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Car Trip Timing Question

We're going to drive from Bordeaux to Alsace this summer, and I'd like to "play it by ear:" touring the countryside, stopping off at especially charming places and picking our lodgings as we go. I understand this could be a little fraught in late July and early August, but that's the time window we've got. Question: does one week seem like a reasonable allowance to accomplish this?

We haven't yet decided where in Alsace we'll be staying, but probably among Metz, Strasbourg and Nancy. Any recommendations as to which city?

Posted by
203 posts

I haven't stayed in Metz or Nancy, but even in spring Strasbourg was pretty crowded. So in July and august, I am sure it will only be worse.

I would think that one week to get from Bordeaux to Alsace would be doable. check with ViaMichelin. Peter

Posted by
2471 posts

Even if you have plenty of time to go from Bordeaux to Alsace Note that road traffic in July and August is very busy, especially on weekends. See the traffic forecast calendar for 2025 below:

https://www.bison-fute.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/Calendrier_Bison_fute_2025.pdf

France is divided into 6 zones from 1 to 6, and the expected traffic in 4 colors from green (usual traffic), to black (extremely difficult traffic).

And by the way, Metz and Nancy are not in Alsace but in Lorraine, there are some cultural differences, and avoid telling a Metz resident that he is Alsatian (and vice versa)

Posted by
1342 posts

Thanks to both of you! Looks like we need to stay on top of traffic conditions.