V8VSR in the Pyrenees

[mikey k]

I've started planning my next 2 week euro jaunt.
I've already got a few ideas;

Already decided to do a loop
Dunkirque
Pyrenees, zig zag down them
SW France Carcassone, Milau Bridge, Mont Ventoux, Monaco
Several days doing some Alpine passes
Vosges
Dunkirque

I'm after some tips & recommendations for Pyrenees East Spain and SW France (please )
We are most interested in great driving roads & stunning scenery.

Edited 19/12/11
A few more stops added to the route
Ordadour Sur Glane (WW2 ghost town)
La Roque Gageac (cliff village)
Rocamadour (cliff village)
Gouffre de Padirac boat trip in caves
Roncevaux Pass
Col de la Pierre
Col d’Aubisque
Col du Solour
Col du Portalet
Col du Hautacam & Luz Ardiden
Col de Tentes
Cirque du Gavarnie highest warerfall in Europe
Cirque de Troumouse
Col du Tourmalet
Col D’Aspin
Barousse Valley
Siurana
Andorra
Castellfollit de la roca (1 hour)
“Road of the Year” 365 bends in 12 miles Gi682
Gorge de Galamus
Gorges De Tarn from the Millau Bridge
Cassis
Monaco F1 circuit, Casino Square & tunnels
Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road & Sculptures

Edited by mikey k on Thursday 15th December 19:20

[robgt]

Mikey join us on the Alpine Tour. We need more Aston representation.

[mikey k]

I did think about it but it's too short and the timings bad.
We also REALLY want to spend a few days here

http://www.casaguilla.com/

[LordBretSinclair]

A detour to northern Spain is definitely worth it. The whole of the Picos area is stunning and I can personally recommend the N621 Unquera-Potes-Puerto de San Gloria and then the N625 Puerto del Ponton - Canga de Onis. Plus some tunnels to make some great music.

[oblio]

Mike

I am all for responses on this...

We plan to head down to the Med coast just east of Marseilles, then head east - Monaco etc and perhaps some French/Swiss Alps before heading up to the Vosges and back home. I could do with some pointers for that lot of possible

When we go to the Vosges we always stay in Gerardmer which is great for us with central hotels and plenty of eat/drink places as Mrs O doesn't walk too far.

If you want a great place to stay about an hour from the Chunnel we can recommend

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g676347-...

or the Best Western next to it (which uses the outer rooms that the main hotel used to use - which are great - plus the breakfast is MUCH cheaper )

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g676347-...

We tend to dine in La Distillerie bistro rather than the other 2 options on site (just personal preference)

What time of year are you planning for?

Graham

[GlynMo]

If you're going to be in the Mont Ventoux/Monaco area, it would be rude not to drive the Route Napoleon, perhaps on your way from southern France to the Alps? Also, the road from the A75/E11 to La Grand Combe via Florac is great fun - provided there isn't too much traffic or you are prepared to be decisive with your overtaking.

[oblio]

GlynMo said:

If you're going to be in the Mont Ventoux/Monaco area, it would be rude not to drive the Route Napoleon, perhaps on your way from southern France to the Alps? Also, the road from the A75/E11 to La Grand Combe via Florac is great fun - provided there isn't too much traffic or you are prepared to be decisive with your overtaking.

Nice one Glyn

re: decisive overtaking...I'm going with the portable speed limiting device (aka Mrs O) so we shall be admiring the scenery as we bimble along

[mikey k]

LBS - duly noted thank you!
GlynMo - same again and decisive is not a problem as Jockman will atest
Oblio - September, no problem lurking I'll update the first post as this develops

[Jockman]

mikey k said:

GlynMo - same again and decisive is not a problem as Jockman will atest

Yup !!

I'm still having flashbacks

Email over your route when you've decided please Mr K.

[George H]

oblio said:

I'm going with the portable speed limiting device (aka Mrs O)

[mikey k]

Jockman said:

Email over your route when you've decided please Mr K.

Go on then I'll do all the work for you
I was hoping you might pitch in with some of your experiences & suggestions

BTW LSB that is a great little route

[Jockman]

mikey k said:

Go on then I'll do all the work for you
I was hoping you might pitch in with some of your experiences & suggestions

BTW LSB that is a great little route

You know very well that I'm an avid collector of your routes Mr K - fingers crossed we will be doing some next year (I know Mr Q and Ash would be up for it too).

I can happily guide you through Southern Spain from Seville through Granada / Alhambra / Sierra Nevada to La Manga on the coast.

Souther France however is le Yeti's territoire. You are touching on some formidable wine areas from Bordeaux and through the Rhone Valley - highly recommend Gigondas and Vacqueras in the Northern part of Rhone.

Better not mention to my wife that you are looking at Carcassonne or she will fight Kay for that seat next to you.

Shame you only have 2 seats, really

[oblio]

mikey k said:

Oblio - September, no problem lurking I'll update the first post as this develops

Cheers Mikey

I will be off late July/early August so if I find anything of interest hotel/road-wise not mentioned I can update you when I get back

[mikey k]

Bump for any more ideas

[George H]

Jockman said:

I can happily guide you through Southern Spain from Seville through Granada / Alhambra / Sierra Nevada to La Manga on the coast.

Another good route is to go south when you get to Granada, head for Motril, then turn left and head to Almeria and that will eventually take you to La Manga (that's the place near Alicante isn't it?).

Or turn right at Motril for some cracking driving roads, great little villages/towns, and massive 3km+ tunnels (great if you're in the Aston)

[yeti]

Jockman said:

Souther France however is le Yeti's territoire.

Another recommendation for the Route Napolean from Grenoble to the South Coast (or the other way!). We'll be hitting Beaune on day 1 (from Calais via Reims), Beaune -> Grenoble and then south ending in Monte Carlo for day two. After that the Millau Viaduct and some of the roads around the Millau Gorge. Planning the route now and will do a test run in the 911 in Feb before the main event in the Aston in April. Any chance you can get into the Jura mountains and drop into Switzerland? World class empty roads all year! Ah, the Col de la Faucille...

Wonder if we should have a 'Continental Touring' sticky at the top of the Aston forum. We have the world's greatest GTs after all (and the Vantage).

[George H]

yeti said:

We have the world's greatest GTs after all (and the Vantage).

[Jockman]

mikey k said:

Bump for any more ideas

Yeah, don't let Porker Drivers tell you at a Christmas Party that your V8VS is your dad's car

Georgeous, La Manga is indeed due south of Alicante, approx 1.5 hours, a few lovely empty coastal toll roads

[George H]

Jockman said:

Georgeous, La Manga is indeed due south of Alicante, approx 1.5 hours, a few lovely empty coastal toll roads

Be careful with toll roads. I've heard of people arriving at the other end a bit too quickly, and getting a fine.

Luckily I always drive at the speed limit on empty toll roads

[mikey k]

Jockman said:

Yeah, don't let Porker Drivers tell you at a Christmas Party that your V8VS is your dad's car

Good advice the pair of them kept banging on about 997 GT3's all night