Arles to Metz Road Trip: Provençal Rhône to Lorraine

The route from Arles to Metz stretches about 650 kilometers (400 miles) across eastern France, from the sun-drenched Rhône delta to the wooded plateaus of Lorraine. A straight drive on the A7 and A31 takes roughly 6 hours, but most travelers stretch it to 2-3 days to absorb the landscape.

Curiously, the A7 south of Lyon was once part of the Roman Via Agrippa, linking Arles to the capital of Gaul. This ancient heritage still peeks through in small bridges and alignment remnants near Orange.

This guide covers best stops Arles to Metz, how long to drive Arles to Metz, and answers is it worth driving Arles to Metz. For a deeper dive on maximizing your route, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

South of Lyon, the landscape is arid and scrubby – the garrigue – with lavender fields near Nyons (detour possible). After Lyon, the terrain rises into the Beaujolais hills, dotted with vineyards producing crunchy Gamay wines.

Further north, the Côte-d'Or region combines rolling slopes with medieval villages like Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, famous for aniseed candies. Entering Lorraine, the landscape softens into forested valleys and open fields, punctuated by the blue Moselle River.

• Provençal markets: Arles morning market, Avignon farmers market
• Wine tasting: Beaune cellars, Château de Pommard
• Local specialties: Montélimar nougat, Dijon mustard, Metz quiche

The most efficient route uses the A7 (Autoroute du Soleil) from Arles to Lyon, then the A6 north to Beaune, and finally the A31 to Metz. Tolls cost about €45-60 for a car. Fuel prices drop slightly north of Lyon; fill up near Valence for savings.

Major cities en route: Orange, Montélimar, Lyon, Beaune, Dijon, Nancy. Each offers ample services. Driving light? The A7 has rest areas every 15 km.

• Toll costs: Arles-Lyon €15, Lyon-Beaune €12, Beaune-Metz €20
• Fuel stations: Total, Esso, Shell; 24/7 automated pumps common
• Rest areas: Aires de service with shops, toilets, and picnic tables

Driving in France is generally safe; motorways are well-maintained with clear signage. Speed cameras are frequent, especially on A7 and A31. Keep to 130 km/h (or 110 in rain).

Families: Plan stops with playgrounds like Aire de Pouilly-en-Auxois (has a children's area). Pet-friendly? Most rest areas accept leashed dogs; some hotels in Beaune and Nancy are pet-friendly.

• Rest every 2 hours; major aires include Aire de Mâcon and Aire de Toul
• Kid-friendly attractions: Le Pal animal park (near Dompierre-sur-Besbre), or Citadelle de Besançon
• Pet relief: grassy areas at aires; avoid toll booths