Best lunch stop on the way to LM

[MasserMadMan]

A group of us head down on the Thursday each year from the tunnel to Le Mans and tend to use the tolls until Rouen and then a mix of some scenic driving and some tolls between Rouen and LM.

We've stopped in a few different places for lunch over the years but never found anywhere that great. The best so far is in the middle of a place called Gace as it has a nice town square and we get to oggle some nice cars parked up. However, the only place for lunch is a bit ropey!

We've also tried a town called Bourgtheroulde-Infreville which had a couple of slightly nicer places to eat, but almost no nice motors stopping on their way through (other than our collection of distinctly second division cars!)

Would be really interested to hear if there's another town (before or after Rouen) that lots of people tend to stop in that has nice food and carparks packed with modern motoring exotica....

[MadMacMcMad]

Honfleur is a favourite. Very nice port town West of Rouen across the estuary from LeHavre. Over the Pont de Normandie.
Keeps you away from Rouen too. A couple of lovely bridges enroute too.

[gt6]

We always use the old N138, and stop at Bernay, we have for many years now stoped on the way into bernay at the intermarche supermarket, before we stock up with shopping for Le mans (nothing sold out here unlike at le mans itself) we eat in the cafe there. i know it sounds silly but it is not like Tesco's the food is great and cheap, i challenge anyone to eat one of the large pizza's and not feel stuffed afterwards.

[gdaybruce]

I agree that Honfleur is a beautiful place but take care on the time required for a lunch stop. Our party once dropped in for a harbourside lunch on the way home, thinking we had ample time before the ferry left from Le Havre. As the hours(!) ticked by we became increasingly concerned, pointing out to the waiter that we had a deadline. Eventually, we had no choice but to calculate the bill for what we had received up to that point, stand up, press a fistful of euros into the waiter's hand and leave. The kitchen staff seemed upset as the sound of pans hitting the floor could be heard as we left! We then drove flat out (well, I was flat out in an Impreza but friend rather less than flat out in his Ultima...) making the ferry just as the barrier was going down and we were the last to board.

I'm sure there are quicker meals available in Honfleur but the restaurant we picked was clearly used to the idea that lunch is an all afternoon commitment!

[eastlmark]

always amazed at just how many of those lovely looking towns are completely closed at lunchtime, maybe one town centre brasserie open which will be packed.

[Matt Harper]

L'Auberge de la Croix Margot on the northern approach to Beaumont-sur-Sarthe is very pleasant, relaxed and right alongside old RN138. I must have dined there 20 times pre and post Le Mans. It's small, so gets very busy, but it's a truly lovely place.

[williamp]

Gace is a popukar stop to. If you are travelinv on friday you could also carry on and stop at thd great british welcome

[lowdrag]

If stopping in Gacé there is Le 23 Grande Rue, which is typically French and very good quality. If you are coming via Sées, a small and cosy restaurant as you drop down into the town on the right. Forget the name.

[OvalOwl]

23 Grande Rue. The former shop name still on the frontage is Lépine.

http://goo.gl/maps/4sd7L

http://www.le23granderue.com/

There's also L'Etoile d'Or further along Grande Rue which has been recommended on here before. It was closed for Whitsun last year when I was in Gacé.

Edited by OvalOwl on Saturday 11th April 19:19

[captainchaos him]

Cees is nice to stop at, although not sure if the bar/hotel has been rebuilt following the fire

[TvR Driver]

Another vote for Sees
Great cars around the square and some good food as well

TY

[DMN]

Any suggestions for the Calais side of Rouen?

[cja]

Le Touquet is nice - if pricey - or Boulogne has some good restaurants, especially in the old town.

[FartKong]

We always stop here in Gace for a little Steak frites and a pint of Kronenbourg before doing the last stint.

[PositronicRay]

Hi Anyone stopped @ Fresnay-sur-Sarthe? I fancy a picturesque place to stretch our legs, and was wondering if it's worth the detour.

[DMN]

cja said:

Le Touquet is nice - if pricey - or Boulogne has some good restaurants, especially in the old town.

Thanks, I found a spot in Boulogne thats past the wife test.

[cja]

As long as it passes the WT - you'll be fine!

[MasserMadMan]

Just a quick message to say many thanks for all the suggestions. Much appreciated

[Vette_1978]

We always stop in a little village called Monnai, there is a restaurant called Au Cheval Bai, you drive right passed it on the D438, looks like a truck stop with large gravel area. About 70 miles to Le Mans from here so half way from Rouen, nice coffee, plenty of cakes, typical ham&cheese baguette which ruins the roof of your mouth, c'est bon.

[Truckosaurus]

DMN said:

Any suggestions for the Calais side of Rouen?

Even some of the Autoroute service stations are pretty scenic. The Baie de Somme north of Abbeville has a nature reserve on site to look at whilst eating your plastic triangle sandwich.

Also it is a good car spotting site being fairly close to the ports.