Once Across France

Once across France - why not? Plan an unforgettable road trip through France and visit beautiful cities! I guarantee, this journey will stay with you forever!

Life is beautiful - especially in France. Whether it's the City of Love, the luxurious Côte d'Azur, or simply the hospitality of the locals: France shows itself romantically and fascinatingly everywhere. There's good reason to not just hit the tourist hotspots but to simply get in the car and drive across the country. This way, you can also get a glimpse of how the European Championship 2016 is celebrated in the host country. Visit the cities where the German national team has already played - by the time the Euro Championship is over, even the smaller towns will be world-famous and in everyone's conversations. So don't shy away from any kilometers or be afraid to use various modes of transportation, because a road trip offers beautiful moments, views, and experiences that will last a lifetime.

Getting There | Marseille | Lyon | Saint-Étienne | Bordeaux | Paris | Lille | Return Trip

The most affordable and easiest way to travel to France is by airplane. For instance, cheap flights to Marseille can be found starting at $128. Upon arrival, you can book a rental car directly at the airport from various providers and set off. It's easiest if you book the car online from the U.S. This way, you won't have to deal with the overwhelming choice - because every rental car company lines up at the airport. And with the vast selection of car models, you could easily feel overwhelmed. The online booking not only allows you to enter your details in advance, but also lets you leisurely check the necessary travel insurance specifically for a rental car. On-site, they will recommend nearly every insurance available. It's all for your benefit, of course. Additionally, you'll save a lot of time when you only have to pick up the car on-site and can dive straight into your adventure.

From the airport in Marseille to the city center is about 25 kilometers, which you can cover in just over half an hour. If you are visiting France for the first time, be warned about the traffic: Especially in Marseille, there is quite a traffic chaos that can test your nerves. For pedestrians, there are even traffic lights at crosswalks, and signaling when changing lanes seems to be taken less seriously in France. Cars go from left to right, from right to left, crisscrossing; traffic rules don't seem to be strictly adhered to here. But I don't want to scare you, once you get used to the wild driving style of the French, you'll know what to expect. Also, the fact that almost no car is undamaged here won't surprise you after a few minutes. Therefore, it's advisable to find a hotel with private parking to avoid unintentional damage to your vehicle. In Marseille, every little gap is utilized to park a car.

Depending on how many days you want to spend in Marseille, it makes sense to find a hotel close to the city center to explore on foot. It's best to get a city map, scour the internet for sights, or ask around - the French are very helpful when it comes to giving directions. Especially if you speak a little French, no one will turn their back on you. While you can reach the harbor within about 3 kilometers on foot, which allows you to enjoy one sight after another, the beach is a bit further, so you will need a rental car or public transportation to get there.

If, in addition, you have managed to get a ticket for today's game, you will experience one of the most exciting matches live: Support our team in Marseille as they face the host country, France, at 9 PM!

After exciting days in Marseille, the next stop could be the city of Lyon, about 300 kilometers away. Depending on which route you choose, you'll need to pay toll fees along the way - but the cost is worth it. Toll roads in France are in excellent condition and very pleasant to drive on. If your visit to Lyon falls on a weekend, you won't necessarily need a hotel with private parking. After 7 PM, parking in the city is free until Monday morning - but as mentioned before, parking spaces by the roadside always come with certain risks. In Lyon, the train station serves as an ideal starting point. From there, you can reach the city center directly, which awaits you with colorful shopping streets and bustling restaurants. The historic old town is also very accessible from there and leads you to the most beautiful places and hotspots. Therefore, plan to spend a bit of time in Lyon, because even though our national team hasn't played a single match in Lyon, there's plenty to see and admire here.

From Lyon, a small detour to the city of Saint-Étienne, about 60 kilometers away, is also worthwhile. Strolling and roaming around in Saint-Étienne is worth a trip, but it's perfectly fine if you return to your hotel in Lyon in the evening. There isn't a whole lot to see in this small town - but if you're already in the country, you should take advantage of every town on your route that has hosted one of the exciting Euro games.

Things get even more exciting in Bordeaux. Since Lyon and Bordeaux are more than 500 kilometers apart, it's advisable to either make a stopover with an overnight stay or take turns driving. Halfway, the small town of Brive-la-Gaillarde is a great choice: The motto 'small but fine' fits perfectly here, as this little medieval town exudes such romantic and simply stunning charm that despite a buried dog, you'd want to spend just a bit more time here.

But Bordeaux will enchant its visitors to the fullest. If you prefer, you can drop off your car here - many rental companies offer various pick-up and drop-off locations. Thanks to the well-developed metro network, you can get from the train station to the city center in just a few minutes, from where exploring the city on foot is recommended. You'll be surprised by the vibrant paradise of restaurants, promenades, and sacred buildings at your feet. This city is sure to enchant every one of you, so once again, it's advisable to plan more than just one day to enjoy Bordeaux. And let's be honest: Who wouldn't want to visit the city where the German national team emerged victorious in the quarter-finals?

As soon as you can leave Bordeaux, you have the option to travel comfortably to Paris by TGV. In just 3.5 hours, the train covers nearly 600 kilometers, bringing you to the City of Love. As you may know, Paris is very large and impossible to explore on foot. But here, too, you can quickly get from point A to B using the metro, allowing you to see everything you desire. Classics like the Eiffel Tower are just waiting for you to visit. A little tip: If you visit the Eiffel Tower after sunset, you'll witness a breathtaking light show at every full hour: For 5 minutes, the landmark of France sparkles and enchants every visitor. If our team emerges victorious from today's semi-final, we will see them here next Sunday, July 10, 2016, battling for the title! A magnificent sight, isn't it?

The surroundings of Paris are also worth exploring. The student city of Lille is wonderfully reachable by train in just over an hour. Lille provides a pleasantly quiet change of pace from the hustle and bustle of Paris, allowing you to visit the stadium where the German team won two games during this Euro. However, this little break is completely sufficient, so you can comfortably return to Paris for an overnight stay in the evening.

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