A 4-day Harz, Moselle and Champagne road trip from Berlin to Paris
Estimated cost
€1,690estimated total
Stays
€540
Fuel
€245
Food
€445
Other
€460
Estimates generated at planning time — your actual costs may vary.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
311 km4h 33mDepart 08:30
Start
Berlin, Germany
Drive 220 km in ~2h 30min via A2 and B81 from Berlin
213 km2h 41m
1
Attraction
Marktplatz Quedlinburg
Quedlinburg, Germany
11:00–13:002h here
UNESCO half-timbered square
Required stop; great for history photos. Park SUV at Marschlinger Hof, not in tight old-town lanes.
Walk 700 m in ~10min through Quedlinburg old town
4 km10m
2
Food
Brauhaus Lüdde
Quedlinburg, Germany
13:10–14:101h here€70
Harz beer hall and local plates
Casual for kids and local cuisine. Try Harz-style schnitzel; reserve a terrace table in June.
Drive 13 km in ~25min via L240 to Thale
15 km23m
3
Activity
Hexentanzplatz Thale
Thale, Germany
14:40–16:402h here€35
Clifftop views above Bode Gorge
Adventure stop with easy viewpoints for family photos. Use the large upper car park for SUV spaces.
Drive 92 km in ~1h 25min via A36 and A14 to Magdeburg
80 km1h 19m
4
Overnight
Herrenkrug Parkhotel Magdeburg
Magdeburg, Germany
18:05–19:051h here€145
Park hotel by the Elbe
Good family rooms and easy SUV parking. Walk the Elbe paths after check-in for sunset light.
Day 2
489 km5h 42mDepart 08:00
Check out and drive 420 km in ~4h 25min via A2, A1 and A48 from Magdeburg
478 km5h 11m
5
Attraction
Deutsches Eck
Koblenz, Germany
12:25–13:551h 30m here
Rhine-Moselle confluence monument
Required Koblenz anchor with river views. Park at Görres underground or Peter-Altmeier-Ufer early.
Walk 800 m in ~10min through Koblenz Altstadt
3 km10m
6
Food
Altes Brauhaus
Koblenz, Germany
14:05–15:051h here€75
Traditional Rhineland tavern
Fits local food and fast service for kids. Order Döppekooche if available and house beer for adults.
Drive 5 km in ~15min across the Rhine to Ehrenbreitstein
4 km11m
7
Activity
Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
Koblenz, Germany
15:25–17:552h 30m here€55
Fortress panorama over Rhine
History plus top photo angles over rivers. Take the cable car if running; book family tickets online.
Drive 4 km in ~15min along the Rhine back to Koblenz
4 km10m
8
Overnight
Mercure Hotel Koblenz
Koblenz, Germany
18:10–19:101h here€150
Riverside hotel near old town
Reliable family base with garage access. Avoid peak old-town traffic and arrive before dinner.
Day 3
274 km4h 14mDepart 08:15
Check out and drive 40 km in ~50min via B49 and L113 from Koblenz
35 km51m
9
Activity
Eltz Castle
Wierschem, Germany
09:05–11:352h 30m here€60
Forest castle hike and tour
Castle-and-hiking highlight for the route. Wear grippy shoes; shuttle helps kids on the uphill return.
Drive 105 km in ~1h 30min via A48 and A1 to Trier
109 km1h 32m
10
Attraction
Porta Nigra
Trier, Germany
13:05–15:052h here€30
Roman city gate
Required Trier stop and essential Roman history. Use Parkhaus Porta Nigra for simpler SUV access.
Walk 600 m in ~10min across Trier city center
1 km4m
11
Food
Weinstube Kesselstatt
Trier, Germany
15:15–16:301h 15m here€85
Moselle wine garden and regional food
Moselle flavors for adults, simple plates for kids. Try Riesling and Flammkuchen; terrace fills fast.
Drive 100 km in ~1h 35min via A1 and A31 crossing into France
124 km1h 33m
12
Attraction
Cathédrale Saint-Etienne de Metz
Metz, France
18:05–19:351h 30m here
Gothic cathedral with Chagall glass
Required Metz anchor with superb architecture photos. Best façade light is early evening in June.
Drive 2 km in ~10min around Metz center to the hotel
4 km14m
13
Overnight
La Citadelle Hotel Metz - MGallery Collection
Metz, France
19:45–20:451h here€165
Historic hotel near old town
Romantic historic stay with family rooms. Confirm parking height for the SUV before arrival.
Day 4
372 km4h 39mDepart 08:15
Check out and drive 185 km in ~1h 50min via A4 from Metz
191 km1h 58m
14
Attraction
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims
Reims, France
10:05–12:052h here
Coronation cathedral landmark
Required Reims stop for history and architecture. Park at Erlon or Buirette and walk in for easier access.
Drive 3 km in ~15min across Reims
3 km9m
15
Food
Brasserie Le Jardin
Reims, France
12:20–13:351h 15m here€110
Champagne-region brasserie
Local cuisine with garden calm for family/couple balance. Book lunch and ask for seasonal dishes.
Drive 24 km in ~30min via D951 into the Champagne hills
19 km22m
16
Activity
Parc naturel régional de la Montagne de Reims
Pourcy, France
14:05–16:052h here
Vineyard forest viewpoints
Short vineyard walks suit hiking and photography. Carry water; June paths can be sunny and warm.
Drive 150 km in ~2h 25min via A4 to Paris, expect ring-road traffic
154 km1h 54m
17
Attraction
Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre
Paris, France
18:30–19:451h 15m here
Classic Eiffel Tower viewpoint
Destination photo finale for kids and couple shots. Arrive before dusk; watch bags in crowds.
Finish
Paris, France
Before you go
Local tips
- 1Reserve Burg Eltz tickets and check shuttle timing before leaving Koblenz.
- 2Use outer or riverside car parks in Quedlinburg, Koblenz, Trier and Metz to avoid tight medieval lanes with the SUV.
- 3Fuel in Germany before entering France if prices are favorable, then top up near Reims before Paris traffic.
- 4Photograph Metz Cathedral and Trocadéro in late afternoon or evening for softer June light.
- 5Book Reims lunch ahead; Champagne-region restaurants fill quickly on summer weekends.
Good to know
- 1France A4 uses motorway tolls between Metz, Reims and Paris; keep a card ready at péage lanes.
- 2Germany has no general motorway toll for cars, but some city Umweltzonen require a green emissions sticker.
- 3Old-town streets in Quedlinburg, Trier and Metz can be narrow with limited parking; avoid hotel garages with low clearance.
- 4June thunderstorms can make Harz forest paths and Burg Eltz approaches slippery.
- 5Paris traffic and restricted lanes near the center can add 30-60 minutes; check Crit'Air requirements before entry.
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