Relaxed 10-Day France Self-Drive Road Trip With Itinerary from Montpellier to Lyon and Marseille

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Photo of lighthouse and old fishing port of Grau du Roi in Camargue zoological nature reserve, Montpellier, South of France.
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Discover stunning scenery and hidden gems on this 10-day relaxed road trip in France! Montpellier, La Grande-Motte, Nimes, Lyon, Caluire-et-Cuire, Vaulx-en-velin, Avignon, Marseille, Les Baux-de-Provence, and Arles await with vibrant culture and lasting memories as you unwind on this self-drive vacation.

Travel freely with this relaxed self-drive package in France, designed for comfort and exploration. Spend 3 nights in Montpellier, 3 nights in Lyon, and 3 nights in Marseille, staying at top-rated hotels near the heart of each city. Between drives, indulge in local cuisine, sip refreshing drinks, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere at popular restaurants and bars along your road trip route in France.

Your journey starts in Montpellier, where your rental car with CDW insurance will be ready for pickup. Choose a vehicle that suits your style, then set off on your 10-day relaxed road trip in France to explore its rich culture, fascinating history, and stunning landscapes.

Every stop on this leisurely self-drive holiday comes with handpicked accommodations that make relaxation effortless. Choose from elegant 5-star hotels with breathtaking views or comfortable 3-star stays that offer excellent value, all providing a welcoming retreat after a day on the road.

With your self-drive itinerary in France already planned, you’ll enjoy the country’s most celebrated sights without the rush. Marvel at the stunning Parc De La Tête D'or and soak in the atmosphere of the magnificent Notre-dame De La Garde (marseille).

Enjoy each stop as you explore the history, architecture, and character of each destination on this France road trip itinerary for 10 days.

As you travel between destinations, you’ll have plenty of time to explore local markets and boutique shops. These stops give you the chance to find unique souvenirs, taste regional specialties, and experience everyday life in France.

If you want to make your 10-day relaxed self-drive tour in France even more memorable, add optional tours or activities. Join a guided excursion, discover hidden neighborhoods, or spend an afternoon in your favorite market. Each choice deepens your connection to the places you visit.

Alongside these experiences, your laid-back self-drive package in France includes 9 nights in comfortable hotels, a rental car for 10 days, and convenient access to nearby dining options. You can also add flights and entry tickets to shape the trip exactly how you want it. With 24/7 travel support and a mobile app keeping your itinerary and documents organized, you can enjoy a relaxed drive and savor every mile of the road ahead.

Turn your travel plans into reality. Book your 10-day relaxed self-drive road trip in France today and enjoy a journey filled with discovery, freedom, and unforgettable moments!

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Driver’s age is 30 - 65
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Pick-up: 10:00
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Day 1

Day 1

  • Montpellier - Arrival day
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  • Arc de Triomphe
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Your relaxed road trip through France starts when you reach the incredible city of Montpellier, where you'll stay for 2 nights. You'll pick up your rental car in Montpellier and begin your adventure in France.

Montpellier is a beautiful city with plenty to discover. Taking a stroll in the city center is a great alternative. Soak in the lovely atmosphere and sit down for a bit to eat or drink.

Find your way to your hotel in Montpellier. We recommend choosing a hotel in a central location for easy exploring. Check-in typically starts between 2 and 4 PM at hotels in France. Settle in and make plans for the evening.

As dinnertime approaches, it's time to head out for a bite to eat. If you are looking to dine at a popular restaurant in Montpellier, it's often a good idea to reserve a table in advance.

After dinner, you can choose between heading back to your hotel to recharge, taking a leisurely stroll, or going out to a bar for a relaxed drink in great company.

Raise a toast as you look back on the highlights of today’s relaxed road trip in France. Enjoy your first taste of Montpellier as you soak in the city’s unique vibe.

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Day 2

Day 2

  • Montpellier
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Drive 54 km, 1 hour 28 min

  • Jardin des plantes de Montpellier
  • Comedy Square
  • esplanade Charles de Gaulle
  • Planet Ocean World
  • Sunset Beach
  • More

On day 2 of your relaxed road trip across France, you’ll explore the area around Montpellier, where you’ll be staying for another 1 night. With so many fun and inspiring experiences to offer, a tour of Montpellier will make you fall even more in love with the city and uniqueness of France.

When you’re done exploring for the day, you’ll return to Montpellier and your accommodation.

