The region is famous for its bastides, or fortified towns that defended every community in the Middle Ages when baron fought baron and the French and the English fought each other.įor sheer luxury spend the first night at Le Vieux Logis in the small village of Trémolat. The Dordogne is a beautiful region, covering Périgord where the living – and the food is rich. Take the ferry from St Malo to Portsmouth. From here it's an easy drive to St Malo for a night or more in this lovely fortified seaport with a superb history. From here, head north into the Loire Valley and stay in the western end in Saumur.

Then go into the glorious Dordogne where there are spectacular hotels to enjoy. I recommend driving from Santander to Bordeaux, via Biarritz, and spending 2 or 3 nights in Bordeaux. You can also do this easily from Paris, or add it on to your trip to Spain.

Take the ferry to either St Malo, or my favorite route of Santander, and you'll only have on a major drive. There's the glorious Atlantic coast with its unexpected islands where time stands still places like Ile d'Aix where Napoleon spent his last days in exile very chic Ile de Re, and delightful Noirmoutier, cut off from the mainland at high tide.Īquitaine is one of the most beautiful areas of France, with surprises like Puy du Foy (one of the best theme parks in the world).Īnd all this before you get to the northern part of west France and glorious Brittany which makes a tour in itself.īut to make it easier, I did a road trip but only going one way from the UK.

West France offers so many different experiences that it's difficult to decide where to go.

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