Places to Visit Enroute to The Alps

Overview

One of the many perks of driving yourself to the Alps is the flexibility it affords ski holidaymakers on their journey. Not only are you able to stop over at service stations for a stretch, a coffee or a diaper change, but you can also plan to stop over for a bit of sightseeing or a day of cultural exposure. Driving through the French countryside is a gorgeous affair so why not plan an extra day or two to stop over and indulge yourself a little. There are interesting cities, towns and villages along the motorways that you down south towards the Alps from Calais and we have identified a city, town and village you may want to add a little extra to your ski holiday.

Lille

A perfect city for a stopover, Lille is only just over an hour’s drive from Calais and is very much on the route to the Alps if you are driving from the UK via the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle. Lille is one of Frances's most beautiful cities thanks to its stunning Baroque architecture. The city is also one of the oldest in France; dating all the way back to the 17th century. Lille is also ranked as the 4th largest city in France and with so much to see and do around the city, it is certainly worth a detour for a day or two. The city’s architecture cannot be overrated; from its Cathedral to the Vieille Bourse (The Old Stock Exchange ), Port De Paris and many others, there is so much to admire and take in the city of Lille. Walk along cobblestone streets in the old town, visit its fine arts museum and even the birthplace of Charles de Gaulle. There are several cafes and restaurants to choose from in the city and perhaps what makes the culinary scene quite special is that it remains unpretentious in spite of the huge tourist numbers. Lille is a city full of character and its strong Flemish influence can be felt throughout the city from its medieval architecture to its splendid cuisine. If you are visiting in December, check out the pretty Chrismas Markets which is on for six weeks!

Alsace

The Alsace region in France shares a border with Germany and Switzerland which sit on its North East and South East respectively. The area has a heavy Germanic cultural influence which is very visible and represented in its classic yet quaint architecture and pastel-coloured buildings. Alsace is certainly worth a detour on your drive through France because it is easily accessible regardless of what country you're visiting on your ski holiday; if you’re visiting France, Northern Italy, Austria or Switzerland, from Calais, it is pretty much a straight shot when you take the A26 and A4 towards D210 in Dambach-la-Ville on your exit from Reims. In winter, the cobblestone streets, stone and timber framed, brightly coloured buildings look like they are painted straight out of a fairy tale or Enid Blyton story. Villages such as Riquewihr, Turckheim and Eguisheim are ranked as one of France’s most beautiful villages. . Although the villages here are amazingly picturesque, there is more to this region than its gorgeous looks. Visiting the Alsace region is a unique cultural experience in itself. The region is world renown for its wine production as well as its fantastic cuisine which draws large crowds of tourists every year to the villages in the Alsace. The Strasbourg Christmas market is also one of Europe's oldest Christmas markets and has been ongoing since 1570 throughout the month of December so if you are on holiday around that time of the year, it is certainly worth visiting for the experience.

Reims

Reims is a lovely city to visit as a tourist. If you had plans to add a bit of sightseeing on your holiday drive to the Alps, it most certainly is a great option to consider because not only is it an interesting place to visit, but it is conveniently located along the A26 route headed down south from Calais, which also connects you to the motorways headed to the Alps and you wouldn't require a detour. The city is rich with history from its origins with the Gauls to its Roman past and on to its current status as the unofficial champagne capital of France, thanks to its fascinating champagne houses and cellars that date back centuries. It is home to some of the country’s largest and most celebrated champagne houses; most of whom are open for tours and taste sessions so ensure you have a designated driver or plan to spend a day. Reims may seem a very traditional town on the surface but it’s actually full of interesting quirks. Dont be blinded by its fascinating history, there's more to Reims than its champagne and monarchy ( every French king has been crowned in Reims from 987 AD to Charles X in the 19th century) because it is also a celebrated destination for “foodies”. When visiting the city you can choose from a selection of cosy cafes and authentic restaurants serving top-quality cuisine. The city even has its own signature dish created by the local Fossier’s Confectioners in the 18th century. It is worth the stop over for a day or two taking in the sights and sampling some of Frances's finest champagnes.