A drunk driver clocked 50 kilometers going the wrong way on a highway in western France, colliding with three cars along the way but injuring only one person, police said Saturday.

The 56-year-old from the central city of Tours was driving home from southwestern Bordeaux after drinking heavily late Friday.

After driving about two hours he lost control of his car, which fishtailed without crashing. When he set off again he was on the wrong side of the road.

Over the next 50 kilometers (30 miles) the slow-moving car struck a guardrail and at least three other cars while causing only one minor injury, rescue workers said, while unable to provide details.

The motorist was stopped at a toll booth, visibly "lost" and "in another world", highway police said.

His blood alcohol level was 2.34 grams per litre, well above the French limit for driving of 0.5.

He was held overnight and was to appear before a magistrate on Saturday.