If you’re interested in history, especially World War II, and want to experience something unforgettable in a short amount of time, grab a cup of coffee and keep reading. I’ll talk about our one-week car trip through France, visiting some regions that witnessed important moments in history. By reading about our journey from the Netherlands to France, you can learn about places to visit in the area, gather information about renting a car in Europe, and benefit from some travel experiences related to driving in Europe.

Since there were places on our route that were difficult to reach by public transport and we needed to plan quickly, we decided to rent a car. To be honest, I was a bit nervous about renting a car in Europe. There are many details to figure out in these situations. On top of that, exchange rates, high insurance costs, and blocked budgets make it even more complicated. Thankfully, the process on discovercars.com was very easy. Prices were reasonable, insurance options were clear, filtering was simple, and we quickly found the car we were looking for thanks to the user-friendly interface.

In this post, I’ll describe the main stops along our route and share some essential tips for renting a car abroad. You’ll also find information for anyone interested in a World War II-themed road trip.

💡 Tip: If you want to avoid extra costs during your road trip, you can turn off the option to show toll roads on Google Maps. This way, you can avoid paying for highways and enjoy a more scenic route by passing through villages and small towns.

One-Week Car Trip in France and Belgium

Our route began in Rotterdam. After renting our car here, we hit the road to complete our route as planned. The drive was a bit long, so we arrived at our first stop in the evening. When we finally made it to the hotel, I felt relieved to find an exceptionally clean room waiting for us.

Our first stop was the historic city of Caen in the Normandy region of France. In this city, which carries the marks of World War II, I can’t even remember how many kilometers we walked.

We left our car in a free park-and-ride lot and took a free shuttle bus to the city center. These minibuses go to all the tourist attractions in Caen. This allowed us to easily visit important sites like the Caen Castle and the Memorial de Caen.

The Normandy beaches were one of the unforgettable highlights of this journey. It was almost impossible to imagine the events that took place years ago at Omaha Beach, which now looks incredibly peaceful. After a long walk on the beach, we saw the bomb craters and bunkers at Pointe du Hoc. The informational boards around the area gave us more insight into the history.

There are many other places worth visiting in the area as well. If you have an interest in history, each place you visit will hold great meaning. However, if you’re not as interested like me, watching a few documentaries beforehand can help you understand the significance of the areas you’re exploring.

Our next stop was Saint-Malo. In this charming city, surrounded by walls, there was a fascinating atmosphere where history intertwined with nature. Saint-Malo is a historic port city located in the Brittany region of France, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and stunning seaside views.

Since we arrived early in the morning, the streets were quiet, and it was very enjoyable to walk along the city walls. The interesting thing is, Saint-Malo was once a hub for French privateers, who were authorized to raid enemy ships during the 17th and 18th centuries.

While walking along the walls, I noticed construction machines working below. Of course, we ended up watching the work for quite a while haha! I really enjoy watching construction work. How about you? (Be honest lol)

From there, we headed to Le Mans. Le Mans is a city known for its rich history and the world-famous 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. It’s home to stunning medieval architecture, including the beautiful Saint-Julien Cathedral. The city also boasts a charming old town, with cobbled streets and half-timbered houses, making it a perfect blend of history and modernity.

Again, there were park-and-ride areas available for access to the city center, and the shuttle buses were free. If you rent a car in Europe, make sure to use these parking lots. We enjoyed discovering the city’s historical character and architecture in Le Mans.

Our next stop, Paris, well, let’s just say it may not be the best choice for people like me who don’t enjoy big cities and crowds, but architecturally, it was absolutely stunning. We visited iconic sites like the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, Notre Dame Cathedral, Sacré-Cœur, and the Palace of Versailles, and enjoyed walks along the Seine River.

The best part of our trip to Paris was having the chance to meet one of our old friends. It was wonderful to catch up after so many years. We also really enjoyed our accommodation, which I’ll mention below.

After Paris, we moved on to the Champagne region, famous for its champagne. We tasted local production champagne in small towns and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere of the area. On our way back, we stopped by Sedan. This historical town, home to Europe’s largest fortress, was a lovely spot for a short break.

