres (the city of oysters), where you can take a tour to learn about this delicacy’s history, cultivation and cooking, all before stopping off at La Claire restaurant to try it for yourself.
Finally, make your way back to the mainland and head south to your final stop in Royan.
 
Royan
 
Royan is your last chance to enjoy the laid-back beachside vibe of a French coastal town before heading back to Bordeaux. This popular resort is home to some of the best beaches in the country, ranging from the quiet and hidden to the popular family hotspots and the shorelines with the best waves for surfers. A few of the favourites include Plage de la Grande-Conche, Plage de Pontaillac, and Plage de Chay, but there are sandy spots up and down the coastline, so you’ll easily be able to access them all with your campervan. Aside from beaches and the surrounding cafes and restaurants, the town’s other major attraction is Planet Exotica. It’s home to a range of exotic gardens, including an orchid greenhouse, bonsai collection, and bamboo labyrinth, as well as a number of animals, boat rides through marshes, and a 1,800-year-old olive tree from Spain. It’s well worth a stop when you need a break from the beach.
To head back to Bordeaux, follow the A10 for almost two hours back to the city, and don’t forget to make the most of your motorhome one last time by ticking off any spots you missed before you left.
 
A Bordeaux round trip road trip will undoubtedly feel bittersweet as you cover those final few kilometres back to drop off your keys. You’ll have tasted - literally and figuratively - a wonderful part of France and will likely be feeling quite sun-kissed and full of wine and oysters and fresh food by the end of it. Your camera will be filled with shots of epic castles and unbelievably pretty villages, and you’ll no doubt already be planning your next motorhome road trip somewhere in the world.