Nr of days: 11
Year: 2015
From the Alps to the castles:
From Milan to Chauffayer, the first 400km stop took us through the langhe landscape till Briançon, the highest city of France, famous for the fortification complex that characterizes it. To reach it you will cross the border,once you have passed Sestriere.
We slept in Chauffayer in an ancient castle nestled in the woods to escape the rain, your mate in this section of the itinerary! The road to the Loire offers pleasant surprises in the following 2 days (Chauffayer-Vigneu 289km / Vigneu-Chinon 522km):
- The Chorance caves, reachable through a curve path that winds through the rocks and the river, spectacular!
- Malleval and Le Chatre little medieval villages from which to enjoy a wonderful view;
- Saint Etienne city of design and arts
... and so easily reach the Loire in Chinon, which is recommended for a dinner and a walk. Chinon is also a great starting point to visit the castles of the area on the 4th day. Honestly more than the castles in themselves, the gardens worth it more, first of all Villandry!
Further upnorth in Brittany and Normandy:
We spend the night in Rennes where it is necessary to dine with a Crêpes with aullarde (a very tasty local sausage).
The 5th day is dedicated to Brittany: Rennes - Saint Malo 222km. One of the most beautiful stops on the itinerary for the variety of landscapes that come together: Dinan is an ancient medieval village very well preserved, Dinard a beach where to eat an excellent fish soup, Cancale famous for its oysters, Saint Malo, a romantic French town From the retro atmosphere.
The 6th day, however, is dedicated to Normandy (280km), the land of landing, the long and desolate beaches of the D-day, the remains of the bunkers, the Utah beach museum, the American cemetery .... a day devoted to surreal landscapes that invite you to think about history.
Normandy is also rich in romantic places like Mont Saint Michel and Le Havre. Here, more than curves, you will appreciate the coastal road and the wind blowing on the north coast.
Among the wineries of Champagne:
The 7th stop (Etretat- Reims 360 km) finally brings us to the Champagne country. Before our fantastic wine tasting in Reims we spent all day between the cliffs of Etretat and the region around Rouen, a beautiful village with wooden houses, famous especially for the place where Giovanna D'Arco was burnt. In Reims visiting the cathedral and the Tattinger cellar worth it the long trip. Champagne region discovery naturally brings us to Epernay. At the entrance of the village you will find a map with all the wineries of the most prestigious Champagne brands, park your little lady and enjoy the wine tastings!
If you can, take a day off to make a route deviation in Belgium (-> see Belgium's recommended itinerary: Beer, Pork and Curves!). You will miss a bit of curves so far and the recommended day trip to Belgium definitively satisfy our needs .
Couples of bends coming back home:
On the 9th day after 365 km we arrive in Dijon. It starts the way back and therefore only point to Troyes and the Dijon market for those who appreciate the local products and the liveliness of the markets.
On the 10th day another 370km travels to Borgo Saint Maurice, passing through D996 to Seurre, then Louhans, Burg en Bresse, Revonnans, Nantua, Bellebourg on Valsereine. Here, cross Lake Annecy to Moutiers and finally come to the village of Saint Maurice.
Following this route is a viable alternative that takes you between grain fields, lakes and mountains.
We prepare for the small San Bernardo pass on the 11th day (Borgo Saint Maurice-Milan 370 km), a pleasant discovery, a well-kept and quiet road that will take you to the heart of the Aosta Valley before returning to Milan.
Orevoir France!
PUNTI DI INTERESSE: Choranche, Normandy, Epernay