Mealtimes are the perfect opportunities to immerse yourself in the local culture of France. When you're not appreciating the best places to visit in Montpellier, explore the city like a local by trying out the best restaurants in the area.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Montpellier’s best bars to celebrate this day of your slow-paced adventure in France.

Soak in the unique atmosphere of Montpellier as you commemorate this day of your relaxed road trip with a toast. Cheers to a memorable, leisurely self-drive holiday in France!

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Day 3

Day 3

  • Montpellier
  • Lyon
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Drive 313 km, 3 hours 47 min

  • Jardin de La Fontaine
  • Carré d'Art
  • Museum Romanité
  • More

Day 3 of your relaxed road trip across France offers a day of exciting discoveries. You’ll end your day in Lyon, where you’ll stay for 3 nights.

Continue your laid-back road trip in France as you make your way to Lyon. Here, you’ll find top hotels and accommodations in the city, perfect for relaxing and recharging.

Exploring new places makes you hungry. Luckily, Lyon has multiple restaurants that offer fantastic dining experiences to continue your laid-back and stress-free discovery of the city.

After dinner, you can choose between heading back to your hotel to recharge, taking a leisurely stroll, or going out to a bar for a relaxed drink in great company.

Raise your glass in celebration of your freedom and relaxed road trip adventure in France!

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Day 4

Day 4

  • Lyon
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Drive 15 km, 56 min

  • parc de la Tête d'Or
  • Place Bellecour
  • Lyon Cathedral
  • Musée Cinéma et Miniature
  • Vieux Lyon
  • More

Your relaxed road trip in France continues on day 4 with more unforgettable memories to make. Today, you’ll get to know France better by exploring the top attractions of Lyon and beyond. With 2 nights left in Lyon, you’ll still have time to eat and unwind at popular restaurants and bars in the city.

When you’re done exploring the area’s best attractions, you’ll drive back to your accommodation in Lyon.

After a laid-back day of exploring top attractions in the area, it’s an excellent idea to sit down for a lovely and peaceful dinner. We’ve collected the most recommended restaurants in the city for you, so you can check out the menus and make your reservation in advance.

After dinner, you can choose between heading back to your hotel to recharge, taking a leisurely stroll, or going out to a bar for a relaxed drink in great company.

Toast to another unforgettable and relaxing road trip adventure in France!

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Day 5

Day 5

  • Lyon
  • More

Drive 36 km, 1 hour 46 min

  • Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon-Fourvière
  • La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière
  • Fresque des Lyonnais
  • Grand Parc Miribel Jonage
  • La Croix-Rousse
  • More

On day 5 of your relaxed road trip in France, you’ll start your self-paced adventure in Lyon and visit amazing attractions in Lyon and Vaulx-en-velin, just outside the city. You still have 1 night left in Lyon, so today is another excellent opportunity to dine at some of the top-rated restaurants and bars in the area.

When you’re done exploring for the day, you’ll return to Lyon and your accommodation.

Exploring new places makes you hungry. Luckily, Lyon has multiple restaurants that offer fantastic dining experiences to continue your laid-back and stress-free discovery of the city.

Before calling it a day, visit one of the best bars in Lyon. There, you can look back on the highlights of today’s pleasant and invigorating travel experiences, have friendly conversations with locals, and unwind.

Cherish every minute of your relaxed road trip vacation across France.

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Day 6

Day 6

  • Lyon
  • Marseille
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Drive 331 km, 3 hours 40 min

  • Pont d'Avignon
  • Palais des Papes
  • Jardin des doms
  • More

Day 6 of your self-drive tour in France offers a chance to experience the country’s diversity. You’ll stay in Marseille for 3 nights. Along the way, you’ll glimpse local life and explore some of the most remarkable places in France.

After a day of exploration, relax at one of the top hotels or accommodations in Marseille. Staying in the city gives you a comfortable, welcoming place to recharge during your laid-back road trip in France.

After a laid-back day of exploring top attractions in the area, it’s an excellent idea to sit down for a lovely and peaceful dinner. We’ve collected the most recommended restaurants in the city for you, so you can check out the menus and make your reservation in advance.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Marseille’s best bars to celebrate this day of your slow-paced adventure in France.

Raise your glass and relax after another big day of your leisurely paced road trip in France!

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Day 7

Day 7

  • Marseille
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Drive 34 km, 1 hour 31 min

  • Calanques National Park
  • Parc Borély
  • Basilica of Notre-Dame of la Garde
  • Cathédrale La Major
  • Le Panier
  • More

Throughout the day, make sure to take breaks to appreciate the surroundings.

