Routes : 2015

[The Badger]

As we are comfortably striding towards LM day, I'd love to know folk's opinions on routes down from Calais.

Which is the best route to mix minimal tolls, maximum scenery and witness other metal heading down? Etc...

[gt6]

Will be reverting to the usual route, motorway to Rouen with a breakfast/coffee stop, the old n138 after rouen, stopping for a luch and shopping stop at Bernay as long as the bridge is open this year

[E36GUY]

Motorway all the way for me. Completely the opposite of your request but I have done the journey so many times now I simply want to just get there as quickly as possible. Regardless of the Rouen bridge being open or not, I may well stick to the cross country bit over Pont de Bretonne as it's prettier than the rail yard of Rouen and I don't think it's any slower overall.

[The Leaper]

Having been going to LM for 19 years I now agree with Guy. Using the autoroutes is nice and easy. Also, we can maintain a reasonably good average speed without attracting les flics. The old N138 route is good if you have time and a careful right foot. For first timers I think keeping off the autoroutes and going cross country is a good idea. I'm sure it won't be long before other PHers will post their favourite routes as has happened in past years.

These days we stay north west of LM, so our route is Calais, A28, A29, Pont de Normandie, A13 to Drubec and then head to Falaise. Bit unusual I know but has lots of autoroutes and maybe 1-2 hours slow cross country roads to our hotel. And the autoroute from our hotel to LM is pretty quick.

R

[barpilot]

I'll be heading across to Yvetot again then using the E402 and avoiding any Rouen jams. Nice alternative route to be fair.

[FredericRobinson]

The bridge in Rouen is back open

[E36GUY]

barpilot said:

I'll be heading across to Yvetot again then using the E402 and avoiding any Rouen jams. Nice alternative route to be fair.

We're going to do a Top Gear style challenge. Convoy towards Rouen to the point where you peel off to Yvetot then each car will stick rigidly to the applicable speed limit - one going via Yvetot and the other through Rouen then work out what the difference is, if any, when we re-join the A28 south. Will report back afterwards as I reckon there aren't but a few minutes in it.

[CPK]

If there are no problems I think the Rouen route is about 5 - 10 minutes quicker but the Yvetot route is so much nicer. See how your TG Challenge goes and report back.

[E36GUY]

Will do. We're heading down on the Tuesday so should be able to report back before the majority set off

[BryanC]

I aim for a breakfast 'omlette des fins herbes' in Honfluer after a steady cruise along the coast and watching daybreak 'break'.
Then its inland for a late lunch in Ecommoy meeting up with the usual suspects and then its downhill for the rest of the week.
Not the shortest route but eases me into France nicely.
Je suis Chablis this year.

[ellroy]

Probably N138 from Rouen this year, but back by Yvetot.

[icepop]

There and back via Yvetot, has become the default for us for the last 3 years, just love the bridge over the Seine.

[cja]

Using Dieppe this year, still via Yvetot, after the ferries pulled out of Le Havre It's a nice route and likely to have plenty of company....

Stupid-early arrival time, do going non-m/way for most of it, maybe a detour to take in the old Rouen GP circuit, then N & D roads to the house.

Hopefully a quick trip to the Hotel de France in Le Chartre, for an afternoon 'snifter' before uncorking the red wine & firing up the bbq! Rain permitting, of course..........

[The Badger]

Any recommendations on where to stay on the Thursday night? We stayed at an F1 in Boulogne-Sur-Mer last time... surrounding area was a bit barren.

[gt6]

The Badger said:

Any recommendations on where to stay on the Thursday night? We stayed at an F1 in Boulogne-Sur-Mer last time... surrounding area was a bit barren.

How about in the campsite at le mans

[OvalOwl]

gt6 said:

The Badger said:

Any recommendations on where to stay on the Thursday night? We stayed at an F1 in Boulogne-Sur-Mer last time... surrounding area was a bit barren.

How about in the campsite at le mans

If your day is getting long by the time you get to France and you are camping at Le Mans might I suggest you avail yourself of a Camping Municipal?

http://www.camping-municipal.org/

[The Badger]

gt6 said:

How about in the campsite at le mans

We prefer to head to the circuit Friday AM. As the drive from the North is long and presents little Miller time if done in one sitting.

[FraMac]

The Badger said:

Any recommendations on where to stay on the Thursday night? We stayed at an F1 in Boulogne-Sur-Mer last time... surrounding area was a bit barren.

F1 in rouen is a bit similar, some restaurants near by (a hunder yards) but not much else.

[andyps]

FraMac said:

The Badger said:

Any recommendations on where to stay on the Thursday night? We stayed at an F1 in Boulogne-Sur-Mer last time... surrounding area was a bit barren.

F1 in rouen is a bit similar, some restaurants near by (a hunder yards) but not much else.

If Rouen is too far at least try Abbeville - not great but you are an hour closer to Le Mans!

[cja]

The Badger said:

Any recommendations on where to stay on the Thursday night? We stayed at an F1 in Boulogne-Sur-Mer last time... surrounding area was a bit barren.

How much do you want to pay? IBIS on the river in Rouen... if you want to go via there. Premier Classe St Etienne du Rouvray south of Rouen, otherwise some B&B's out at Lillebonne - not too far from the crossing at Caudebecquet (via Yvetot)