Drive time
It's the time of year people start asking me about the 'best driving routes' in France, and tips for driving and where to stop over + Amuse Bouche is one!
France is a driver’s paradise: open roads, spectacular scenery, delicious places to stop off and eat lunch. Even after so long exploring the country, I am constantly discovering new routes that send my heart soaring; sometimes I want to stop so many times along the way for photos that it takes me twice as long to reach the destination as it should. One route that had eluded me until recently was Corniche d’Or, west from Mandelieu-la-Napoule. But in February, I finally swept around its bends - and in in style, too, thanks to a side-car tour in a sleek Chang Jiang Pekin Express motorbike with La Grande Vadrouille. My host was the ebullient Daniel Saffioti, who switched his career in hypnotherapy for mesmerising thrill-seeking visitors with the best routes of his home region (£134 for up to two people; +33 615172205). He can take two passengers - one in the sidecar, one riding pillion, and here’s a taster from my recent, Times article…