France Trip - Any suggestions?

[ChrisDB7]

We've planned (in the loosest sense of the word!) a 2 week trip over to France next month, and as we've only got a couple of weeks before we leave I thought I might ask this fine forum for any suggestions of stop offs or roads that we really don't want to miss.
I've made a rough Google map of our route HERE.

In particular I'd like to know of any suggestions of where to stop off between Calais and Arcachon. We've given ourselves 2 days to make that trip so if there is anywhere interesting to stop off on the way I'd be keen to hear. Le Mans perhaps? Poitiers?

I'm also not sure whether to spend an extra night on the south coast and do the trip back across France (via the toll roads) in one go, or stop off somewhere on the way. What do you think?

[Phil74891]

Looks like a great trip. Definitely take in the bridge at Millau. Up and left a bit from Montpellier.

http://www.leviaducdemillau.com/en_index.php

[pschlute]

I really suggest you take the Route Napoleon from Nice to Grenoble. http://www.beyond.fr/sites/rtnapol.html

It's a terrific drive through the Maritime Alps. And if you want to stay near Grenoble then have a look at Le Grand Hotel les Terrasses at Uriage Les Bains (and try the little restaurant La Tour Maline...a short walk from the hotel.

Peter

[Cockernee]

pschlute said:

I really suggest you take the Route Napoleon from Nice to Grenoble. http://www.beyond.fr/sites/rtnapol.html

It's a terrific drive through the Maritime Alps. And if you want to stay near Grenoble then have a look at Le Grand Hotel les Terrasses at Uriage Les Bains (and try the little restaurant La Tour Maline...a short walk from the hotel.

Peter

^^^^ This ^^^^^^

Also divert up to Dijon and drive across to Troyes (Route de Dijon). Nice driving road and cuts the monotony of the motorways.

Edited by Cockernee on Thursday 27th June 18:06

[E31Shrew]

Thought provoking stopover at Oradour

http://www.oradour.info/

[pschlute]

...or spend a night in Beaune on the way back. Lovely medieval Town, and you can see most of it in an afternoon or morning. Dont miss the Hospice, and Le cep is a great place to spend the night... http://www.hotel-cep-beaune.com/uk/index.php.

Get the hotel to book you a restaurant table. We just wandered about to find somewhere we liked the look of (there are plenty of restaurants), but just walking off the street entailed quite a wait for a free table.

Peter

[ChrisDB7]

Thanks for the suggestions.

The Millau bridge looks like a must. Well worth the diversion on what is a relatively short leg anyway.

Grenoble or Beaune looks like a tough choice - I'll suggest both to the boss! Any other ideas on where to stop to break up the first leg of the journey? Oradour is a possibility but its still a very long drive from Calais.

Edited by ChrisDB7 on Thursday 27th June 19:32

[AdamV8V]

Hey Chris,

Check out my thread on the very subject here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

In summary:

Calais > Etoges, near Eparnay (via Reims for a free visit to Tattinger)
Etoges > Grenoble (via Route de Dijon)
Grenoble > Nice (via Route Napoleon)
Nice > Orgon, Provence (via Gorges du Verdun)
Orgon > Ajaccio, Corsica (via Corsica Ferry, overnight)
Ajaccio > Ajaccio (via Porto Vecchio, Bastia)
Ajaccio > Sarlat (via Toulon, Millau)
Sarlat > Calais (via l'Autoroute d'Ennui)

http://bit.ly/L429ja
http://g.co/maps/cqk7z
http://g.co/maps/zv3j6

As above, Napoleon and Millau are musts. If you can fit in Corsica, I can't recommend it highly enough.

[V8 Animal]

I'm in Beaune now did the Route Napolean yesterday epic drive from Nice a Vantage joined the trail of cars which was fun!!

[mikey k]

Looks like a slightly shorter version of my route from last September

http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[JACK6284]

I would also suggest taking advantage of this offer:

http://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/traveller-info/Sanef-...

Saves a bit of cash and really annoys the French Audi drivers as you go straight through the tolls and they have to stop!

edit.

Obviously if you are avoiding the tolls this wont be required!

Edited by JACK6284 on Friday 28th June 09:15

[Greenslade]

I'd also incorporate Mont Ventoux, a billiard table smooth road to 2000m

[mikey k]

Greenslade said:

I'd also incorporate Mont Ventoux, a billiard table smooth road to 2000m

North side is
South Side is crap!
Lots of cyclists and busy at the top


French Loop 1280_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr


French Loop 1281_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

[mikey k]

Highly recommend this place for a stop over near Paris to break up the trip back (or down?)

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g425025-...

[mikey k]

E31Shrew said:

Thought provoking stopover at Oradour

http://www.oradour.info/

We did that last time very sad


French Loop 094_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr


French Loop 102_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

[mikey k]

ChrisDB7 said:

Thanks for the suggestions.

The Millau bridge looks like a must. Well worth the diversion on what is a relatively short leg anyway.

Go under it not over it and continue up the Tarn Gorge


French Loop 1122_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr


French Loop 1125_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

[mikey k]

Why am I not doing one of these this year

[LordBretSinclair]

We ( 8 Astons and occupants ) stayed here http://www.relais-de-saint-preuil.com/ when we did the Remparts at Angouleme - stunning place