Driving to Bordeaux from Calais

Why drive to Bordeaux from Calais?

The ‘pearl of Aquitaine’, Bordeaux is one of France’s most elegant, cosmopolitan cities. The capital of one of France’s most celebrated wine regions, Bordeaux is also home to magnificent art museums, exclusive shopping districts, a feast of neoclassical architecture and a buzzing food scene. None other than the late Queen Elizabeth II described Bordeaux as ‘the very essence of elegance’. 

Driving from the LeShuttle terminal gives you the freedom to explore, and to see even more of France on your journey south. Here is our guide to some of the routes you could take from Calais to Bordeaux.

Place du Palais, Bordeaux

Places to visit between Calais and Bordeaux

Here are the driving times and distances of all the major towns and cities on the route between Calais and Bordeaux. 

How long does it take to drive from Calais to Bordeaux?

There is very little to choose between the two quickest routes from Calais to Bordeaux. The travel time for both is 8 ½ - 9 hours, but each has several obvious stopping points on the journey. The toll charges are also similar.

The quickest route – via the A28 & A10

The fastest route (with tolls) is on the A28 via Rouen, before picking up the A10 at Tours. This recommended route has a driving distance of 867 km. 

Rouen

Make sure Rouen is your first stop. Capital of Haute-Normandie, the ‘town of 100 towers’ is one of France’s most historic and picturesque cities. Wander through the same medieval streets where Joan of Arc met her fate, marvel at the stupendous three-towered Gothic cathedral, which so inspired Claude Monet, and poke around the boutiques, shops and bakeries offering unique gifts and delicious local fare. 

Le Mans 

Motorsport fans will have no hesitation in taking a pitstop at Le Mans, home of the iconic 24-hour endurance race. While you won’t need quite as much stamina for your journey, Le Mans is still a welcome sight just over halfway on your route south from Calais to Bordeaux. Why not go on one of the designated track days at the Bugatti circuit, and get behind the wheel for an experience no motor racing fan will ever forget? 

Tours 

Tours marks the start of the last leg of your journey, but it would be a shame to just bypass it. With its half-timbered houses and cobbled streets by the Loire, Tours is a magical place for an overnight stop or weekend break. There is so much to do in and around Tours, from cruises on the river, visiting the châteaux of the Loire Valley, to wandering around the ruins of the Roman amphitheatre, one of the largest in France. 

The Paris route - via the A16 and A10

Journey time will not differ greatly if you stay on the A16 at Abbeville and head towards Paris on your way from Calais to Bordeaux. This route of 877 km still has tolls but will take you via Amiens and Orléans, before picking up the A10 at Tours. 

Amiens 

Around two hours from our Calais terminal is the charming city of Amiens. The river Somme runs through the city, a poignant reminder that Amiens suffered much in both World Wars. Its historic character survived, epitomised by the Gothic cathedral, the largest of its kind in France, the Jules Verne house and museum (the novelist lived in Amiens for 34 years) and the Musée de Picardie. In December the Christmas market will be in full swing, one of the best in the country.  

Paris

If you’ve never been to the City of Lights before, this could be the ideal taster for a longer trip. With two days in Paris you could see the city’s top attractions, including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and Notre Dame Cathedral. As the fashion capital of the world, Paris is also the perfect place to shop ‘til you drop. 

Orléans 

Five hours into your drive from Calais you will reach the historic city of Orléans. Linked forever with Joan of Arc, the modern city celebrates her life, from the stained glass windows of the cathedral to the equestrian statue in the Place du Martroi. The city has a wealth of cultural attractions aside from Joan, including the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Hôtel Groslot, an original Renaissance hotel. 

The scenic route – via the A26 and A10

The travel time of this more leisurely route is about 10 ½ hours and takes you in an eastward loop via Arras, Reims and Orléans before joining the A10 at Tours. This route also has tolls.

Arras

If you have the time (which you obviously do!), your first stop should be Arras, only an hour and ten minutes drive from Calais. The architecture of Arras will stop you in your tracks – especially when you think how much the city was devastated by the First World War. Pick up some lunch on the Grand Place and poke your head in the beautiful cathedral. The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is just outside the city, and the Wellington Quarry museum takes you into the wartime tunnels used by Allied soldiers.

Reims

The gorgeous city of Reims is famous for its architecture and champagne production, and is two and a half hours drive from Calais. It would simply be rude not to call in at one of the champagne houses and take a tour, would it not? As you are driving, a tasting may have to wait, but we’re sure you could find room for a bottle or two in the boot to Bordeaux! If you just have the time for one Reims attraction, make it the cathedral: a Gothic masterpiece featuring over 2,300 statues. 

Plan your drive to Bordeaux

How much are the tolls from Calais to Bordeaux?

You should expect to pay around €90-€120 in tolls each way driving from Calais to Bordeaux.  

An Emovis tag will help speed up your passage through the tolls. We have an exclusive offer saving customers €10 on the application fee of an Emovis tag if you if you apply with LeShuttle. 

How long does it take to drive from Calais to Bordeaux?

If you take the quickest route, driving from Calais to Bordeaux takes 8 ½ -9 hours. 

What are the driving laws in France?

The basics of driving in France is that you drive on the right, give way at roundabouts to traffic coming from the left, and always have a warning triangle in the boot and a hi-vis vest for every occupant of the vehicle. For more details about speed limits, emission zones, parking, lights, driving penalties and overtaking, read our guide to driving in France.

Is it easy to drive in Bordeaux?

Bordeaux has a low emission zone in place, like many cities in France. You will need a Crit’ Air sticker in order to drive in the centre of Bordeaux. The city has several one-way systems, with some narrow and cobbled streets in the centre, so using the city’s public transport system is an easier way to get around. 

What is parking like in Bordeaux?

On-street parking can be hard to find, and limited to stays of two hours, so many people choose to park in underground garages, known as ‘parkings’, located around the city. 

Drive to Bordeaux with LeShuttle

Bordeaux is a stunning destination for a road trip, and the journey starts with LeShuttle and a crossing from Folkestone to Calais in only 35 minutes. Check out our full range of driving guides for trips across Europe.