One for the road

From road trips to racetracks, Chloe Govan motors through the best property locations in France for car enthusiasts

- Chloe Govan

Whether it’s an insatiable need for speed that motivates you, or simply a scenic route with a slow enough pace to appreciate panoramic views, you can find your perfect place somewhere in France.

After all, many consider the country to be the birthplace of the car. Admittedly, it was Karl Benz of Germany who invented the world’s first modern combustion engine car, but technically France’s earlier version – a ‘self-propelled road vehicle’ for the French army – arrived first.

Besides that, the country boasts some of the best mountain passes and scenic driving roads in all of Europe. A few years ago, they proved so irresistible to Top Gear speed-freaks Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond that the pair were slapped with a driving ban for three months.

Yet stick to the speed limit and the world is your oyster. Here’s our guide to some of the most thrilling road trips around France and where to purchase property at the heart of the driving action.

PROVENCE-ALPESCÔTE D’AZUR

One perfectly placed region to indulge in road-trip culture is the Côte d’Azur coastline and the Provençal Alps above it. The area boasts a perfect blend of beaches, lakes and mountains, all within easy distance of each other – and there’s rarely a dull driving moment. For those who like to mix their movies with their motors, three main corniche roads wind around the scenic coast and clifftops and two have featured in a James Bond movie.

The Grande Corniche, has been described as ‘the best scenic driving route in the world’ and for good reason. A highlight is the Col d’Èze, the legendary mountain pass that made its action-packed appearance in GoldenEye.