Driving through France to Spain
 

My husband and I are going to do a road trip through France to be in Marbella for 1st October 2013
We are thinking of flying to Paris hire a car and visiting Omaha beach,gardens at girveny and then driving towards the west coast to return the hire car in France before we pick up another hire car in Spain. Do the hire cars include all the compulsory items now required ie breathalyser,fluorescent jacket etc? When we get to Marbella we will return the hire car as we have other transport sorted for our return.
We would appreciate any advice anyone has on routes and possibly the shortest train journey across the France Spanish border, so we can deposit our hire car in France and pick up a different one in Spain to cut down the cost. We are thinking about visiting Bilbao(Guggenheim) and Santiago de Compostela and then travelling down through Extramadura with possibly a stay in one of the Paradors. My husband loves gardens and is currently watching Monty Dons gardens in France so any suggestions about gardens in France would also be welcome. We would also appreciate suggestions for accommodation as well. We have plenty of time as we haven't confirmed any flights yet from Belfast. He has just recovered from major surgery so we would be keen the find the least stressful route!

Thanks

go to google maps, put france in the centre of your screen, type "jardin" in the search box and hit enter

A miriad little red dots will appear. Click on each in turn until you have a fine view of French possibilities.

Breathalyser instruction is back off the cards at the moment, but by Oct, who knows.

Compulsory items will be in the car.

Try to leave your car in Hendaye, close to the train station if possible, and from there you can take the commuter train to San Sebastian or perhaps even to Bilbao. Pick up your Spanish rental at the end of your Bilbao stay, or in San Sebastian if need be.

Gardens: From Normandy, going south, there are a couple of worthwhile gardens. This one is said to be the oldest public garden in France: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57624616164661

There's this one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57624616164661

and then this one in Angers: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57624616164661

and then Villandry: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57624575935008

Although the Chaumont-sur-Loire garden competition might be of greater interest: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57624575935008

All these pictures are geo-tagged. Click on the pink dot to the right of the picture to see its map location.

I just did an online booking for an Avis car on 14 March. The confirmation stated that the breathalyzer law would go into effect on 1 March and that I could purchase a breathalyzer for two Euros.

I am not aware of cross border transportation on the Atlantic/Biscay coast. But, if you can return the car in Hendaye, and take a taxi across the border in Hondarribia, likely less costly than a drop fee in Spain, you could pick up a car in Hondarribia. It is an hour drive to Bilbao from there, and about 20 minutes to San Sebastian. For that matter, the Parador in Hondarribia is very pleasant and within walking distance of good places for dinner. I personally found the squid with black ink pasta terrific.

<i>I am not aware of cross border transportation on the Atlantic/Biscay coast.</i>

Within the courtyard the the Hendaye train station there is the end stop of the commuter line that goes to San Sebastian. It's located against the street that climbs up along the RR tracks and goes to the former main bridge crossing of the border (now a pedestrian walkway).

Jeff "For that matter, the Parador in Hondarribia is very pleasant and within walking distance of good places for dinner." I loved the damning with faint praise. :-) LOL

Highly recommend 2-3 days in San Sebastiàn, it's lovely and relaxing.

A car is not needed in SS, in fact a liability, so if you make it your first stop in Spain, plan to pick up the car as you leave.

Cathinjoetown nails it..Don't get a car for SS..Walking is everything and parking is a bug bear. And I would chooce 3 days myself (Actually I'd choose much, much longer like the next decade) SS is an experience you don't want to miss. Post surgery walking will be easy, flat, beautiful and very enjoyable. Public Trans. is good there. You will have such a great trip! WOW From Normandy south an uninterrupted source of awe and wonder!!