Cheap 5-Day France Road Trip Vacation from Lyon traveling south to Montpellier and Nimes

You'll pick up your rental car in Lyon and begin your adventure in France.

Lyon is a popular cheap holiday destination in France with something to offer every traveler. When you're ready to explore the city, stop at some of the best places to visit in Lyon and get this road trip adventure rolling.

A trip to the amazing Place Bellecour will make your cheap holiday in France truly special. This attraction is a fascinating square that has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 20,560 visitors.

When you're hungry and ready to take a break from your adventure, treat yourself to a delicious meal at one of the best restaurants in Lyon. An excellent example is the popular L Bar food & drink. Serving a menu of mouthwatering dishes, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 2,758 customers.

Another restaurant you should check out during your cheap vacation in France is Bouchon Tupin.

If you wish to dine at a restaurant locals love, go to the wonderful L'Institut Restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 853 customers, and is an awesome place to satisfy your craving for good food and service.

The Phantom of the Opera is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 514 customers have given this spot an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, making it one of the most popular bars in the area.

Another bar in Lyon we recommend is Black Forest Society, an excellent place to meet new friends. This bar offers customers plenty of snack and drink options and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 500 customers.

Enjoy toasting the start of a terrific road trip vacation and cheap holiday experience in France!

On day 2 of your road trip through popular and cheap vacation spots across France, you’ll experience two places in one day. You’ll start your day in Lyon and end your day in the city of Montpellier, where you'll stay for 1 night. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you.

One of the best places to visit in Lyon is the amazing Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. This travel destination is a minor basilica that has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 25,765 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible parc de la Tête d'Or. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 50,621 travelers, a visit to this well-known park and sightseeing spot in Lyon is likely to make your vacation in France even more memorable.

Cheap, budget vacations are nothing but incredible, especially when you’re in France. To have the best affordable travel experience in France, make time for some unique, challenging, or inspiring activities. Adding a tour to your travel plan promises a one-of-a kind adventure that will make your cheap vacation in France unforgettable. Fortunately, you'll find plenty of budget-friendly tours and cheap holiday deals in France.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Montpellier. Montpellier is another cheap travel destination in France where you have access to hotels, restaurants, bars, and other conveniences.

After a long day of driving and exploring some of the best attractions a budget vacation in France can afford, treat yourself to a hearty meal. You’ll find many great restaurants in Montpellier that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Montpellier is Coldrip food and coffee. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 644 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Montpellier, Empanadas Club is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,371 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Fitzpatrick's Irish Pub. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Montpellier enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,623 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Montpellier’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in France. For example, you can visit The Shakespeare. Rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 903 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Restaurant Le Tapas - Montpellier. This popular bar in Montpellier has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 659 bar-goers.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure and cheap holiday experience in France!

Day 3 of your road trip across France offers you the chance to visit the wonderful Lyon and the enchanting Carcassonne, two of the most popular cheap holiday destinations in the country. You'll begin sightseeing in Lyon and end the day in Carcassonne, where you'll stay for 1 night.

Buckle up because day 3 of your affordable vacation in France will take you to some of locals’ and travelers’ most recommended travel spots!

One place travelers keep coming back to in Lyon is the magnificent Comedy Square. Around 11,883 visitors have rated this excellent square and travel destination an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

We also recommend you explore the amazing Planet Ocean World on this leg of your self-drive tour in France. This attraction is a well-known aquarium that has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from around 8,786 travelers.

The remarkable esplanade Charles de Gaulle is known to be one of the best places to visit in this cheap vacation spot in France. This attraction, an amazing square, is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 8,915 travelers.

After capturing the beauty and rich culture of Lyon, you’ll get back behind the wheels and continue your road trip to the fantastic city of Carcassonne.

Start your sightseeing in this cheap holiday destination with a visit to the unforgettable Cité de Carcassonne. This popular site is a valued fortress in Carcassonne and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 76,968 visitors.

Another must-visit in Carcassonne is the spectacular Château Comtal. This outstanding castle and sightseeing destination has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from more than 8,823 travelers.

You can also stop at the popular proche cité to make your cheap holiday experience in Carcassonne truly special. This top-tier point of interest and place of interest has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 7,102 visitors.

Exploring one unique site after another provides you the much-needed variety during your self-drive tour across France. But to satisfy your curiosity or need for adventure, we recommend you add excursions in today’s agenda. You have a great selection of popular and low-cost activities to choose from in France. Make your cheap holiday experience in France more memorable by doing something new, bold, or inspiring.

Nimes offers many top-rated accommodations suitable for travelers on a budget vacation in France. So anytime you need a break from your activities, you’re guaranteed a comfortable and affordable place to rest and stay in the city.

