Drive Holiday from Paris to Barcelona
 

Hi fellow travellers,

Taking a 3-week driving vacation in July starting from Paris and ending in Barcelona. Will rent a car when we leave Paris and drop off the car once we get to Barcelona. We hope to drive through the beautiful mediterranean and stop wherever we please. Does anyone have any great ideas on where we should stop? What is the best route to take? Any other tips?

Thanks in advance!

Ciao,
R

I take it this will be your first time in the Europe during the summer (high season). The first thing you have to consider is that there will be a steep drop off fee for picking the car up in France and dropping it off in Spain. The second thing you have to think about is that because it is high season, finding a place to spend the night could consume a great part of your day. Reservations are a must if you want to actually enjoy your three-week adventure.

I just did a quick check on Hertz, picking up and dropping off at train statons in Paris/Barcelona.

A 3 week rental, in a midsize car is approximately 780 Euros, including a 265 Euro dropoff fee. I've done something similar, and, all things considered, reasonable. I certainly had a lot of freedom driving.

Please get a diesel engine car, as diesel is cheaper and you get better gas mileage. I drove a Peugeot 505, which is not a small car, and averaged 33 mpg. This with the French tollways speed limits at approx 81 mph.

As for the 'best' route, there is none.

One way is to head through the Loire Valley, stopping at the various chateaux. Heading further South to Biarritz, a nice beach town on the Atlantic. Take a side trip to San Sebastian for the beautiful beach city with great Basque food.

Head east across the North side of the Pyranees, stopping for the night in the old town of Carcasonne. Over to the Med, and stopping at beach towns along the coast in Spain.

<<Will rent a car when we leave Paris and drop off the car once we get to Barcelona.>>

Not a good idea. As mentioned, you'll incur a steep fee. Plan to rent two cars. Drop one off in Perpignan and thereabouts, take the train into Spain, and rent another.

There are myriad possible routes. If you want to see the interior of France, get out a good map and investigate which route most appeals to you. If all you want to see is the Mediterranean, hop a TGV in Paris and go to Avignon and start your journey there. You won't miss much except miles and miles of heavily trafficked toll roads along the way.

And plan your accommodations ahead of time unless you want to forfeit up to a few hours a day searching for an affordable place to spend the night. July isn't a good time to "wing it" in the South of France.