France: STOP. BEFORE YOU GET THERE.

Why holiday in one destination, when with a Hertz car at your disposal you can see so much more?

Our products and services put you in complete control, so you can enjoy a hassle-free trip and plan all the incredible stops along the way.

This summer, we want to inspire you to savour the journey, not just the destination. We’ve teamed up with the travel experts from Culture Trip, the lifestyle and culture hub, to identify some of the best stops to enjoy when driving in Europe this summer.

Find out more about some of our top stops in France:

Kaysersberg – Alsace, France

Take the E25 straight down from Strasbourg for 40 minutes on your drive to the Alsace region and you’ll find the small town of Kaysersberg. Voted France's favourite village for 2017, it is generally considered to be one of the most impressive of the Alsace towns. In particular, the town's medieval centre, which is surrounded by lots of pretty painted half-timbered buildings of the Renaissance and entirely pedestrianised. In the winter, the town is known for its inviting Christmas Markets, and fun-loving locals all year round, making it the perfect spot for a break on your journey.

Kaysersberg, the “Mountain of the Emperor”, is in a very picturesque setting, in a valley surrounded by vineyards and with forested hills rising above the town. The scene is also dominated by the castle ruins of a beautiful round tower. The view from its summit offers a panorama of the city, the valley of the Weiss, the vineyards and the Plain of Alsace, and even the edge of the Black Forest in Germany.

For a place to stay or simply for dinner, head to the quaint Chez Roger Hassenforder and sample local flavours such as boar stew, and Fondue du chasseur “Hunter’s fondue”, as well as sampling the delicious wines of Alsace.

Dune du Pilat - Arcachon Bay, France

Drive an hour south on your way from Bordeaux to Bayonne and stop off to discover the Dune of Pilat— at an astonishing 500 m wide, almost three kilometres long and 107 m high, it the tallest sand dune in Europe. It is located in La Teste-de-Buch in the Arcachon Bay area and is free to visit, open all year round and dog friendly.

You can scale the dune on the soft sand, or take the 154 wooden steps that have been built on the steeper inland side and enjoy a breathtaking view. On the way down you can take the steps, or, as many do, race down the dune. For thrill seekers the fastest way is to surf down on a bodyboard!

Reward your efforts with some food at the truly beautiful dining at Hôtel Restaurant La Co(o)rniche, order one of their incredible seafood platters whilst taking in tranquil scenes of the ocean.

Roc-aux-Sorciers - Angles-sur-l'Anglin, France

About two hours’ drive inland from La Rochelle on the drive to Bourges, stop to discover the magic of Angles-sur-l'Anglin, one of "the most beautiful villages of France". The village is also the home of a very special and rare heritage site. Discovered by Lucien Rousseau in 1927, the 15,000-year-old stone carvings at Roc-aux-Sorciers are one of the earliest examples of pre-historic art in France. While the caves aren't open to the public, an amazing interpretative visitor center lets you explore this unique wonder, generally considered as one of the most important sites of Paleolithic art.

Head to Café de la Place for a coffee and a bite to eat on their lovely patio, or try dinner at the Le gout des mets for simple but creative food made with fresh local ingredients, and take in the view of the impressive Château d'Angles sur l'Anglin.

Remodeled in the 12th and 15th centuries, the Château was a strategic point of defense at the crossroads of the three regions: Poitou, Berry and Touraine. There are guided tours of the village explaining its history, which are offered every Friday at 3pm from the Tourist Office.

This summer, wherever you’re going #goviahertz.