5 Routes to discover French wine

When the peak travel season in Europe comes to an end and most people return to work or go back to school after the summer holidays, the dormant vineyards scattered throughout the French countryside wake up for the annual harvest.

This period can be one of the best times to visit France. As a wine lover, there is no better time than autumn to visit France by rental car. The list below is a compilation of the most beautiful French wine regions. When you get there, you’ll take side roads lined with vineyards that are just waiting to be explored. No matter which destination you choose, you will leave these places with unforgettable memories.

Click on the links in each description to discover the vineyard map and the official tourism website of the region.

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Alsace Wine Route

The Alsace region is bordered by the Rhine on the east side and by the Vosges on the west side. Why not rent something special for your trip, like a Mercedes SLK Roadster from Strasbourg? Head south of the region to take the Route des Vins d'Alsace. This 170 km stretch starts in Marlenheim and ends in Thann. Take your time and discover the vineyards, castles and charming Alsatian villages on the way

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Bordeaux wine route

Six distinct wine-growing regions lie in the heart of the Bordeaux region. The characteristic of this region is that you can plan your trip to visit the wine cellars according to your tastes. Taste the red wines north of Bordeaux, and the sweet or dry white wines south of the city. Offering an excellent variety of grape varieties, colors, and tastes, you will not be disappointed when you visit this region of southwest France.

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Provençal wine route

South of the Alps and north of the Mediterranean is the Provence region, bordered by cliffs, a French region famous for its rosé wine. Start your journey by driving your rental car from Nice to the west along the coast and making stops to visit the villages and admire the scenery. Follow the road for 200 km until you reach the Camargue, a town located east of Montpellier. The vineyards of Provence are divided into eight appellations, and there are more than 350 winemakers scattered on the road.

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Burgundy wine routes

Two-hour drive south-west of Paris will take you to the hills of the Burgundy region. Renowned for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the vineyards located in Burgundy produce some of the best wines in the country. Burgundy has five territories including the Route des Grands Crus which will take you through the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits. It is the most popular road in the region and covers almost 60 km. Signs make this road very easy to follow.

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Road of Champagne

Only 160 km east of Paris, far from the City of Light, lies the Champagne-Ardenne region, which is very popular. Five circuits wind through each of the territories of the appellation. The bar coast is the longest circuit with 220 km; the shortest circuits are «la Montagne de Reims» and «le Massif de Saint Thierry» which are both 70 km long.

Before going on a trip to France, it is important to know that the new driving law of the country, requires each driver to have a breathalyzer at hand. Avoid having to use one of these tests while staying in a charming castle when you choose to taste a few glasses of wine produced in the area.

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TOUR FRANCE WITH THE HELP OF AUTO EUROPE

Plan your next wine route, you will have no constraints if you decide to rent a car in France via Auto Europe. Let us help you plan your trip. Auto Europe is a travel partner offering the lowest fares for your rental car and helps you book flights to France and your hotel.