Trip ideas · Burgundy, the Rhône and Provence lavender

Burgundy, the Rhône and Provence lavender: a One-Week Road Trip From the Low Countries or Paris

Checked 8 October 2026 against each tourism board's, city's and operator's own page · skynomad

Rows of purple lavender on the Valensole plateau in Provence under a pink sky
Photo: Antony BEC / Unsplash

Best in July, also good in June and August

From Paris and back: seven nights, 1,560 km, the longest day about 3 h 50 at the wheel. Driving costs €190–€330 + 4 tolls not priced.

Lavender in bloom in Vaucluse (Sault, Luberon): Mid-June to end of July; Sault from early July. Watch for: Festival d'Avignon: the city is full in July; book the Avignon nights early.

Use this route in my plan Your checklist for France: vignettes, zones, kit and dates.

Day by day

Kilometres and hours are motorway estimates between the cities named, without stops or traffic. Where you sleep in a smaller place nearby, the real place and its distance are given.

  1. Day 1

    Paris → Dijon 320 km · about 3 h 45 driving

    Burgundy capital, a first stop about 315 km from Paris (approx). Source

  2. Day 2

    Dijon → Valence 291 km · about 3 h 20 driving

    Rhône-valley town with a historic old town of narrow streets, gateway to the south. Source

  3. Day 3

    Valence → Avignon 136 km · about 1 h 55 driving

    Base for lavender day trips: Sault plateau (about 1h15 from Avignon, per Vaucluse tourism) and the Lavender Museum at Coustellet (31 km). Source

    The Pont d'Avignon reaching into the Rhône
    Photo: Hong Zhao / Unsplash

  4. Day 4

    A day out from Avignon No long drive

  5. Day 5

    A day out from Avignon No long drive

  6. Day 6

    Avignon → Lyon 227 km · about 2 h 55 driving

    UNESCO-listed old town (Vieux Lyon) on the way north. Source

    The old rooftops of Lyon in evening light
    Photo: Bastien Nvs / Unsplash

  7. Day 7

    Lyon → Bourges 348 km · about 3 h 50 driving

    Cathedral city in the Loire–Centre region, last night before Paris (about 245 km, approx).

  8. Day 8

    Bourges → Paris 238 km · about 2 h 55 driving

Why go in July

What to watch for

What the week costs to drive

ItemCostWorked out from
Fuel for 1,560 km€173–€296Each country's average petrol and diesel price (week of 28 September 2026), 5 to 8 litres per 100 km. Fuel prices
Tolls€25Bourges–Paris A71/A10 (Cofiroute, La Folie-Bessin) €24.60 Source
Driving the week€190–€330 + 4 tolls not pricedRounded to €10

Not included: Paris–Dijon A6/A38 (APRR) (operator); Dijon–Lyon–Valence A31/A6/A7 (APRR, ASF) (operator); Valence–Avignon and Avignon–Lyon A7 (ASF) (operator); Lyon–Bourges (operator); hotels, food and parking. For your own car and exact days, use the trip cost calculator.

The rules on this route

Driving in France

Use this route in my plan to get every vignette, zone, kit rule and deadline for these countries in one checklist, with dates. The speed limits and sign words pages can then show only these countries.

Next on the road

Sources

  1. Lavender in bloom in Vaucluse (Sault, Luberon)
  2. Peak bloom period per Marseille tourist office
  3. Fête de la Lavande in Sault, marking the end of the lavender harvest
  4. Festival d'Avignon: the city is full in July; book the Avignon nights early
  5. Lyon ZFE: only Crit'Air 0, 1, 2 vehicles may drive and park
  6. Paris ZFE inside the A86 (start/end): Crit'Air 3, 4, 5 and unclassified cars banned on weekdays; Crit'Air sticker required
  7. Paris–Dijon A6/A38 (APRR)
  8. Valence–Avignon and Avignon–Lyon A7 (ASF)
  9. Lyon–Bourges
  10. Bourges–Paris A71/A10 (Cofiroute, La Folie-Bessin)
  11. Burgundy capital, a first stop about 315 km from Paris (approx).
  12. Rhône-valley town with a historic old town of narrow streets, gateway to the south.
  13. UNESCO-listed old town (Vieux Lyon) on the way north.

Dates and prices as published when checked. Events move: check the organiser's page before you book.