5-Day France road trip from Pau to Bordeaux and Carcassonne

Your road trip adventure in France begins as soon as you reach the incredible city of Pau. You’ll stay in Pau for 2 nights, experiencing all the best things to do and see in the city.

Pau has many popular destinations you can explore. You could visit attractions like the incredible place Clémenceau. This attraction is a square and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,641 visitors.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best hotels or places to stay in the city. Your stay promises to be a delightful continuation of your exploration, providing comfort and tranquility to recharge for the adventures that lie ahead.

When you’re ready for dinner, we recommend you try one of the best restaurants in the city of Pau, Restaurant Le Canard Royal. The restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 633 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Pau is L'Opéra. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 537 customers.

Locals recommend Le Berry as one of the best restaurants in the city of Pau. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,274 customers.

Pau also has several great bars that will fit all travel budgets. One of the best bars in the city of Pau is Le Garage. This bar has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,953 customers.

Another of the best bars in the city of Pau is The Galway. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 731 customers.

Locals also enjoy Au Fût et à mesure. This bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 585 customers.

Enjoy toasting the start of your 5-day vacation in France!

Rise and shine on day 2 of your road trip in France. Today, you'll wake up in Pau and embark on a scenic drive to Bordeaux, where you'll stay at one of the best hotels for 1 night. Seize the opportunity to explore spectacular attractions in Pau and Duras before you reach your end destination for the day.

It’s hard not to feel excited about visiting attractions in a destination as lovely as Pau. When you’re eager to explore the city and nearby areas, we recommend visiting some local favorites, such as the wonderful Funiculaire de Pau. This attraction is a funicular that has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1,020 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible Parc Beaumont. This attraction, a beloved green space, has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 2,112 visitors.

Wave goodbye to Pau and continue your journey by car. If you want to break up today’s drive into two, take the opportunity to stop and discover what the city of Duras has to offer.

One of the most popular attractions you can visit is the remarkable Castle of the Dukes of Duras. This attraction is a must-see tourist destination that has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 3,001 visitors.

When you're done with your sightseeing in Duras, it's time to continue your drive to the city of Bordeaux. When you arrive in Bordeaux you’ll check in at one of the best hotels in the area.

We recommend you end the day with a dinner at a popular restaurant near your accommodation, like Le Comptoir Des Chats (enfants à partir de 10 ans). This restaurant offers various delicious and comforting meals and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,090 customers.

Locals also recommend suzzi, another of the best restaurants in Bordeaux. Suzzi is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 852 customers.

If you feel like having something else, check out the menu at Symbiose. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 896 customers and is a great place to enjoy a lovely meal.

After dinner, visit The Connemara to enjoy a couple of drinks and relax. This bar is one of the best in Bordeaux, with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,896 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like Molly Malone's. This bar is a great spot to meet new friends and celebrate your vacation. Molly Malone's has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,951 customers.

Le Bar à Vin is another bar locals often recommend. This bar offers a great variety of snacks and drinks and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,327 customers.

End your day by raising your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure in France, and look forward to more great days to come!

As you rise to greet the dawn on day 3 of your epic road trip in France, you'll awaken to the bustling city of Bordeaux. Today, you'll hit the road once again, setting off on a journey towards the stunning city of Carcassonne. You’ll stay in Carcassonne for 1 night. But before you begin your drive, we recommend taking the time to explore some of Bordeaux’s must-see attractions and local hotspots.

If you’re curious to see more of Bordeaux, start your day with a visit to the amazing jardin public. This much-appreciated urban park and attraction is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 12,341 visitors.

You could also stop at another of the best local travel destinations in the area, the fascinating La Cité du Vin. This museum and spectacular attraction has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars from 21,487 visitors.

We also recommend you spend some time at the popular place de la Bourse to make the most of your road trip across France. The spectacular place de la Bourse is a square that has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 16,251 visitors.

The lovely miroir d'eau is yet another attraction you could pay a visit. Around 14,462 visitors have left this reflecting pool average ratings of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

After soaking up all the sights and sounds that Bordeaux has to offer, you'll be ready to hit the open road and continue your unforgettable road trip towards the city of Carcassonne. Carcassonne offers plenty of options for top-rated hotels and other places to stay that fit all travel budgets.

After you’ve settled into your accommodation, we recommend a dinner at the popular Restaurant La Marquière. This popular restaurant is one of the locals’ most recommended restaurants in the city, with ratings of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 680 reviews.

The remarkable Brasserie a 4 Temps is another top restaurant in Carcassonne we recommend. This restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience and is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,551 customers.

If you would rather go somewhere else, the famous Adélaïde is also an excellent choice. This well-loved restaurant is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,584 customers.

After your meal, we recommend you drink at one of the best bars in Carcassonne, the fantastic Comte Roger. This bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,143 customers.

To end your night the best way possible, we recommend going to the wonderful The Celt. This bar offers a great variety of drinks and has been rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,000 customers.

Another bar with a great atmosphere is La Métairie. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 756 customers, so don’t forget to check this one out as well!

Celebrate another amazing vacation day filled with adventure in France!

Day 4 of your road trip through France gives you the opportunity to experience two places in one day. You'll start your day with some exploring in the city of Carcassonne and end it at a top-rated hotel in the city of Pau. You will stay in Pau for 1 night. Have a hearty breakfast and get excited for a wonderful day ahead!

One of the best places to visit today in Carcassonne is the amazing Château Comtal. This attraction is a castle that is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 8,823 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible best-rated sightseeing destination, Château et Remparts de la Cité de Carcassonne. With an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,201 visitors, this attraction is one of the top sights in the area.

Another unforgettable travel destination in the Carcassonne is the outstanding Cité de Carcassonne. This popular fortress and travel destination has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 76,968 visitors.

The spectacular Basilique Saint Nazaire is another popular attraction you can visit today. This fascinating church and attraction has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 4,146 visitors.

You can make the most of your new day in Carcassonne by joining activities and tours that let you discover what else the city has in store for you. There are many top-rated experiences you can include in your travel plan to add flavor to your road trip in France. Browse all of your options and reserve your slot before it's too late.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Pau, where you will access the best hotels and places to stay.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Restaurant Cotes & Mer, one of the best restaurants in the city of Pau. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 835 customers.

Locals also recommend Le Henri IV as one of the best restaurants in the city of Pau. Le Henri IV is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 751 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Pau is Gueuleton - Pau. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 696 customers.

After dinner, visit Snug, which is considered one of the best bars in the city of Pau. This bar is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 306 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like Winfield Café. This bar has an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars by 791 customers.

Alternatively, L'Imparfait is one of the best bars that locals recommend in the city of Pau. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 152 customers.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure through France!

Day 5 of your road trip in France is your departure day. This is your chance to catch one last glimpse of Pau before saying goodbye to this wonderful destination. When you have time to explore the area before you make your way home, we recommend visiting some of the following attractions.

Kofu Japanese Garden is an extraordinary attraction you could visit to enjoy your last day in Pau. This park and popular site of interest has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 361 visitors.

Take a stroll along the main shopping streets of Pau and find some souvenirs to remind you of your road trip in France.

You could then enjoy your last meal in the city of Pau at Le Café du Passage before you travel home. This popular restaurant is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 833 customers.

Alternatively, we also recommend Ô PETIT PAÙ for your last chance at a meal in the city of Pau. The Ô PETIT PAÙ restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 570 customers.

If you'd prefer a popular restaurant that locals enjoy, try Le Poulet à 3 Pattes. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 735 customers.

You’ll then say farewell to Pau. We wish you a pleasant journey home, with many wonderful memories of your unforgettable vacation in France!