Route Planning in France

Include the wild areas of France. While much of France remains urbanized, once you leave Paris, Lyon or Nice behind you can easily find huge pockets of wildlife. Once such area is the Camargue. Located at the southern tip of the famed district of Provence, the Camargue is one of the truly unspoiled regions left in the entire country. The Camargue is a marshy area that empties into the Mediterranean Sea. Within a short drive of the historic cities of Arles and Avignon travelers can view flocks of wild flamingos, untamed bulls and the area's widely admired white horses. Book a stay at a ranch to visit with French cowboys who will show you how to ride a horse. Walk through salt marshes to get a close up view of wild birds and native flowers. Hire a bike to follow the many trails that lead through the back county where you can see rice fields and lagoons. The Camargue is best explored with the help of a car.

Hike the French Alps. The French Alps span several important peaks including Mount Blanc, the highest point in the entire Alps chain. You can get from the Camargue to the French Alps with a car in under a day. Visit the Alps during the winter when you can participate in many different winter sports. Try skiing in Grenoble or Chamonix. Explore the pretty town of Albertville, site of the 1992 winter Olympics. Take the Aiguille du Midi over 12,000 feet to enjoy one of Europe's most spectacular views. The round gondola brings you to the lift station where you can ride the elevator to the summit and see all of the Alps in one amazing glance.

Go surfing in the Bay of Biscay. The Bay of Biscay is several hours drive from the French Alps. A car is necessity for travel between the two because there is no direct service by public transportation. France is bordered by three coasts that lead into the English Channel, the Mediterranean Sea and the Bay of Biscay. Some of the best surfing in Europe can be found in the area bordering the Bay of Biscay. Base yourself at the small resort town of Biarritz. Made fashionable at the turn of the last century by English kings and gentry, today Biarritz has waves that will delight any water lover. Rent a board or bring your own to try the swells just offshore. You'll find protected beaches, quaint villages and local Basque culture.