Collioure to Portsmouth: Ultimate Road Trip Guide

This 1,200-kilometer route from Collioure to Portsmouth traverses three countries, passing through the Pyrenees foothills, the Bordeaux vineyards, the Loire Valley châteaux, and the chalk cliffs of southern England. The journey begins on the D914 in Collioure, following the coast to the A9 near Perpignan, then onto the A75 to the A20, branching west to avoid Paris. A curious fact: the A75 near Millau features Europe's tallest bridge, the Millau Viaduct, whose tallest mast stands 343 meters — taller than the Eiffel Tower. The drive typically takes 12–14 hours without stops, but with proper exploration, plan for two to three days.

Road surfaces are generally excellent, but beware of fog in the Loire Valley and strong winds on the Millau Viaduct. Night illumination is good on motorways, but rural D-roads can be dark. For families, the Futuroscope theme park near Poitiers (A10 exit 28) is a hit. Pet-friendly stops: Parc de la Tête d'Or in Lyon, or the beaches of Étretat. For fatigue management, use rest areas like Aire de la Jasserie (A75) with shaded parking and picnic tables. Hidden off-route gems: the medieval village of Sainte-Suzanne (25 min from A81) and the Château de la Baudinière (vineyard, 5 min from A85).

For an in-depth approach to planning stops, see this guide on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

• Police emergency numbers: 112 (EU), 999 (UK).
• Child-friendly: Zoo de Beauval (A85), Parc Astérix (A1).
• Dog-friendly cafés: Le Café de la Place in Collioure, The Happy Hound in Portsmouth.
• Best rest stops: Aire de la Fage (A20) with playground, Aires de la Vallée (A10).

1. Collioure to Carcassonne: 1.5 h, visit castle.
2. Carcassonne to Rocamadour: 2.5 h, cheese tasting.
3. Rocamadour to Tours: 3 h, Loire Châteaux.
4. Tours to Caen: 2 h, visit D-Day beaches.
5. Caen to Portsmouth: ferry crossing.

The journey transitions from the Mediterranean scrubland of the Côte Vermeille to the limestone plateaus of the Massif Central, then to the fertile plains of the Loire, finally crossing the English Channel. In Collioure, the vineyards of Banyuls produce sweet wines; along the A20, stop at Rocamadour for the goat cheese. In the Loire Valley, Château de Chambord is a must-see. For local crafts, the village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère offers Périgord truffles and walnut oil.

• UNESCO: Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne (detour 15 min from A61), Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes (A10), Palace of Westminster (Portsmouth ferry connects).
• Sunsets: best viewed at Millau Viaduct viewpoint (A75 exit 47) or Étretat cliffs (A29).
• Regional foods: Collioure anchovies, Rocamadour cheese, Loire Valley goat cheese, and British fish and chips.

The route primarily uses tolled motorways (A9, A61, A20, A10, A13) with high-quality surfaces. Expect tolls from Perpignan to Caen totaling approximately €70. Fuel stations are abundant every 30–40 km, but prices vary: France averages €1.85/L for diesel, while UK prices near Portsmouth are around £1.50/L. Fuel efficiency tips: use cruise control at 110 km/h to save up to 15% fuel. For electric vehicles, fast chargers are available at all motorway rest stops.

• Key highways: A9, A61, A20, A10, A13 in France; M25, A3 in UK
• Fuel cost estimate: €200 for diesel (one way)
• Most scenic fuel stop: Aire des Coteaux de Garonne (A62) – views of the Garonne Valley