Where to charge in France on four epic French road trips
Enter a world of calm on inspirational French road trips in the Macan Electric with Porsche and MICHELIN
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From incredible food to scenes that inspired great artists, racetrack thrills to world-class wines, discover four restorative road trips with The Recharge Guide from Porsche and MICHELIN
Inspirational artistic destinations, foodie paradise after foodie paradise, world-famous vineyards… on a French road trip in the electric Porsche Macan with custom MICHELIN tyres specially developed for electric vehicles, you have license to explore at your own pace. The Recharge Guide presents four exciting destinations where you can take things at your own pace – and factor in a convenient charge for your car while you’re at it. Relax, restore, recharge.1 Explore Claude Monet’s inspiration Route: Paris – Vernon – Giverny – Rouen There’s nowhere that art, in all its forms, is stitched into the fabric of society quite like it is in Paris. You just have to head to one of its many art supplies shops – treasured ateliers like La Maison du Pastel or Sennelier – to see how this city, which has inspired artists down the centuries, still takes art seriously.Paris is the birthplace of Claude Monet, founder of the Impressionist movement, and one of the world’s most famous artists. This Monet-inspired road trip sees you leave the bustle of the city behind, allowing yourself time and space to reflect on the beauty he captured on canvas. First stop is the Normandy town of Vernon, on the banks of the Seine. Situated about an hour and a quarter north-west of Paris, here you can explore its old mill and fine arts museum, a venue often overlooked by tourists.Across the other side of the Seine from Vernon is the village of Giverny, where Monet painted his famous Water Lilies. Stroll through the expansive gardens of his former home and you’ll witness vibrant flowerbeds and, while crossing its Japanese bridge, be able to admire the lily pond that feels like you’re stepping into one of Monet’s works.Head there in spring for peak flower season or, for a quieter experience, visit in the autumn when the soft clouds add a dreamy, Impressionistic blur to the scene. Even in October, the nasturtiums and water lilies are still in bloom (check the garden’s official Flowering Calendar for timings). After a stroll around the gardens, an ideal next stop is to visit the nearby Musée des impressionnismes to see how these gardens influenced Monet and other artists.Just down the street from Monet’s house isLa Musardiere, a cozy bistro that serves modern, hearty cuisine, with peaceful, terraced guestrooms available for a relaxing overnight stay. From here, continue your journey on to the historic city of Rouen. Make sure you visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts, home to several of Monet’s masterpieces as well as works by contemporaries such as Degas and Renoir, among others. Rouen’s tranquil botanical garden, Jardin des Plantes, is a peaceful retreat that perfectly complements the natural and artistic beauty of Giverny.This is a road trip that will leave you feeling recharged, energised and inspired.Find out about Porsche Destination ChargingNature’s bounty: a road trip through France almost inevitably leads to encounters with the country’s produce Photo: Porsche2 Discover Marseille’s exciting food scene Route: Marseilles – Vallée des Baux-de-Provence – Étang de Berre – Circuit Paul Ricard – CassisNowhere pulses quite like Marseille – and its food is a vibrant reflection of that. A visit to this fascinating city on the shores of the Mediterranean to explore the city’s rich seafood scene isn’t complete without enjoying a bowl of bouillabaisse, its famed spicy fish soup, on Marseille’s lively waterfront. Numerous MICHELIN star restaurants are dotted around the city – venues like L’Épuisette and La Petite Nice aren’t just centres of Mediterranean cuisine, they come with breathtaking views of the sea too.Just north of the city is Vallée des Baux-de-Provence, where you can explore its olive groves and centuries-old cultivation and extraction traditions. For a more in-depth understanding of the region’s cuisine, head west towards Étang de Berre, whose salt marshes produce the famous fleur de sel, the delicate sea salt harvested here and feted by chefs around the world. The wide-open spaces and reflective waters provide serenity, offering a unique chance to recharge in nature.If you want to pick up the pace a bit, there’s fun and excitement to help balance the calm