One of the last stops of our trip was Bastogne in Belgium. The Airborne Museum here was an impressive place that conveyed the horrors of World War II. The Airborne Museum is dedicated to the history of the American paratroopers during World War II.

It offers a fascinating and immersive experience, with exhibits showcasing the Battle of the Bulge and the bravery of soldiers. The museum provides visitors with a powerful glimpse into the past, honoring the sacrifices made during the war.

The experience inside the bunkers was incredible and equally terrifying. I felt like I was in one of the hardest situations to empathize with. Finally, we returned to Rotterdam, completed our journey, and returned the car.

💡 Internet and e-Sim advice

One thing that made my travel so much easier was using the Holafly eSIM. I tried it for the first time and it was just great. My internet was fast everywhere I went, which was essential because I relied on so many apps during my trip—maps, accommodation apps, restaurant finders, and more and setting it up took just a couple of minutes. All I had to do was purchase a plan, scan the QR code they emailed me, and voilà—instant internet! You can use eSIM internet from Holafly with unlimited data in more than 200 destinations.

By the way, the great feature is: Holafly supports VPN. This is a game-changer if you’re traveling to countries where apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, or Facebook might be restricted. If you’re planning a trip, especially to multiple countries, I highly recommend it. Plus, with my personal Holafly link, you’ll get 5% off your plan—don’t miss out on that! (Please ensure that your phone supports the eSIM service).

💡 Important tip for Paris

If you plan to go to Paris, you should know that accommodation and parking options within the city are quite expensive. Instead, I recommend considering options just outside the city that are easily accessible by public transport. We found a lovely place to stay via Airbnb. It was in a very quiet neighborhood, 20 minutes by metro from the city center. Additionally, the host was very kind and pleasant. If you’re interested in affordable accommodation in Paris, you can check out the host’s profile here: Paris accommodation

While staying here, we parked our car at a nearby mall’s parking lot and took the metro right across the street to get to the city center. This way, we had a more budget-friendly and comfortable trip.

💡 Parking Recommendation

The biggest problem with renting a car in Europe is finding parking. In many countries, parking fees are expensive, and sometimes they can be quite complicated, making it easy to make a mistake. To avoid parking issues in large cities, use park-and-ride parking lots. They are usually easy to find on online maps or can be marked on tourist maps you can get from your hotels. These parking lots allow you to leave your car outside the city and take public transport to the center.

If you want to park within the city, roadside parking is also reasonably priced in France. This method can be quite economical and easy, especially in small towns or less busy areas. However, after parking, don’t forget to enter your car’s license plate number at the parking machines and get a ticket. You can leave this ticket on your car’s windshield.

Time Planning

We set aside 8 days for this trip. We like to travel leisurely and don’t try to see everything. We simply visit places we enjoy, stop in villages to explore the surroundings and take photos, and mostly walk around cities. This time frame was sufficient for us.

💡 Tip: If you plan to use the car you rented in a country other than the one you rented it in, border crossing fees may apply. In our case, we only paid a one-time fee. In some rentals, you may need to pay a daily fee for the days you’ll be in another country.

Conclusion

One of the best things about traveling by car on this trip was the freedom and flexibility it offered. We could go to each stop at our own pace and take spontaneous breaks to explore new places we discovered along the way. Being able to set our own route and schedule, without relying on public transport or tour groups, was a huge advantage.

Another great thing about renting a car in Europe was that we could carry as much luggage as we wanted. The car trunk was very useful, especially for the local wines, cheeses, and other souvenirs we bought from different regions. Plus, being able to easily reach both small towns and nature spots made the trip even more enriching and special.

Finally, watching the changing landscapes along the way and being able to stop wherever we wanted to enjoy nature made the trip an unforgettable experience. Traveling by car allowed us to explore this multi-stop route in the most efficient and enjoyable way.

If you’re interested in history and architecture, you must visit the places on this route. Each stop carries the traces of a different era and introduces you to the spirit of that time.

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