Hello. We're spending time in France this August. We will be in the riviera (Antibes) for a week and have 1 & 1/2 days after leaving Antibes to get back to Brussels to fly home to the US. We're renting a car and would love to take a scenic drive back, leaving Thurs. morning, staying somewhere Thurs. evening, more driving Fri., staying close to Brussels airport Friday night because we have a 10am flight out. Any suggestions? Thank you!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
I don't have any route suggestions, but be sure to check how much extra it will cost you to pick up a car in France and return it in Belgium. It's usually a lot (can be hundreds of euros, I've read). You may want to drop the car in France (usually no extra charge for leaving it in the same country you picked it up in) and take a train to Belgium. Also, the train from Brussels to the airport takes 15-25 minutes, depending on which station you leave from. This may not be any more time than it will take you from an airport hotel, so you may be able to stay in Brussels itself your last night. While I'm not fond of Brussels, seeing the Grand Place all lit up is definitely worthwhile.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10625 posts
Harold has some good suggestions. You could turn your car in at a rental agency next to Gare du Nord in Paris and hop on the train to Brussels. Driving in Paris in August is much less congested than other times of the year. Another choice would be to drop it in Lille and take the train from there.
Posted by
Germany, Germany
813 posts
You could head up through Dijon. There's a great old chateau to stay in, we loved staying there. http://www.chateauderosieres.com/mainuk.html
It's definitely not an American tourist stop! The town of Beaune is on your way and a cute town for a rest and stretch as well, but is frequented by tour buses. If you stay at Rosieres, then you'll just have 7-8 hrs drive the first day and only 6 or so depending on traffic/construction left for the second day.