PR professional and influencer Rob Kenny shares the details of his dream road trip through the beautiful regions of Burgundy and Provence.
Ever since I did my Erasmus in Toulouse at the age of 20, I have dreamt of driving through the beautiful and historical provinces of France.
When my fiancé and I got engaged in Antibes, in the south of France, nearly three years ago, and with our wedding fast approaching next May, we decided this year's big summer trip would be that dream French road trip.
After weeks of research and planning, our dream came true as we landed in Paris.
We made the conscious decision to splash out on something special: the car. For a driving holiday like this, where you’re spending so much time in the car, it felt worth it.
After much comparison, we chose Sixt as they offered the best value luxury models, and ended up with a sporty Mercedes-Benz. The whole process was effortless, just 15 minutes from touchdown at Charles de Gaulle to driving out of the airport in style. Our first destination: the beautiful old town of Sancerre.
At first, I was a little nervous about driving, but I settled in quickly. The roads in France are excellent, and before long, we were pulling into the quintessentially French old town of Sancerre.
Sancerre
We stayed at Hauts de Sancerre, a stunning new hotel that only opened in July. Originally a grand mansion owned by a wealthy Belgian family, it has been transformed into an art-filled boutique hotel. With just eight luxurious suites, a gourmet restaurant, a wine library and a serene wellness centre, it blends history and modern elegance seamlessly.
The décor leans towards minimal chic with an artistic touch, making it a truly unforgettable stay. We absolutely adored it, and it really helped make our stay in Sancerre feel extra special. It really was one of those hotel stays where you think, I’ll remember this forever.
As for things to do in Sancerre, it is a place rich in history and, of course, stunning wine. The medieval town is a maze of cobbled streets, historic buildings and panoramic views from the old Tour des Fiefs. We enjoyed wine tastings at local domaines, indulged in delicious French cuisine and explored the surrounding countryside by bike.
Overall, our favourite wine experiences were at the smaller, family-run domaines. They are less glamorous and less 'showy’ than the big wine houses, but wonderfully intimate and friendly.
When it came to socialising and dining, one of the highlights was a wine bar called La Banque, where we let the staff guide us through their favourite wines.
When it came to restaurants in Sancerre, two experiences stood out: The first was the gourmet restaurant within our hotel at Hauts de Sancerre, offering exceptional food in truly breathtaking surroundings. The second was La Tour, a charming fine-dining spot, where both the service and the cuisine were divine.
After our wonderful few days in Sancerre, we were back in our sleek Merc, which was such a dream to drive, and set off for our next stop: Chablis.
Chablis
Another world-renowned white wine region, Chablis, is only a little over an hour away from Sancerre. The drive was spectacular, taking us through the French countryside, vineyards, lavender and sunflower fields, small villages and a few striking châteaux.
When we arrived in Chablis, we checked into one of my favourite hotel experiences to date: Château de la Resle.
It is a beautifully restored château located about 20 minutes outside Chablis town, now run by a welcoming Dutch couple. The team greeted us with a glass of local sparkling wine as soon as we arrived and made us feel instantly at home.
The château is more like a refined bed and breakfast than a full-service hotel, and it is wonderfully intimate. We stayed in a room in a new building beside their pool, which was beautifully designed and notably stylish.
Guests must let the owners know in advance if they wish to dine there, and that first evening, we did just that. We spent the afternoon by the pool, then enjoyed dinner in their fabulous restaurant reserved exclusively for guests. The meal was intimate and delicious, and it was lovely to chat with both the chef and the other guests. It was a truly memorable evening.
The next day, it was on to explore Chablis town itself. This charming medieval village is at the heart of Burgundy’s most celebrated wine region. On a local tour, we learned that the town dates back to the ninth century, and Chablis rose to prominence thanks to the monks of Pontigny Abbey, who cultivated the first vines and laid the foundations for the region’s now global reputation for exceptional Chardonnay.
The town still bears traces of its medieval heritage, with narrow stone streets, pretty squares and remnants of the old world everywhere.
The best way to experience Chablis is simply to wander. We strolled past independent wine shops, characterful cafés and family-owned domaines offering tastings. Our favourite, and possibly our favourite of the entire trip, was Domaine Edmond Chalmeau, where the two sons led our tour and tasting.
It felt more like spending an afternoon with friends than a formal vineyard visit, and we left absolutely charmed.
For food, Chablis was outstanding. At lunchtime, we found ourselves at a quaint riverside restaurant called Marguerite de Chablis, where we ate outdoors to the sound of a brilliant live band playing beside us.
That evening, we went to Au Fil du Zinc, a Michelin-starred restaurant with beautiful interiors, incredible food and, naturally, perfect wine pairings. It was one of those days that could not have been planned any better!
Provence
From the north of Burgundy, we travelled south to Provence, a region that somehow manages to feel even more quintessentially French than the rest. Olive groves, lavender fields and sunlit hilltop villages appeared around every bend in the road, and it was exactly as dreamy as I had imagined.
We based ourselves at Château Les Crostes. It was charming, relaxed and really good value, too. Bear in mind that the set-up is more bed and breakfast than a full-service hotel; you only get breakfast, but that was all fine once you plan for it. It felt homely and unpretentious, the sort of place where you could properly switch off before heading out exploring each day.
A real highlight of Provence was dinner at the world-famous truffle restaurant Chez Bruno in Lorgues. People travel from all over the world to eat here, and it completely lived up to the hype.
Every course celebrated truffles in some form, from delicate starters to rich, comforting mains, and the setting, a beautiful old farmhouse with fairy-lit terraces, made it even more special. A very fabulous date night treat! Just be sure to book in advance.
Another standout was visiting the Irish McKillen family’s Château La Coste near Aix-en-Provence. The Irish connection made it all the more exciting, and the estate itself is extraordinary. It is not just about wine, although the organic wines are excellent, but also about art, architecture and food.
We wandered through the grounds, coming across sculptures and installations among the vines and olive trees, before sitting down to taste the wines with views over the hills. It manages to feel both glamorous and laid-back, and is the sort of place you never want to leave.
What we loved most about Provence was the mix of rustic and refined. One afternoon, we would be browsing a local market, buying cheese and olives to bring back to the château, and the next we would be sitting down to a truffle tasting menu or a Michelin-level lunch at Château La Coste.
The pace of life makes you slow down and savour every moment, and with the sunshine, the food and the wine, it is impossible not to feel completely spoiled! If doing this trip with a partner, there is a natural romance to the whole Provence experience, too.
Antibes
And finally, after our fill of vineyards, truffles and Provençal sunshine, we were off to Antibes to get to work. It is our favourite place in all of France, somewhere, as a couple, we visit multiple times a year, and this time it was all about in-depth wedding planning with our planner to the stars, Niamh Costello.
Next May, we will be getting married in Bastide du Roy, the former home of French designer Lanvin. Spending time there at the end of our road trip, combining practical planning with enjoying the place we love most, felt like the perfect way to finish what was truly our dream French road trip.
