Best route from Le Havre to Le Mans

[MrC986]

We've previously done the schlep from Calais & also the Caen overnighter via the scenic non Autoroute trip down. This yr we're going to Le Havre on the economy Wednesday overnighter...are there are specific great back roads we should be using to get to get there? If you want to PM instead of broadcasting your secret route that's fine We're only a 3 car group BTW if anyone else wants to join us from Le Havre on the way down

[Output Flange]

There was a route that diverted around Rouen to avoid the closed bridge which is a nice, scenic drive to start you off.

From Le Havre head towards Yvetot, from there aim for Bourg-Achard, and then to Le Mans on the A28.

[lowdrag]

My advice would be to take the Pont de Normandie (NOT Tanquerville) and follow the route nationale (now departmentale) to Le Mans. A lovely drive and while some towns/villages are bypassed you can peel off for a while when the thirst becomes unbearable. So: Honfleur, Pont l'Eveque, Lisieux, Vimoutiers, Gacé, Mortagne, Bellème Le Mans. Lovely drive, and I find it doesn't take that much more time anyway. Top down, wafting your way, and arriving relaxed. Does an hour or so matter compared to the enjoyment?

Edit:- but if you are feeling carefree, then a trip to Caen, then down to Falaise, peel off the Putanges Pont Ecrepin, (lovely hotel by the river called Le Lion Verd) Ranes, Carrouges, Pré en Pail, Villaines, Sillé le Guillaume and on to Le Mans is without doubt my favourite route of all time. Bars, restaurants, lovely swinging roads and I've never seen the BiB. Over 30 years I've never found better. Others have asked, have done it, and agree.

Edited by lowdrag on Saturday 4th April 16:52

[//j17]

As it's only 200km from Le Havre to Le Mans and you get off the ferry at something like 8am what I've done is use the autoroute to get over the Pont de Normandie but then get off and take random 'D' roads to Argentan, via a late breakfast/early lunch stop in Trun (nice little cafe on the junction of the D916/D13 with parking right outside). After Argentan I think it was take the D958 to Mortree, then off on to the D26 through the Foret d'Ecouves to Alencon. From here either take the old N138 (D338) direct to Le Mans or loop round via Saint-Pierre-des-Nids/Gesvres/Saint-Georges-le-Gaultier to Sille-le-Guillaume and bomb along the Roman road via Conlie and Saint-Saturnin to the north of Le Mans.

[MrC986]

Lowdrag & //j17, thanks for the advice. We did the Caen Alencon back roads last year & had a great run although ferry bookings & a larger group prevented an outbound trip via Caen, although we're returning that way. I think //j17, we might have stopped at the cafe/restaurant you mentioned possibly?.....



Ps excuse the small picture...bl**dy computers!

[//j17]

Looks like a different one. Ah, stick-on paper camping tickets - that kind of dates the pic!