France makes the perfect setting for a calming but fun road trip experience. Aside from amazing sights, France also offers plenty of tours to enhance your relaxed road trip experience.

Exploring the food culture in Marseille offers you an exciting chance to connect with locals and experience diversity along your relaxed road trip. When you’re ready to eat, we recommend you visit one of the best dining spots in the city.

After dinner, it’s time to fall in love with the amazing nightlife in Marseille and unwind at some of the best bars in the city.

Raise your glass and relax after another big day of your leisurely paced road trip in France!

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Day 8

Day 8

  • Marseille
  • More

Drive 7 km, 59 min

  • Mucem - Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean
  • Les Petits Trains de Marseille
  • Centre Commercial Centre Bourse
  • Palais Longchamp
  • Cours Julien
  • More

Gain a one-of-a-kind experience on your unhurried and relaxed road trip across France by joining a traveler-approved tour in Montpellier. There are so many fun and eye-opening activities to try out in Montpellier that will make your slow-paced self-drive tour in France more memorable.

Mealtimes are the perfect opportunities to immerse yourself in the local culture of France. When you're not appreciating the best places to visit in Marseille, explore the city like a local by trying out the best restaurants in the area.

After dinner, you can choose between heading back to your hotel to recharge, taking a leisurely stroll, or going out to a bar for a relaxed drink in great company.

Raise your glass to celebrate another day of your laid-back and relaxed road trip experience in France!

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Day 9

Day 9

  • Marseille
  • Montpellier
  • More

Drive 184 km, 3 hours 13 min

  • Château des Baux-de-Provence
  • Carrières des Lumières
  • Arles Amphitheatre
  • Camargue Regional Natural Park
  • More

Day 9 of your leisurely self-drive tour in France offers another chance for an in-depth travel experience. You’ll stay in Montpellier for 1 night.

When you’re not exploring beautiful places, you can relax in Montpellier. Here, you can choose from the best hotels and other accommodations as you get to know more about the culture in the city.

When you’re not driving and exploring some of the best places in France, it’s time to make your relaxed road trip even more comforting. Sit down for a lovely meal at one of the best restaurants in Montpellier.

Experience the amazing nightlife in Montpellier and unwind at the coolest bars in the city.

Free your mind of worries as you enjoy the taste of freedom on your laid-back road trip adventure across France.

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Day 10

Day 10

  • Montpellier - Departure day
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  • Aqueduc Saint-Clément
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Day 10 of your relaxed road trip in France is your departure day. If you’re flying home, return your rental car with time to spare.

Over a good meal, take a moment to unwind and reflect on the past 10 days of your relaxed road trip.

The unforgettable experiences you’ve collected along your 10-day relaxed road trip in France is a story you will tell for the rest of your life.

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How it works

Book your journey with Europe’s biggest travel platform—expert itineraries, instant confirmation, and full flexibility with 24/7 support.

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Shortly after booking, you’ll receive your full itinerary, including schedules, locations, and everything you need for a stress-free trip.
Personalize your itinerary
Each package includes a professionally crafted itinerary you can tailor to your travel style. A dedicated travel expert will make sure every detail fits your needs perfectly.
Easily make changes
Need to update plans? No problem. Whether before your trip or mid-journey, we’re just seconds away to help with quick adjustments.
Enjoy seamless planning
With everything from accommodations to activities pre-arranged, our packages save you hours of research—so you can spend more time enjoying your trip, not planning it.
Explore with confidence
From scenic road trips to city-hopping adventures, we’re here 24/7 to support you across Europe—before, during, and after your trip.
Secure your spot
Confirm your package instantly and lock in the best rate with secure payment and guaranteed availability.
Get instant confirmation
Shortly after booking, you’ll receive your full itinerary, including schedules, locations, and everything you need for a stress-free trip.
Personalize your itinerary
Each package includes a professionally crafted itinerary you can tailor to your travel style. A dedicated travel expert will make sure every detail fits your needs perfectly.
Easily make changes
Need to update plans? No problem. Whether before your trip or mid-journey, we’re just seconds away to help with quick adjustments.
Enjoy seamless planning
With everything from accommodations to activities pre-arranged, our packages save you hours of research—so you can spend more time enjoying your trip, not planning it.
Explore with confidence
From scenic road trips to city-hopping adventures, we’re here 24/7 to support you across Europe—before, during, and after your trip.

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Your trip is protected, personalized, and priced right. No surprises, no stress.

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