Driving trip through france, please help with where to stop near Bordeaux and Caen?

Question

Hi, we are driving from Faro to get the ferry to the UK in Caen, and we really need help on where to stop please. We were hoping to not drive for more than 7 hours per day, which makes Merida in Portugal a good first stop (happy to change this if someone knows better..).....
But where should we stop on the second night? I have looked at Bordeaux but it looks like a very large City and we are only stopping for one night and really just want to see some fabulous French culture and stay in a very nice central hotel to somewhere where we can wander, eat and drink, can you recommend any great towns/hotels please.
Also as the ferry is AM on our last day we need to spend the night in or near Caen also...same goes any recommendation on towns/hotels for our last night would be gratefully received.
Thanks very much.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

as an alternative to Bordeaux, Arcachon is a good idea but really more a (historic) sea resort than a actual place. I wonder if i'ts not creepy out of the summer season.

South of there you could try either Bayonne or Biarritz. I would go to Bayonne myself. Lot's of character. And I'm pretty sure it would be closer to your 7 hours than Arcachon.

http://www.photos-de-villes.com/photo-bi…
http://www.photos-de-villes.com/photo-ba…

Caen : instead of Bayeux (not a bad idea), if you don't mind a more km, you also have Cabourg, deauville / trouville on the seaside. I know it's contradictory with the previous advice, but it's to give you alternatives really.
(Bayeux has more real culture, to be honest).
http://www.benoa.net/france/bayeux/FRind…

bref : Bayonne and Bayeux !!

Answer 2

Yes, stay away from Bordeaux. Arcachon and its bay are just south of Bordeaux. Any of the Logis hotels there will be excellent - all viewable online.

Ditto Bayeux, just west of Caen.

Familiar with both towns - and Bordeaux and Caen

Answer 3

Merida is in Spain and not Portugal.

Your best first stop would be Évora, one of the best preserved UNESCO World Heritage Cities in the world, just google it up and you'll find out why.

Answer 4

I think Bordeaux is a wonderful city to stop even if only for a night.
Here are a few b and b and hotels that are really good and central:
www.ecolodgedeschartrons.com
www.bordeaux-bnb.com

www.hotel-majestic.com

If you want to find out more here is the tourist information center website.
http://www.bordeaux-tourisme.com
Bordeaux is a beautiful city which doesnt really feel as a city because it has a relaxed and laid back atmosphere about it. It would be a shame to pass nearby and not see it really.

I recommend you to find an hotel /b and b in the following area: chartrons, quinconces, St Pierre (the restaurants quarter!), Gambetta, Meriadec.

You can relax in the st pierre area at night (restaurants and cafés) and a nice walk by the river to digest...You will be blown away by all buildings and lovely little streets (do go and see the theatre, as well as the place de la bourse!)


I am afraid I don't know anything about Caen...