Rouen Problems

[muppetdave]

rlw said:

Last year was our 32nd and we still cocked up the Rouen transit.....

Where's the like button?! I feel so smug when I get it right through Rouen. Feel a bigger tit when I say 'the bit where we cock up every year is just coming up'.... And then miss it!

[struttob]

gt6 said:

struttob said:

No it is not only you, we always used to get lost in Rouen - usually ended up near the railway marshalling area.

Tend to go for the longer ferry routes these days.

Bob

You did not get lost that is actually the right road, or was before the fire

I am talking about the early 1980's here so I am sure it is quite different now.

Bob

[Printertosh]

struttob said:

I am talking about the early 1980's here so I am sure it is quite different now.

Bob

I wouldn't bet on it, some of the old railway lines still cross the road to the factories and the mecano bridge crossing over train yard looks very old. There are a few car dealerships down there now which is probably the biggest difference but everything else looks like it's been there since 50's/60's

[Nosynchro]

May need a new thread but "Interesting things seen when sent off proper route by getting lost in Rouen".

There is the old GP track of course. last year missed turn to Dieppe going back and a few miles north there is a town called Barentin where there is a lerge scale model of the Statue of Liberty on a roundabout. American companion was delighted and insisted we stop for photos. Cutting back across country took us through a place called PISSY something. I dont know why we didnt stop for photos there.

[lowdrag]

For a second I thought you said Barenton, (not Barentin) where, funnily enough, there is an English butcher who makes the best cumberland sausages I've ever tasted! Has won a gold medal for them too. If any of you are ever between St. Malo and Alencon I'd look him up if you have a yearning for good english food, like pork pies bacon et al. Can't miss it - centre of town and opposite a bar!

[24lemons]

Ok, so is it worth planning a detour around Rouen in anticipation of disruption (if so, what route would you choose?) or, stick with it and hope that the diversion signs are sufficient to avoid major hold ups?

[ShiDevil]

24lemons said:

Ok, so is it worth planning a detour around Rouen in anticipation of disruption (if so, what route would you choose?) or, stick with it and hope that the diversion signs are sufficient to avoid major hold ups?

Pondering this too. As time gets closer, it would be good to have a plan of action

[B.J.W]

Getting lost in Rouen is simply part of the pilgrimage.
Roadworks and delays serve only to strengthen the resolve, the prize being a cold beer and the soothing lullaby of Corvette V8's.

[Emeye]

Thought I'd update this as could be useful with Lemans coming up.

Just spent a week in Vendee, my first time driving in France and was amazed how quiet the roads were in France...

Apart from Rouen! That bridge is still shut and I've only found out since I got back why.

Took ages to get through last Sunday, and today (Monday) especially as the sat nav had a meltdown! Now I'm new to driving in France and my French is poor, so I struggled to understand the two diversion signs I noticed, but it definitely wasn't very clear!

Got through in the end.

[boolay]

Just got back from South of France, and diversions through Rouen are a nightmare. No signs at all after you get taken off the A28!
The diversion heading down was not far from the tunnel, which seems like it feeds you off in to the middle of nowhere.

On the way back I took the route below through and would recommend it (although there are a lot of traffic lights) Getting off the A28 earlier means you should miss the crowds though.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&am...

Edited by boolay on Tuesday 4th June 07:40

[eastsider]

Thanks boolay that looks like a good option. I'm also considering avoiding Rouen entirely, haven't figured it yet but come off A28 substantially before and route to the East - anyone tried this?

I might even go via Paris. I'd rather be moving for an extra hour than stationary/lost for ages.

[flattotheboards]

My brother returned from France on Saturday and said the same as the chaps above. We are going to completely avoid Rouen as it was a nightmare apparently, it took over an hour to get around it. This will only get worse during the week of the race due to the weight of traffic heading down.

[The Leaper]

Glad that my son and I are staying overnight in Falaise on Friday and Sunday so Rouen is well off our route between Calais and Le Mans.

R.

[muppetdave]

Thankfully heading down before and after the hoards (Monday 17th and Weds 26th respectively) but planning on totally avoiding Rouen. It's bad enough at the best of times!!!

[ean21]

I was in Rouen last week and it was terrible. Long queues and the signange wasn't too great either. The diversion actually takes you backwards along a section of dual carriageway, which upsets the satnav immensley! I'd advise avoiding it if you can.

[ean21]

I was in Rouen last week and it was terrible. Long queues and the signange wasn't too great either. The diversion actually takes you backwards along a section of dual carriageway, which upsets the satnav immensley! I'd advise avoiding it if you can.

[McSwerve II]

Has anyone tried cutting through the national park to the West of Rouen?

[kinabalu]

Oh this is sounding just great. In an effort to make a holiday of it have booked me & Mrs K into a hotel in Rouen on our way down, first time tried this & sounds like could be the last.

My sat nav repeatedly will send you back to a closed road junction instead of finding an alternative.

[JulesV]

McSwerve II said:

Has anyone tried cutting through the national park to the West of Rouen?

Yes I have done this several times. I have traveled west to near Yvetot and then drop down to cross the river on the Pont de Brotonne. Then travel through the forest and pick up the autoroute at Bourg Achard. It is longer but the roads tend to be nice and quiet and it avoids all the stress at Rouen. Pretty sure our convoy will follow this route this year.

[OvalOwl]

Via Michelin will show you the correct route avoiding the closure. Things like this are when you need a navigator who can read a map. My satnav is used as a moving map to tell me where I am (it also has a handy plain as day true speed indicator) routes are figured out in advance.

I've decided to take the Pont de Brotonne too. It is now peage free and I'm in no rush, so it makes sense to take it along with Routes Nationales and leave the Autorotes to the mad fools and les flics.