Calais to Nice, best roads to take?

[Mario149]

As per the title Doing a one month long summer road trip, first leg of which is Calais to Nice. We have 3-4 days to do it, I was wondering what the most fun driving route would be?

Not sure if they're remotely en route, but I'd like to do some of the locations/roads seen on TG: that massive long bridge, the canyon place where they tested the RS4 and any others eople can think of that might be vaguely on the way. Don't worry, I'll be doing the Route Napoleon etc when we get down there!

Any suggestions/links to routes on google maps much appreciated

TIA

[Gad-Westy]

Milau bridge would be a bit of a detour but could easily be visited within your timeframe. The gorge on Top Gear was Gorge de Verdon I think and is worth seeing. Also worth stopping at Reims and maybe Le Mans but that would take one hell of a route

Oh, one last thing, Col de Vence is worth looking up.

[braddo]

The big bridge is the Millau viaduct (pronounced Meeyo) and it's not quite on the way but not far off either, maybe 100km NW of Montpelier.

I haven't seen it but there's the Verdon gorge in Provence which might be where Top Gear went, and then there's Mont Ventoux - evo have done a couple of features there I think.

[Mario149]

Thanks for the info so far guys

Are there any nice places to drive through in the Le Mans-Orleans-Limoges-Bourges area? Google maps is taking me down that way if as a good route to get to Millau

[rob.e]

http://www.route-napoleon.com/gb/index.html

Edited by rob.e on Friday 11th June 14:03

[braddo]

Mario149 said:

Thanks for the info so far guys

Are there any nice places to drive through in the Le Mans-Orleans-Limoges-Bourges area? Google maps is taking me down that way if as a good route to get to Millau

I think you'll be heading through the Loire valley (chateaux, vineyards) and then into the Massif Central = lots of awesome hilly driving roads and almost no traffic. Puy de Sancy is the highest peak in central France which at the top (which you can walk to - not a hike or anything) gives a 360 degree view and has a spa town (le Mont Dore) at its base; might be good if you're travelling with female company.

[SystemParanoia]

ill be over in Nice next week. i'll wave if i see you

[Gad-Westy]

Mario149 said:

Thanks for the info so far guys

Are there any nice places to drive through in the Le Mans-Orleans-Limoges-Bourges area? Google maps is taking me down that way if as a good route to get to Millau

Not sure on exact route between LM and Milau. Last summer I went from Calais to Carcasonne (well worth a look if you're anywhere near) via LM. We took the N138 after Rouen and then once we'd done a little photography around Mulsanne Straight etc. headed via N-roads towards Limoges just following sat nav. Mile after mile of beautiful tree lined avenues, top down, exhaust blaring, evening sun, perfect!

Gratuitous picture spam!

Mulsanne Straight


Somewhere near Limoges


Carcassonne


Milau


Nice


Loews Hairpin in Monaco


Route Napoleon, what an awful road


Valley out from Orpierre toward Grenoble


Reims, old pits

Edited by Gad-Westy on Friday 11th June 21:23

[andy ted]

It depends what sort of driving you want but to me, summer alpine roads would be where I would head! Northern France is great but I would get down to at least Burgundy before stopping. You could push through to Annecy easily in a day. From there you have access to some of the best alpine roads.

You could do so many routes from going to Evian near Geneva and doing the whole of the Route des Grandes alpes to just doing part of it, something like the Col De L'Iseran (through Val D'isere) and over the top or through the Frejus Tunnel into Italy. Down to Savona and via the coastal road through Monaco ending up in Nice (be prepared for traffic jams!!)

Otherwise you could do Burgundy, then Provence (Gordes, Orange, etc then down to the Riviera)

I am sure it will be great what ever you do but the High mountain passes are always spectacular!

Have fun

Andy

[DoubleG]

Hi Mario!

We went a very similar route last month on the way to the Monaco GP (and my 30th BD!). I'm not sure if you have left already, but if you are driving the Route Napoleon... I can recommend an AMAZING small detour.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...

Follow the N85 to Castellane, then head back North to Verrons, running along the Lac de Castillon. From Barreme to Verrons we never saw another car - and the road was totally incredible.

As you also have lots of time, i would suggest heading to Sospel and the infamous Col de Turini (best tarmac stage in the WRC and some great auto-loving restaurants en-route). Finishing in Monaco for a relaxing/ celebratory beer at the Cafe de Paris.

I have some video from the route i will try and post soon.

[morgrp]

Gad-Westy said:

Mario149 said:

Thanks for the info so far guys

Are there any nice places to drive through in the Le Mans-Orleans-Limoges-Bourges area? Google maps is taking me down that way if as a good route to get to Millau

Not sure on exact route between LM and Milau. Last summer I went from Calais to Carcasonne (well worth a look if you're anywhere near) via LM. We took the N138 after Rouen and then once we'd done a little photography around Mulsanne Straight etc. headed via N-roads towards Limoges just following sat nav. Mile after mile of beautiful tree lined avenues, top down, exhaust blaring, evening sun, perfect!

Gratuitous picture spam!

Mulsanne Straight


Somewhere near Limoges


Carcassonne


Milau


Nice


Loews Hairpin in Monaco


Route Napoleon, what an awful road


Valley out from Orpierre toward Grenoble


Reims, old pits

Edited by Gad-Westy on Friday 11th June 21:23

Top pics! - may I suggest a full write up in a new topic? - Would love to read about your trip