Blois to Colmar Road Trip: Best Stops & Scenic Drive

The route from Blois (Loir-et-Cher) to Colmar (Haut-Rhin) spans approximately 500 kilometers, crossing the Loire Valley, Burgundy, and Alsace. A historical oddity: near Troyes, the A5 motorway runs along the former Roman road Via Agrippa, built in 20 BC. Drivers often encounter sudden fog patches in the Morvan hills, a quirk of the region's microclimate.

The A6 and A36 are well-maintained; night illumination is present on major stretches but lacking on rural sections (e.g., between Dijon and Beaune). Toll gates require cash or card; keep change ready. Common driver fatigue occurs after 2 hours on the A6 near the Morvan—the monotonous landscape is tiring.

• Recommended rest zones for a nap: Aire de Venoy (A6, km 180) has shaded picnic tables and a quiet rest area.
• Safety tip: Watch for speed traps on the A36 descent near Giromagny (steep grade).
• Pet-friendly stops: Aire de Beaune-Tailly (A6, km 315) includes a dog-walking area with waste bags.

Family-oriented attractions include the Musée du Train in Mulhouse (A35, exit 20) and the Zoo de la Barben (A6, exit 21). For children, the Parc de la Colombière in Dijon has a play area and pony rides. Interactive museum: Cité du Train in Mulhouse (largest European railway museum) is perfect for families.

• Hidden off-route spots: The Abbaye de Fontenay (near Montbard, A6 exit 23), a 12th-century Cistercian abbey, is a 10-minute detour.
• Château de Châteauneuf-en-Auxois (20 km from exit 24) offers panoramic views.

To discover more hidden gems, check out how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Geographical shifts define this drive: from the flat Loire vineyards to the rolling Burgundy hills, then the Vosges foothills. In autumn, the Route des vins d'Alsace from Colmar to Strasbourg offers spectacular colors. For the best stops Blois to Colmar, consider these:

• Natural landscapes: The Loire River near Blois (panoramic view at Parc de la Confluence).
• Geological oddity: The Falaise de la Roche in Tonnerre (A6, exit 21), a 60m limestone cliff.
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The route passes near two: Vézelay (Basilica and Hill) and the Climats of Burgundy (a short detour to Beaune). No UNESCO site is directly on the highway, but both are within 15 km of the A6.

Local commerce thrives in roadside markets. Near Troyes, buy andouillette sausages at Marché des Halles (open Sat mornings). In Colmar, the Christmas market (Nov–Dec) sells Alsatian bredles cookies and local wine. Stop at Ferme du Château in Rixheim (A35, exit 21) for artisanal goat cheese.

• Culinary infrastructure: Le Relais de Saulx (Saulx, near A36 exit 5) serves Burgundian coq au vin.
• Au Pain d'Antan in Belfort (A36 exit 13) has traditional kougelhopf.

The primary route uses A10 from Blois to Orléans, then A6 via Auxerre to Beaune, and finally A36/A35 to Colmar. Toll costs total about €45 for a standard car. Fuel stations are plentiful along the A6, but become sparse on the A36 between Belfort and Mulhouse—fill up at the Beaune area for best prices.

• Estimated fuel cost: €70–€90 (gasoline), depending on driving style.
• Efficiency tip: Use cruise control at 110 km/h on the A6 to save fuel; the gentle hills of Burgundy increase consumption by 10%.
• Key fuel stops: Station Avia in Venoy (A6, exit 19) and Total in Besançon (A36, exit 3).