Road trip to Languedoc: Romans, the Camargue and market cuisine

This is where your journey begins. It's worth setting off early so you arrive in Burgundy nice and relaxed.

This cosy wine town in Burgundy, with the famous colourful tiled roof of the Hôtel-Dieu, makes an ideal halfway stop. You can wander through the compact old town and enjoy regional food in the evening. For the teenagers, its manageable size is a welcome change after the long hours in the car.

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A charming historic hotel right in the old town, from which you can reach everything on foot. Handy for a one-night stay without having to get back in the car.

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This town on the Rhône is known for its nougat and makes a good stopping point to stretch your legs and have a nibble. The scent of almonds and honey makes the stop appealing for the teenagers.

Your first fixed base, one of the most Roman cities in France with its arena and Maison Carrée. The first evening is for a stroll through the old town and a first dinner in the south.

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An apartment building with small kitchens, ideal for four people and a longer stay. Within walking distance of the arena and markets, with your own flexibility for arrivals during the four nights.

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The best-preserved Roman amphitheatre in the world, where gladiators once fought and concerts now take place. The audio guide brings Roman daily life vividly to life, which appeals to teenagers too. You can climb up the tiers and enjoy a great view over the city.

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A nearly fully preserved Roman temple right in the middle of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2023. Inside, a short film tells the story of ancient Nîmes. Perfect to fit in between the arena and lunch.

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One of the oldest public parks in Europe, with water basins, staircases and the Tour Magne atop the hill. The climb up the tower rewards you with a view over the whole city. A lovely spot to rest and have a picnic.

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The three-tiered Roman aqueduct spanning the Gardon is an engineering marvel and a genuine wow moment, even for bored teenagers. You can walk along the river, even swim in summer, and trace the water supply system in the museum. Allow time for the footpaths along the riverbank.

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A beautiful ducal town with an arcaded square and a medieval core, just a few minutes from the Pont du Gard. The weekly market is one of the loveliest in the region, with olives, cheese and cured meats. A great spot for a late lunch.

The gateway to the Cévennes, famous for its terracotta vases and a lovely old town centre by the Gardon river. From here the historic Train à Vapeur des Cévennes steam train sets off through the gorges. A good mix of activity and scenery for everyone.

An exotic bamboo park with enormous stalks, a maze and an Asian garden, surprisingly impressive even for older children. You walk through green tunnels that almost feel like a jungle. An unusual contrast to Roman antiquity.

A peaceful Cévennes town at the end of the steam train line, surrounded by walking trails along the Gardon. You can do a short circular walk and enjoy the river landscape. A good afternoon destination before heading back to Nîmes.

The covered market hall of Nîmes is a feast for food lovers, with oysters, tapenade, cheese and brandade. A last morning in Nîmes to stock up on supplies for Arles. Ideal for trying southern French specialities.

Your second fixed base on the edge of the Camargue, likewise full of Roman buildings and traces of Vincent van Gogh. The afternoon is enough for a first walk through the compact old town. From here you'll explore the Camargue and Provence.

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A family-run hotel in a mansion with a peaceful courtyard, right in the old town and close to the sights. A comfortable base for the second half of the trip, with short distances on foot.

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The Roman amphitheatre of Arles still hosts bullfighting events today and towers over the old town. You can climb one of the towers and look out over the rooftops. Compact and impressive, easily explored in under an hour.

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The ancient theatre right next to the amphitheatre shows how the Romans staged entertainment, with two remaining marble columns. A peaceful spot with olive trees. Combines well with the amphitheatre.

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Here, van Gogh's time in Arles meets rotating exhibitions of contemporary art. Outside, you can take a walk and rediscover the original scenes from his paintings. An exciting contrast to antiquity for art-loving teenagers.

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A nature reserve right in the heart of the Camargue, where wooden walkways let you stroll past pink flamingos, herons and other waterbirds. There's a good chance of spotting the famous white Camargue horses in the surrounding area. A highlight for anyone hoping to see the Camargue and its horses.

Numerous riding stables along the D570 offer guided rides on the sturdy Camargue horses through salt marshes and lagoons. Manageable even for teenagers with little riding experience, as the horses are good-natured. Worth booking by phone in advance.

This pilgrimage and fishing village by the sea is the heart of the Camargue, with its fortified church and beach. You can walk along the water and enjoy a late ice cream or dinner. A lovely way to round off a day in nature.

A mighty castle ruin on a rocky spur with views over the Alpilles and reconstructed siege engines to try out. The medieval village below is one of the loveliest in France. Perfect for anyone interested in castles and history.

In a former quarry, paintings are projected on a huge scale onto the rock walls, accompanied by music. An immersive experience that impresses even teenagers who are hard to win over. Just a few minutes from the castle.

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A lively Provençal town with a great weekly market and cafés under plane trees. On the edge of town lie the Roman ruins of Glanum, in case you're still in the mood for antiquity. A good spot for a late afternoon with good food.

A completely preserved medieval fortified town with walkable ramparts and a tower from which King Louis IX set off on the Crusades. The walk along the top of the walls offers sweeping views over the salt flats. History you can really get hands-on with, for the whole family.

The pink salt gardens of the Camargue can be explored by a little train or by bike, with explanations of salt production. In certain light, the ponds shimmer a vivid pink. A photogenic and educational afternoon.

A pretty fishing harbour with a long sandy beach, ideal for a relaxed close to the day by the sea. If the autumn weather cooperates, the beaches invite a stroll and the harbour restaurants serve up fresh fish. Perfect if you're hoping for some sun.

On the way back, it's worth stopping at Europe's best-preserved Roman theatre, with its massive stage wall. The audio guide brings the acoustics and history to life. A fitting final Roman site before heading north.

France's gourmet capital makes an ideal stopover, with its lively old town and passageways known as traboules. In the evening, you can enjoy typical Lyonnais food in one of the bouchons. A good contrast after the south.

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A central hotel in the heart of the Presqu'île, within walking distance of restaurants and the old town. Convenient for a one-night stop on the way home without much extra driving around.

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This Alsatian half-timbered town with its canals in the Petite Venise quarter makes a charming last stop before the border. You can wander through the lanes and have lunch in Alsace. A pleasant way to end the trip.

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Arrival home and the end of your road trip, with Roman ruins, Camargue horses and plenty of market treasures in your luggage.