As this adventurous day progresses, satisfy your hunger at one of the best restaurants in the city. Many restaurants in Nimes offer good food at even better prices, the perfect combination for travelers on affordable vacations in France.

Restaurant Au Flan Coco Nimes is a must try. This restaurant serves a mouthwatering selection of meals and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 993 diners.

Another popular eating spot in Nimes is L'Instant T, a local favorite. Serving diners fresh, delicious, and affordable meals, this restaurant has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 752 customers.

Gard O Wine offers customers flavorful food and good ambiance, making it one of the best places to eat in Nimes. With an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 323 customers, this restaurant can get packed very quickly. Make sure you get to the restaurant early to save yourself a seat.

When night has fallen and you feel like enjoying a drink, head to some of Nimes’s best bars. There are plenty of bars in the city where you can order a few drinks without compromising your budget.

O’Flaherty’s is an excellent example of a great bar in Nimes offering drinks at reasonable prices. This popular bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,377 customers.

You can also hang out and have a drink at La bonne mousse, another of locals’ go-to bars in Nimes. La bonne mousse is among the best city bars offering various beverages at different price points, with around 428 customers having rated it an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Celebrate another day of your adventure-filled road trip through France with a toast. Cheers to a memorable cheap vacation experience in France!

Day 4 of your self-drive vacation in France gives you the opportunity to explore two popular cheap holiday destinations in one day.

Today's agenda features plenty of popular stops and allows you to stay in Lyon for 1 night. How much time you want to spend in each area or attraction is up to you. This way, you’ll have all the time you want to take in the unique atmosphere of each location and make the most of your affordable vacation in France.

While you’re in Lyon, it’s a good idea to visit the amazing Jardin de La Fontaine. The fantastic Jardin de La Fontaine is a popular park and a sightseeing hotspot. This attraction boasts an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 15,878 travelers.

Travelers usually have a splendid time at the incredible Pont du Gard, a well-known arch bridge in the area. Currently, this spectacular destination enjoys a 4.6 out of a 5 star-rating from 29,439 travelers.

Make Jardin des doms your first stop. This popular urban park among locals and travelers alike has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 3,201 visitors.

Another unforgettable travel destination in Vaucluse is the outstanding Palais des Papes. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 36,931 visitors, this remarkable palace and attraction deserves a spot on your France travel bucket list.

Make the most of your time in the country by joining activities that let you discover more about France. Check out all of the affordable tours you can join this day of your cheap holiday in France and ensure the road trip experience of a lifetime.

You’ll also have your choice of the best budget accommodations in the city of Lyon. So when it's time for a break from your adventures in Lyon, relax and restore your energy at any of the following affordable places to stay.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Flair Restaurant, one of the best restaurants in Lyon. This restaurant is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 726 customers.

Restaurant Gastronomique Christian Tetedoie is yet another of the top places to eat in the city. Restaurant Gastronomique Christian Tetedoie is known for serving a variety of delectable dishes and is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,459 diners.

Locals and travelers enjoy dining at Les Fleurs du Malt le Bar "La Mise en Bière", another well-loved restaurant in Lyon. Rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,225 guests, this restaurant is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a memorable dining experience in France.

After dinner, visit one of the best bars in Lyon, Dam's Pub. This famous bar offers snacks and drinks at different price points and is a popular hangout spot among locals. In addition, this bar has been rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,373 bar goers.

The King Arthur is a great place for anyone who is into classic bar drinks. This bar is considered one of the best drinking spots in Lyon, with its average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,312 customers.

Cherish every minute of your road trip vacation across France. Celebrate this opportunity to enjoy a cheap holiday in France!

It’s soon time to say goodbye to France as your road trip vacation is about to end. Day 5 is your departure day and your last chance to capture the beauty of Lyon.

Depending on how much time you have before your flight back home, we recommend doing some last-minute shopping or sightseeing to make the most of your cheap holiday experience in France.

If you'd rather pass time visiting some attractions, this is your chance to go to places you may not have had the chance to explore yet.

One fantastic attraction you could visit on your last day in Lyon is the remarkable Fresque des Lyonnais. This fresco and popular place of interest has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 4,927 visitors.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Lyon, consider a top-rated restaurant like Dam's Pub. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,373 customers.

The King Arthur is an excellent alternative if you feel like eating something else. This restaurant serves a variety of savory and budget-friendly dishes and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,312 customers.

Another popular restaurant you could check out is Le Mirtillo. Rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 526 customers, this restaurant is a great place to enjoy meals that will remind you of France and your fun memories in Lyon.

You’ll then say farewell to Lyon and begin your journey home. You’ll leave filled with unforgettable memories from your terrific and affordable travel experiences in France!