with a visit to the Porsche Track Experience at the nearby Circuit Paul Ricard, famed for hosting many a French Formula 1 Grand Prix over the years. But if you’d rather continue to celebrate the region’s food and drink then make your way down to the charming port of Cassis, where you can enjoy seaside vineyards and wine tasting paired with fresh seafood. It’s the perfect, relaxing conclusion to your epicurean French road trip in southern France. Find out more about Porsche Destination ChargingSensory overload: the sights, sounds, tastes, and aroma of France Photo: Porsche3 Wine and wellness in Burgundy Route: Beaune – Meursault – Circuit Dijon-PrenoisThink Burgundy and you think wine… although there’s plenty more to enjoy here beyond the wine itself. In this region, the art of wine and the science of relaxation blend into a perfect balance of rejuvenation, complemented by a thrilling finish. Begin your road trip in Beaune, home to vineyards like Domaine des Hospices and Château de Pommard, where you are invited to sip on world-class pinot noir reds and chardonnay whites.Just 30 minutes away in Meursault, indulge in the restorative power of vinotherapy, courtesy of the Les Sources de Caudalie – 3 MICHELIN Keys hotel. Immerse yourself in treatments where the healing power of grape extract is expertly harnessed. Grapeseed oil massages, grape-based exfoliations and soothing baths will leave you feeling renewed and your skin glowing from the bouquet of antioxidants. For a detour afterwards, head south to the city of Chalon-sur-Saône and enjoy a riverside walk or a café break.Body and mind fully relaxed, it’s time to experience a thrilling recharge of the motorsport kind. The Circuit Dijon-Prenois – home to races including a round of the Porsche Carrera Cup France – allows you to indulge your adventurous side with a high-speed drive on a track celebrated for its considerable elevation changes and sweeping corners.After all this activity, enjoy a gourmet meal at La Table des Climats – selected MICHELIN restaurant in Dijon, where seasonal cuisine harmonises with Burgundy’s finest local ingredients, creating a notable finish to your wellness journey.Find out more about Porsche Destination ChargingCharge… and recharge: a road trip in a Porsche Macan 4 Electric through the French countryside is a restorative experience Photo: Porsche4 Tour the World’s Capital of Perfume Route: Nice – GrasseArt. Food. Wine… and, for our final French road trip, we head off for a sensory escape. We’re heading to the heart of the French Riviera, a place where, over the ages, people have travelled to rejuvenate and delight their senses.Begin your relaxing stay at the timeless Hotel Negresco – 2 MICHELIN Keys overlooking the beach and Promenade des Anglais in Nice. Start the morning in serene fashion at one of its restaurants, Le Chantecler, whose delicate rose jam will enchant your senses and set the tone for your day. A stroll through Vieux-Nice’s charming streets offers a taste of the city’s rich history and vibrant culture, as well as the opportunity to dip your toe into the azure-blue Mediterranean.Enhance your journey with a dramatic drive along the Route du Mimosa, which is ablaze with vivid yellows between January and March. Your route ends in the fragrant town of Grasse, known as the World’s Capital of Perfume. Here you can drop into esteemed perfumeries like Fragonard and Molinard, and experience the calming, meditative effects of crafting your own signature scent. The fields around Grasse offer an aromatic sanctuary, filled with the soothing notes of jasmine, rose, neroli, and tuberose to help you relax and recharge.Visit Grasse in May and its streets are filled by the heady fragrance of the rare May Rose – but there’s plenty to keep you occupied here during the rest of the year. Don’t miss the Musée International de la Parfumerie’s garden for a lush, floral escape. And there are few more memorable ways to conclude your journey than with a meal at La Bastide Saint-Antoine – selected MICHELIN restaurant, where local ingredients – think citrus and herbs – shine in a celebration of Côte d’Azur cuisine.Wherever you journey along the Riviera, you’re treated not just to a feast for the senses, but destinations that simply allow you to take a deep breath and slow the pace. To relax. To recharge.Find out more about Porsche Destination Charging
Consumption and emission informationMacan 4 Electric
(WLTP): Electric energy consumption combined: 21.1 – 17.9 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO₂ class: A.
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