Best route from Calais to Le Mans
Discussion
Hi. A group of us are travelling to Classic Le Mans on the morning Friday, from Calais
Can anyone suggest the best route to take, avoiding motorways / tolls.
We were looking for a route with some great roads, nice stops for lunch etc and photo opportunities?
Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks
Can anyone suggest the best route to take, avoiding motorways / tolls.
We were looking for a route with some great roads, nice stops for lunch etc and photo opportunities?
Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks
What you do have to remember is the non motorway routes do add a lot of driving seat time.
I've mentioned it a few times on here, but the Le mans weekend for me is a Driving holiday with a Motor race thrown in
If you just want to get there in the shortest time and stay in top gear, Go Motorway toll roads.
Also remember speed limits are reduced on non motorway roads. Cough,cough
Get a map, draw a direct line from Calais to the circuit (south of le mans)
Then look at the D roads that fall to the right of that line, easy.
I normally cross the river Seine at Mantes-la-jolie and work my way down to Le mans that way.
I've mentioned it a few times on here, but the Le mans weekend for me is a Driving holiday with a Motor race thrown in
If you just want to get there in the shortest time and stay in top gear, Go Motorway toll roads.
Also remember speed limits are reduced on non motorway roads. Cough,cough
Get a map, draw a direct line from Calais to the circuit (south of le mans)
Then look at the D roads that fall to the right of that line, easy.
I normally cross the river Seine at Mantes-la-jolie and work my way down to Le mans that way.
The Pont Mathilde in Rouen is still closed and probably wont open until next year, if you are lucky you won't hit traffic but to be on the safe side I diverted via Yvetot and the Pont de Brotonne. Before following the old N138 (now D338) to Le Mans.
From Calais you can use the Autoroute to Boulonge for free and then divert onto Routes Nationales (though they are now departmentales) to Abbeville where you can pick up a bit more free (two lane) autoroute that would lead to Rouen if you don't divert to Yveteot.
Bear in mind that the speed limits on ordinary roads are 90 kph and 50 kph in towns. However you will see far less of les flics on them than you will on the autoroutes. The only way they can do you for speeding is to actually stop you and fine you there and then since the UK has opted out of the camera enforcement.
If you are getting onto Nationales at Boulonge then divert a little more and go to the biggest British WWI cemetery at Etaples and pay your respects.
From Calais you can use the Autoroute to Boulonge for free and then divert onto Routes Nationales (though they are now departmentales) to Abbeville where you can pick up a bit more free (two lane) autoroute that would lead to Rouen if you don't divert to Yveteot.
Bear in mind that the speed limits on ordinary roads are 90 kph and 50 kph in towns. However you will see far less of les flics on them than you will on the autoroutes. The only way they can do you for speeding is to actually stop you and fine you there and then since the UK has opted out of the camera enforcement.
If you are getting onto Nationales at Boulonge then divert a little more and go to the biggest British WWI cemetery at Etaples and pay your respects.
If you are heading down on the Friday its quite a drive and you may miss some practice action - so you probably want to go direct ie fastest route.
If you want a decent/interesting drive then go earlier or take the crossing to Le Havre, Caen or St Malo - its closer to circuit & much nicer roads to drive
If you want a decent/interesting drive then go earlier or take the crossing to Le Havre, Caen or St Malo - its closer to circuit & much nicer roads to drive
Hey guys,
Although I'm still trying to work out the crossing part of my first trip there, I just wondered if anyone can email that to me as well ?
A couple of us are going over on Thursday, and of course I'm taking into account what others have mentioned on the thread, as well as looking at google maps. Like others, we want to do a bit of driving, and relax/drink/stumble around once we're there.
Although I'm still trying to work out the crossing part of my first trip there, I just wondered if anyone can email that to me as well ?
A couple of us are going over on Thursday, and of course I'm taking into account what others have mentioned on the thread, as well as looking at google maps. Like others, we want to do a bit of driving, and relax/drink/stumble around once we're there.
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